ARISS - Amateur Radio on the International Space Station
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ARISS - Amateur Radio on the International Space Station
@arissintl.bsky.social
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Official ARISS! ARISS lets students worldwide experience the excitement of talking directly with crew members of the International Space Station via amateur radio, inspiring them to pursue interests in careers in science, technology, engineering and math.
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Less than one hour until the ARISS crossband voice repeater is turned off for a few days in support of Thursday's spacewalk on the ISS.
January 7, 2026 at 4:42 PM
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Quick update regarding the scheduled ARISS crossband voice repeater outage this week for Thursday's EVA.

The Columbus module radio will be powered off slightly earlier than previously announced. It will still occur on Wednesday, but now at 17:35 UTC (12:35 PM ET).
January 6, 2026 at 6:27 PM
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Following up on our Artemis II post earlier this week, we frequently get asked: Are all astronauts licensed hams?

No, it's personal preference, but there is an ARISS team at Johnson Space Center willing to help crewmembers get their license.
Infographic answering "Are all ISS crew licensed hams?" with "Not every crew member is a licensed ham. It depends on their personal interests." Features a photo of NASA astronaut Kjell Lindgren (KO5MOS) using amateur radio equipment in the Columbus module during ARRL Field Day 2022. Text notes similar pastimes among passionate crew and directs to ariss.org/hams-in-space.html for a list of licensed international crew members. Includes ARISS logo.
January 6, 2026 at 6:13 PM
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The first SPARKI workshop of 2026 is later this month, in the shadow of the Artemis rocket at KSC.

Learn more about the SPARKI program at www.ariss.org/space-pionee... and thanks to Amateur Radio Digital Communications for the support!
Graphic for the ARISS SPARKI program. Left side shows a table display with a computer screen, Raspberry Pi, SDR kit, Educator's Guide, and informational materials. Bottom left: group photo of the SPARKI workshop team posing outdoors in front of a large rocket model. Right side: text on dark blue background reading:"Hello SPARKI! Enabling educators to prepare for upcoming STEM contacts.US educators are invited to join the ARISS SPARKI program before their scheduled school or youth group STEM contacts.SPARKI includes a kit with an SDR dongle, Raspberry Pi, and other components for education on radio communications activities. Plus, an Educator's Guide and hands-on workshop for robust preparation.The program is supported by ARDC in the US, and there is a modified version in Europe."Includes ARISS logo and note: "ARISS Images: SPARKI kit components at Dayton Hamvention, February 2025 workshop team."
January 5, 2026 at 7:43 PM
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Artemis II could take flight to the Moon as early as next month, giving ham radio operators an extra incentive to follow this mission.
Three of the four crew members are licensed hams—and you might even have Glover or Wiseman in your log from the ISS!
Artemis II crew members in blue flight suits sit on stage at a 2023 NASA event. From left to right: Jeremy Hansen (CSA), Christina Koch (NASA), Victor Glover (NASA), and Reid Wiseman (NASA). Text overlay highlights that three of the four are licensed ham radio operators, with their call signs and ARISS history. ARISS logo in top right. NASA logo visible in background.
January 4, 2026 at 7:53 PM
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We have the schedule of radio outages for next week's ISS EVA.

Crossband voice repeater outages will start Wednesday, check the graphic for times.
"ISS EVA Outage Schedule: Jan 7-9, 2026. Columbus Module radio cross-band repeater off Wed 18:45 UTC, back on Fri 07:40 UTC. Service Module APRS/SSVT radio offline for maintenance. HamTV unaffected. Times approximate."
January 3, 2026 at 8:21 PM
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Here's your first ARISS radio status report of 2026.
ISS Amateur Radio Status as of Jan 2:Columbus Module Radio: Active as crossband repeater (Down 437.800 MHz, Up 145.990 MHz - PL 67 Hz) Service Module Radio: Offline (reset planned) HamTV: Active, transmitting color bars (2395 MHz) Upcoming: ISS spacewalks Jan 8 & 15 (expect radio outages). Scheduled STEM contacts to resume later in January. Timings subject to change.#ARISS
January 2, 2026 at 1:44 PM
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NASA is planning two spacewalks from the ISS this month. Our operations team members are watching for ARISS outage impacts.

