New Ham Gear on the Space Station

Falcon 9 launch from Kennedy Space Center on
February 19, 2017 (Courtesy SpaceX)

The International Space Station (ISS) has a new 2-meter handheld radio, replacing the original Ericsson MP-A VHF rig that failed last fall after 16+ years of service. The new HT was part of the supply package delivered to the ISS by the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket that was launched from the Kennedy Space Center on February 19. 

ARISS Chairman Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, told the ARRL that the new handheld is only an interim measure until fundraising and testing are complete for a new "interoperable radio system" that ARISS hopes to launch in the not-too-distant future.