Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment
Program enabling ham radio from Space Shuttle for global contacts.
SAREX—short for the Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment, later renamed the Space Amateur Radio Experiment—was a NASA-backed initiative that let astronauts aboard the Space Shuttle use ham radios to chat with amateur radio operators on the ground. It eventually gave way to the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program. The project was co-sponsored by NASA, AMSAT, and the ARRL.
The idea took off after astronaut Owen Garriott, a licensed ham (call sign W5LFL), brought a handheld 2-meter radio on the STS-9 mission in 1983. Though he had flown on Skylab 3 earlier, he hadn’t used radio equipment then. On STS-9, he borrowed the radio from the Motorola Amateur Radio Club in Fort Lauderdale and made about 300 calls, including to his mother, Senator Barry Goldwater, and King Hussein of Jordan. His success convinced NASA that amateur radio could help engage students, and SAREX was born.
The next ham radio activity in space came in 1985, when Anthony W. England (W0ORE) operated from Challenger’s STS-51F flight, making 130 contacts and transmitting 10 slow-scan television images. By 1991, STS-37 became the first mission where every crew member held an amateur radio license. After these early flights, radios became regular equipment on shuttles. Missions from STS-51F through STS-37 were called SAREX missions; later ones were branded SAREX II. When the program moved to the International Space Station, it became ARISS. Licensed astronauts could operate in their free time.
Educationally, SAREX was a big hit. Most ham operators used it to talk directly with astronauts during downtime, but the program also reached young students, from kindergarten through fifth grade, through a “young astronauts” style program where kids learned about daily life in space. Some classes even got to communicate by video when the shuttle had the right gear. Teachers could find out how to link their classrooms to SAREX via NASA’s Amateur Radio in Space Guide.
In the U.S., anyone wanting to operate a ham station needed a license from the FCC’s Amateur Radio Service. No special SAREX license was required, though space communications had to follow certain regulations.
- First amateur radio operator in space
- Owen Garriott (W5LFL) on STS-9, November 28, 1983
- First radio contacts made
- approximately 300 calls
- Second successful use
- Anthony W. England (W0ORE) on STS-51F in 1985, 130 contacts and 10 slow-scan television images
- First crew all licensed hams
- STS-37 in 1991
- Sponsors
- NASA, AMSAT, ARRL
Lore & Background
Shortly after the launch of STS-9, on November 28, 1983, Owen Garriott (W5LFL) became the first amateur radio operator active in space. Garriott had already flown on Skylab 3, but did not operate radio equipment on that trip. On STS-9, he used a handheld 2-meter radio, provided by the Motorola Amateur Radio Club in Fort Lauderdale, to talk to his mother, senator Barry Goldwater (K7UGA), King Hussein of Jordan (JY1), and many others. Garriott made approximately 300 calls and convinced NASA that amateur radio was useful to get students involved in space. Thus began the Space Amateur Radio Experiment, also known as SAREX.
The second successful use of amateur radio in space was carried out by Anthony W. England (W0ORE) on Challenger flight STS-51F in 1985. He completed 130 contacts and sent 10 images via slow-scan television. In 1991, STS-37 became the first voyage to space on which the entire crew were licensed amateur radio operators. After these flights, amateur radios were often taken on the shuttles. Missions STS-51F through STS-37 were known as SAREX missions. The remaining missions were branded SAREX II. When the program moved to the International Space Station it became known as Amateur Radio on the International Space Station, abbreviated as ARISS. Licensed hams were able to participate during their free time.
Reader's Guide
SAREX was notable for enabling astronauts in low Earth orbit to communicate directly with amateur radio stations worldwide, fostering public engagement and educational outreach. Most amateur radio operators used SAREX to speak with licensed astronauts during their down times. The program had significant educational value for young students from kindergarten to fifth grade involved in a program similar to young astronauts, in which elementary school children learn about astronauts' daily activities and what it is like in space. Students also had the opportunity to communicate via video when the shuttles had suitable equipment. Teachers found out about how to link their classes with the SAREX program through the Amateur Radio in Space Guide distributed by NASA. The program demonstrated the practical and inspirational role of amateur radio in space exploration, leading directly to the ARISS program on the International Space Station. No special SAREX license was required for operation, but certain regulations came into play for space communications.
Did You Know?
- Owen Garriott (W5LFL) made approximately 300 calls from STS-9 using a handheld 2-meter radio provided by the Motorola Amateur Radio Club in Fort Lauderdale.
- Anthony W. England (W0ORE) on STS-51F in 1985 completed 130 contacts and sent 10 images via slow-scan television.
- STS-37 in 1991 was the first space voyage where the entire crew were licensed amateur radio operators.
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