SCOUT JAMBOREE: No response from space station

Published on Dec 29, 2002

Eagerly awaited radio link-up with a Nasa astronaut fails due to technical problems; another attempt on Tuesday

Southeast Asia's first attempt at a live radio contact with one of Nasa's astronauts circling high above the Earth during the World Scout Jamboree failed to materialise yesterday, due to technical problems on board the International Space Station.

"Hi, my name is August. How can I be an astronaut like you? Over." These words came from Yaowarat "August" Sriwongkol, a 14-year-old Thai girl, time after time during rehearsal for the proposed live 10-minute radio contact with the space station, 400 kilometres above her head.

Many people and pieces of equipment were used, at a cost of almost Bt1 million and three years of preparation, for the attempted contact.

"What a pity," said Yaowarat. "You know, it was a once-in-a-lifetime chance for me. I practised a lot in order to save time. But the team members that prepared the programme are even more drained than me. They devoted everything just for these 10 minutes. I feel really sad for them."

Besides the opening ceremony, another highlight of the day, every scout talked about this event. Large numbers paraded to the amateur radio tent in the City of Science section to witness the broadcast, scheduled to happen between 3.40 and 3.50pm.

"We want to interest the scouts in science and technology and give them valuable chances like this to talk to a Nasa astronaut," said Satoshi Yasuda, a programme coordinator.

The programme was supported by Biotech, Pacific Internet, and Amateur Radio on the International Space Station Operations Committee to give 14 Thai and foreign scouts a live radio link to the space station.

The 14 were going to ask US astronaut Donald R Pettit questions selected from thousands sent in by scouts around the world.

After three years of preparation, Nasa gave a 10-minute slot for the programme when the orbit of the station was in a position where they could contact the team in Thailand.

"I was so excited. I kept my eyes wide open for this chance, " said 15-year-old Ritte Srichanwongse.

But the only thing Ritte, and many other people waiting for the event, saw on the Internet website was "Error! Hyperlink reference not valid".

Education Minister Pongpol Adireksarn was among dignitaries who waited to witness the event in a tent.

"Even though we prepared for this event a hundred times, things like this can still happen," he said.

"There is no problem with us. I think there is some problem up there," said Thida Denpruektham, head of the amateur-radio section at the jamboree.

However, the team confirmed that another attempt would be made to contact the space station on Tuesday. "I hope we will be successful," said Thida.

Jessada Salathong

THE NATION