NASA astronaut and Boeing Crew Flight Test Pilot Suni Williams Suni Williams uses a HAM radio and talks to students from Banda Aceh, Indonesia, answering their questions about life in space and other space related subjects aboard the International Space Station.

A three-year-old chimpanzee, named Ham, in the biopack couch for the MR-2 suborbital test flight. On January 31, 1961, a Mercury-Redstone launch from Cape Canaveral carried the chimpanzee "Ham" over 640 kilometers down range in an arching trajectory that reached a peak of 254 kilometers above the Earth. The mission was successful and Ham performed his lever-pulling task well in response to the flashing light. NASA used chimpanzees and other primates to test the Mercury Capsule before launching the first American astronaut Alan Shepard in May 1961. The successful flight and recovery confirmed the soundness of the Mercury-Redstone systems.

Documentation of the Ham Video unit installed in the Columbus European Laboratory. Part number (P/N) is HAM-11000-0F, serial number (S/N) is 01, barcode is HAMV0001E. Image was taken during Expedition 39 Ham Video commissioning activities and released by astronaut on Twitter.

A three-year-old chimpanzee, named Ham, in the biopack couch for the MR-2 suborbital test flight. On January 31, 1961, a Mercury-Redstone launch from Cape Canaveral carried the chimpanzee "Ham" over 640 kilometers down range in an arching trajectory that reached a peak of 254 kilometers above the Earth. The mission was successful and Ham performed his lever-pulling task well in response to the flashing light. NASA used chimpanzees and other primates to test the Mercury Capsule before launching the first American astronaut Alan Shepard in May 1961. The successful flight and recovery confirmed the soundness of the Mercury-Redstone systems.

S124-E-005646 (2 June 2008) --- Astronaut Ken Ham, STS-124 pilot, eats a snack at the galley on the middeck of Space Shuttle Discovery during flight day three activities.

S124-E-006934 (6 June 2008) --- Astronaut Ken Ham, STS-124 pilot, works in the newly installed Kibo Japanese Pressurized Module while Space Shuttle Discovery is docked with the station.

S124-E-007747 (9 June 2008) --- Astronaut Ken Ham, STS-124 pilot, holds a still camera as he moves through Space Shuttle Discovery's orbiter docking system while docked with the International Space Station.

JSC2007-E-093431 (13 Sept. 2007) --- Astronaut Kenneth T. Ham, commander

S63-20800 (31 Jan. 1961) --- Chimpanzee "Ham" being assisted into "spacesuit" prior to the Mercury-Redstone 2 (MR-2) test flight which was conducted on Jan. 31, 1961. Photo credit: NASA

ISS020-E-015010 (28 June 2009) --- Canadian Space Agency astronaut Robert Thirsk, Expedition 20 flight engineer, uses a ham radio system in the Zvezda Service Module of the International Space Station.

S124-E-005436 (1 June 2008) --- Astronaut Ken Ham, STS-124 pilot, works the controls on the aft flight deck of Space Shuttle Discovery during flight day two activities.

S124-E-005149 (1 June 2008) --- Astronaut Ken Ham, STS-124 pilot, works at the pilot's station on the forward flight deck of Space Shuttle Discovery during flight day two activities.

S61-00203 (31 Jan. 1961) --- Chimpanzee "Ham" with bio-sensors attached to his body is readied by handlers for his trip in the Mercury-Redstone 2 (MR-2) spacecraft. Photo credit: NASA

S124-E-005435 (1 June 2008) --- Astronaut Ken Ham, STS-124 pilot, works the controls on the aft flight deck of Space Shuttle Discovery during flight day two activities.

S124-E-006029 (3 June 2008) --- Astronaut Ken Ham, STS-124 pilot, works the controls on the aft flight deck of Space Shuttle Discovery while docked with the International Space Station.

S124-E-005475 (1 June 2008) --- NASA astronaut Ken Ham (foreground), STS-124 pilot, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, mission specialist, are pictured near the galley on the middeck of Space Shuttle Discovery.

ISS023-E-051112 (23 May 2010) --- NASA astronaut Ken Ham (left), STS-132 commander; and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Soichi Noguchi, Expedition 23 flight engineer, are pictured on the forward flight deck of space shuttle Atlantis while docked with the International Space Station.

S124-E-006792 (6 June 2008) --- Astronauts Ken Ham (top), STS-124 pilot, and Greg Chamitoff, Expedition 17 flight engineer, work in the newly installed Kibo Japanese Pressurized Module of the International Space Station while Space Shuttle Discovery is docked with the station.

