Welcome to ARISS
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station
ARISS is an international working group that supplies turn-key global engagement and mission safety capabilities to space stations and space vehicles using amateur radio, also known as ham radio. Our specialty is connecting kids with astronauts in space over these radio links, sparking an interest in STEM/STEAM fields.
With ARISS onboard, a space vehicle carries with it a space career promotional tool that is also a proven, independent, platform-agnostic backup communications link and crew morale booster.
ARISS is global: We are governed by delegates from 15 nations including several in Europe as well as Japan, Russia, Canada, and the USA. We operate almost entirely by volunteers from amateur radio organizations including the American Radio Relay League and AMSAT.
Blogs and News Releases
ARISS Facebook Posts
Upcoming Educational Contacts
Weekly Reports
ARISS at AIAA ASCEND: Developing Tomorrow’s Tech Workforce
Did you know that something as simple as a 10-minute ARISS contact can put students on a path to a STEAM career? ARISS-USA Executive Director Frank Bauer will discuss how at the AIAA ASCEND conference taking place this week at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC...
ARISS News Release No. 26-40 Thirteen Schools/Organizations Moved Forward in ARISS Selection Process
July 28, 2026: Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is pleased to announce the US schools/host organizations newly selected for ARISS contacts in 2026 and 2027. A total of 13 of the submitted proposals during the recent proposal window have been...
Weekly Oct.7-13, 2025
October 6: Paterson P-Tech High School in Paterson, NJ hosted an ARISS radio contact with Kimiya Yui; he answered 21 student questions. In addition to the school’s enrollees getting this great opportunity, the administration had involved students from neighboring...