July looks to be a busy month for Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS). On Friday, July 4, members of the Austin Amateur Radio Club (AARC) facilitated a successful ARISS contact between the International Space Station (ISS) and Cub Scout Pack #304 and Blackland Prairie Elementary School in Round Rock, Texas. Before an audience of 100, 10 Cub Scouts asked nearly 20 questions of Greg Chamitoff, KD5PKZ. Chamitoff launched into space on May 31 on the space shuttle Discovery and took over on the ISS for Garrett Reisman, KE5HAE. Chamitoff is scheduled to return to Earth in November.

An ARISS contact has been scheduled with the National Agriculture Museum in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada on Wednesday, July 9 at 15:14 UTC. Telebridge station W6SRJ in Santa Rosa, California will assist with the contact. The museum is a large research facility in the City of Ottawa covering more than 1000 years of major contributions to agricultural progress. A public camp is part of the overall operation of the farm.

Another ARISS contact has been scheduled with the Department of Astronomy and Space Sciences (DASS) at the Kuwait Science Club in Safat, Kuwait on Monday, July 14 at 17:05 UTC. Telebridge station WH6PN in Hawaii will assist with the contact. DASS aims to spread scientific awareness in the fields of astronomy and space sciences by actively engaging the public in exploring the cosmos. This educational activity will educate young people about space stations, satellites and ham radio.

If a school in your area is interested in participating in an ARISS contact, please visit the ARISS Web page for more information on how to apply.