“Oscar Romeo Four India Sierra Sierra (OR4ISS) do you copy?” and the glad news of successful contact followed all the way from space as 9M2RPN radio station at National Planetarium was delivering replies to Malaysian students’ questions from Richard Garriot who is one of the astronauts currently on board of the International Space Station (ISS).

The event held at the ground station of the National Planetarium in conjunction with the week celebrating First Anniversary of the National Angkasawan Programme gathered young student from all over the country. This is the second time the Malaysian students are given this unique opportunity to communicate with astronauts in space since live communication with Dato’ Dr. Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Angkasawan last year. This ground station is also jointly operated by Astronautic Technology (M) Sdn Bhd (ATSB®)

Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a volunteer program that is meant to inspire students worldwide, to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math through amateur radio contact with the ISS on-orbit crew. Students learn about life on board the ISS, ask questions concerning space exploration, and receive comments on astronauts’ daily experiences and perception of Earth from space.

“We are happy to see tremendous increase in students’ awareness in space technologies and sciences since the launch of the National Angkasawan Programme. At ATSB®, we continue to encourage and organise more events of this kind in order to nurture the power of innovation in the new generation and prepare them for demands of the future.” Was the comment from ATSB’s Sangat Singh who is the main controller of the ground station at the Planetarium.  

Major Faiz Khaleed, Malaysian Angkasawan attended the session to support the students and shared his experiences during training. One of the current crew members on ISS, Commander Mike Fincke trained with Major Faiz as part of the back-up crew.