Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS)

ARISS Funding

http://www.ariss.org

Outline

• Overview of current funding situation.• Needs • Potential solutions• Discussion• Receive direction from ARISS-I delegates

April 3 & 4, 2014 ARISS Funding 2

Current Funding Situation

• Budget cuts– Critical NASA Education funding cuts. – Funding cuts in other Space Agencies – Obama Administration direction for STEM activity

funding conflicts with NASA Educational funding. • Loss of paid administrative, safety, & operations

support. – Carol Jackson, Steve Ponder, Claire Freudland

• Increased costs for pre-launch requirements.

April 3 & 4, 2014 ARISS Funding 3

Funding Needs

• Number 1 priority is to improve radio systems in Columbus module.

• Restore administrative, safety and support positions.

• Travel and conference support. ARISS-I needs to meet more frequently.

• Hardware certification – $50k-$100k (USD)

April 4 & 5, 2014 ARISS Funding 4

Past & Present Funding Sources

• Appeals to Amateur Radio communities.– AO-40 & Fox Campaigns– Focused, directly affected source with a limited

population and a history of limited success.• In kind logistics & transportation– Airline support for Canadian ARISS contacts

• Donations from ham radio estates – FunCube is a recent example.

April 4 & 5, 2014 ARISS Funding 5

Potential Solutions

• Fund raising brochure(s)• Develop “in kind” donations. • Copy the CubeSat model. – Alliances with universities and industries.

• STEM education foundations & grants.• Direct mailings.• Simplify and promote donation process.

April 4 & 5, 2014 ARISS Funding 6

Moving forward – near term

• Finance basics:

– Research current ARRIS-I funding to document available resources.

– Identify and prioritize ARISS-I needs.– Develop operating and capital budgets.• Critical for ARISS-I planning & coordination.• Critical to support fundraising activities – especially

grants.– Develop integrated fund raising strategy

April 3 & 4, 2014 ARISS Funding 7

Moving forward – near term

• Recruit long term and project specific fundraisers.• Individuals who help us avoid costs are fundraisers!

• “Post Contact” ARISS donation brochure or email campaign for student/parents etc.– Seek donation of brochure design and printing services?

April 3 & 4, 2014 ARISS Funding 8

Moving forward – near term

• Identify potential funding sources/donors:– Space related companies (include in-kind services)– Former space participants.– Key personnel in companies providing other

services like travel/logistics support. – Education/STEM support by government agencies.– Grants & Foundations.

April 3 & 4, 2014 ARISS Funding 9

Moving forward – near term

• Identify potential conflicts of interest.• Coordinate fundraising with respective

AMSATS.

April 3 & 4, 2014 ARISS Funding10

Moving forward

• Need direction from ARISS-I

• Use AMSAT-NA ARISS account as a fully transparent, central donation source.

• Something to consider…Is there a need to research possibility

of an independent ARISS-International organization?

April 3 & 4, 2014 ARISS Funding 11