First Africa-Wide Amateur Radio Contact with the International Space Station
Welcome to the official page of the ARISS Program hosted by the Pan-African Citizen Science e-Lab.
We are thrilled to have successfully brought the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) experience to youth across Africa and the Middle East, giving our citizen scientists and the public a chance to speak live with astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
While schools in South Africa and Morocco have hosted ARISS contacts for decades, access has often been limited, mainly because many people were unaware of the program or did not realize Africa was eligible. PACS e-Lab has expanded access by not only hosting ARISS events but also supporting applications, training schools and clubs, and helping youth everywhere connect with astronauts and explore space science.
Before Contact
Our ARISS journey began in late 2023 when we submitted our application during the February–March 2024 application round. A few months later, we received the exciting news that our application had been accepted, and we were scheduled to host the contact between January and June 2025.
Since then, we actively presented this project at various conferences and seminars, including the Science Summit of the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the 32nd IAU General Assembly in Cape Town, South Africa, and, most notably, the HanSci Conference on March 15th, 2025. You can watch the recording below. View details of additional conferences here.
Presentation of the ARISS project at the HanSci Conference on March 15th, 2025
During Contact
On Friday, April 18, 2025, we successfully connected with NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers via a telebridge contact, facilitated by ARISS Telebridge Station IK1SLD in Italy, managed by Mr. Claudio Ariotti.
Participants had the opportunity to engage directly with astronaut Ayers, ask questions, and experience an inspiring real-time interaction with the International Space Station
Event Recording of the First Africa-Wide Amateur Radio Contact with the International Space Station
Throughout the lead-up to our ARISS event and the live interaction with NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers on April 18, 2025, we engaged in several key activities to ensure a meaningful and educational experience for all participants.
- Group and Individual Registration: Early registration enabled us to select over 20 individuals who directly interacted with astronaut Nichole Ayers during the live contact. Additionally, ongoing registration allowed audience members to join via Zoom, where they had the opportunity to ask questions to the ARISS team.
- ISS Tracking Workshops: As part of our educational outreach, we conducted workshops teaching participants how to track and locate the International Space Station using free and open-source software. These lessons empowered attendees to observe the station’s movements from their own locations.
- Lessons on the ISS: To build excitement and deepen understanding, we shared a series of facts, 20 per release, leading up to a total of 200 facts about the ISS, astronauts, and amateur radio communication. These facts were regularly posted across our social media platforms to engage and inform and ARISS participants and the public.
After Contact
With our ARISS event successfully completed, we are now focusing on several key next steps:
- Post-Contact Experience: To celebrate participants’ engagement and contribution to this milestone event, we have issued certificates to all registered attendees. Additionally, we are gathering feedback through a post-contact survey to understand the impact of this experience and improve future ARISS events.
- Continued ISS Tracking & Engagement: The excitement around ISS tracking doesn’t end with the contact. We are continuing to track the ISS and build enthusiasm around its movements, ensuring that participants remain engaged in real-time observations. This will serve as a foundation for expanding into amateur radio operations.
- Expanding to Amateur Radio Operations: Building on the success of our ARISS experience, we are now extending our efforts to amateur radio operations. Through training, mentorship, and technical workshops, we aim to empower individuals to explore the world of amateur radio beyond just space communications.
- Forming a Community of Radio Amateurs: Our long-term vision is to form a thriving community of radio amateurs across Africa and the Middle East. By connecting enthusiasts, students, educators, and experts, we hope to foster collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and broader participation in radio science.
- Supporting Upcoming ARISS Events: Following our successful contact, we are assisting with preparations for the Nigerian Space Agency (NASRDA HQ) and the Ethiopian Space Science Society (ESSS), who are scheduled for their ARISS contacts between July and December 2025.
- Support for Future Applicants: We will reapply in the next application round to continue our engagement with the ARISS program and further expand access to this incredible opportunity. Additionally, we will continue encouraging more African schools and space entities to apply, ensuring broader participation in ARISS. Through hands-on guidance, mentorship, and resources, we aim to help more schools, clubs, and organizations successfully host future contacts with astronauts aboard the ISS.
- Presentations at Conferences: We will keep sharing our impact and lessons learned at future conferences to inspire broader participation in ARISS and amateur radio.
Apply for the ARISS Project
The next ARISS application round is scheduled for September–October 2025. It is advisable to start well ahead of time in order to complete the lengthy application form.
If you would like your school or space agency to apply for the ARISS project, please get in touch with us at info@pacselab.space.
Resources to Download
All relevant documents and resources related to our ARISS event, including the flyer, speaker profiles, event timetable & agenda, and other materials, can be accessed here.
ARISS Contact Experience Survey
Our Partners
