FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Camas, WA – June 14, 2024—Camas High School’s Amateur Radio Club is thrilled to announce that they will attempt direct radio contact with the International Space Station (ISS) tomorrow, June 15, 2024, at 8:49 AM local time. Originally scheduled for next weekend, this highly anticipated event has been moved up due to favorable orbital conditions.

For a brief 10-minute window, while the ISS is visible over the local horizon, students will engage in an extraordinary opportunity to communicate with astronaut and Camas High School alumnus Mike Barratt. With the support of local volunteers from the Clark County Amateur Radio Club, students have meticulously prepared for this event by programming directional antennas to track the ISS as it traverses the sky.

“This is an incredible opportunity for our students to apply their learning in a real-world context and connect directly with a Camas High School alumnus who is now an astronaut,” said Camas High School teacher Josef Hoffman. “We are immensely proud of the hard work and dedication of our Amateur Radio Club members and their advisors.”

The media and community members are invited to attend this special event and are welcome to arrive as early as 8:15 AM. The contact will take place near the North Commons at Camas High School, where the students will be set up and ready to track the ISS. It will also be streamed live at this link: https://youtube.com/live/USJuIZriYwc 

The event culminates in extensive preparation and collaboration, demonstrating the power of hands-on learning and community involvement. The students' passion and commitment, supported by their advisors and local amateur radio enthusiasts, have made this event possible.

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