Zeke learned that amateur radio operators could connect with the station’s radio repeater—a device that receives and transmits signals. That inspired the student from Oregon to get his amateur radio license. He also built his own equipment, including a specialized antenna and a tracking system that would determine the position of the ISS as it orbited high above Earth.
Eventually, Zeke connected with the ISS repeater. But no one was near it to answer his call! He reached out to a NASA program that schedules radio calls with astronauts. On October 8, 2024, Zeke spoke into his radio. “Right until the last minute, I had no idea if it was going to work,” says Zeke, now 13. Moments later, the voice of astronaut Sunita Williams answered back. Mission complete!