Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla will interact with students via ham radio from the ISS. Ham radio, a licensed service, uses radio waves for educational, knowledge, and emergency communication. First used in space in 1983, it's a reliable alternate communication method, crucial during disasters, inspiring youth through astronaut-student interactions like this.
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Picture Courtesy: INDIAN EXPRESS
Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's interaction with students from the International Space Station (ISS) via ham radio highlights the significance of this unique communication method.
Amateur radio, commonly known as ham radio, is a licensed service that allows individuals to communicate across distances using radio waves.
Ham radio communication can be local, global, and even extend into space.
Licensing in India => Individuals aged 12 and above can obtain a ham radio license from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
First Space Use => It was first utilized for Earth-to-space communication on a space shuttle in 1983.
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) => The ISS is equipped with a ham radio system called ARISS. This system regularly facilitates interactions between astronauts and students globally.
Educational Objective => The primary goal of ARISS and these astronaut-student interactions is to inspire the younger generation about space, science, and technology. Amateur radio organizations, in collaboration with space agencies from the United States, Russia, Canada, Japan, and Europe, support ARISS by providing necessary equipment and operational assistance.
Safety Protocols => For safety, ARISS schedules radio outages during critical ISS activities, such as docking, to prevent any signal interference.
Axiom-4 Mission => Astronauts from the Axiom-4 mission, including India's Shubhanshu Shukla, Poland, and Hungary, use ham radio to communicate with their home countries during their 14-day stay on the ISS. The interactions occur when the ISS passes over the horizon, providing a brief window of five to eight minutes for communication.
Despite advancements in modern communication technologies, ham radio remains a highly reliable and stable alternative. Its effectiveness makes it a crucial backup communication medium.
Ham radio proves invaluable when traditional communication infrastructure fails due to man-made crises (like wars) or natural disasters (such as earthquakes, cyclones, and floods).
India has a history of utilizing ham radio during emergencies:
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PRACTICE QUESTION Q. In terms of technological advancements and future space exploration, what is the primary significance of the International Space Station (ISS) as a "testbed"? A) It exclusively develops and tests deep-space propulsion systems necessary for interstellar travel. B) It provides a unique environment for validating closed-loop life support systems and advanced robotics for lunar and Martian habitats. C) Its primary role as a testbed is confined to demonstrating international docking procedures for space tourism. D) It primarily tests re-entry vehicle designs for Earth return missions from high-Earth orbit. Answer: B Explanation: The ISS is invaluable for testing technologies required for long-duration missions far from Earth. This includes evaluating advanced life support systems (e.g., water recycling, air purification, food production in microgravity) to reduce reliance on Earth resupply, and testing robotic systems for autonomous operations, maintenance, and construction, which will be essential for future lunar outposts and Martian habitats. |
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