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Danger of ISS becoming irrelevent like late Apollo missions ?

VK7BBW – April 17, 2009 – 01:40

There is one thought, that NASA, as well as the astronauts have totally forgotten, by not turning on the repeater.

Sure it may be a pain in the butt, but what happens when hams, get sick of it not being on ? We go off, and do something else don't we ?

What happened when the final four, or so, Apollo missions did their thing on the moon. Even back as far as Apollo 12, the general public lost interest, and it was only the near disaster of Apollo 13, that brought the public's interest back to the program. ISS is in danger of going the same route.

Ham radio, all over the world injects interest, just by the presence of the radio activity from the ISS. We talk to our friends, often not hams, that in turn reminds our communities that people are up there. We talk about it over repeaters, over HF about it. The news services on all media, don't even run any stories from ISS anymore, as there is little interest.

If we are forced to walk away (which is in real danger of happening), from the hobby of ISS, then what will NASA do then, to try and instil interest back into the community ? Where are they going to get the next generation of scientists from ?

By ignoring the public, which finances their little projects, NASA, are in danger of becoming irrelevent themselves, and guess what, out of a job ?

C'mon NASA, we want to keep interest going, in what is happening up there ? Why don't you ?

Just turn on the big switch !

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Apollo missions

pirate12384 – May 8, 2009 – 16:43

Being an Old guy and remembering how cool it was to see guys driving a moon buggy on the moon.. It got me interested in science, history and eventually computer science. Apollo ended because the program mission plan and objectives and schedule had been met . People Fail to realize that the space shuttle program was announce to the world from the moon. http://history.nasa.gov/stsnixon.htm 1972 .. its time for the shuttle to be retired.. now as far as the ISS it will fly regardless of public support . we are committed that's why they are going to the same launch system as the Russians, they have been scrounging around for cash to launch their Soyuz for over a decade.. They know cheap space travel.. Lets face it.. In the Time Line of our civilization history Things are happening fast Its no longer us against the Bad old Russians its a Global Space Administration .. The only Thing stopping that? some say money some say politics.. Both are valid answers..

But the ISS is safe, for now.

J.Taylor PhD.Computer Science

One Side Note : I am so excited to see the results of the Kepler observatory mission.

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interest in ...

pd4u – April 18, 2009 – 16:43

The interest of a person in an object is not so much dependent on the object, but mainly dependent on the person('s interest).

Though I agree with most of you all that the lack of activity by te ISS crew/ ISS repeater(s) was not what I had expected... but that made it more interesting when there was activity.. for me.

73's de Marc, PD4U

http://www.pd4u.nl

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Short memories

N5VHO – April 17, 2009 – 18:04

Seems a few are only remembering the last 6 months of ham operations on ISS. Great fun with all the activity and different modes. Thank you Mike Fincke!

What a lot seem to be forgetting is what typically occurs with the ISS ham radio. What about the TOTAL silence during most of Exp 16. What about the time they were ONLY doing schools during Exp 17 and 10. The complete lack of general contacts during Exp 11, 14 and 15. The norm is for not much activity when there is not a very interested crew member aboard.

Seems the radio on the ISS is more like a club station and when a club member is aboard we all get to play. When no club member is interested we get silence. Too bad the equipment can be commanded from the ground.

Luckily, we may have yet another chance at an interested crew member since Exp 20 will be launching in May.

Kenneth - N5VHO
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/station/reference/radio/
Support ARISS http://www.amsat-na.com/store/donation.php (select "Human Spaceflight (ARISS))

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Forgot to turn on? Too busy?

kb9ktd – April 17, 2009 – 15:04

I agree completely, but perhaps there is more to the story or atleast a different
tilt. I think if there isn't a technical reason for not being on the air, whether the
repeater, BBS or simplex then it has to be operators.
I am thinking myself if there is no malfunction or no current space walk (as they
turn it off then) then the current hams on board simply aren't dedicated hams.
That sounds harsh perhaps, but come on, knowing how much this means to
the ham community in general and perhaps more to new operators to the SATS,
it only takes a wopping 5 minutes to simply turn the repeater on. That's all it
would really take, as long as it takes to have a crap..(hi-hi).. perhaps less !!
So too busy can't be the reason. All the FM birds are packed with QSO's when
they pass, we need that 4th FM "EASY" bird on, especially when AO-51 is on
the 1296 uplink. I said easy as apposed to the 3 current SSB/CW sats that
many ops can't use because of equipment issues.

So hit the switch.... please... to the on position.

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A point to note..

9W2PD – April 17, 2009 – 12:00

Im sad to agree with the above..
i have been a 'parrot in space' chaser since 1997,
and yes this is how interest on a station or mode or satellite starts to drop, and last forgotten..
hope they are aware of this symptom and act on it..
73 de 9W2PD, Rabin - Port Dickson, Malaysia..

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ISS - IRRELEVENT??!!

n1xed – April 17, 2009 – 09:14

VK7BBW is really on to something. When the radios on the ISS were operating in the different modes, I was checking each day to see what was happening. Sometimes even 2-3 times a day. I enjoyed APRS, Cross-Band, Voice, SSTV. Now I might check it out 1-2 times a week. And as he said, talking it up about the modes, but now no mention of it in the contacts with others. In the past 2 months I have been in contact with about 4 Ham Ops who have expressed interest in getting on the air via the ISS. Guess what guys, no need to try, nothing happening. Don't waste your time. WELL! Lost 4 Hams there. And new ones at that. Any lightbulbs going on anywhere? HELLO! Anybody HOME?!!

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Drifting away

KZ6O – April 17, 2009 – 21:43

I'm already slipping into that mode. I check for passes then I check this site to see if anything is happening. If there are no reports, I go do something else. I enjoy the ISS modes and talk to my friends about them, trying to generate some interest in the young people that I come in contact with. I've even noted the passes that will occur when I have a club meeting in the hopes of being able to do a demonstration. Hope they find the ON switch soon. Next club meeting is on 4/20. Logan, KZ6O

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Drifting Away, too

mwrobison – April 18, 2009 – 13:13

I am also finding my interest level dropping. I review the pass schedule and find myself saying, "Don't bother, they won't be on..."

Mike
KC2QIL Southern NJ

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Ken's comment about the

KC8YEY – April 18, 2009 – 04:05

Ken's comment about the equipment being in the Russian module made me remember seeing the following:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/7973747.stm

I wonder if that might have something to do with the situation?
Have yet to listen much less try two way comm's to the ISS, hoping to get a chance to do either.

Frank, KC8YEY

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Taking Ken's view of crew activity...

KC8YEY – April 29, 2009 – 22:05

The inner child in me has decided that there is no reason for global politics to extend to scientific endeavors at the ISS:

http://www.issfanclub.com/node/8689#comment-13397

I am sure that Commander Padalka is enjoying use of the exercise cycle!

73's

Frank, KC8YEY

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Cycles

N5VHO – April 30, 2009 – 01:55

ISS has become less interesting to many several times over during the last 9 years of occupation. The amateur interest seems to cycle up and down depending on the interest of the crew member on board at the time. Many hams recall operators names during Exp 5, 8, 12 and 18 but few recall the others. I'm sure we will see a few more fun expeditions but must wait as they don't occur every time.

Speaking of cycles, the exercise cycle (CEVIS) broke last week and will not be able to be repaired in the near future. One less issue to deal with for a bit. Crew members are having to substitute Treadmill (TEVIS) exercise until the cylce is fixed.

Kenneth - N5VHO
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/station/reference/radio/
Support ARISS http://www.amsat-na.com/store/donation.php (select "Human Spaceflight (ARISS))

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