S124-E-005361 (31 May 2008) --- Attired in his shuttle launch and entry suit, astronaut Ken Ham, STS-124 pilot, works at the pilot's station on the forward flight deck of Space Shuttle Discovery during flight day one activities.

S124-E-005450 (1 June 2008) --- Astronaut Ken Ham, STS-124 pilot, smiles for a photo as he works at the pilot's station on the forward flight deck of Space Shuttle Discovery during flight day two activities.

ISS045E089495 (11/04/2015) --- NASA astronaut Kjell Lindgren uses a HAM radio to speak with operators down on Earth. The International Space Station is equipped with amateur radio equipment allowing astronauts to share the excitement of space exploration, inspire and ignite interest among students and others on the ground.

S124-E-005639 (2 June 2008) --- NASA astronauts Ken Ham (left), STS-124 pilot, and Garrett Reisman, Expedition 17 flight engineer, are pictured in the Japanese Logistics Module - Pressurized Section (JLP) of the International Space Station while Space Shuttle Discover is docked with the station.

S124-E-005835 (2 June 2008) --- Astronauts Ken Ham (left), STS-124 pilot, and Mike Fossum, mission specialist, look over checklists on the middeck of Space Shuttle Discovery during flight day three activities.

S124-E-005363 (31 May 2008) --- Attired in his shuttle launch and entry suit, astronaut Ken Ham, STS-124 pilot, takes a moment for a photo as he works at the pilot's station on the forward flight deck of Space Shuttle Discovery during flight day one activities.

ISS034-E-042431 (9 Feb. 2013) --- NASA astronaut Tom Marshburn, Expedition 34 flight engineer, conducts a ham radio session in the Columbus laboratory of the International Space Station.

ISS024-E-013398 (5 Sept. 2010) --- NASA astronaut Doug Wheelock, Expedition 24 flight engineer, uses a ham radio system in the Zvezda Service Module of the International Space Station.

ISS020-E-032882 (20 Aug. 2009) --- NASA astronaut Tim Kopra, Expedition 20 flight engineer, uses a ham radio system in the Zvezda Service Module of the International Space Station.

ISS024-E-013387 (5 Sept. 2010) --- NASA astronaut Doug Wheelock, Expedition 24 flight engineer, uses a ham radio system in the Zvezda Service Module of the International Space Station.

ISS029-E-036777 (31 Oct. 2011) --- NASA astronaut Mike Fossum, Expedition 29 commander, conducts a ham radio session in the Zvezda Service Module of the International Space Station with students at the Kantonsschule in Zug, Switzerland.

ISS034-E-042418 (9 Feb. 2013) --- NASA astronaut Tom Marshburn, Expedition 34 flight engineer, conducts a ham radio session in the Columbus laboratory of the International Space Station.

ISS023-E-051146 (23 May 2010) --- Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kotov (left), Expedition 23 commander; and NASA astronaut Ken Ham, STS-132 commander, are pictured during a farewell ceremony in the Harmony node of the International Space Station while space shuttle Atlantis remains docked with the station.

ISS011-E-05496 (4 May 2005) --- Astronaut John L. Phillips, Expedition 11 NASA science officer and flight engineer, participates in a ham radio exchange with students at Albany Hills State School in Brisbane, Australia from the Zvezda Service Module of the international space station.

S124-E-005421 (1 June 2008) --- Astronauts Karen Nyberg, STS-124 mission specialist, and Ken Ham, pilot, work the controls on the aft flight deck of Space Shuttle Discovery during flight day two activities.

S132-E-008033 (16 May 2010) --- NASA astronaut Ken Ham, STS-132 commander, floats into the Columbus laboratory of the International Space Station while space shuttle Atlantis remains docked with the station.

S104-E-5092 (16 July 2001) --- Susan J. Helms, Expedition Two flight engineer, talks to amateur radio operators on Earth from the HAM radio workstation in the Zarya module of the International Space Station (ISS).

ISS034-E-023688 (5 Jan. 2013) --- Canadian Space Agency astronaut Chris Hadfield, Expedition 34 flight engineer, conducts a ham radio session in the Zvezda Service Module of the International Space Station.

S62-01698 (31 Jan. 1961) --- Chimpanzee "Ham" in his flight couch, after his trip in the Mercury-Redstone 2 (MR-2) on Jan. 31, 1961. Photo credit: NASA

ISS018-E-023671 (27 Jan. 2009) --- Astronaut Michael Fincke, Expedition 18 commander, uses a ham radio system in the Zvezda Service Module of the International Space Station.

