Rancho Romero Elementary to Talk to International Space Station

Students at Rancho Romero Elementary School will be on the same wavelength as an astronaut at the international space station Wednesday, asking questions during a 10-minute pass from Alamo to outers space.

Rebecca Rubsamen, 16, of Alamo is helping students using a VHF radio and antennas she built in her backyard. 

Students will talk to ISS astronaut Mike Hopkins at 11:41 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 13. 

Becca is a licensed amateur radio operator and applied for permission to direct contact to the ISS almost two years ago. She was one of 15 applicants approved nationwide, and sole applicant approved from the state of California.

Rubsamen will act as control operator, using her call sign KJ6TWM. Those with radio and satellite antennae who live in the are can listen in on the ISS downlink frequency 145.800MHz.

Patch will pick up this story Wednesday.