2-meter rig brought to space station completing almost 300 QSOs

In 1983, astronaut and amateur radio operator Owen Garriott, W5LFL, made history by bringing a 2-meter rig aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia during the STS-9 mission. This pioneering effort marked the first time an amateur radio was operated from space. Garriott’s initiative, known as SAREX (Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment), enabled nearly 300 QSOs (contacts) with amateur radio operators around the world. His successful operation demonstrated the feasibility and potential of amateur radio in space, inspiring the development of the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program. Garriott’s achievement showcased the unique capabilities of amateur radio, fostering international goodwill and educational opportunities through space-based communication.