May 26, 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 Royal Moroccan Air Academy, located in Marrakech, Morocco. 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 Royal Air School of Marrakech is dedicated to the training of pilot officers and engineers of the Moroccan Air Force. Founded in 1970, it plays a key role in the development of the air forces of the Kingdom of Morocco. The school trains officers in the fields of military aviation, including piloting, command or technical and strategic management missions and prepares engineers specializing in aeronautical systems. The school collaborates with other international academies and air forces to share knowledge and adopt best practices in the field.
This will be a direct 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 relay ground station.
The amateur radio ground station for this contact is in Marrakech, Morocco. Amateur radio operators using call sign CN8ERA, will operate the ground station to establish and maintain the ISS connection.
The ARISS radio contact is scheduled for May 28, 2025 at 1:55:36 pm WEST (Morocco) (12:55:36 UTC, 8:55 am EDT, 7:55 am CDT, 6:55 am MDT, 5:55 am PDT).
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As time allows, students will ask these questions:
1. How do you sleep in zero gravity?
2. What do you eat and how are meals prepared on the ISS?
3. What is the hardest thing to do in space due to weightlessness?
4. How do you maintain your physical condition on board?
5. How do you manage your personal hygiene, such as taking a shower or brushing your teeth?
6. How do you deal with feelings of isolation or distance from loved ones?
7. What is the biggest difference between living on Earth and in space?
8. What types of hobbies or entertainment do you have on the ISS?
9. How do you celebrate special events, like birthdays or holidays?
10. How do you resolve conflict between colleagues on board?
11. What are the most interesting scientific projects you are currently working on?
12. How do you collect and store data for zero gravity experiments?
13. What was the most surprising discovery or experiment made on board the ISS?
14. How does microgravity affect materials or living organisms in your experiments?
15. What tools or technologies do you use to conduct your research?
16. How is the ISS supplied with oxygen, water and energy?
17. What are the biggest challenges in maintaining the ISS?
18. What is the procedure to follow in the event of a technical problem or emergency, such as a leak?
19. How are spacewalks (EVA) planned and executed?
20. What do you think is the next step for space exploration after the ISS?
Translation
1. Comment dormez-vous en apesanteur ?
2. Que mangez-vous et comment les repas sont-ils pr par s dans l’ISS ?
3. Quelle est la chose la plus difficile faire dans l’espace en raison de l’apesanteur ?
4. Comment entretenez-vous votre condition physique bord ?
5. Comment g rez-vous votre hygi ne personnelle, comme prendre une douche ou vous brosser les dents ?:
6. Comment g rez-vous le sentiment d’isolement ou l’ loignement de vos proches ?
7. Quelle est la plus grande diff rence entre vivre sur Terre et dans l’espace ?
8. Quels types de loisirs ou divertissements avez-vous dans l’ISS ?
9. Comment c l brez-vous des v nements sp ciaux, comme les anniversaires ou les f tes ?
10. Comment résolvez-vous les conflits entre collègues à bord ?
11. Quels sont les projets scientifiques les plus int ressants sur lesquels vous travaillez actuellement ?
12. Comment collectez-vous et stockez-vous les donn es pour des exp riences en apesanteur ?
13. Quelle a t la d couverte ou l’exp rience la plus surprenante r alis e bord de l’ISS ?
14. Comment la microgravit affecte-t-elle les mat riaux ou les organismes vivants dans vos exp riences ?
15. Quels outils ou technologies utilisez-vous pour effectuer vos recherches ?
16. Comment l’ISS est-elle approvisionn e en oxyg ne, en eau et en nergie ?
17. Quels sont les plus grands d fis pour entretenir l’ISS ?
18. Quelle est la proc dure suivre en cas de probl me technique ou d’urgence, comme une fuite ?
19. Comment les sorties dans l espace (EVA) sont-elles planifi es et ex cut es ?
20. Selon vous, quelle est la prochaine tape pour l exploration spatiale apr s l ISS ?