[sarex] ARISS - Montaud Success (via ARISS-EU)

["Scott H. Stevens / N3ASA" <n3asa@xxxxxxxxx>]

ASTRONAUT MIKE FINCKE TALKS WITH VILLAGE SCHOOL IN FRANCE 

Today, Thursday, September 30 2004, an excellent ARISS 
School Contact has taken place with the primary school of 
Montaud.

MONTAUD is located 16 kilometers northwest of GRENOBLE 
city, in the French Alps. Montaud is a village in the 
mountains with 450 inhabitants distributed over a dozen 
hamlets. Houses are located from 700 to 900 meters above 
sea level. The main hamlet comprises the school, the city 
hall and the church. MONTAUD is a rural village with a few 
farms. Most inhabitants work in GRENOBLE. Many are 
researchers, teachers, engineers and technicians. Life is 
enjoyable in MONTAUD. One breathes pure air, surrounded by 
the scenery of nature.

The village is located in the north of the VERCORS 
wildland, the main place of the French Resistance during 
the second world war. This mountainous region culminates 
at 1600 meters. To the south of Montaud, the horizon is 
hidden by the hills and hampers radio contacts with 
satellites. Therefore, the groundstation for the ARISS 
radio contact has been that of ham operator Guy F5GJJ. Guy 
is active on ham satellites since many years. His station 
is located in a favourable area five kilometers from the 
village. For the ARISS contact, an ATV and radio link had 
been set up between his station and the school. 35 hams 
worked together efficiently to make this event a success.

The village school has 65 pupils, 3 to 12 years old, 
distributed in 3 classes. The primary class, 20 pupils 9 
to 12 years old, led by schoolteacher Corinne, actively 
participated to the ARISS project since November 2002. The 
pupils are fond of science. Last year, Jacques, member of 
the local hamradio club, introduced them to the world of 
radio communications.

The ARISS contact was a success. When Mike Fincke had 
answered the questions, Guy explained the set up with the 
ATV link to the school. Mike was impressed and sent his 
congratulations to the ground team, adding a few words in 
French.

In the village, teachers, parents and media were 
delighted. A memorable day for the youngsters of Montaud 
and a splendid achievement for a dedicated amateur radio 
team. 

On behalf of Montaud: ? Merci Mike ! ? 

Gaston Bertels, ON4WF
ARISS Europe chairman

---------------------------------------------------------

ARISS is an international educational outreach program 
with participation of amateur radio societies in the USA, 
Canada, Europe, Russia and Japan. 

ARISS offers an opportunity for students to experience the 
excitement of Amateur Radio by talking directly with 
crewmembers on-board the International Space Station. 
Teachers, parents and communities experience, first hand, 
how Amateur Radio and crewmembers on ISS can energize 
youngsters' interest in science, technology, and learning. 

Further information on the ARISS programme is available on 
the website http://www.ariss-eu.org/

The present News Bulletin is circulated to 556 
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