You can find out more info on these EVA's at the NASA website:
www.nasa.gov/news-release...
NASA astronaut in spacesuit performing an EVA outside the ISS, with Earth in the background. Graphic overlay announces January spacewalks on back-to-back Thursdays (Jan 8 & 15), noting planned ARISS radio outages and upcoming NASA media conference on Jan 6. Includes ARISS logo and credit for 2009 NASA photo of EVA installing ham radio antenna.
January 1, 2026 at 4:22 PM
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We've been sharing 2025 accomplishments for a week, amd there's so much more to talk about! We didn't even get to cover educator workshops, thousands of hours volunteered, and our new pre-contact video in our year-in-review!

Here's to a fantastic 2026!
Infographic titled "ARISS in 2025: Looking back at the amazing year we experienced." It features "2025 by the numbers":Photo of Rebea Rogge on SpaceX Dragon. World map showing countries with ARISS contacts. Photo of UK Scouts ARISS contact event in October. Axiom 4 mission logo. Key highlights listed:NAVCOM experiment testing lunar navigation via ARISS S-band antennas. Fram2 mission with Rabea Rogge's Fram2Ham activities from Dragon capsule. Axiom 4 crew made six STEM contacts. Total STEM contacts around the globe by the crew. Countries with STEM contacts in the ARISS log over 25 years. Includes ARISS logo (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station).
December 31, 2025 at 2:43 PM
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It was a big thrill for Field Day operators on the ground to get NA1SS in the log this year!

Thanks to Nichole Ayers and Jonny Kim for operating. Find a video of their Field Day experience on our YouTube channel.

youtu.be/Y9VY1uNjQ-E
December 30, 2025 at 1:52 PM
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Looking back at the year in ARISS, HamTV returning to the airwaves was a big event for us.

Thanks to Jonny Kim for helping us get it back on the air in October.
The image is a split-panel graphic about ARISS in 2025. On the left, astronaut Jonny Kim, wearing a blue NASA polo shirt, smiles while holding two colorful stuffed animals—a lion and a rainbow dolphin—aboard the cluttered International Space Station interior. On the right, yellow and white text on a black background highlights the return of HamTV in October 2025, a contact with UK Scouts, a new adapter for color bars, and future events, accompanied by the ARISS logo featuring Earth and amateur radio symbols.
December 29, 2025 at 12:43 PM
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This year we welcomed ARISS fans to a new place to gather and chat! Our ARISS Discord launched in June and is more than 900 users strong.

Come get in on the conversations at: discord.gg/X8HXh8XsFh
Discord logo as part of an ARISS illustration. Text reads: ARISS on Discord In June, ARISS launched its own Discord for discussions on all our related topics. Our most popular channels are HamTV and SSTV related. You can join our 900+ users on those discussions, along with regional chats, education topics, APRS and more. Get started today: discord.gg/X8HXh8XsFh
December 28, 2025 at 3:00 PM
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Continuing our year in review, ARISS worked on 7 SSTV events this year, not all from the Space Station!

In April we were proud to be part of the Fram2Ham event with Rabea Rogge. We then worked with the RS-38S team to finish up Series 30.

How many images did you get?
A vertical collage summarizing ARISS activities in 2025. The top section shows a received SSTV puzzle image of Earth from space. The middle section displays a commemorative image of the Apollo-Soyuz docking for its 50th anniversary. The bottom section features astronaut Loral O'Hara smiling and holding a microphone during Jamboree On The Air. Text overlays highlight seven SSTV events, collaborations, and anniversaries, with the ARISS logo in the corner.
December 27, 2025 at 3:37 PM
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It's been an amazing year for ARISS, and we're going to spend the next few days looking back at 2025.

Today, we talk about celebrating 25 years of continuous operations from the International Space Station.
Commemorative graphic for the 25th anniversary of Amateur Radio on the ISS (ARISS) in 2025.Left side: Three photos stacked vertically.Top: Astronaut in blue/red jacket using handheld radio on ISS. Middle: Two people at ground radio station. Bottom: White banner "1st IN WORLD BURBANK ISS CONTACT DEC. 21, 2000" signed by Cmdr. William M. Shepherd. Right side (dark blue background, yellow/white text): "ARISS in 2025 Looking back at the amazing year we experienced." "25th Anniversary of Amateur Radio on the ISS" Milestones:Nov 13, 2000: First amateur radio transmissions from ISS to Russia/US. Dec 21, 2000: First ARISS STEM contact between astronaut Bill Shepherd and Burbank School, Illinois. Footnote notes 2000 images of first contacts and Burbank banner. ARISS logo bottom right.
December 26, 2025 at 3:18 PM
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'Tis the space season!

