Soleado third graders radio outer space
Principal Kevin Allen addresses the crowd Monday before making contact with an astronaut on the International Space Station by Ham radio. Photo by David Rosenfeld There were a few tense moments as nothing but static came over the airwaves. “NA1SS, NA1SS, this is KE6 JPM Soleado Elementary on schedule,” said Peter Landon, a parent and licensed Ham radio operator, into a microphone-turned receiver in the Rancho Palos Verdes school’s auditorium. A group of close to 60 third graders along with parents, school administrators and media crews were on the edge of their seats Monday hoping to make contact with astronauts on the International Space Station as they glided overhead. The school was selected as one of 700 schools last year to take part in this unique program where students help build a Ham radio positioned on the roof of the auditorium to speak briefly with the astronauts while in orbit. There’s about a 10 minute window to make contact, and it wasn’t guaranteed to work. With film cameras beaming the feed to school districts throughout the Los Angeles area and streaming over the Internet, everyone held their breath as Landon repeated the call letters. “NA1SS, NA1SS, this is KE6…
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