Ham Radio Videos
• Amateur Radio on the International Space Station
Added at 2013-11-09 09:23:05
Public Affairs Officer Kelly Humphries interviews Frank Bauer, AMSAT Vice President for Human Spaceflight Programs, about amateur radio satellites. Bauer began his NASA career at Goddard Space Flight Center, moving to Johnson Space Center and finally retiring as Chief Engineer for Exploration at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
There are over 70 amateur satellites (AMSAT) in orbit today with the first AMSAT launching in 1961. Amateur radios have been used on human spacecraft for 30 years including the entire duration of habitation on the International Space Station.
About 15,000 students a year talk to space station crew members. AMSAT volunteers set up antennas and radio gear giving teachers and students a live chat with crews in orbit.
Credit NASA