ISS018-E-023674 (27 Jan. 2009) --- Astronaut Michael Fincke, Expedition 18 commander, uses a ham radio system in the Zvezda Service Module of the International Space Station.

S132-E-008765 (20 May 2010) --- NASA astronaut Ken Ham, STS-132 commander, works in the Harmony node of the International Space Station while space shuttle Atlantis remains docked with the station.

iss073e0423823 (Aug. 1, 2025) --- JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut and Expedition 73 Commander Takuya Onishi speaks on a ham radio with students attending the Osaka-Kansai Japan Expo in Osaka, Japan. Astronauts frequently speak to students, professionals, and government officials using the ham radio aboard the International Space Station's Destiny laboratory module.

iss073e0511718 (Aug. 20, 2025) --- NASA astronaut and Expedition 73 Flight Engineer Zena Cardman speaks on a ham radio with the NixderStelar youth organization from Lima, Peru. The youngsters asked about using artificial intelligence on the International Space Station, how research in space benefits humans on Earth, and how living in weightlessness affects their bodies. Astronauts frequently speak to students, professionals, and government officials using the ham radio aboard the orbital outpost's Destiny laboratory module.

ISS034-E-067237 (13 March 2013) --- Inside the Columbus module on the International Space Station, Expedition 34 Commander Kevin Ford talks to students in Mt. Ousley, Australia during Expedition 34 Ham radio operations on March 13, 2013. He is reading questions that were uplinked by the students.

ISS026-E-016991 (8 Jan. 2011) --- European Space Agency astronaut Paolo Nespoli, Expedition 26 flight engineer, conducts a ham radio session from the Zvezda Service Module of the International Space Station with students at Universit? degli studi di Bari ?Cittadella Mediterranea della Scienza,? Bari, Italy.

ISS011-E-05494 (4 May 2005) --- Astronaut John L. Phillips, Expedition 11 NASA ISS science officer and flight engineer, sets up amateur radio equipment in the Zvezda Service Module of the International Space Station (ISS) prior to conducting a ham radio exchange with students at Albany Hills State School in Brisbane, Australia.

S124-E-009832 (10 June 2008) --- Astronauts Ken Ham (bottom), STS-124 pilot; Ron Garan (left) and Mike Fossum, both mission specialists, pose for a photo after adding the STS-124 patch to the growing collection of insignias representing crews who have performed spacewalks from the Quest Airlock of the International Space Station.

iss072e013206 (Oct. 5, 2024) --- NASA astronaut and Expedition 72 Commander Suni Williams calls down to students in Shepperton, United Kingdom, on the International Space Station's ham radio and answers their questions about living in space.

iss072e034812 (Oct. 11, 2024) --- NASA astronaut and Expedition 72 Flight Engineer Nick Hague calls down to students in Quebec, Canada, on the International Space Station's ham radio and answers their questions about living in space.

ISS017-E-008690 (2 June 2008) --- Astronaut Ken Ham, STS-124 pilot, uses a communication system in the Destiny laboratory of the International Space Station while Space Shuttle Discovery is docked with the station.

iss073e0252501 (June 29, 2025) --- NASA astronaut and Expedition 73 Flight Engineer Jonny Kim conducts a ham radio session and takes notes inside the International Space Station's Columbus laboratory module.

ISS023-E-048284 (19 May 2010) --- NASA astronauts Ken Ham (left), STS-132 commander; and T.J. Creamer, Expedition 23 flight engineer, are pictured in the Unity node of the International Space Station while space shuttle Atlantis remains docked with the station. NASA astronaut Garrett Reisman (right), STS-132 mission specialist; and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Soichi Noguchi, Expedition 23 flight engineer, are visible in the background.

NASA's John C. Stennis Space Center Deputy Director Gene Goldman (center) welcomed members of the STS-124 Discovery space shuttle crew during their July 23 visit to the center. Crew members who visited Stennis were (l to r) Pilot Ken Ham, Mission Specialist Karen Nyberg, Kelly, and Mission Specialists Ron Garan and Mike Fossum.

