New external antenna system for ARISS shipped to JSC

       ARISS Chairman Frank Bauer KA3HDO, reports that the new ARISS
       flight antenna systems were shipped September 6th from GSFC.
       The antenna systems are expected to be loaded into the MPLM
       (Multi-Purpose Logistics Module) and flown on the Space Shuttle
       Endeavour on the STS-108/UF-1 flight.

       STS-108 is currently scheduled for a November 29 launch date.

       The development of the antenna systems to be clamped on the FGB
       has been possible thanks to a very close and very intense
       cooperation between the Russian and the US teams. NASA's Carolynn
       Conley has done a splendid coordination job between the two
       agencies, running countless teleconferences to help solving the
       many constructional problems inherent to such a development.

       Efforts to finalize the deployment continue.  Frank said: "I want
       to thank all the individuals from around the
       world that have enabled the ARISS team to get this far. It has
       been a challenging effort. Your persistence and
       can-do spirit enabled the antenna systems to go from just a dream
       to reality. I really appreciate everyone's
       efforts in the design, development, testing, evaluation, crew
       training and shipment of these antenna systems.
       Great job team!!"

       The ARRL reports that there are also plans to split the current
       ARISS equipment into separate ham
       stations – one for 2 metres and one for seventy centimetres.

       HF operation is also a possibility from the revamped stations.

       The new antennas will cover HF, VHF, UHF and microwave bands up
       to 2.4 GHz. They are expected to
       be transported to the ISS in late November aboard the shuttle
       Endeavour on the STS-108 mission. The
       new antennas could be installed during a space walk early next
       year after the Expedition 4 crew is
       aboard. Training to install the new antennas is under way. Once
       the appropriate gear is in place, ARISS
       operation could extend from HF through to 2.4 GHz. The HF antenna
       is a 2.5-meter long flexible tape.
       This will definitely work on 10 meters and could work on 15 and
       20 too. The new antennas will be
       placed around the perimeter of the ISS Russian Service Module.