Austrian Youth Amateur Radio Camp Contacts ISS Astronaut Sophie Adenot

A group of more than 120 teenage amateur radio operators from over 30 countries gathered at a youth camp in Wagrain, Austria, and erected a 45‑metre radio tower to establish a brief contact with French astronaut Sophie Adenot aboard the International Space Station. The ten‑minute window, arranged by Florian Zwingl and his team, allowed the campers to ask 17‑20 questions ranging from technical details to everyday curiosities such as whether astronauts use a mobile phone or how they wash clothes.

The European Space Agency covered the roughly $200,000 cost of the transmission. The event was hailed as a highlight of the YOTA 2026 (Youngsters on the Air) camp and showcased the educational potential of amateur radio in connecting young people with space exploration.