ARISS teams were excited to celebrate 25 years of continuous operations on the ISS in 2025!

Here's to a great 2026!
Four astronauts in red shirts and Santa hats float joyfully inside the ISS, surrounded by cables and equipment. Text overlay: "2025 Holiday Greetings" from ARISS, featuring ham radio operators on the space station.
December 25, 2025 at 1:08 AM
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The crew headed up to the ISS on the SpaceX Crew-12 mission has been announced.

Two of the four travelers to the ISS are hams. Check out their bio's and listen for them on STEM contacts during 2026.
"Promotional graphic for NASA's SpaceX Crew-12 ISS mission preview, featuring ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot (callsign KJ5LTN) and NASA astronaut Jack Hathaway (callsign KJ5NIV). The top section shows Sophie Adenot in a blue ESA flight suit with French and ESA flags in the background, smiling at the camera. Text highlights her amateur radio license granted in June and her role as ambassador for the Astro Pi Mission Zero project. The bottom section shows Jack Hathaway in a blue NASA flight suit with American flags, arms crossed and smiling. Text notes his recent amateur radio license received in December, his rank as a U.S. Navy Commander, and his status as an Eagle Scout. The graphic includes NASA and ESA logos, mission branding for Amateur Radio on the ISS (ARISS), and a circular ISS graphic at the bottom. Images credited to NASA from 2025 (Adenot) and 2021 (Hathaway)."
December 24, 2025 at 12:41 AM
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The activity is complete. Stations tracking HamTV please comment with status.
arissintl.bsky.social ARISS - Amateur Radio on the International Space Station @arissintl.bsky.social · 16d
Reminder, maintenance activities are planned for the ARISS HamTV unit on the ISS today.

Activity is planned to begin at 18:00 UTC which is 1:00 PM ET.
"ISS HamTV maintenance – Dec 22, 2025. NASA astronaut Chris Williams (KJ5GEW) installs an HDMI converter to the HamTV unit in the Columbus module. This upgrade will support more cameras for future amateur radio TV events and provide a video test pattern in standby mode."
December 22, 2025 at 6:09 PM
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Reminder, maintenance activities are planned for the ARISS HamTV unit on the ISS today.

Activity is planned to begin at 18:00 UTC which is 1:00 PM ET.
"ISS HamTV maintenance – Dec 22, 2025. NASA astronaut Chris Williams (KJ5GEW) installs an HDMI converter to the HamTV unit in the Columbus module. This upgrade will support more cameras for future amateur radio TV events and provide a video test pattern in standby mode."
December 22, 2025 at 1:31 PM
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25 years ago today students at Luther Burbank School in Illinois made history with the first school-to-International Space Station contact via amateur radio.

Just weeks ago, another Illinois school—Lincoln Magnet—continued the tradition, helping cap off 2025 with 77 STEM contacts worldwide.
Infographic: "25 Years of STEM from the ISS"ARISS Contact #1: Dec 21, 2000, Luther Burbank School, Illinois, USA – the world's first school-ISS radio contact.Left: Pink banner proclaiming "1st IN WORLD BURBANK ISS CONTACT DEC. 21, 2000" & signed by Cmdr. William M. Shepherd (May 2001). Below: Group photo of ~15 excited students in white lab coats with lead teacher.Fun Facts:Succeeded on 2nd attempt (Dec 19 failed). Mentor: Charlie Sufana (AJ9N), still active in ARISS. Alumni now in medicine, military, Oak Ridge National Labs. From 1 to 1,777 contacts: Lincoln Magnet School ended 2025 with 77 ISS STEM contacts! Credits: Rita Wright, KC9CDL. AJ9N photos.
December 21, 2025 at 6:31 PM
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As you saw in the new NASA ISS Fly Through video, astronaut hams sometimes make contacts with hams on the ground. We call those "casual contacts."

