Saturday, November 04, 2006
Space Station Contingency Network activated
For the first time ever the International Space Station Amateur Radio Contingency network was activated on October 26 while a Russian Progress ship experienced docking problems with the ISS. The condition of the Progress docking was unclear and the ISS was allowed to drift freely so as not to disturb the position of the craft. While the ISS is in free-float the solar panels are not oriented optimally so power could become a problem and the communications antennas may drift from their aim at the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite the main communication path for ISS. In the event communication was lost through the normal means during this difficult procedure the amateur radio network was prepared to relay communications between the space station and mission control in Houston.
More can be found in this issue of the ARRL Letter.
#posted by Rob Roschewsk @ 9:44 AM
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