HAM RADIO COMMUNICATION & ASTRONAUT INTERACTION FROM ISS
Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is set to interact with students in India using a ham radio from the International Space Station (ISS), highlighting the significance of amateur radio for education, emergency communication, and space-Earth connectivity.
WHAT IS HAM RADIO?
- Definition: Amateur radio, commonly known as ham radio, is a licensed radio service that uses radio waves for non-commercial communication.
- Purpose: Primarily deployed for:
- Educational and Knowledge purposes: promoting interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
- Emergency or SOS communication: A highly reliable alternative communication method when conventional lines fail.
- Wireless Experimentation, Self-training, Private Recreation, Radiosport.
- Operation:
- Requires a dedicated frequency, a transceiver (transmitter-receiver), and an antenna.
- Communication is established between 2 licensed “hams” (trained ham operators).
- Can facilitate communication locally, globally, and even in space.
- Licensing in India:
- Any Indian citizen above 12 years of age is permitted to operate a ham radio after passing an examination.
- Licenses are issued by the Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing (WPC), a division of the Ministry of Communications (formerly Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology) after passing the Amateur Station Operator’s Certificate (ASOC) exam.
- 2 types of licenses: General Grade and Restricted Grade.
HAM RADIO IN SPACE COMMUNICATION
- First Use: Amateur radio was first used on a space shuttle in 1983 to establish communication between space and Earth.
- Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS):
- The ISS is equipped with a ham radio system known as ARISS.
- Its primary objective is to organize astronaut-student interactions to inspire the younger generation in STEM fields.
- Supported by amateur radio organizations and space agencies from the US, Russia, Canada, Japan, and Europe, which provide equipment and operational support.
- ARISS schedules radio outages during critical ISS activities (e.g., docking) to prevent signal interference.
SHUBHANSHU SHUKLA’S HAM RADIO INTERACTION
- Mission: Shubhanshu Shukla, part of the Axiom-4 mission, along with astronauts from Poland and Hungary, will use ham radio to contact their respective countries.
- Interaction Details:
- The interaction occurs when the ISS passes the horizon for a short window, typically 5 to 8 minutes.
- Shukla will interact using specific frequencies:
- Voice and downlink: 145.80 megahertz (MHz)
- Voice and uplink: 144.49 MHz
- Very high-frequency packet uplink and downlink: 145.825 MHz (limited to South Asia and Pacific regions).
- The interaction will involve a telephonic or internet-based call to the US, followed by ham radio communication with Shukla from the ISS.
- This is part of the ISRO’s Vidyarthi Samvad programme.
- Students from institutions like Excel Public School (Mysuru) and City Montessori School (Lucknow) are participating.
WHY HAM RADIO AS AN ALTERNATE MODE OF COMMUNICATION?
- Reliability and Stability: Despite advancements in communication technology, ham radio remains one of the most reliable and stable modes.
- Infrastructure Independence: Its key advantage is its ability to operate independently of traditional communication networks (cell towers, internet, landlines), which often fail during disasters.
- Effectiveness in Emergencies: Ham radio has been crucial in rescue and relief operations when conventional communication lines break down due to:
- Man-made scenarios: Wars, civil unrest.
- Natural disasters: Earthquakes, cyclones, floods, tsunamis.
- Examples in India:
- Bhuj earthquake (2001)
- Indian Ocean tsunami (2004)
- Uttarakhand floods (2013)
- And other calamities, providing vital emergency contacts.
- Community-Based Network: Supported by a vast, decentralized network of licensed operators who can provide on-the-ground reports and coordination.
- Rapid Deployment & Flexibility: Operators can quickly set up communication stations in various locations, including remote areas.
CONCLUSION
Shubhanshu Shukla’s interaction via ham radio from the ISS underscores the multifaceted utility of amateur radio. Beyond its role in inspiring future generations in space science and technology, ham radio remains an indispensable and resilient communication tool, particularly vital for disaster management and maintaining connectivity when all other means fail, reinforcing its significance in national preparedness and scientific outreach.
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