I Bounced My Cat Off The Moon (With Radio)

Humans first contacted the moon days after World War II; Project Diana gave birth to radar astronomy by bouncing radio waves off the moon to receive a signal back. I went to the Project Diana Site to recreate it, with a slight twist…
Many thanks to everyone at InfoAge Space Exploration Center!
More on visiting: isec.space
How to support: isec.space/donate/
Special thanks to Lori Lauber, Frank O'Brien, and Mike Ruane!
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Sources:
NASA overview of radio in space communication: history.nasa.gov/SP-4218/ch1.htm
Frank O'Brien, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory Solar System Ambassador, lecture on Project Diana’s place in space communication: • The 75th Anniversary o...
TIROS Satellite Program: science.nasa.gov/missions/tiros
Detailed history of Camp Evans:infoage.org/history/historica...
Navy application of radar: history.nasa.gov/SP-4217/ch2.htm
Conversion of TIROS satellite to modern day applications, including moon bounce: www.princeton.edu/news/2016/0...
Project Diana History, c/o InfoAge Space Exploration Center: infoage.org/history/army-rese...
Project Diana New Coverage:
Radio News, April 1946 (25-7) worldradiohistory.com/Archive...
Time Magazine, 10 Feb 1946 content.time.com/time/subscrib...
Media:
Le Voyage Dans La Lun, Georges Méliès (1902) - archive.org/details/LeVoyageD...
1946 John DeWitt Newsreel (International Astronautical Federation Creative Commons licence: Video derives from the Universal International News archive which has been placed in the public domain) • 1946: Radar makes roun... ,
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[@SarannaRotgard]

AUGUST 2021 UPDATE: If I'm just getting to your comment now, I apologise! I lost access to health insurance in early June. Things are getting back to normal, but I'm taking a necessary little break to focus on my health. Thank you for all of your support, and I can't wait to get back to creating things for you again!** -- Working title: “I promise I didn’t just do this for the algorithm!” Many thanks to everyone at the InfoAge Space Exploration Center! Pull down the description for more information about how to visit and support them, as well as how to support this channel. As always, sources are in the description!

[@noahknows25]

I have known about your channel for 10 minutes and I already love all your videos I can tell how much work and effort you put in to each one.

[@gstakktransport5227]

@@noahknows25 Opinion completely shared

[@sadsickman1116]

I couldn't care less if this is for the algorithm. The video is quality

[@adlad1563]

How does one go about sending a cat to the moon? Asking for a friend xD

[@gstakktransport5227]

@@anthonyontv1061 Can you tell me more?

[@austinmcconnell]

Such a fun video! So happy to see you in my sub box. 🙂

[@gstakktransport5227]

Yeah I was really surprised with how good this is, came from your video. She’s earned another sub. Hope you’re doing okay with your heart

[@callintodayforabiggiebagfr7862]

Hi Austin

[@Markone99]

You brought us all here. Thanks, man!

[@double_07]

Oh Hi there 😀

[@double_07]

@@Markone99 don't disrespect the previous subscribers. I am here because of Austin too but I've seen the comments of the OG subscribers 😁

[@EZOnTheEyes]

"One small step for me, one large leap for Meowkind"

[@sarahp6512]

Came for the cat, stayed for the science

[@aditeya1024]

Somewhere on the moon there was, probably, an alien who just got startled by a meow

[@carlinc.christensen3478]

Tom Scott and Saranna Rotgard uploaded on the same day! What a treat!! 😀 Thank You Saranna for such a wonderful video!!

[@corwin32]

I sincerely hope this makes it into the Guinness book of world records. I _want_ that entry in there

[@EladLerner]

I'm an astronomy teacher, and from now on I will add this tidbit of space history to my curriculum!

[@Calverin]

This was a truly innovative moment in science. This video will serve as a historical record of the legendary feat of the first cat meow on the moon.

[@scruffydad9435]

Moonbouncing (aka EME [earth-moon-earth] communication) is something you can do at home with an amateur radio license and a directional antenna as well. Also look up ARISS. An acquaintance of mine was able to acquire a postcard from NASA by contacting the ISS on the 2 meter band. I love geeking out over radio and space. 😀

[@stargazer7644]

It takes some pretty serious ham equipment to hear your own voice echoes from the Moon.

