Amateur Radio Antennas on ISS

Amateur Radio Antenna system on the International Space Station. The antennas called WA1 - WA4 are shared between the Amateur Radio project and the Glisser Helmet Camera TV system. Multiple radio bands will be supported by the new antenna system, including: 21, 145, 435 MHz and 1.2 - 2.5 GHz frequencies. The Antennas shown here are currently installed in the ISS Service Module. The new antenna systems were connected to the ISS-Ham station in December 2003. The ISS-Ham station also has access to an Antenna system called the Sirius mono-band (147 mHz) antenna mounted on the FBG module.

	The temporary mounting bracket used during the space walk to install the antennas. This image shows one antenna and coax cable installed.
	This image shows all 4 antennas installed on the mounting bracket. The Orange/Black strips are flexible antenna components that are extended after the antennas are installed. Note the two large hand grips, designed for easy grasping while wearing a thick EVA gloved hand.
	Image taken during a simulated space walk in a large water tank. The white plastic dome contains a Patch antenna which will support the frequencies from 1.2 - 2.5 GHz. This image shows one of the 4 antenna systems installed to the side of the Space Station
	Another Hydro tank image. The Orange/Black antenna strips are very flexible and will not cut or poke the astronauts space suits. The Metal portion of the antennas is similar to a metal tape measure and will bend back to its original shape. The metal portion was then covered with a protective plastic material to prevent sharp edges.
	Sergej Samburov RV3DR is inspecting the antenna system
	Antenna WA1: Astronaut Peggy A. Whitson, Expedition Five flight engineer, holds one of the two amateur radio antennas in the Unity node on the International Space Station (ISS). The antennas were installed during a space walk in August, 2002.
	Antenna WA1: Supports VHF 145 mHz, UHF 437 and SHF 1.2 - 2.4 gHz. Valery Korzun
	Antenna WA3: This antenna supports the HF band ( 15 -30 mHz) and the SHF band 1.2 - 2.4 gHz
	Antenna Side View: Note the large handle. Signal splitter is under the Antenna (silver box), Orange whips are for the 145/438mc bands, white box is the 1.2-2.4 gHz patch antenna