Aboard the International Space Station Monday, Expedition 29 Commander Mike Fossum worked with the Space Dynamically Responding Ultrasonic Matrix System (SpaceDRUMS), a suite of hardware that uses sound waves to allow experiment samples to be processed without ever touching a container wall. This allows materials to be produced in microgravity with an unparalleled quality of shape and composition. The goal is to develop advanced materials of a commercial quantity and quality, and help improve manufacturing processes on Earth.

Topics in this report:
1. Upcoming School Contacts
2. ARISS Contact with Cherry Creek School District
3. Israeli Students Radio ISS Astronaut
4. ARISS International Team Meeting Held
5. Debrief Session Held with Expedition 27/28 Crew
6. AMSAT Meetings to be Held Next Weekend

1. Upcoming School Contacts

Topics in this report:
1. Upcoming School Contacts
2. ARISS Contact with Seiryo Elementary
3. ZST Students Contact ISS
4. ARISS International Team Meeting, October 28-29
5. ARISS International Team Teleconference Held
6. Astronaut Training Status
7. ARISS Recognized by NASA Associate Administrator for Education

1. Upcoming School Contacts

Topics in this report:
1. Upcoming School Contacts
2. Italian Students Hook Up with Astronaut Mike Fossum via ARISS
3. Amateur Radio Club Contacts ISS
4. Astronaut Participates in JOTA
5. Kiroli -ARISS Contact Participants Interviewed
6. ARRL Newsletter on Simulated ARISS Contact
7. ARRL Letter Covers ARISS
8. ARRL QST Posts ARISS News
9. Amateur Radio Newsline Covers McFadin Interview
10. Astronaut Training Status

1. Upcoming School Contacts

This year’s Jamboree On The Air takes place on 15 and 16 October.
NA1SS, which is the International Space Station ham radio callsign, is going to be on the air throughout the JOTA weekend. Astronaut Mike Fossum, KF5AQG, who is also a Scoutmaster, is going to be on the air during breaks from his work schedule. He should be available on most of the passes around the world. The uplink is 145.200MHz and the downlink is 145.800MHz, both plus and minus Doppler shift as the ISS passes overhead. Within this year's JOTA,(jamboree on the air).

HOUSTON -- In early November, NASA will seek applicants for its next class of astronaut candidates who will support long-duration missions to the International Space Station and future deep space exploration activities.

Three simulated ARISS contacts were held on Wednesday, September 21. Chris Hadfield, KC5RNJ/VA3OOG spoke with youth at the Euro Space Camp in Belgium. Kevin Ford, KF5GPP contacted the Manhattan Challenger Learning Center (CLC) and Tom Marshburn, KE5HOC answered questions from students at the CLC of Indianapolis. The training sessions were terrestrial-based amateur radio contacts using ARISS equivalent equipment that will prepare the astronauts for participation in ARISS contacts during their upcoming missions on the ISS.

The Expedition 29 crew aboard the International Space Station continued a variety of research, connected with a Japanese kid’s television show and sifted through the leftovers of previous crews to make sure nothing they need or want is thrown away when the Progress 42 cargo ship departs in late October.

Commander Mike Fossum conducted a test session with the ongoing SPHERES experiment in the Kibo laboratory. Consisting of micro-satellites the size of basketballs, the experiment tests formation flying and automated rendezvous techniques using control algorithms.

After an illustrious 36 year career with NASA, Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, has retired from the agency.

The three-member Expedition 29 crew conducted a training exercise Friday in the unlikely event the International Space Station experienced a cabin pressure leak. The crew would stop all activity, place systems in a safe posture, locate and isolate the point of depressurization and if necessary enter a docked Soyuz spacecraft and evacuate the station. The simulated emergency takes place every 2.5 months ensuring the crew is familiar with emergency equipment and procedures.

Meanwhile, ongoing international research and systems maintenance continue to dominate the crew’s daily schedule.