First German astronaut in space: radio contact inspires Berliners!

First German astronaut in space: radio contact inspires Berliners!

On April 1, 2025, the Amateur Radio Club of the Technical University of Berlin (AFuTUB) successfully established radio contact with Rabea Rogge, the first German woman in space. This significant contact occurred during the Fram2 space mission from a SpaceX Dragon capsule in Earth orbit. The live broadcast of the radio engineering experiment was made possible from the radio room of the university in Berlin-Charlottenburg and thrilled numerous viewers.

Rabea Rogge, the mission's pilot, took off from the NASA Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 3:46 a.m. German time today. The Fram2 mission will reach a 90 degree polar orbit and is expected to last four days. Its main goal is the scientific study of the polar regions and the testing of new technologies for long-term space missions. The first connection to Rogge was made at 9:28 a.m., during a scheduled operation time that was announced an hour earlier.

The Fram2Ham experiment

The radio contact was part of the Fram2Ham experiment, which Rogge helped develop to get students interested in scientific communication in space. Questions that were addressed during the experiment came from Berlin students and the Governing Mayor of Berlin, Kai Wegner. The aim was to have an interactive conversation that not only provided insights into work in space, but could also promote inspiration.

Members of the amateur radio club were enthusiastic about the success of the radio call, which was set up by the amateur radio station on the roof of the TU main building. Rogge motivated the audience to pursue their dreams and not let others stop them. The event also included a livestream broadcast on TU Berlin's YouTube channel, which started at 9:20 a.m. and attracted large viewers.

Preparing for the mission

The astronaut had to prepare extensively for her mission, including sea kayak training in Alaska. Her studies in electrical engineering at the TU Berlin and her knowledge of arctic robotics play a central role in her research project. A variety of experiments will be conducted aboard the SpaceX capsule, including the use of a portable X-ray machine and studies of genetic adaptations to extreme conditions.

The international organization “Amateur Radio on the International Space Station” (ARISS) works closely with the AFuTUB and enables communication between the earth's surface and the space station. This cooperation not only promotes interest in science and technology, but is also intended to support the training of students in the field of satellite communications and radio astronomy.

The TU Berlin amateur radio club was founded in 1972 and has since established itself as an important player in the field of science communication. Through international collaborations, such as with the Funkclub at ETH Zurich, the club strengthens its profile and regularly offers courses to promote the skills of incoming generations.

The successes of Rogge and her team set new standards for future missions in space and show the potential of amateur radio activities in combining education and space travel.