[@JulianOShea]

One small step for meow. One giant leap for meowkind.

[@illyth63]

This is a very cool chapter in space history, and this taught me a lot more about it. Thanks!

[@farasapt6579]

miss you saranna, hope you doing well.

[@justjulie1113]

she just seems so genuinely excited about everything she talks about and it's adorable

[@jorgec98]

Your face when Shea's meow bounced back was priceless!

[@martinvelky3340]

Such a great channel, hope you will be able to make more ambitious projects soon, colab with Tom Scott at some point is a must.

[@Craichy]

That’s hilarious! How do you even think of that. Thanks for the video. It was great

[@samtheanthro]

Another great video! What a cute idea to send your cats voice. It's amazing the level of complexity things like radio take to operate that we take for granted since we're so used to them

[@MurphyAndFriends]

One small step for Shea, one giant leap for Felines.

[@kuroroedamame]

Hope you doing well ❤️

[@SarannaRotgard]

Thank you so much 😊 I appreciate it. Everything is still a struggle, but I'm learning to cope. And I'll be back here soon with a new set of videos! I'm super excited to share the concept for the next era of this channel and what I've been working on - more on that next week!

[@antonlevin3391]

never would've thought that we had to test if ships could talk from space, but it makes sense why we would have to find out

[@watermilon7758]

Best of luck, I hope your channel continues to grow

[@christopheryoung1421]

Killin it! Such important advances made at that site. And it's just, well, cool looking too haha. And finally some info to support your channel. Nice!

[@rhokkeewithaj761]

Fr thought you just sent your cat to the moon and just hoped for the best lmao

[@joannewanus8028]

Wow! You and Shea made history!!!! Congratulations. Love your videos.

[@amiscellaneoushuman3516]

A proposed description for this channel: "like Tom Scott, but with more philosophising, and also American"

[@TheFilmFatale]

This just put a giant grin on my face. I so enjoy history with a twist…particularly this form that integrates history, science and travel log❤️

[@shmeb5544]

This brings up the question though, can astronauts hear this? and if they can, then on the next mission to the moon can we rickroll the moon base??

[@niffernal]

if they were to set their radio listening to specifically that frequency( which i think was deliberately chosen as empty or not useful ) then yeah, sure they would be relearning internet culture through a radio haha

[@Gulliolm]

I can neither deny nor confirm that they heard this transmission. BUT it is very possible to talk to the astronauts on the ISS if you are a licensed HAM radio operator OR a student on a school or uni that is cooperating with one of the astronauts on the ISS. For example Alexander Gerst (german astronaut and former ISS commander) talked to several german schools on multiple occasions.

[@thechessfish]

Very cool! This tech is super interesting. Also that title got me to click instantly and I was not disappointed 😂

[@jameskilgour387]

Another great video, so happy to find this channel

[@jacksonhuenefeldt914]

Another excellent video! I hope your channel continues to grow :)

[@jordan1081]

I'm so glad I subscribed and get to watch this channel grow! It gets better every episode. One minor criticism I have is you shouldn't rush quite so much, we love hearing you so take all the time you need to explain things and go into detail (this was really cool!) . There's no need to talk so fast you're barely breathing. Ignore the whole youtube only shows short videos trap because your viewers could watch you for hours. Definitely looking forward to your next video!

[@boyhowdygaming8182]

Keep the content coming.

[@SarannaRotgard]

More is coming soon! (And so is a consistent upload schedule!)

[@95triforce]

Wow. The digital age started with Turing machines and well... this! Didn’t know this was such a milestone and a thing we could have done. Great video Saranna!

[@danieldavies4961]

Please come back miss the videos

[@jubran7469]

I hope you can post again soon :D

[@SarannaRotgard]

Thank you! I'm genuinely sorry for the delay. After 11 months of being too sick to do anything, I've finished writing some new scripts that I'm super excited about and think you'll enjoy, so I hope you stick around just a little bit longer! It'll be worth the wait! (There will be an actual announcement next week! 🙂)

[@roystroek3954]

Awesome stuff! 👌 Good to see you're putting the patreon references in too, we all win if we can keep your channel rolling 💪🎉

[@_ch1pset]

Crazy to think this tech is less than 100 years old. Tracking storms from space seems like such a crucial thing to our survival. I'm happy to take that for granted!

