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VK7AX > WIA 09.08.26 04:00l 57 Lines 3357 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 15449_VK7AX
Read: GUEST
Subj: Geneva Christian College Students Successfully Speak with As
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Sent: 260809/0152Z 15449@VK7AX.#ULV.TAS.AUS.AUNZ LinBPQ6.0.24
Geneva Christian College Students Successfully Speak with Astronaut Aboard the International Space Station
Date : 07 / 08 / 2026
Author : Angelo Giuffre VK2NWT & ARISS
Students from Geneva Christian College in Latrobe, Tasmania, have successfully completed an inspiring ARISS
(Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) contact, speaking live with European Space Agency astronaut
Sophie Adenot, KJ5LTN, aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
The contact took place on Monday 3 August, with Acquisition of Signal (AOS) occurring precisely on schedule
at 7:59 pm AEST.
During the approximately 10-minute pass, the students asked 13 of their 16 prepared questions before the
spacecraft passed beyond radio range and Loss of Signal (LOS) occurred.
Although the audio fluctuated at times, it remained clearly intelligible throughout the contact, allowing
the students and audience to enjoy a memorable conversation with one of the world's newest astronauts.
The amateur radio link was made possible through the ARISS Ham Radio Telebridge, with Claudio IK1SLD in
northern Italy operating the ground station.
The audio was simultaneously distributed via EchoLink, IRLP and numerous linked VoIP networks, allowing
amateur radio operators around Australia and beyond to listen live.
Thanks to the efforts of several repeater network operators, the contact was relayed across parts of
South Sydney, the NSW Far South Coast, Canberra and the Riverina, giving many amateurs their very first
opportunity to experience an ARISS school contact.
The event was particularly special because it was a rescheduled contact.
An earlier attempt in June was unfortunately affected by technical audio problems.
The Wireless Institute of Australia joins Geneva Christian College and ARISS Australia & New Zealand
in expressing sincere appreciation to ARISS International and NASA for arranging a replacement opportunity
so quickly.
Their support ensured the students were still able to experience the excitement of speaking directly with
an astronaut orbiting approximately 400 kilometres above the Earth.
For those who missed the live event, or would like to relive the experience, Claudio IK1SLD has made the
complete contact available to watch and listen to on his YouTube channel:
Link >> https://www.youtube.com/live/T0G6tBuPLfg
7News in Tasmania covered the story and the clip can be found here:
Link >> https://www.reast.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/7NewsTasmaniaISSContactGenevaSchool.mp4
School contacts like this continue to demonstrate the unique educational value of amateur radio, inspiring
young people to explore science, technology, engineering and mathematics while showing how volunteers around
the world work together to make extraordinary experiences possible.
The WIA congratulates everyone involved, including the students, teachers, ARISS volunteers,
repeater operators and amateur radio community members whose efforts helped make this event such a
resounding success.
Page Last Updated: Thursday, 06 Aug 2026 at 21:09 hours by Justin Giles-clark
(Sourced from https://www.wia.org.au/newsevents/news/2026/20260807-1/index.php)
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Posted to the packet radio network on behalf of the WIA courtesy Tony VK7AX)
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