Dr. Robert (Bob) Brent Thirsk - VA3CSA - BIO (Canadian Space Agency)
Dr. Robert (Bob) Brent Thirsk - VA3CSA - BIO (NASA)
Each year in June the Calgary Aero Space Museum participates in Aviation Day. This year's Aviation Day was special for the museum in that they were honoured with the presence of Canadian Astronaut Dr. Robert (Bob) Thirsk, VA3CSA.
On June 3rd, 2001 Dr. Robert (Bob) Thirsk, VA3CSA, was presented with the Neil Armstrong Award, named after the late aviation pioneer Neil Armstrong. At the same time Calgary Aero Space Museum, Education and Public Programming Officer, Tom Kelly, VE6TDK, dedicated the museum's amateur radio station in Dr. Thirsk's honour to be known as the "Dr. Robert Thirsk Aero Space Communication's Center".
The Dr. Robert Thirsk Aero Space Communication's Center will be the home of future amateur radio activities to carry out space communications, in particular with amateur radio operations aboard the International Space Station.
Calgary and area students will have the opportunity to take amateur radio courses at the museum and upon getting their licence, will be able to contact the International Space Station through amateur radio voice, packet and SSTV as well as work through amateur radio satellites. The museum's HF station will also allow students to chat with astronauts at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. This was accomplished during May 2001 International Space Day in where students were able to ask questions of Dr. Ellen Baker at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX.
The future holds exciting times for students and young people alike at the Calgary Aero Space Museum's Dr. Robert Thirsk Aero Space Communication's Center.