Out-of-this-world call

Rebeca Davies vibrated with nervous energy before making the longest-distance call of her life. In moments, the International Space Station would fly over Canada and she would get to talk to an astronaut.
"I'm really interested in talking to the woman astronaut," Davies said. "I've heard about a man on the moon, but it's good to show a woman can do it, too."
Davies was one of 10 students selected to ask the astronauts a question.
"I'm going to ask what the most visible man-made structure from space is," Davies said, "I heard the station goes around the Earth every 90 minutes, so I can trust their answer."
There was just one problem, the temperature dropped to -26 C and the antenna was at risk of freezing. If the antenna couldn't move the signal would be lost.
Radio operator Murray Crandon bounced between pieces of radio equipment, adjusting settings and looking generally nervous. He'd been waiting almost two years for this moment.
"If the antenna freezes, we may have to get somebody on the roof to help it move," Crandon said.
The amateur radio on the international space station (ARISS) program began in 2000. Crandon convinced King George School to apply last year to participate in the project.
At 10:48 a.m. the crackle of static on the radio was broken by NASA astronaut Sandra Magnus. A hush fell over the students in the gym.
"Station five ISS NA one, do you copy?" Magnus said
"Yes NE ISS this is victor echo five. ISS how do you copy, Sandra? Over," Crandon said.
"I hear you loud and clear. Great to hear from you guys," Magnus said excitedly.

For more, see today's issue of the Times-Herald