During our latest update on the upcoming ARISS communication between local students and astronauts aboard the International Space Station, KVOE News asked ESU Associate Professor Erika Martin a familiar question.
While the date for the link-up is still pending, a lot of groundwork for the communication has been laid in recent weeks, including selecting the list of questions that will be presented once the interaction takes place, according to Martin. Martin says there have been 28 questions approved and revealed to local students during a special training event at the Prophet Aquatic Research and Outreach Center (PAROC), where Martin says students were able to learn firsthand about various facets of the astronaut experience in space.
Also, the contingent of students and coordinators recently held their first ARISS practice, where students took turns utilizing a radio and communicating with a stand-in astronaut. The event was co-organized and facilitated by the Emporia Amateur Radio Society, led by Tim East, who says the society has been very excited to play a part in the ARISS program.
East says the society will be facilitating two more trainings in the coming months, focusing on not only the technical aspect of using equipment to communicate, but also how to communicate clearly and articulately.
Both East and Martin say the level of excitement and engagement shown by the students participating in the ARISS event has been a real highlight for them.
East says he has been impressed by how concentrated and “professional” the students have been throughout the process.
Emporia State was announced as a participant in the ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) program last November. KVOE News will continue to update progress on the local community’s involvement, including the announcement of an official connection date, as details become available.