[@jh8320]

Commenting to feed the algorithm!

[@moonam8389]

You somehow manage to cover topics and stories not covered anywhere else on youtube. Well done!

[@spyqui5505]

No no, you don't thank Austin, we do, great stuff! Keep it up :)

[@SarannaRotgard]

That's so kind of you! Thank you, and I am working to be back at it soon!

[@the-pink-hacker]

I really hope one day I'll see you again in my subscription box. By the sounds of it, you're going through a lot of life right now. I wish you the best and hope this isn't that we'll here from you ❤

[@jayglenn837]

Thank you so much for the cool video!

[@morsecode42]

This is too cool! And Shea is adorable! 😻

[@dcallan812]

Nice. This just what technology needs to be used for. ❤

[@wanderinginmymind]

This was such a good channel, hope she’s doing alright

[@max_208]

nice video, interresting fact i didn't know about

[@alexilonopoulos3165]

Great video!

[@dropedan]

Great video, loving the source material you linked.

[@ArtWithRose]

Science is a really cool thing and very interesting when you go deep! It's very confusing sometimes but that's the nature of science ig

[@NikitaBelomestnykh]

I hope you come back soon!

[@Talia_Arts]

Great video as always!

[@Gulliolm]

I know i've said this before but it this is your best video so far! It is well researched and explained in a simple way that everyone understands. EME is one of the most fascinating topics in radio operations and maybe the most challenging exept for Earth Venus Earth which is theoretically possible but it is way to hard to send a meaningful signal as it is blurred on the way. Maybe if you ever visit Germany i can show you how to connect a whole first world country in case of an emergency as i volunteer for the german federal agency for technical relief who's job it is to connect every emergency service provider (fire departements included) in case of a country wide emergency (f.e. blackouts, terrorist attacks or something like that) Also you seem to be way less nervous than in the previous videos, the video quality is very good (different camera?) and the sound isn't bad either. Even though it seems to be clipping when Lori Lauber (KD2OMA) is talking to the camera. AND most importantly for me: Several of my all time favorite things in the world combined in one video: Cats, science and HAM radio! Additionally i love that you show women in science, the science community needs more intelligent, strong and curious women. By the way, i think $10 is a bit too low for the highest patreon level. Thank you for this video and maybe we'll talk again on twitter

[@IstasPumaNevada]

I, too, am not tired of sometimes shouting "Echo!" to hear an echo back. Granted, this is with a lot more technology and is _way_ cooler, especially since a cat is involved. But it's similar! :)

[@fearegg3581]

I love to see one of her videos pop up such good content

[@zach123101]

This video is the cat's meow

[@safe-keeper1042]

Hope you are well. Love the channel.

[@velox__]

How cruel of the algorithm to only recommend this channel to me now! great video

[@MrCheese1745]

This video is so wholesome and I love it

[@niffernal]

I always love epilogue, moral of the narrative as it is so inspiring

[@randomchallenger1726]

that cat must feel like a real badass

[@TheBlondsurfer]

This was a great video! And I love cats too. That was awesome!

[@Radar_of_the_Stars]

I don't remember subscribing to you, but I'm glad I did, what an amazing video

[@SarannaRotgard]

Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed it!

[@teeing9355]

My new favorite KZbin Channel.

[@AntonWongVideo]

Back with another video! I loved seeing both of your genuine excitement at sending the cat meow to the moon

[@LillianRZP]

Great video! And wow, congrats on 10k!

[@SarannaRotgard]

Thank you!

[@ephraimgilrain5469]

sorry that I’m late to the vid, it was another great one. you put so much work into what you love, and i think that’s wonderful.

[@SarannaRotgard]

Sorry for the late response! I’m so glad you enjoyed it, and thank you for this reminder that working from a place of passion is, for lack of a better way of putting it, a good thing. (Recently, I’ve run into certain people who strongly hold the opposite opinion, which has brought me down, to say the least. Reading this is a breath of fresh air!)

[@MysterySteve]

Just wanted to say I absolutely love your content. It's never been boring and I always feel good after a video! Keep up the good stuff!