G61-00337 (31 Jan. 1961) --- Chimpanzee "Ham" during preflight activity with one of his handlers prior to the Mercury-Redstone 2 (MR-2) test flight which was conducted on Jan. 31, 1961. Photo credit: NASA

ISS009-E-22046 (11 September 2004) --- Astronaut Edward M. (Mike) Fincke, Expedition 9 NASA ISS science officer and flight engineer, uses a microphone/keypad for the ARISS ham radio in the Zvezda Service Module of the International Space Station (ISS) during his contact with the Palmer Research Station in Antarctica.

S132-E-012202 (23 May 2010) --- NASA astronaut Ken Ham, STS-132 commander, occupies the commander?s station on the forward flight deck of space shuttle Atlantis during flight day 10 activities. NASA astronaut Steve Bowen, mission specialist, is at left.

ISS022-E-032383 (16 Jan. 2010) --- Russian cosmonaut Maxim Suraev, Expedition 22 flight engineer, conducts a ham radio session in the Zvezda Service Module of the International Space Station with students, alumni and faculty of Kursk State Technical University.

S132-E-012899 (26 May 2010) --- Attired in his shuttle launch and entry suit, NASA astronaut Ken Ham, STS-132 commander, occupies the commander’s station on the flight deck of space shuttle Atlantis as the crew prepares for landing at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Florida.

ISS022-E-032386 (16 Jan. 2010) --- Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kotov, Expedition 22 flight engineer, conducts a ham radio session in the Zvezda Service Module of the International Space Station with students, alumni and faculty of Kursk State Technical University.

ISS004-E-5931 (January 2002) --- Cosmonaut Yury I. Onufrienko, Expedition Four mission commander representing Rosaviakosmos, works with the Amateur Radio (HAM) WA3 Antenna Assembly in the Zvezda Service Module on the International Space Station (ISS). The image was taken with a digital still camera.

iss072e882080 (March 31, 2025) --- NASA astronaut and Expedition 72 Flight Engineer Nichole Ayers talks on a ham radio with students from Lakeside Junior High School in Springdale, Arkansas. Ayers answered questions from the students about her experience living and working aboard the International Space Station.

S132-E-012882 (26 May 2010) --- NASA astronauts Ken Ham (right), STS-132 commander, and Michael Good, mission specialist, are pictured on the flight deck of space shuttle Atlantis as the crew prepares for landing at NASA?s Kennedy Space Center, Florida.

S132-E-012914 (26 May 2010) --- Attired in his shuttle launch and entry suit, NASA astronaut Ken Ham, STS-132 commander, occupies the commander’s station on the flight deck of space shuttle Atlantis as the crew prepares for landing at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Florida.

S132-E-007169 (15 May 2010) --- NASA astronaut Ken Ham, STS-132 mission commander, prepares to record some video on the middeck of space shuttle Atlantis during Flight Day 2 activities. Photo credit: National Aeronautics and Space Administration

ISS022-E-032384 (16 Jan. 2010) --- Russian cosmonaut Maxim Suraev, Expedition 22 flight engineer, conducts a ham radio session in the Zvezda Service Module of the International Space Station with students, alumni and faculty of Kursk State Technical University.

ISS003-E-6730 (October 2001) --- Astronaut Frank L. Culbertson, Jr., Expedition Three mission commander, uses a ham radio in the functional cargo block (FGB), or Zarya on the International Space Station (ISS). This image was taken with a digital still camera.

ISS004-E-5930 (January 2002) --- Astronaut Carl E. Walz, Expedition Four flight engineer, works with the Amateur Radio (HAM) WA3 Antenna Assembly in the Zvezda Service Module on the International Space Station (ISS). The image was taken with a digital still camera.

S63-18198 (31 Jan. 1961) --- Closeup view of the chimpanzee "Ham", the live test subject for the Mercury-Redstone 2 (MR-2) test flight, following his successful recovery from the Atlantic. The 420-statute mile suborbital MR-2 flight by the 37-pound primate was a significant accomplishment on the American route toward manned spaceflight. Photo credit: NASA

S61-00199 (31 Jan. 1961) --- Recovery personnel aboard the USS Donner remove ?Ham?, a 37-pound chimpanzee, from a Mercury-Redstone spacecraft following the successful Mercury-Redstone 2 (MR-2) suborbital flight from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The primate's 420-statute mile MR-2 flight was a significant accomplishment on the American route toward manned spaceflight. Photo credit: NASA

S63-20801 (23 Jan. 1961) --- Primate chimpanzee ?Ham?, in his spacesuit, is fitted into the couch of the Mercury-Redstone 2 (MR-2) capsule #5 prior to its test flight which was conducted on Jan. 31, 1961. Photo credit: NASA

iss066e031742 (November 3, 2021) -- ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut and Expedition 65 Flight Engineer Thomas Pesquet is seen using the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS).

