Cuba ARISS contact audible over Europe

An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at W.T. Sampson, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba

on 11 Feb. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 15:58 UTC. The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be a telebridge between IR0ISS and IK1SLD. The contact should be audible over Italy and adjacent areas. Interested parties are invited to listen in on the 145.80 MHz downlink. The contact is expected to be conducted in English.

School presentation:

WT Sampson Unit School is a K-12 DoDDS (Department of Defense Dependents Schools) school located in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Our school provides education opportunities for GTMO’s students from Sure Start through 12th grade. Our students are primarily the children of military and civilian families stationed here at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

We are accredited by the North Central Association, Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI). NCA CASI is part of the unified organization AdvancED whose focus is to help member schools continually improve student performance and school conditions. Our mission is to educate, engage, and empower each student to succeed in a dynamic world. We envision a technologically sophisticated learning environment, supported by our families and community, where all students attain their highest levels of success. Where understanding and appreciating diversity is an integral part of the learning process; thereby, empowering all students to become physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy citizens of the global community.

Although officially designated as a Unit School, WT Sampson is actually located on two separate campuses about 2 miles apart. Currently, there are approximately 130 students at the elementary school (SS through 5th grade) and 90 students (6th through 12th grade) at the secondary campus. Despite our small size, WT Sampson provides all students with the highest quality of education and a safe environment. The dedicated and highly qualified faculty remains focused on the mission, vision, and philosophy of our school.

Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows:

1. How long did it take you to reach the ISS after launch?

2. What is the overall size of the space station? How big are the

compartments?

3. What are you researching on the ISS?

4. What made you want to become an astronaut?

5. How many days have you been in space?

6. How type of education does one need to become an astronaut?

7. What time is it on the space station and how do you know when to sleep?

8. What happens to your muscles when you return to Earth?

9. What type of training do you do before going up into space?

10. How did you feel the first time you launched into outer-space?

11. When launching, how long does it take to leave the atmosphere?

12. Since you all live together and are always close to each other, how do

you solve conflicts and arguments?

13. Where do you get fruits and vegetables?

14. What has been your favorite experience so far on board the ISS?

15. What do you miss most about Earth while you are on the ISS?

16. How long can you stay in space?

17. What are you trying to accomplish on the space station?

18. How many times have you been to the ISS?

19. What is it like wearing a space suit?

ARISS offers an opportunity for students to experience the excitement of Amateur Radio by talking directly with crewmembers onboard the International Space Station.

Teachers, parents and communities see, first hand, how Amateur Radio and crewmembers on ISS can energize youngsters' interest in science, technology and learning.

73,

Gaston Bertels, ON4WF

ARISS Europe Chairman