Of the People and For the People!
News story originally written on January 17, 2002
During a space walk on January 14, 2002, the Expedition Four crew of the International Space Station (ISS) installed an amateur radio antenna outside the ISS.
"The installation of this first antenna on the outside of
Zvezda will allow the crew to set up ham radio equipment in
their living quarters," said Frank Bauer, chief of the
Guidance, Navigation and Control Center at NASA's Goddard
Space Flight Center. "The Zarya location worked well, but this new setup is much more comfortable and
convenient and should allow for more contact between the crew
and amateur radio operators and schools on Earth."
Another space walk is scheduled for January 25, 2002. During this space walk, three more antennas will be installed outside the ISS enabling the move of the ham radio equipment inside the ISS. The radio equipment has allowed crewmembers to talk to their families, as well as to hundreds of schoolchildren around the world.
"Astronauts and cosmonauts are ardent supporters of
educational outreach contacts with schools," said Bauer. "They have made contacts
with hundreds of schoolchildren at more than 40 schools around the world."
Another way that the crew onboard the ISS seem to be of the people and for the people is by answering questions from the general public. There is an Ask-ISS crew page set up specifically for this purpose.
The shuttle mission that brought this Expedition Four crew to the ISS, STS-108, carried thousands of American flags into space and back. "NASA wanted to come up with an appropriate tribute to the
people who lost their lives in the tragic events of September
11," added former Administrator Goldin. "America's space program has
a long history of carrying items into space to commemorate
historic events, acts of courage and dramatic achievements.
'Flags for Heroes and Families' is a natural extension of
this ongoing outreach project. We feel 'Flags for Heroes and Families' is a fitting tribute from our Nation's space program to honor those affected by
this American tragedy. The
entire NASA family has come together with a historic display
of unity on a project designed to comfort of all who have
been touched by these horrific events."
