April 15, 2025—Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) has received schedule confirmation for an ARISS radio contact between an astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and students at the Magnet Innovation Center, located in Inlet Beach, FL. ARISS conducts 60-100 of these special amateur radio contacts each year between students around the globe and crew members with ham radio licenses aboard the ISS.

The Magnet Innovation Center is the newest public high school in Walton County School District and provides a STEAM program of study in the fields of biomedical science, computer science, digital design, engineering, fine arts through theatre, and game design. For the last year, students have had the opportunity to research space exploration in preparation for this ARISS contact. Students in the school’s Wireless Technology Club are involved in amateur radio, building and installing ham radio equipment and pursuing their own amateur radio licenses. The entire school will be in attendance for this contact, while the local elementary and middle schools will be watching via livestream.

This will be a telebridge Contact via Amateur Radio allowing students to ask their questions of astronaut Nichole Ayers, amateur radio call sign KJ5GWI. The downlink frequency for this contact is 145.800 MHz and may be heard by listeners that are within the ISS-footprint that also encompasses the telebridge station.

The ARISS amateur radio ground station (telebridge station) for this contact is in Hollis, New Hampshire, U.S. The amateur radio volunteer team at the ground station will use the callsign AB1OC, to establish and maintain the ISS connection.

The ARISS radio contact is scheduled for April 17, 2025 at 10:52 am CDT (Inlet Beach) (15:52 UTC, 11:52 am EDT, 9:52 am MDT, 8:52 am PDT).

The public is invited to watch the live stream at: https://youtube.com/live/98VFp-vyBgs?feature=share

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As time allows, students will ask these questions:

1. Do training regimens differ for shorter missions compared to extended missions?

2. How do you think space travel and exploration will further humankind?

3. How long does it take to readjust to Earth’s gravitational force when you return home?

4. What ongoing research aboard the ISS is being conducted that could speak to terraforming Mars or increasing the likelihood of habitability on another planet?

5. How did you feel when you saw the Earth from space for the first time?

6. Why is space exploration important?

7. How do you cope with the isolation and confinement of space, and how has it affected you mentally, physically, and emotionally?

8. What bacteria can live in the biome of Mars or other planets being considered for future human habitation, and what makes them able to do so?

9. Can you view cosmic phenomena in outer space that is impossible to see from Earth; if so, how has it shaped your view of the universe?

10. Can launch vehicle emissions affect the Earth’s atmosphere and space? If so, what is being done to mitigate that?

11. Have you ever seen something in space that you can’t explain?
12. Is the construct of time different or perceived differently in space given the 16 daily passes across all time zones on Earth an astronaut may experience on any given day aboard the ISS; if so, how, and does it impact your circadian rhythm?
13. Are rigorous medical examinations completed for all astronauts before being sent into space to reduce the likelihood of contamination of communicable disease; do all astronauts from various countries on the ISS submit to a similar standard battery of medical exams to screen for and prevent the spread of communicable disease?
14. How have advances in computer vision algorithms for navigation and structural systems protecting space vehicles from extreme temperatures improved the spaceflight experience?
15. What is the most exciting or awe-inspiring moment you have experienced in space?
16. How are operations for future crewed lunar missions progressing?
17. What do you love most about space?
18. Besides rehydrating food, what are other ways to prepare food in space?
19. What preparation did you undergo to become an astronaut?
20. In what ways does the design of the rocket affect its aerodynamics?
21. What is your exercise regimen in space?
22. In the 21st-century, to what extent did virtual reality play a role in your training to become an astronaut?
23. What was the best moment you’ve experienced during your time as an astronaut?
24. How do you receive medical attention while in space?
25. What is the most trivial thing you miss about being on Earth?
26. If you had the ability to create artificial gravity inside the ISS, would you want it, or would you rather stay in zero gravity floating; why?
27. Do you grow plants on the ISS; if so, how?
28. What is your primary research objective on this mission?