DOWNLINK JOURNAL AND PHOTOGRAPHS

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Video of the Live Event - May 12, 2008

Oct 21, 2007- We received notification from NASA of the award of the downlink.

The time between the award announcement and the actual downlink is uncertain. NASA keeps a dynamic schedule due to the nature of events. Communications between awardees and NASA continue via email and telephone until the actual event is scheduled. All participants have regular 'meetings' via teleconference as the event day approaches.

Nov 9, 2007 - The first teleconferece between Rene Flores (the NASA reprensentative) and all committed parties associated with the downlink. Discussion of procedures and timeframes, as well as technical aspects and equipment necessary for a successful event.

Dec 6, 2007 - NASA held a second teleconferece with our group, discussions focused on upcoming details, both technical and educational. We gained more understanding of how the actual event will work, how much time will be alotted and what items will be discussed. Plans and discussions continue between city and school officials, site locations and support team while we await our downlink date.

Jan 3, 2008 - 9:50 a.m - The first downlink of 2008 (Downlink #1) is scheduled to air; this is with the Robert L. Ford Explorer School, Lynn MA - JSC. This can be viewed on Public, Media and Education Channels or online at the NASA Website (http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/MM_NTV_Breaking.html). This event is slot #1 of the downlink schedule. Our event is Downlink #3, (which still has no precise date scheduled).

Jan 14, 2008 - Third teleconferece between NASA representative Rene Flores and the two locations for Downlink #3 (that's us). This meeting focused more on the content of the questions between astronauts and students, the order of the activities for the actual day and additional recommendations by NASA. One of these recommendations was to invite an aeronautics specialist on site, possibly from JPL in Pasadena. Having a specialist attend the event would provide other attendees the opportunity to gain answers to additional questions as well as benefit from the expertise of a space-flight specialist. No precise date has been set for the #3 downlink. We hope to get this information in the next few weeks but it looks like we may have as little as a 3 week window of knowing when our downlink date will be.

Jan 15, 2008 - 10 a.m. - ISS Expedition 16 In-Flight Interviews with WHO Radio, Des Moines, IA - JSC (Public and Media Channels). This is not really considered a downlink event even though the interviews are In-Flight.

Jan 23, 2008 - 11:25 a.m. - Downlink #2, ISS Expedition 16 Educational In-Flight Event with the Exploration Place, Wichita, Kansas - JSC (viewable on Public, Media and Education Channels and online).

from January to the middle of April communications continued. Finally, at the end of April we were given the date of May 12, 2008 as our ISS Downlink Event date.