When asked if the date for when local students will have their opportunity to connect with members aboard the International Space Station was ready to be announced, Dr. Erika Martin of Emporia State University stated:
Dr. Martin, a professor in the School of Science and Mathematics, alongside Prophet Aquatic Research and Outreach Center Director Alex Hayes and ESU STEM Outreach Coordinator Daphne Mayes, joined KVOE’s Morning Show on Thursday to update work on the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program, for which Emporia State was announced as a participant last November. The program will provide local students with a link-up to astronauts on board the International Space Station. This opportunity has been met with great excitement locally, according to Martin.
While the date for the link-up is still unknown, and likely will be for the foreseeable future due to a recent medical evacuation of the ISS, Martin says efforts to engage local businesses, students, and schools are continuing at a rapid pace, with Mayes focusing on working with local entities to incorporate the ARISS project into their existing business or educational models.
Martin, meanwhile, is focusing on identifying live streaming locations across the community.
Martin says the hope is to have some sort of interactive feature at each streaming location to give residents an activity or immersive experience of some kind in addition to viewing the communication between students and astronauts.
As for PAROC, the main host site for the stream, Hayes says her current efforts are similar to those of Mayes, as she is working to incorporate more ARISS and space-themed activities into their list of community activities.
Additional information and details on the contact and related activities will be shared through Emporia State University, with details being made available at Emporia.edu. KVOE News will provide updates on any developments as they come about.