[@SarannaRotgard]

I’m so glad you’re enjoying it! Thank you so much - this really made me smile!

[@MysterySteve]

@@SarannaRotgard Never a problem! You're awesome and provide a great service of fascinating information to your viewers!

[@theecube1]

"we choose to go to the moon (mewn?) not because it is easy, but because it's a giant light we want to swat at"

[@SarannaRotgard]

Definitely “mewn!”

[@grrggrrg4805]

"$10 Patreon Perk: I will send a recording of your fart to the moon"

[@RollOut52]

Amazing and very fun to watch!

[@ThiagoDragon0]

That's so interesting! Amazing video!

[@SarannaRotgard]

Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it!

[@bmansk8520]

This is so cool!

[@n.s.mcmahon6180]

Now we just have to hope that wasn't the trigger noise for the Starry Ones to descend upon us.

[@thatguycalleddan1702]

This is so interesting to learn about, and you present it in a way that's really easy to understand!

[@1364aakash]

Loved your video!

[@Fairyslash]

amazing!

[@SoVidushi]

I knew the cat before she was famous 😎

[@swordswordswords]

cat

[@randomviewmonitor]

I’m smiling. This was amazing!

[@NashKluzenerHall]

I see you’ve made incredible progress with your channel! Congrats on never giving up. Informative and educational content too!

[@dagemervideos]

I just found this in my reccomendation, nice video, verry informational

[@Erik_91]

Just found your channel, I'm gonna binge it. Hope your channel will see more subs soon. Keep up the nice vids!

[@Ecotasia]

See you broke 1,000 subs. Awesome you got mentioned by Austin. Great video as always, excited to see more. -JJ

[@SarannaRotgard]

Thanks so much! I genuinely thought I would never break 1,000, and I’m appreciative beyond words! There was a bit of an adjustment period in getting used to my video getting seen by a wider audience, but in the best possible way - more is coming soon!

[@HENRYCOGIS]

Thanks!

[@AGoshDarnGrizzlyBear]

Very interesting topic, I would never even imagined trying to bounce a radio signal off the moon, let alone how much that would effect human progress. You're passion is evident and infectious, I'm looking forward to seeing your channel grow!

[@SarannaRotgard]

Thank you!

[@frankraymondmichaels332]

New subscriber. This was way cool. Well done.

[@SarannaRotgard]

Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed it!

[@sillydilly2725]

Even after the full explanation, I gasped hearing the echo. Such a fun demonstration. Thank you

[@noahbro8823]

Here before she blows up

[@FelipeOrlandi207]

With all the satellites communication and weather monitoring that we have today, it's incredible to think that less than a century ago there was any doubt that we would be able to do it.

[@singularityraptor4022]

Your videos are becoming better and better and I love it!! And 5:05 was such a wholesome moment.

[@jackgranat4158]

Great video

[@SarannaRotgard]

I’m glad you enjoyed it!

[@derongeorgie2749]

That's really good content

[@SarannaRotgard]

Thank you!

[@brett3181]

Your videos remind me a lot of Tom Scott in a good way, very good channel

[@SarannaRotgard]

Thank you!

[@1026JMS]

Awesome!! This is beautiful true journalism.

[@SarannaRotgard]

Thank you so much for your incredibly kind words! This means so much to me! I genuinely apologise for the 11 month delay in responding to your comment; I ran into some really bad timing with chronic illness/insurance issues just after posting this video. I hope you're still around, because I finally have some new scripts ready to be filmed that I think you'd enjoy! New videos are (finally) coming soon; I'll make an official announce next week!

[@LewisSkinner]

Amazing

[@SarannaRotgard]

Thanks!

[@minitumen]

I loved your reaction, haha

[@KD2GIY]

I was there a number of years ago during the eme contest. This video is pretty cool, but I'm not sure it's completely legal to send a recording over the airwaves. But it's still Kool.

[@latergator9622]

My cat is jealous of your cat

[@SarannaRotgard]

All cats should have the opportunity to meow on the moon!

[@latergator9622]

@@SarannaRotgard Catstronaut Rights!

[@emmanuelquiros3952]

awesome !

[@SarannaRotgard]

Thank you!

[@emmanuelquiros3952]

@@SarannaRotgard your welcome