Africa-Press – Namibia. Staff Reporter
THE Namibia Scientific Society will host a live conversation with American astronaut Edward Michael “Mike” Fincke aboard the International Space Station (ISS) via ham radio on Thursday, 9 October 2025 at 12:37 PM. The contact will be conducted through the ON4ISS telebridge station in Belgium, using amateur radio call sign KE5AIT, and can be listened to on 145.800 MHz FM.
This marks the first time Namibia will host an ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) contact during World Space Week, taking place at Windhoek Afrikaans Private School. The event is organised in partnership with the Namibia Scientific Society, the African Millimetre Telescope project, the National Commission on Research, Science and Technology, and the Ministry of Education. International partners, including the U.S. Embassy in Namibia and NASA’s Dragonfly mission team, will also support pre-event activities.
Mike Fincke, a retired U.S. Air Force colonel and NASA astronaut, previously held the American record for most time spent in space until 2015. He has completed nine spacewalks, totalling 48 hours and 37 minutes, including six in a Russian Orlan spacesuit. Fincke is certified to pilot Boeing Starliner and SpaceX Crew Dragon, and has served as co-pilot/flight engineer on the Soyuz and as a mission specialist on the Space Shuttle.
According to the ARISS website, these contacts are voice-only communications via amateur radio between ISS crew and students or communities. Students gain a unique opportunity to learn firsthand what it is like to live and work in space, explore ISS research, and understand satellite communication, wireless technology, and radio science.
The ISS passes over a given location only 5–6 times per day for a maximum of 10 minutes per pass, making these opportunities rare and exciting.
The ARISS telebridge station handling the Namibian contact is located in Aartselaar, Belgium, will establish the connection with the ISS.
For those unable to listen with a ham radio on 145.800 MHz FM, the event will also be available to watch via Zoom livestream at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/8023841980?omn=86378791046 provided by ARISS.
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