Proposals are now being accepted from US schools, museums, science centers and community youth organizations to host an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact between November 1, 2013, and May 1, 2014. To maximize these radio contact opportunities, US ARISS program partners -- the ARRL, AMSAT and NASA -- are looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed education plan. Proposals are due March 1, 2013.

Using Amateur Radio, students can ask astronauts questions about life in space and other space-related topics. Students fully engage in the ARISS contact by learning about Amateur Radio communications and the set-up of the satellite communications ground station at the school. The students then use that station to talk directly with a crew member on the International Space Station for approximately 10 minutes. ARISS has a network of mentors and volunteers from the Amateur Radio community to help organizations obtain the technology required to host this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for students.

Click here to learn more about the ARISS program, what is expected of the host organization and how to submit a proposal. Learn more about volunteering to support the ARISS program here.