* ISS NEWS *

============

Space Shuttle mission STS-101, currently scheduled for launch on

1999-Dec-02 will be carrying the first set of amateur radio hardware

up to the International Space Station.  External antennas for the ham

shack are expected to be installed during an EVA on this flight.  The

ham gear will be left onboard ISS, and there will probably be some very

limited testing of the ham gear.



The ISS assembly crews are extremely busy, and the ham community is

very fortunate that the ISS management and crews have made the Herculean

effort to fit amateur radio into the ISS program.



Expect fairly regular amateur radio operations early next year once the

first permanent crew arrives on the International Space Station.



[Info via Will Marchant, KC6ROL, AMSAT-NA SAREX Operations Manager]