The power to reach out into space

Out of this world experience

The  Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) project lets students worldwide experience the excitement of talking directly with crew members of the ISS, inspiring them to pursue interests in careers in science, technology, engineering and math, and engaging them with radio science technology through amateur radio.

Allen Park Elementary is one of only fourteen schools in the US to participate in this round of ARISS.  On the big day, they used a ham radio to speak to the astronaut while they fly overhead. The students also used a telescope on the ground to observe the ISS.

The students have taken on the NASA “Train Like an Astronaut - Walk to the Moon” challenge which includes growing tomatoes from seeds flown in space, visiting the Kennedy Space Center to witness a rocket launch and forming a STEM Club to study rocketry, computer coding and robotics.

Onboard the ISS, they talked to Serena Auñón-Chancellor, an American physician that has been in space since June 2018.

The talk was streamed live on Youtube.

Powering curiosity

"We were asked if we had a system that could help support the project for the Lee County School system in Florida." says Gary Williams, Sales Manager, Eltek US.

"We had just worked with CenturyLink, one of the partners in the ARISS project, to configure a 12V system that would work to power the radio for the project. We were excited to donate a power system  in such an educational program." Gary explains.

The Micropack system has proven its worth in the months leading up to the event.

"The power system has far exceeded our expectations" says Brian Darley,  CenturyLink network technician and Program Chair of the Fort Myers Amateur Radio Club.

"I have tried it on my HF Radio, and listened for the typical induced noise that normally comes from most switching power systems and I must say I am impressed. the output from this system is very clean in regards to noise." explains Brian. 

Educators with a passion

In August, Allen Park Elementary math and science teacher Courtney Black presented at SPACE, NASA’s Space Port Conference for Educators, showing other teachers how to incorporate rocketry into their lesson plans.  Space is is a passion of hers, and she loves it.

“The students are amazing and have worked very hard towards this goal,” Black says. “Their enthusiasm and dedication towards STEM and space exploration leaves me with no doubt that someday, they will be the on the other side of an ARISS contact. This group of future astronauts, engineers and educators serves as a daily inspiration and a reminder of the importance of investing in our future.”

“We have enjoyed every minute working with the students and seeing the excitement build for the ISS contact,” says Brian Darley. “We are so proud to provide the connection that will have a lifelong impact for everyone involved”.
 
Eltek applauds the efforts of Lee County and the ARISS project, knowing that the students will carry with them this out of this world experience for the rest of their life.

Stay tuned

Lee County ARISS Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/191258951672621/

Lee County Schools Youtube channel for the live event:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nt2e1posb_Q

Image Courtesy of Lee County and Nasa