SUCCESSFUL ARISS CONTACT AT UNIVERSITY OF FOGGIA, ITALY

Wednesday, September 14 at 08.38 UTC, which is 10.38 CEST, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy established ARISS contact with NASA astronaut Michael E. Fossum KF5AQG on-board the International Space Station. Astronaut Michael E. Fossum operated with the ISS callsign OR4ISS. This was a telebridge contact by ARISS ground station IK1SLD installed at Casale Monferrato Airport, Piemonte, Italy.

The University of Foggia was founded by decree of the Ministry of University and Research on 5th August 1999. From its birth the university, at a training and research level, has presented a dynamic and innovative proposal. This model is characterized by teaching which is attentive to local needs, locally applied research projects, internationalization, orientation, cultural events and promotion of university events. Six faculties (Agriculture, Economics, Law, Arts and Philosophy, Medicine and Surgery, Education) with their three-year degree courses, specialist degree courses, 12 departments, an Interdepartmental Research center, numerous masters, research doctorates and specialization schools have contributed towards making the university a cultural center which enables students to acquire the professional training needed for present day society and economy. The scientific community of the University of Foggia comprises 173 researchers, 103 associate professors and 95 ordinary professors. The administrative personnel amounts to 376, while there are presently more than 11,000 students at the university.

ARISS mentor Francesco De Paolis, IK0WGF proposed to the radio contact coordinator for ARISS event to set up a telebridge contact. Mr. Michele Pio La Sala, the radio contact coordinator, decided in favor of this setup. Before the contact, Mr. Claudio Ariotti, IK1SLD, the moderator for this contact, introduced the event with a presentation on the ARISS project. The questions were read by the students at University if Bari where an audience of about 100 students, teachers, visitors and media participated to the ARISS event.

At 08:38 UTC, contact with OR4ISS was established by station IK1SLD and the operator presented the event to NASA astronaut Michael E. Fossum KF5AQG. Using the amateur station aboard the ISS Service Module, the astronaut answered 13 of 20 questions prepared by students and exchanged final greetings. During the pass the signal from ISS was loud and clear.

Streaming video was for both contacts on:

http://www.media.unifg.it/iss/

ARISS contact was announced by web story on ESA Portal - National News:

http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMXL70UDSG_Italy_0.html

Congratulations to University of Bari and to IK1SLD!

73 Francesco – IKØWGF

ARISS mentor

Audio recording