The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
Find out more about space activities in our 23 Member States, and understand how ESA works together with their national agencies, institutions and organisations.
Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe
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Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
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A screenshot of NASA astronaut Mike Hopkins as received through amateur video transmitters on ESA’s Columbus laboratory of the International Space Station.
Hopkins had the honour of being the first to commission the unit and broadcast over ‘Ham TV’. He had a video chat with three ground stations at Livorno, Casale Monferrato and Matera in Italy.
Just like standard television, the video signal is one way. The astronauts cannot see their audience but they hear them over the traditional amateur radio on the Station.
Ham TV will add to ham radio for space educational purposes, offering schoolchildren the chance to talk and see astronauts in space with simple equipment.
Anybody can still hail the Station via radio and, if an astronaut floats by the always-on receiver, they might just pick up and answer the call.
For more information on how to get involved and organise an educational event, contact the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station organisation.