Nasa Astronaut Mike Fossum.
"NA1SS Copy loud and clear. Over"
"NA1SS, we've got you loud and clear. Go ahead Australia!"
These were the thrilling words that emerged from the radio static at 6.50pm on Monday 29th August, 2011, when children from Vision Australia at Enfield made contact with NASA Astronaut Michael Fossum on the International Space Station (ISS).
Well may you ask how on earth (or space) did this happen?? Something this momentous needs a little background information.....
T minus 4 weeks (1st week of August)
Paul Paradigm, ATC from Sydney West Team, and National Coordinator for AMSAT (Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation) received word that his application to ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) had been successful. Young clients of Vision Australia would be making radio contact with the International Space Station!ARISS is a worldwide educational project made possible through the cooperation of AMSAT; NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) and the ARRL (American Radio Relay League) and is managed by a worldwide group of dedicated volunteer Licensed Amateur Radio Operators. The objective of ARISS is to stimulate the minds of young people in the fields of science and technology by making it possible for them to question the astronauts about their life and work in space as they circle the earth at 27 000km per hour on board the International Space Station.
Young Vision Australia clients Issac and Ruby showing certificates.
Slight logistical challenge - we were given two possible dates, and we wouldn't know which night it would be until five days before due to the complexities of the astronauts' schedules.
T minus 2 weeks
The names of twelve clients, aged between eight and twelve years, were drawn from a hat, and from that moment were nicknamed The Space Cadets. They enthusiastically began practicing their questions (in braille and large print) while we waited anxiously to hear when this event would occur, and which of the six ISS crew members (three Russian cosmonauts, two American astronauts and one Japanese spaceman) would spend their leisure time talking to us.
T minus 1 week
Confirmations! We had a date - Monday 29 August, 2011! We had an astronaut - Michael (Mike) Fossum - NASA Astronaut; former test pilot and space shuttle crew member; crew member with Expedition 28 on the ISS; father; grandfather; and Scoutmaster!
We also had two disasters - the Russian Soyuz spacecraft carrying cargo and supplies to the ISS crashed in Siberia, and a major weather event (Hurricane Irene) hit the USA. We fretted our Astronaut Mike would be too busy with extra work to speak with us!
T minus 2 hrs
Millies Café was converted into Mission Control. An image on a screen tracked the progress of the ISS as it travelled across the Earth. The elaborate radio system was installed and ready to receive the call. And Space Cadets, other young clients, parents, siblings, staff and their children began arriving, dressed up in the theme of Science and Space.
Amy asking her question.
T minus 1 hr
Karen Jordan (NSW State Manager) was our MC - Mission Controller. She welcomed everyone and introduced our first guest speaker, Judy Williams, Secretary of AMSAT. Judy spoke about amateur radio and its role, not only as a terrific and accessible international hobby, but also its importance in communication and disaster management, and the jobs available for people with the right skills.
We were honored to have our second guest speaker - Professor Bryan Gaensler, Australian Laureate Fellow, School of Physics Professor at the University of Sydney, Director, ARC Centre of Excellence for All-sky Astrophysics (CAASTRO), author, and former Young Australian of the Year (1999). Professor Gaensler enthralled children and adults alike as he explained supernovas, black holes, and the birth and death of stars. He took questions from the audience, and delighted the children with his descriptions of what would happen if our sun suddenly went supernova.
Meanwhile our Space Cadets were busy rehearsing. They learned how to use the Press To Talk function on the radio microphone, and practised their questions with Tony Hutchison in South Australia and Nancy Rocheleau in Honolulu. Due to the position of the ISS in the sky it was necessary for us to communicate via relay - it would be over Hawaii, and we would have those nine minutes while it travelled from horizon to horizon to make the radio link and ask all our questions. Precision timing was essential!
T minus 5 minutes
There was silence in Millies - remarkable for ninety people! The Space Cadets lined up to ask their questions. Paul gave the introduction for the broadcast which could be heard by amateur radio operators all around the world. He described Vision Australia and its work, and concluded with the following message:
Theodore asking question.
"To all the kids here, we hope you use tonight's experience as an opportunity to think about science and technology and how excellent it might be to do this sort of stuff as a career when you grow up. As you can see from tonight, it's so not boring when you experience the practical applications of science and technology! There is so much out there that you could learn to do, you just need to find out all the things that are possible, and work really hard to get there. Don't let having a vision impairment stop you from aiming high. You're about to ask questions of an astronaut - keep aiming that high and keep asking questions and who knows where you might end up."
And then it was over to Nancy to make the call......
Wow! The excitement of those nine minutes, especially when Astronaut Mike's voice came through all that static. The gasps and smiles of delight were beautiful to witness. The Space Cadets were marvellous - they all delivered their questions with great calm and clear voices. This was an evening that all present would remember for a very long time.
Jasmin with William rehearsing what he plans to ask.
We have received a lot of positive feedback, including:
"A big thank you to everyone who organised the space evening and opportunity for the children to speak to an Astronaut, Ruby loved it and has taken all the bits and pieces to show and tell at school today so as far as engaging the children's curiosity and further their knowledge you have achieved that with great success. I loved the information myself and was captivated by the speakers not to mention the astronaut."
"I just wanted to let you know what a magical time it was for Jasmin and I tonight. We came away from the evening absolutely thrilled.....What a thrill it was to hear Mike Fossum's voice from space.... What a wonderful man he is. Jasmin is very proud, as I imagine all the other children are, that she was able to be part of a "history making" event. I can't congratulate Vision Australia and all of the staff involved enough for organising such a special event for the children and their families. You were all superb .... The guest speakers were wonderful and what they shared with us certainly opened my eyes to just how our universe and galaxies "work"."
"Thank you very much for inviting me to Sydney so I could talk to astronaut Mike"
"Thank you for letting me come - I had a great time. I especially liked the magnets and I took the photo, certificate, badge and magnets to school. All my friends enjoyed it. They also asked questions about it."
An event of this magnitude required the hard work of a number of people - a special thankyou to managers and staff from Sydney West, Sydney North and East, and Caringbah Teams, Marketing, Millies, and Property and Facilities who all contributed to the evening's success. Thankyou also to our guest speakers and AMSAT helpers - we are so grateful for your involvement.
Over!
Paul Paradigm and Natalie Kaine