Here's what to know!
ARISS "Casual" Crew Contacts poster featuring astronaut Kjell Lindgren (KO5MOS) operating ham radio from the ISS Columbus Module during ARRL Field Day in 2022 (NASA photo). The text explains how amateur radio operators can listen for unscheduled contacts with ISS crew members, who often operate in their spare time—typically evenings (around 1830-1930 UTC) and weekends. It advises using the crossband repeater frequencies: 437.800 MHz downlink and 145.990 MHz uplink with CTSS 67 Hz tone. Instructions: Don't transmit blindly—just listen for crew activity; if they're calling, you may get a response like "Welcome to the ISS!" These are informal, unscheduled opportunities for hams worldwide. (Note: As of late 2025, these remain the standard repeater frequencies per ARISS official status.)
December 20, 2025 at 2:31 PM
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Looking for a holiday gift idea for a curious young scientist.

"Ada Lace, Take Me To Your Leader" is a great option!

You can also read along with Anne McClain who read it from orbit at: storytimefromspace.com/ada-lace-par...
Image for the children's book "Ada Lace: Take Me to Your Leader" by Emily Calandrelli. Features the book cover showing a girl with headphones at a ham radio under starry skies, alongside a photo of astronaut Anne McClain in a NASA suit. Text encourages buying the book or listening to McClain read it from the ISS via Story Time From Space. Includes Amateur Radio on the ISS logo.
December 19, 2025 at 3:13 PM
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We spotted some hidden gem's inside NASA's new "Step Inside the ISS Video." With a little work you'll see both the ARISS Columbus and Service Module radios.

Watch the video at:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmBb...
"Informative graphic about a hidden gem in NASA's recent ISS POV fly-through tour video: Astronaut Kjell Lindgren (callsign KO5MOS) casually making ham radio contacts in the Columbus Laboratory Module. Early in the tour, spot him using the cross-band voice repeater, and at 7:10 catch the service module radio microphone for APRS and SSTV. ARISS radios support STEM education, crew enjoyment, and backup comms. Features a NASA photo of the cluttered interior of the Columbus module with an astronaut working amid equipment, cables, and labels. Video now on YouTube! #ISS #HamRadio #ARISS #SpaceStation #NASA"
December 18, 2025 at 8:34 PM
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Work is planned on the ISS to add an HDMI adapter to the HamTV unit next week.

Check the graphic for details.
Astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti, wearing a dark polo shirt with an Italian flag patch, floats in microgravity inside the International Space Station, smiling and giving a thumbs-up while holding equipment. Next to her is a blue HamTV unit mounted on the wall. Overlaid text announces: "HamTV Maintenance Scheduled Mon. 22-Dec. Work planned to begin around 18:00 UTC | 11:00 AM ET. Chris Williams, KJ5GEW, is scheduled to attach an HDMI converter to the HamTV unit. This will make HamTV compatible with updated cameras onboard the station. In addition, the device should generate a video test signal when in stand-by mode." Credit: Samantha Cristoforetti, IZ0UDF, with ARISS HamTV Transmitter. 2015 NASA Photo. ARISS logo in the bottom right. #ISS #HamTV #ARISS
December 17, 2025 at 12:41 PM
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If you haven't submitted your Series 30-1 SSTV images to the gallery yet, today is the last day to do so if you want our official certificate.

You know where to go: ariss-usa.org/ARISS_SSTV/
Graphic on dark blue background for ARISS SSTV Series 30-1 event transmitted via Satellite RS-38S. Yellow title: "SSTV Series 30 from Satellite RS-38S". Urges submitting original unedited decodes by 23:59 UTC / 6:59 PM ET tonight for certificates. Thanks 850+ participants, notes nearly 40% are students/educators ("YEA STEM!"). Certificates via ariss-usa.org/ARISS_SSTV gallery; sent within 72 hours (check spam). Features photo of astronaut Frank Culbertson, Jamboree On The Air October 2025 banner, ISS 25th anniversary patch, and ARISS logo. (428 characters)
December 16, 2025 at 4:13 PM
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You've got a couple of fun space related items you can watch for this week:

The TUBIN satellite rentry could happen tomorrow and they are looking for tracking reports:
community.libre.space/t/tubin-tubs...

Jonny Kim will have his post-mission media conf. on Friday: www.youtube.com/live/pRBx5t3...
TUBIN/TUBSAT-27 Re-Entry
2025-12-12T17:44z rx in Greece.
community.libre.space
December 15, 2025 at 2:53 PM