STS -132 astronauts from left, Steve Bowen, Tony Antonelli, Garrett Reisman, Ken Ham, Piers Sellers, and Michael Good are seen with students fromthe Summer of Innovation program following a presentation by the crew at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Tuesday, July 27, 2010, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The chimp Ham (primate #65) and a technician goes over the equipment in Hangar S that is going to be used for Ham's suborbital flight. Ham is scheduled to be launched aboard a Mercury-Redstone 2 from Launch Pad 5 on January 31, 1961.

ISS008-E-21904 (April 2004) --- Astronaut C. Michael Foale, Expedition 8 commander and NASA ISS science officer, holds a portable microphone/keypad for the ARISS ham radio in one hand, and a note card with his call sign of NA1SS in the other in the Zvezda Service Module on the International Space Station (ISS). Cosmonaut Alexander Y. Kaleri, flight engineer representing Russia’s Federal Space Agency, donned in the Russian Lower Body Negative Pressure (LBNP) or Chibis suit in preparation for a return to gravity following his stay onboard the ISS, is visible in the background.

Vice President Richard B. Cheney, center, poses with astronauts from the STS-124 mission at the Vice President's residence Wednesday July 16, 2008, in Washington. Crew members from left are: NASA Astronaut Garrett Reisman, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, Mission Specialist Mike Fossum, Mission Specialist Ron Garan, Mission Specialist Karen Nyberg, Pilot Ken Ham and Commander Mark Kelly. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - During Energy and Awareness Week, astronaut Kenneth Ham autographs a photo for an employee (right). Ham is one of two astronauts celebrating Earth Day with KSC. The other is Mark Polansky. The two-day event was held April 22-23 around the Center.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Ham the chimp. Photo credit: NASA

JOHNSON SPACE CENTER, Houston --- JSC2007-E-093431 --- Astronaut Kenneth T. Ham, commander

ISS011-E-09069 (2 June 2005) --- Astronaut John L. Phillips, Expedition 11 NASA ISS science officer and flight engineer, uses amateur radio equipment in the Zvezda Service Module of the International Space Station (ISS) while speaking with students from Brigidine College in Sydney, Australia.

ISS014-E-18307 (27 March 2007) --- Astronaut Sunita L. Williams, Expedition 14 flight engineer, talks with students at the International School of Brussels in Belgium during an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact in the Zvezda Service Module.

ISS014-E-18306 (27 March 2007) --- Astronaut Sunita L. Williams, Expedition 14 flight engineer, talks with students at the International School of Brussels in Belgium during an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact in the Zvezda Service Module.

S63-22731 (31 Jan. 1961) --- The launch of the Mercury-Redstone 2 (MR-2) suborbital mission from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Jan. 31, 1961. Onboard the spacecraft was ?Ham?, a 37-pound chimpanzee. Despite an over-acceleration factor, the flight was considered to be successful. Following recovery Ham appeared to be in good physiological condition, but sometime later when he was shown the Mercury spacecraft it was visually apparent that he had no further interest in cooperating with the spaceflight program. Photo credit: NASA

JSC2009-E-258475 (8 Dec. 2009) --- While seated at the commander's station, astronaut Ken Ham, STS-132 commander, participates in a post insertion/de-orbit training session in the crew compartment trainer (CCT-2) in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Ham is wearing a training version of his shuttle launch and entry suit.

JSC2007-E-48205 (28 Sept. 2007) --- While seated at the commander's and pilot's stations, astronauts Mark E. Kelly (left) and Kenneth T. Ham, STS-124 commander and pilot, respectively, participate in a training session in the crew compartment trainer (CCT-2) in the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility at Johnson Space Center. Kelly and Ham are wearing training versions of their shuttle launch and entry suits.

JSC2009-E-224118 (20 Oct. 2009) --- Astronaut Ken Ham, STS-132 commander, dons a training version of his shuttle launch and entry suit in preparation for a training session in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. United Space Alliance suit technician Jeremy Spruell assisted Ham. Astronaut Garrett Reisman, mission specialist, is visible in the background.

JSC2009-E-258447 (8 Dec. 2009) --- Astronaut Ken Ham, STS-132 commander, dons a training version of his shuttle launch and entry suit in preparation for a training session in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. United Space Alliance suit technicians Andre Denard assisted Ham.

