ARISS - Amateur Radio on the International Space Station

ARISS graphic promoting ham radio in commercial space: 'ARISS beyond the ISS' with photos of astronaut Rabea Rogge onboard Fram2 mission (April 2025) smiling in the spacecraft, and the Axiom Mission 4 crew in their suits. Text highlights first new space vehicle ham radio activation in 25 years on Fram2, and Axiom's STEM contacts across all 4 missions. Features ARISS logo and tagline about continuing amateur radio post-ISS era.

ARISS is looking to the future by building commercial space relationships today. We're proud to work with groups like Fram2 and Axiom to continue our amateur radio in human spaceflight mission.

Check the ARISS website for our "Beyond the ISS" article that looks more broadly into our future.

Congress extends ISS and tells NASA to get moving on private space stations We were happy to see the renewed commitment to transition from the ISS."

Read more: arstechnica.com/space/2026/0...

"Graphic showing the International Space Station orbiting Earth with solar panels extended against a dark space and blue planet backdrop. Text overlay in bold: 'ARISS beyond the ISS' in yellow and white. Subtitle: 'US lawmakers looking at bridge between ISS and Commercial'. Main body reports on a new US Senate committee bill preventing ISS de-orbit until a commercial LEO destination reaches initial operational capability, with quote from the bill. Bottom credits NASA image of ISS with Earth in background, ARISS logo, and note that many steps remain for this legislation."

As we continue to watch the evolution of ARISS beyond the ISS, an article came onto our radar.

ArsTechnica is reporting about discussions by US lawmakers on ties between commercial station establishment and the decommissioning of the ISS. Full article linked below.

Today's contact was successful! Welcome Jack to the log!

Dark blue mission patch for Mountain View Elementary School's ARISS contact with the ISS. Features the ISS orbiting Earth, a large 'M' on a blue-and-white Earth globe, radio waves and antenna symbol, yellow stars, blue stars representing grade levels, the Moon, and text rings listing sponsors like Cherokee Amateur Radio Society, Cobb County Public Library, North Fulton Amateur Radio League. Text notes contributor names, symbolism details, and congratulations to 4th grade winners Leo, Luke, and Cole.

What kind of STEM activities does your educational group take on prior to your ARISS contacts?

A popular one is to make a mission patch for your contact. Here's what one school did and all the symbolism involved.

Infographic from ARISS showing the future of ham radio beyond the ISS: Rabea Rogge on Fram2 mission (top selfie, April 2025) transmitting SSTV from polar orbit, and Axiom Mission 4 crew (bottom) conducting STEM contacts. Text highlights ARISS expanding to commercial space vehicles like SpaceX Dragon and Axiom missions.

Infographic titled 'ARISS beyond the ISS' with subtitle 'When all else fails: ham radio is ready!' It shows a photo of the ARISS Interoperable Radio System (IORS) ground spare hardware setup, including a Kenwood radio (displaying CH 201/CH 202), antennas, cables, power supplies, and connectors on a table at an event. Main text explains that commercial space station builders are interested in ham radio as a tried-and-true backup communications method for new facilities. ARISS can provide: flight-certified hardware, proven outreach practices (engaging more than 40,000 youth each year), a morale booster for crews, and space-based learning experiences. It notes active discussions on future partnerships. Bottom features the ARISS logo with 'Amateur Radio on the International Space Station'

Infographic titled 'ARISS beyond the ISS' with subtitle 'AREX teams will track ARTEMIS II mission telemetry.' It features a large photo of NASA's Artemis II SLS (Space Launch System) rocket with Orion spacecraft on the launch pad during rollout in February 2026, showing the tall orange-and-white rocket stacked vertically on the mobile launcher, surrounded by the launch tower structure at Kennedy Space Center, with a person in a high-visibility vest nearby on the ground. Main text explains that NASA's Artemis II mission offers ARISS and AMSAT teams an opportunity to participate again in human spaceflight activities. AREX is a joint ARISS-AMSAT project to develop radio systems and payloads for Moon and Mars missions. First steps involve collaborating with NASA SCaN to demonstrate passive tracking of the upcoming lunar mission. It notes NASA SCaN as an ARISS sponsor. Bottom includes the ARISS logo with 'Amateur Radio on the International Space Station' and an Artemis graphic overlay.

