News

Photo from NASA ISS website. 

Amateur “ham” radio to connect students with astronauts as the ISS orbits 250 miles above Earth

WORCESTER, Mass., Jan. 15, 2026 — The EcoTarium Museum of Science and Nature has been selected to host a live contact with an astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS) through ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) in spring 2026. In collaboration with the Central Massachusetts Amateur Radio Association (CMARA) and North High School, hundreds of students will be invited to participate in the event and related education programs, and 10 students will have the rare opportunity to speak directly with an astronaut in orbit.

“The ARISS contact is an exciting opportunity for museum visitors, and school children from across the region,” said Jason Gurtman, manager of educational programs at the EcoTarium. “By giving students the chance to speak directly with an astronaut aboard the ISS, we’re sparking wonder and affirming that there is a place for everyone in space science. This project will serve as a catalyst for curiosity, equity, and lifelong engagement with STEM learning.”

The EcoTarium’s contact with ARISS is scheduled for the week of March 9, 2026. NASA will confirm the exact date and time in late February or early March, depending on ISS orbital passes. Recent changes to ISS crew operations may affect the availability of participating astronauts, and the contact schedule remains subject to adjustment. A public community celebration will follow at the EcoTarium on Saturday, March 14, 2026, featuring hands-on activities and educational experiences focused on amateur radio and space exploration.

“What a thrill to be able to place a call to outer space using radio waves,” said EcoTarium CEO Noreen Johnson Smith. “For over 125 years scientists have been expanding the way we use radio waves to communicate and discover distant objects in the universe. Calling the astronauts is an exciting lesson on the power of electromagnetic waves.”    

Parents, guardians, and educators of students ages 4-16 are invited to submit students’ questions for the astronaut through an online form by January 21, 2026. Final questions will be selected by EcoTarium educators, informed by public online voting. An educator toolkit with classroom-ready resources is available, and the EcoTarium will host interactive programs in the months leading up to the contact.

This initiative advances the EcoTarium’s mission of igniting curiosity and inspiring a passion for science, technology, engineering, and math. The Museum offers year-round astronomy programming for visitors of all ages, including the new NASA-funded permanent exhibit Lift Off! Space Explorers, fulldome shows in the Alden Planetarium, newly renovated observatory, and a monthly Astrophysics Speaker Series.

“Space science and wireless communications technology are foundational to our high-tech future,” said Fred Kemmerer, ARISS technical mentor and American Radio Relay League (ARRL) New England Division director. “An ARISS contact gives young people hands-on exposure to these technologies and often sparks a lifelong interest in high-tech communications and related career paths.”

George Gumbrell, a CMARA board member and parent, emphasized the long-term impact of early exposure to amateur radio. “If you’re interested in science and engineering,” he said, “amateur radio provides a foundation for lifelong exploration.”

Gumbrell’s son Connor, now in high school, was introduced to amateur radio at age 5 and has since spoken directly with an astronaut aboard the ISS. “The exposure to amateur radio and hands-on problem-solving showed me what was possible,” Connor said. “It’s why I plan to pursue electrical engineering after high school.”

For more information, visit ecotarium.org/iss

###

About The EcoTarium

The EcoTarium is New England’s leading museum of science and nature, an indoor-outdoor experience dedicated to inspiring a passion for science and nature in visitors of all ages. Founded in 1825 as one of the oldest natural history museums in the country, the EcoTarium has been a leader in informal science and nature education for 200 years. Highlights of the 45-acre Worcester campus include the science center with three floors of interactive exhibits; Alden Planetarium; Science Discovery programs; extensive outdoor nature trails, wildlife zoo, and habitats; a seasonal railroad with the Worcester Railers Explorer Express Train; and an extensive outdoor play exhibit, Nature Explore®. The EcoTarium is located at 222 Harrington Way, Worcester, MA 01604. Parking is free, and Museum admission tickets may be purchased online. The EcoTarium is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

What is ARISS?

ARISS is a joint venture by NASA, the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), and the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT) to facilitate communication via Amateur Radio between astronauts aboard the International Space Station and schools and communities around the world. ARISS programs excite and motivate students in a one-of-a-kind presentation and exchange.

ARISS program goals are:

• Inspiring an interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) subjects and in STEM careers among young people.
• Providing an educational opportunity for students, teachers, and the general public for learning about wireless technology and radio science through Amateur Radio.
• Providing an educational opportunity for students, teachers, and the general public for learning about space exploration, space technologies and satellite communications.

What is Amateur Radio?

Amateur, or “Ham,” Radio, is a popular service and hobby in which federally licensed participants operate communications equipment. There are over 700,000 licensed amateurs and nearly 2,300 ARRL-affiliated Amateur Radio clubs in the United States. Hams talk to each other across town, around the world, and even into space without the need for normal communications infrastructure, such as cell phone networks or the Internet. Amateur Radio is regularly used during natural disasters to help local emergency and served agencies (such as the Red Cross, Salvation Army, and state and local governments) respond when normal communications methods are disrupted. The Amateur Radio community is a great source of electronics experimentation, public service, and fun.

More information on the ARISS program can be found at www.ariss.org.
More information on Amateur Radio can be found at www.arrl.org/what-is-ham-radio.