thumb|200px|A student speaks to crew on the International Space Station using [[Amateur Radio equipment, provided free by volunteers of the ARISS program.]]

thumb|Astronaut [[Doug Wheelock operating ham radio from the ISS]]

Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a program that facilitates radio communications between licensed amateur radio operators and crew members aboard the International Space Station using the amateur-satellite service. The primary goal of ARISS is "to promote exploration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics topics" and inspire individuals to pursue careers in STEM.

ARISS was established in 1996 and is managed by an international consortium of amateur radio organizations and space agencies including NASA, Russia's space agency Roscosmos, Canadian Space Agency (CSA), Japan Aeronautics Exploration Space Agency (JAXA), and European Space Agency (ESA).

In 2011, Kenwood Electronics launched an advertising campaign capitalizing on the fact that their TM-D700A transceiver is currently in use on the ISS.

Many of the space station crew are also amateur radio operators. After their standard work day (based on UTC time), they might use their evening free time to communicate with family and other hams via amateur radio. Crew member Kjell N. Lindgren spoke with a young operator in the UK during the summer of 2022 and later they exchanged photos and cards. Crew members from ISS Expedition 69 and Expedition 70 as well as Axiom 1 and Axiom 2 have made recent space to ground contacts with schools via Amateur Radio.

Interoperable Radio System (IORS)

Interoperable Radio System (IORS) is the foundation element of the ARISS next-generation radio system on ISS. A total of four flight units and ten total units are being built by the ARISS hardware team. This first IORS radio was flown to ISS on SpaceX CRS-20 and installed in the ISS Columbus module by Expedition 63 Commander, Chris Cassidy on September 2, 2020. System activation was first observed at 01:02 UTC on September 2 by ARISS control station and amateur radio ground operators. Initial operation of the new radio system began as an FM cross band repeater.

A second flight unit has launched on a later 2020 cargo flight for installation in the Russian Service module. Since 2022 ARISS has been using IORS radios in both the Columbus and Service Modules. The Columbus Module radio typically functions as the crossband voice repeater when not being used for contacts with students. The Service Module IORS radio typically is used for packet radio operations like Automatic Packet Reporting System activities or Slow-scan television events. The IORS consists of a special, modified JVCKenwood D710GA transceiver, an AMSAT-developed multi voltage power supply and interconnecting cables.

The IORS has a higher power radio, an enhanced voice repeater, updated digital packet radio (APRS) capabilities and slow scan television (SSTV) capabilities for both the US and Russian segments.

Notes

  • ARISS amateur radio website
  • amateur radio operators ISS Fanclub
  • Station to Saly : short documentary about an ARISS contact with French School in Senegal