ARISS is plotting a course to continue our mission in the government and commercial space realm beyond the targeted decommissioning of the ISS in the 2030 timeframe.

Read more about our activities in these infographics, and in a blog post at ariss.org.

Reminder, the APRS trial from the ISS Service Module, active on 437.825 MHz, is expected to end sometime today.

Please pass on any reception reports from the event so teams can evaluate future activities.

Graphic announcing an upcoming amateur radio contact between ISS astronaut Jack Hathaway (KJ5NIV / NA1SS) and students at St Joseph's Primary School in Bombala, NSW, Australia. Scheduled for Thursday, 5 March at 7:53 PM AEDT (08:53 UTC). Listen on 145.800 MHz FM. Features a photo of Jack in his blue NASA flight suit.

Contact upcoming with Australia!

Students at St Joseph’s Primary School in Bombala NSW will talk with Jack Hathaway, KJ5NIV, live via ham radio.

Scheduled Thu. 05-Mar at 08:53 UTC | 3:53 AM ET | 7:53 PM AEDT via VK6MJ telebridge.

Listen on 145.800 MHz FM.

Find out more about ARISS-USA's programs for educators this week.

Tanya Anderson, our Director of Education will join the 3-D Thursday's webinar this month!

More information at: www.linkedin.com/posts/dan-va...

A YouTube live stream has been added for Monday's event with Sophie Adenot. You can watch at: www.youtube.com/live/5mA2Opp...

Our graphic contains a typo. Correct date for the contact is Monday, 02-Mar.

To join the discussion on our Discord, visit: discord.gg/46jm6ggu

Photo of a Kenwood TH-D75 handheld radio display showing the APRS Station List with RS0ISS (ARISS International Space Station) beacon received on 437.825 MHz, dated 02/26, alongside a compass rose indicating direction, temperature -32°, altitude 57271 mi, and menu options. Right side features a blue and orange graphic titled 'APRS Update' with the ARISS logo. Text from Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, ARISS International Chair (via ARISS Discord): Troubleshooting earlier this week by the Russian team indicates that the 2 meter portion of the radio may not be usable. That is not a final conclusion, but a preliminary indication. We still don't fully know what the radio is capable of supporting and we do not want to be swapping the Kenwood GA and E models out a bunch of times for many reasons, including the crew time that entails. What we are doing right now is a troubleshooting experiment, by operating the radio on 70 cm APRS. This will run until March 2.' Encourages reception reports!

For those tracking the ARISS service module radio work, this is part of the update our Chair shared on the ARISS Discord.

The SM radio is used for APRS, SSTV and crew STEM contact activities. The equipment encountered issues during a 2025 SSTV event.

Astronaut Sophie Adenot (ESA, KJ5LTN) on the ISS with floating hair, holding a tablet during an ARISS radio contact. Poster announces upcoming direct ham radio link from Escola Naval in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on March 3, 2026 at 12:17 UTC / 9:17 AM local time, using NA1SS callsign and 145.800 MHz FM frequency. Ground station PY1AA. NASA/ARISS event graphic."

Contact upcoming with Brazil!

Students at Escola Naval in Rio de Janeiro will talk live via ham radio with Sophie Adenot on the ISS.

Scheduled Mon 02-Mar at 12:17 UTC | 7:17 AM ET | 9:17 AM BRT direct via PY1AA.

Listen to the downlink on 145.800 MHz FM in South America.

Find links to the proposal webinar and other guides at ariss-usa.org/hosting-an-a...

Don't miss out! Last opportunity for U.S. educators to host ARISS ISS contact in 2026 (Jul-Dec). Proposals due Friday 11:59 PM PT. Check proposal webinar on ARISS YouTube. Photo: Educator helping child ask question to space crew.

US Educators, don't miss out on a chance to submit for an ARISS STEM contact in 2026.

Proposals are due by Friday (2/27) at 11:59 PM PT. Find out more at our website!

