Group plans space contact with Joamie School

A group of Ottawa amateur radio enthusiasts is working with First Air to establish a communication link between Iqaluit and the International Space Station this month.

If all goes according to plan, 12 students at Iqaluit’s Joamie School will get a chance to talk to astronauts in space.

A couple of astronauts may even be present in the school gym to meet with students face to face.

The space contact is expected to take place in late September. Several dignitaries have been invited, including the Prime Minister, the Governor General, Nunavut MP Nancy Karetak-Lindell, Mayor John Matthews and council and elders.

Project co-ordinator Ron Ralph is expecting a full gym.

The event was initially planned to coincide with the Royal visit on Oct. 4, however security concerns forced organizers to change the date.