Using the ARISS radio systems on ISS for HamSCI

The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Program has developed an amateur radio facility on-board the International Space Station (ISS), including radios and antennas, that can support observations and communications in the HF, VHF, UHF, L and S bands. These capabilities, on their own or augmented with additional equipment, can enable a myriad of HamSCI space weather and radio propagation observations, including during the upcoming 2024 Solar Eclipse campaign.  The ISS is in a unique HamSCI and Space Weather location:  about 420 km above the Earth.  Thus, ISS orbits within the Earth’s ionosphere.  Notably, ARISS is also working with space agencies to also fly radio systems around and on the Moon.  ARISS is interested in partnering with the HamSCI community on various experiments using our ISS on-board hardware systems and future Lunar systems to be developed.  For ISS, science experiments can either employ the already on-board ARISS hardware or they may include spaceflight certified additions to our on-board facility to support HamSCI investigations.  For science on Lunar missions, ARISS is interested in working with HamSCI to develop ideas and potential small hardware augmentations that can result in science investigations.  ARISS has a long history of on-orbit experimentation and student engagement.  We feel this partnership would be significantly beneficial for both HamSCI and ARISS.  During our presentation, we will outline our on-orbit capabilities on ISS and planned capabilities for Lunar and discuss science ideas for mutual collaboration.  It is anticipated that a lively question and answer session will follow.