Space Chat: ISS and Ground View of FIRST US Governors Cup, Washington DC - February 2026 YouTube video by ARISS - Amateur Radio on the ISS

We have a very special edition of Space Chat just published!

Watch the FIRST Governors Cup robotics tournament contact in Washington DC combined with footage that Chris Williams sent down from the ISS.

It's a rare view of both sides of an ARISS contact at once!

youtu.be/mqHvXpb7evo

This contact was successful! Congratulations team!

How's it going?

Update to contact with South Africa.

Learners at CityKidz Pre and Primary School in Johannesburg will talk with Chris Williams on the ISS via ham radio.  

Scheduled Wednesday now at 12:40 UTC | 7:40 AM ET | 2:40 PM SAST via AB1OC telebridge. (2 minutes earlier)

Listen on 145.800 MHz FM.

Yes. Following doppler shift will be more important on 70 CM!

Kenwood TH-D75 handheld radio display showing RSØISS station list entry on 145.825 MHz PTT, alongside an ARISS APRS status graphic announcing packet operations from ISS Zvezda Service Module on 437.825 MHz until March 2, with digipeater path, callsign, FM 1200 baud mode, beacon rate, and low-power Yagi recommendations. Includes ARISS logo and 2025 beacon packet credit.

ARISS ops teams in Russia have worked with the ISS crew to set the Service Module radio to 70 CM and APRS for testing.

APRS will be available on 437.825 MHz until next Monday (02-Mar).

Follow us for updates as the testing continues.

"Graphic thanking ARISS USA sponsors: ISS National Laboratory, NASA's SCaN, ARRL, AMSAT, ARDC. Donate at ARISS.org."

Happy Monday! Let's start this week with some appreciation for our US sponsors! ISS National Labs, NASA SCaN, ARRL, AMSAT and ARDC.

These groups help a large team of mostly volunteers keep ARISS doing 70+ STEM contacts a year and so much more. Thanks!

Join the adventure! ARISS graphic shows mentor Tanya Anderson and a young student during a live ISS astronaut Q&A via ham radio. Invites schools to submit proposals for their own contact: Deadlines vary by region—USA this Friday, Europe/Africa/Middle East March 27, check ARISS.org for more.

Get your educational group involved with ARISS for a once-in-a-lifetime experience for your kids!

It all starts with a visit to our website: www.ariss.org/apply-to-hos...

"NASA astronaut Chris Williams in blue flight suit prepares for a live ham radio Q&A with students at CityKidz Pre and Primary School in Johannesburg, South Africa. Scheduled for Feb 25, 2026 at 12:42 UTC / 2:42 PM local time via NA1SS on 145.800 MHz FM. ARISS event poster with ISS and amateur radio details."

Contact upcoming with South Africa!

Learners at CityKidz Pre and Primary School in Johannesburg will talk with Chris Williams on the ISS via ham radio.

Scheduled Wed. 25-Feb at 12:42 UTC | 7:42 AM ET | 2:42 PM SAST.

Hear the downlink on 145.800 MHz FM in eastern North America.

Contact was successful.

Just 2 hours until contact with Washington DC.

Robotics experimenters at the FIRST x XRP Governor's Cup event will talk with Chris Williams live on the ISS via ham radio.

Scheduled today at 14:56 UTC | 9:56 AM ET via K6DUE telebridge.

Listen to the downlink on 145.800 MHz FM

Members of the Bridgerland Amateur Radio club in Northern Utah worked yesterday in the snow to prepare for the ARISS contact later today!

Great job gang!

Contact with Utah later today!

Learners at The Center for Creativity, Innovation, and Discovery in Providence with talk via ham radio with Chris Williams on the ISS.

Scheduled today at 17:13 UTC | 12:13 ET | 10:13 MT direct via W7IVM.

Listen to the downlink on 145.800 MHz. Watch at live.ARISS.org

Update: The contact will now start at 17:13 UTC | 12:13 PM ET | 10:13 AM MDT due to an ISS boost burn.
We expect a livestream as well. Watch for information in our day-of-contact post.