Scouts explore Universe

As it is the International Year of Astronomy, during September Boy and Girl scouts of Switzerland attended different modules and learnt a lot about astronomy and space technology, communication technologies, journalism and public relations. Scouts between the ages of 8 and 14 years developed knowledge, which they implemented in different projects. One group constructed a planet-walk, another made a local radio during 2 days, another created telescopes out of drain pipes to observe stars and the last one created a aviation- radio- module to listen to the pilots. In collaboration with a university, they presented the first satellite Swisscube fully produced in Switzerland to the public. They were mainly supported by an Amateur radio enthusiast and father of two Scouts and also many other experts such as Dr. Bruno Stanek (commentator of moon Landing 1969 in Swiss national TV), the astronomic society «Urania» Zurich and the "Radio Amateur Club Zurich HB9Z - Section Zurich of USKA".

Broadcasting to the ISS-Spacestation

As part oft he ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) Programs of the ISS, on August 22nd 10.20 CET 12 Girl- and Boyscouts could successfully ask a question to Frank de Winne, former Scout and now Astronaut on the ISS. He told them that he had been to many Scout-camps and that also others of the Crew are former Scouts. The thing he likes most on the ISS is to look at the beautiful planet earth, the most difficult actions are the takeoffs and landings on Earth. A young Boyscout asked, if it’s possible to bear a baby in space? Frank answered there have been no experiments so far with human beings, but they have already had baby rats born in space. Although there wasn’t enough time for all oft he Scouts to ask a question, everybody was happy and the event was a great success it was picked up in the in the local press by: 7 Radiostations, 5 Newspapers and 3 TV stations also followed the contact.

Scouting and aerospace, a strong Duo

Neils Armstrong was an enthusiastic Scout, when he landed on the moon in 1969, he wore the “Fleur de Lys” scouting emblem which is now on display at the World Scout Bureau in Geneva, Switzerland. Of the more than 200 Astronauts there have been 142 Scouts.

More information :

http://www.pfadimuur.ch/astrocamp (all questions, press review, full contact audio)