Russian cosmonaut returns to airlock at International Space Station
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
Isabella Payne, from Kent, was able to make contact with the space traveller for 45 seconds as the ISS passed over her home while in orbit. Using her dad’s ham radio, she was stunned that she was able to have brief chat with American astronaut Kjell Lindgren, which she thought was just “a dream”.
Ms Payne told CNN: “His voice instantly changed from normal to joyful.
“You could hear his smile.
“I was elated when I heard his voice, I thought it was a dream.”
While it is extremely rare for amateur radio users to get in contact with astronauts on the facility, it may happen once every five or six years, according to Ms Payne’s father.
Matthew Payne said: “It’s very unusual and may happen once every five or six years.
“Everything has to line up and then you have to have an astronaut on board using the equipment and who’s willing to chat.
“It was such a great experience for Isabella.”
Ms Payne was inspired to make contact with the floating space station after meeting British astronaut Tim Peake when she was just two years old.
Now, her dream has “come true”.
She said: “It was really amazing and a dream come true. I can’t wait to tell my friends all about it. I hope it inspires other young girls to do science as it should be for both girls and boys.”
And the American astronaut also “had a lot of fun” chatting to the young space enthusiast.
Mr Lindgren tweeted: “I’ve had a lot of fun using the #ARISS amateur radio station #NA1SS on the @space_station to talk with ham radio operators all over the world. I’ve even (unofficially) worked stations on all continents! But this may be my favourite contact so far. Thanks, Isabella and @m0lmk!”
While Mr Payne is thrilled that his daughter had such a great experience, he had to admit that he was “a little bit jealous”.
He said that thanks to the network he is involved in, he had heard that they were in with a shot of getting in contact with the ISS.
DON’T MISS
ISS emergency: Russian cosmonaut told ‘drop everything and go back’ [REPORT]
Octopus Energy and British Gas hand UK significant plan to freeze bill [REVEAL]
‘Get ready!’ Solar storm ‘active NOW’ — direct Earth hit imminent [INSIGHT]
Mr Payne said in an interview with BBC Breakfast:: “Through the network and the communities that I’m involved in I had word that the astronaut that was up there was using the equipment so we just started listening out for him and it was just a game of luck really.
“You have to get the right time when the space station is passing overhead and it has to be the right time of day when the astronaut is actually using the equipment.”
According to the Radio Society of Great Britain, amateur radio is a “popular technical hobby and volunteer public service that uses designated radio frequencies for non-commercial exchange of messages, wireless experimentation, self-training, and emergency communications”.
It is also reportedly the only hobby that is governed by an international treaty.
Source: Read Full Article