STS-124 crew members, from left, pilot Kenneth T. Ham, mission specialist Karen L. Nyberg, mission specialist, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's (JAXA) Akihiko Hoshide, Commander Mark E. Kelly, mission specialist Michael E. Fossum and mission specialist Ronald J. Garan talk about their STS-124 mission shortly after landing the space shuttle Discovery at 11:15 a.m. on June 14, 2008 at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. During the 14-day mission the crew of STS-124 installed the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's large Kibo laboratory and its remote manipulator system leaving a larger space station and one with increased science capabilities. Discovery also brought home NASA astronaut Garrett Reisman after his 3 month mission onboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

JSC2010-E-063788 (3 May 2010) --- NASA astronauts Ken Ham (left), STS-132 commander; and Tony Antonelli, pilot, are pictured during an STS-132 preflight press conference at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

iss072e280674 (Nov. 24, 2024) --- NASA astronaut and Expedition 72 Commander Suni Williams poses for a fun holiday season portrait while speaking on a ham radio inside the International Space Station's Columbus laboratory module.

iss059e085130 (May 30, 2019) --- NASA astronaut Nick Hague floats inside Europe's Columbus laboratory module during a HAM radio session using the International Space Station's call sign NA1SS.

iss069e033736 (July 18, 2023) --- NASA astronaut and Expedition 69 Flight Engineer Stephen Bowen is pictured in the Columbus laboratory module conducting a HAM radio session with students from Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario, in Canada.

iss072e034816 (Oct. 11, 2024) -- NASA astronaut and Expedition 72 Flight Engineer Nick Hague is photographed while talking with students from Quebec, Canada, during an ISS Ham Radio session.

JSC2010-E-063782 (3 May 2010) --- NASA astronaut Ken Ham, STS-132 commander, responds to a question from a reporter during an STS-132 preflight press conference at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

JSC2010-E-063789 (3 May 2010) --- NASA astronauts Ken Ham (left), STS-132 commander; and Tony Antonelli, pilot, are pictured during an STS-132 preflight press conference at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

JSC2010-E-063796 (3 May 2010) --- NASA astronaut Ken Ham, STS-132 commander, responds to a question from a reporter during an STS-132 preflight press conference at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

iss066e084425 (Nov. 29, 2021) --- NASA astronaut and Expedition 66 Flight Engineer Raja Chari conducts a ham radio session aboard the International Space Station with students from Temuco, Chile.

JSC2010-E-051980 (8 April 2010) --- NASA astronaut Ken Ham, STS-132 commander, is pictured during an ingress/egress training session in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

ISS019-E-007263 (17 April 2009) --- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Koichi Wakata, Expedition 19/20 flight engineer, uses a communication system in the Zvezda Service Module of the International Space Station.

STS078-429-017 (20 June-7 July 1996) --- Aboard the middeck of the Earth-orbiting space shuttle Columbia, astronaut Charles J. Brady, mission specialist and a licensed amateur radio operator or "ham", talks to students on Earth. Some of the crew members devoted some of their off-duty time to continue a long-standing Shuttle tradition of communicating with students and other hams between their shifts of assigned duty. Brady joined four other NASA astronauts and two international payload specialists for almost 17-days of research in support of the Life and Microgravity Spacelab (LMS-1) mission.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - STS-132 Commander Ken Ham speaks to the media after landing space shuttle Atlantis at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Behind Ham is STS-132 Mission Specialists Garrett Reisman (center) and Michael Good. The six-member STS-132 crew carried the Russian-built Mini Research Module-1 to the space station. STS-132 is the 34th shuttle mission to the station, the 132nd shuttle mission overall and the last planned flight for Atlantis. For information on the STS-132 mission and crew, visit www.nasa.gov_mission_pages_shuttle_shuttlemissions_sts132_index.html. Photo credit: NASA_Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- STS-124 Pilot Ken Ham stands ready to practice driving the M113 armored personnel carrier as part of emergency training. Behind him is Mission Specialist Karen Nyberg. Ham and other crew members are at NASA's Kennedy Space Center for a dress launch rehearsal called the terminal countdown demonstration test. TCDT provides astronauts and ground crews with an opportunity to participate in various simulated countdown activities, including equipment familiarization and emergency training. On the STS-124 mission, the crew will deliver and install the Japanese Experiment Module – Pressurized Module and Japanese Remote Manipulator System. Discovery's launch is targeted for May 31. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett