Space Conversations: How Amateur Radio Enthusiasts Chat With Astronauts

Posted on / by James Jones /

Space Conversations: How Amateur Radio Enthusiasts Chat With Astronauts

Introduction: The Extraordinary Ordinary

Imagine speaking directly with an astronaut floating 408 kilometers above Earth using equipment you built in your garage. For thousands of amateur radio operators worldwide, this isn’t science fiction—it’s a regular hobby.

Amateur or "ham" radio has maintained a consistent presence in space exploration since the early 1980s, creating a unique bridge between ordinary citizens and astronauts circling our planet. When Owen Garriott keyed up his handheld radio aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia in 1983, he established a tradition of space-to-Earth amateur communications that continues to this day on the International Space Station.

In this exploration, we’ll examine the fascinating history of amateur radio in space, the technology that makes it possible, and how you—with surprisingly modest equipment—can join the community of earthbound ham operators who regularly chat with astronauts.

The Birth of Space-Based Amateur Radio

Amateur radio’s journey to space began decades before astronauts would ever transmit from orbit, with the groundwork being laid by dedicated radio enthusiasts pushing the boundaries of what was possible.

The first amateur satellite, OSCAR-1 (Orbiting Satellite Carrying Amateur Radio), launched on December 12, 1961, just four years after Sputnik. This small 10-pound satellite, built by ham radio operators in California, transmitted a simple "HI" in Morse code for 22 days. While no two-way communication was possible with this pioneering satellite, it demonstrated that amateur radio operators could successfully build and operate space-based communications systems.

From Experimental to Essential

The OSCAR program continued with increasingly sophisticated satellites throughout the 1960s and 1970s, establishing amateur radio’s place in space. Each generation introduced new capabilities, from store-and-forward message systems to linear transponders that allowed multiple operators to use the satellite simultaneously.

Cold War Cooperation Through Radio Waves

The Soviet space program also recognized the value of amateur radio, with many cosmonauts holding amateur radio licenses. Throughout the Cold War, amateur radio served as a rare point of cooperation between American and Soviet space programs, with radio enthusiasts on both sides listening for signals from each other’s spacecraft—a testament to how technical communities can transcend geopolitical boundaries.

While satellites were the first venture of amateur radio into space, it was the inclusion of equipment on human spaceflight missions that truly captured the public imagination.

From Shuttle to Station: Amateur Radio’s Evolution in Human Spaceflight

November 28, 1983 marks a pivotal moment in the history of amateur radio in space—the day astronaut Owen Garriott (callsign W5LFL) made the first voice contact from space with a ham operator on Earth.

Garriott, operating from Space Shuttle Columbia during the STS-9 mission, made approximately 300 contacts with amateur radio operators worldwide using a 2-meter handheld radio. This SAREX (Shuttle Amateur Radio EXperiment) proved so popular that it became a regular feature on subsequent shuttle missions. Astronaut Tony England (WØORE) even transmitted slow-scan television images from space during the Challenger STS-51F mission in 1985—the first ham radio images sent from orbit.

Engineering for Accessibility

The equipment used for these early contacts was remarkably simple—often just modified handheld radios similar to those used by ham operators on Earth, with simple antennas placed in the shuttle windows. This simplicity was by design, making the system accessible to ground-based operators with modest setups.

ARISS: A Permanent Space Radio Station

When the International Space Station began permanent occupation in 2000, amateur radio found a permanent home in orbit. The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program established ham stations in both the Russian and American segments of the ISS. Today, using primarily the callsign NA1SS (for the US segment) or RS0ISS (for the Russian segment), astronauts regularly communicate with amateur radio operators and, most importantly, with students at over 2,000 schools worldwide.

Making Contact: How Ham Operators Communicate with the ISS

The beauty of amateur radio communication with the ISS lies in its accessibility—virtually any licensed amateur radio operator with basic equipment can participate.

The physics behind these contacts is straightforward but fascinating. The ISS orbits at approximately 28,000 km/h, completing about 16 orbits of Earth daily. Ground-based operators typically have a 10-15 minute window when the station is within radio range—appearing on the horizon, passing overhead, and then disappearing again. During this brief window, direct line-of-sight communication is possible using relatively low-power equipment.

Quantum Mechanics Not Required

To make contact, operators need three basic components: a 2-meter band transceiver (the most common frequency band for ISS communications), a directional antenna that can track the station’s movement across the sky, and knowledge of when the ISS will pass overhead. Websites and smartphone apps can predict ISS passes with remarkable precision, allowing operators to prepare for potential contacts.

The most common setup includes a 2-meter FM transceiver operating at 144-146 MHz for uplink, an external antenna with some gain (though many operators have succeeded with simple antennas), and optionally, a 70-cm receiver for downlink at 435-438 MHz. The total cost can be as low as $300-500 for a basic setup—remarkably affordable considering you’re communicating with a $150 billion space station.

The Democratic Final Frontier

From the pioneering OSCAR satellites of the 1960s to today’s regular contacts with the International Space Station, amateur radio has maintained a unique position at the intersection of private citizens and space exploration. What began with a simple Morse code transmission has evolved into voice communications, digital messaging, and even image transfers between Earth and orbit.

The accessibility of space-based amateur radio represents something profound in our relationship with space exploration—a democratization of access, allowing anyone with basic knowledge and equipment to directly participate in humanity’s greatest adventure. For students making their first contact with an astronaut through a school ARISS program, this experience often ignites a lifelong interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

If you’re interested in making your own contact with the ISS, consider obtaining an amateur radio license—a straightforward process requiring passing a basic examination. Join local amateur radio clubs, many of which specifically support space communications, and explore online communities dedicated to ISS contacts. Even listening for ISS transmissions can be thrilling, requiring no license at all. Share your experiences online, contributing to the global community of space communications enthusiasts who keep this remarkable tradition alive.

Further Resources:

Next step: Obtain your amateur radio license, purchase or build basic equipment, track the ISS using available apps and websites, and attempt your first contact during an overhead pass. Record your experiences and share them with the amateur radio community!