How Norwich Free Academy students used radios to talk to the International Space Station
NORWICH — Norwich Free Academy students had an out-of-this-world day on Monday.
Students made radio contact with NASA Astronaut Josh Cassada, who is in the middle of a six-month mission on the International Space Station. The conversation at the end of the school day lasted around 10 minutes, but it was the culmination of more than a year of work from Norwich Free Academy students and staff.
The Norwich Free Academy Amateur Radio and Engineering Club, call sign W1HLO, was responsible for making this conversation happen. The club's advisor is Anthony Girasoli, who is also the school's director of information technology. He said that after the students expressed interest in talking with an astronaut, the school applied for and got a $10,000 grant from the Amateur Radio Digital Communication Organization to upgrade equipment, and applied to talk with Amateur Radio at the International Space Station.
“We always wanted to do something unique, and this was always there as a goal to do,” he said.
The ham, or amateur, radio club has always done challenging, college level projects. Some of the other work the club has done includes launching a weather balloon, and making an amateur television station, Girasoli said.
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Material about astronauts was integrated into the entire school's science curriculum to prepare them for Monday, and they could develop questions to ask Cassada, Girasoli said.
The ham radio club also made promotional material to pique student interest, Deziavit said.
Junior Julia Sujecki and freshman Clark Dziavit are newer members of the school’s ham radio club and were both intrigued by the prospect of talking to an astronaut from space.
Before the contact, both students were nervous.
“We’ve got to do this first try,” Dziavit said.
Sujecki called it “a once in a lifetime” opportunity.
“I’m very excited and I’d like to learn more about space and becoming an astronaut,” she said.
Making radio contact with the space station
To prepare, Girasoli had to make a map of all possible signal obstructions to create an optimal path, and the students had to practice with their equipment up until the hour before the chat.
On Monday, while a few dozen people were up in the ham radio room in the Cranston Building, the whole school was able to hear the conversation from the P.A. and the YouTube stream.
Once everything was ready to roll, Girasoli explained to everyone that the two robotic antennas on the Cranston Building would always be pointed at the International Space Station. There was a lot of static at first, but after Girasoli and Dziavit called for a few minutes, they heard the space station’s call sign back.
“Welcome aboard the International Space Station,” Cassada said. “Norwich Free Academy, I’m excited to talk to you.”
Wide range of questions for astronaut Josh Cassada
With some oversight from NASA, 23 questions had been picked ranging widely on different aspects of being an astronaut and living in space. Most of the students had a chance to ask their questions before the International Space Station moved out of range.
The first question was from senior Christopher Dubicki, wearing a NASA sweatshirt. He asked about Cassada’s journey to becoming an astronaut, and what he’d recommend to someone wanting to be an astronaut.
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Cassada talked about his meandering career path, studying physics, becoming a Navy pilot, starting a company, then becoming an astronaut.
“I’ve always done things that interest me, so my one recommendation is: do things you love, and it sure beats working for a living,” he said.
Other students asked about managing supplies and what experiments are being done right now. Cassada said there are over 200 in progress.
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Other questions were more about life in space, with Cassada mentioning special workouts to prevent health problems in space, the crew all having medical training, and needing to use a “special system” when using the toilet.
“When you open a bag, everything comes floating out,” Cassada said to the giggles of the listeners. “You can imagine going to the bathroom, you need to be very careful.”
After about 20 questions, the International Space Station moved out of range, and applause radiated from the small room for a job well done.
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Ham radio club explores fields of science
Both Dziavit and Sujecki encouraged their fellow students to join the ham radio club.
“It gives you plenty of opportunists to do things you’ve never done before,” he said. “You get to use fancy radios to talk to different people across the world, and now we’re using the radio to talk to an astronaut.”
“You get to learn Morse code as well, and learn how to build a robot,” she added. “If you love building and you love space, I definitely recommend it.”
Girasoli hopes this inspires students to look into astronomy or other sciences. While it might be hard for the club to beat this, Girasoli hopes to get a radio telescope installed as the club’s next big project.
“I want people to see the amazing things we’re doing here at NFA,” he said.
This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Norwich CT students talk to NASA astronaut aboard ISS using radio
