The 31st Annual AMSATSpace Symposium and Annual Meeting November 1-3 in Houston — home of Johnson Space Center — will highlight the 30th anniversary of Amateur Radio’s involvement in human spaceflight and the evolution of Amateur Radio into a successful program aboard the International Space Station. Forums during the event will focus on various aspects of Amateur Radio in space, satellites and satellite-related technology.

Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is an international educational outreach that provides opportunities for students to chat with astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the ISS via ham radio. The recent delivery of the “Ham Video” equipment to the ISS Columbus module by the European Space Agency further reflects the continued support that Amateur Radio offers for communicating with students.

It all began with NASA Astronaut Owen Garriott, W5LFL, the first astronaut to communicate via ham radio from space during the STS-9 mission in 1983. He will be featured on a multimedia panel as part of the Saturday banquet program, moderated by AMSAT Vice President for Human Space Flight Frank Bauer, KA3HDO. The presentation will include video highlights of Amateur Radio in space.

Happening this year in Houston, this year’s Symposium banquet will offer an opportunity for guests to “meet history” by hearing directly from those who helped initiate Amateur Radio as a part of human space flight. The deadline to reserve rooms in the AMSAT block is Wednesday, October 16. Reservations for all Symposium activities will close October 25. — AMSAT News Service