Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment (SAREX) On the front two astronauts Charles Bolden, Amateur Radio call sign KE41QB, (top left) and Linda Godwin, N5RAX, (top right) communicate with students throughout the United States using the Shuttle Amateur Radio EXperiment (SAREX). The top center picture shows a launch of Space Shuttle Columbia, which has carried the SAREX payload with regularity. The two student groups are SAREX participants from the Clear Creek Independent School District of Houston, TX who communicated with Space Shuttle Atlantis on the STS-37 mission (bottom left) and Challenger Middle School of Huntsville, AL who contacted the shuttle Endeavour during STS-47 (bottom right). Amateur Radio has been a regular payload on Shuttle missions since STS-9 in November 1983, when Owen Garriott, W5LFL, carried a hand-held ham radio aboard Space Shuttle Columbia. SAREX provides students with the unique opportunity to talk directly with astronauts in the Shuttle while they orbit the Earth traveling 17,000 miles per hour. With the help of Amateur Radio operators, students can attempt to contact the astronauts flying on a SAREX mission through voice, packet (computer) radio, or television, depending on which equipment configuration the Shuttle takes into space. Through voice contact students may ask questions about the experiments being conducted on the mission and what it is like living in space. When astronauts are asleep, a robot computer Amateur Radio station aboard the Shuttle makes contact with hundreds of hams (another name for amateur radio operators) around the world. Classes can track the Shuttle's orbit using computer software, "eavesdrop" on Shuttle communications, and listen to NASA Mission Commentary and bulletins about astronaut- planned transmissions. Astronauts who are licensed ham radio operators participate in SAREX during their tree-time on missions, to make contact with students around the world, exciting them about space, science, and technology. Interested schools can contact the Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL) for SAREX lesson materials. Teachers can easily introduce SAREX into their schools by contacting the ARRL Educational Activities Department (EAD) for a list of local ham radio clubs willing to help. These clubs may also assist schools to submit applications to ARRL EAD for scheduled radio contacts with astronauts on future Shuttle flights. The ARRL, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), and NASA sponsor SAREX. AMSAT heads the technical operations and receives support from hundreds of Amateur Radio operators who work behind the scenes in NASA's amateur radio clubs at the Johnson Space Center, Marshall Space Flight Center, and Goddard Space Flight Center. The American Radio Relay League Educational Activities Department (ARRL EAD) and NASA's Education Division create lesson plans and resource materials for teachers. For the Classroom 1. Research information about radio frequencies such as: What is a megahertz (MHz)? How are frequencies chosen? What is the difference between AM and FM? What is the difference between public radio station frequencies and amateur radio frequencies? 2. Why do they call amateur radio operators "hams"? There are several stories that explain the mysterious origin of how the term "ham" came to be used in Amateur Radio. 3. Contact ARRL to find a local Amateur Radio club. Have a volunteer visit your classroom to demonstrate the principles of Amateur Radio. For a free information booklet on getting started in Amateur Radio write ARRL at: American Radio Relay League (ARRL) Educational Activities Department (EAD) Educational Correspondent 225 Main Street Newington, CT 06111 Phone (203)666-1541 Fax (203) 665-7531 Internet: ead@arrl.org 4. Submit an application and proposal to ARRL for your school to become a contact school for a future Shuttle mission. Participate with hams around the world by "eavesdropping" on Shuttle communications during the next mission carrying the SAREX payload.