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[jamsat-news:722] * SpaceNews 22-Dec-97 *
SB NEWS @ AMSAT $SPC1222
* SpaceNews 22-Dec-97 *
BID: $SPC1222
=========
SpaceNews
=========
MONDAY DECEMBER 22, 1997
SpaceNews originates at KD2BD in Wall Township, New Jersey, USA. It
is published every week and is made available for non-commercial use.
* OSCAR-11 NEWS *
=================
During the period 16-Nov-97 to 15-Dec-97, UoSAT-OSCAR-11 has continued to
provide good signals on its 145.826 MHz beacon, although some interference
has occured from DOVE and Sputnik-40, which also transmit near this frequency.
Two reports have been received about the Mode-S beacon. Carl, WA7PIB reports
reception at levels 3-4 S units above the noise, compard with DOVE's 8-9.
A station in Sweden also reports the beacon at 8 dB above the noise.
Satellite telemetry continues to be nominal. Internal temperatures have
continued to fall, and at the present time are 8.8C and 6.4C for battery
and telemetry electronics respectively. This fall in temperature is due
to increasing in solar eclipse times, which are expected to reach a
maximum in early February.
Two WOD surveys have been transmitted during the reporting period. Both
are of Channels 10, 20, 30, 40 ( +Y, -X, +X array currents, array voltage).
The previous WOD dated 29-Oct-97 continued until it was replaced by a
survey dated 14-Dec-97. These show the effect of solar eclipses on
array currents and voltage.
The new format AMSAT-UK bulletin, No. 114 is now being transmitted by the
spacecraft. It contains details of amateur satellite frequencies and modes
of operation. It may be changed at monthly intervals.
The operating schedule remains unchanged:
ASCII status (210 seconds)
ASCII bulletin (60 seconds)
BINARY SEU (30 seconds)
ASCII TLM (90 seconds)
ASCII WOD (120 seconds)
ASCII bulletin (60 seconds)
BINARY ENG (30 seconds)
There are also additional status blocks after each bulletin is transmitted,
and between ASCII TLM and WOD.
The Mode-S beacon is ON transmitting an unmodulated carrier, but telemetry
indicates that it has partially failed, and is delivering only half power.
This beacon is a useful test source for those testing Mode-S converters
prior to the launch of P3-D. It is considerably weaker than DOVE, which
should be used for initial testing. Reports of reception of the 2401 MHz
Mode-S beacon would be most welcome, and should be directed to Clive Wallis
at : g3cwv@amsat.org.
The 435.025 MHz beacon is normally OFF. However, it can sometimes be heard
when the satellite is being commanded by ground control (ie. within range of
Guildford, UK). When the 435 MHz UHF beacon is transmitting, the 145 MHz
VHF beacon is normally OFF. The data transmitted is mainly binary.
OSCAR-11 users are welcome to visit an OSCAR-11 web site created by Clive
Wallis, G3CWV. It contains some software for capturing data and decoding
ASCII telemetry and WOD. There is an archive of raw data (mainly WOD) for
analysis, which is continually being expanded as new data is captured.
The URL is:
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/clivew/
[Info via Clive Wallis, G3CWV]
* NEW SPUTNIK-40 QSL ADDRESS *
==============================
A change has been made to a previously published QSL address for the
Sputnik-40/RS-17 satellite. The revised address is as follows:
Sergej Samburov
PO Box 73
Korolev-10 City
Moscow Area, 141070, Russia
Note that the zip code and the city name have changed. Envelopes sent to
this address should be well sealed, not include cash or display amateur
radio callsigns. A self-addressed envelope and an IRC or two should be
included with your reception report to insure a QSL card will be returned.
[Info via Miles Mann, WF1F]
* MIR NEWS *
============
The Mir space station is currently making visible passes just after sunset
along the east coast of the US. These passes will continue for the first
part of the week. The next opportunity to witness visible passes of Mir
in the evening sky will not occur again until the last few days of January
1998. The next US Space Shuttle mission is expected to dock with Mir around
that time, so it may be possible to witness both Mir and the Space Shuttle
in the evening sky in late January.
The Mir crews have two space walks planned shortly. The first walk is
expected around 29-Dec-97, and the second approximately 10 days later.
Reports of Mir being active on packet radio (145.985 MHz) continue to be
received. It is not clear when or if the latest Mir frequency experiment,
which was planned to begin on 01-Dec-97, will ever come about.
* AMSAT-UK CALL FOR PAPERS *
============================
The thirteenth AMSAT-UK Colloquium will be held at Surrey University,
Guildford, Surrey, U.K., from Friday 31-Jul-98 to Sunday 02-Aug-98.
Next year's event will include technical and operational matters as
well as an IARU forum.
AMSAT-UK invites authors to submit papers about amateur radio space and
associated activities for this event, and for the "Proceedings" document
which will be published at the same time. Colloquium organizers normally
prefer authors to present the papers themselves rather than having someone
else read them in the authors' absence, but also welcome "unpresented"
papers for the document.
Offers of Papers should be submitted as soon as possible; the final date for
full documents is mid-June 1998 in order that the "Proceedings" document be
available to participants. A second and final call for papers will issue
about March 1998, probably at the same time as Colloquium booking information
becomes available.
Submissions should be sent to Richard W. L. Limebear, G3RWL via the following
routes:
Internet e-mail: g3rwl@amsat.org
Packet Radio: G3RWL @ GB7HSN.#32.GBR.EU
Satellite: AO16/19/22/23/25
Terrestrial mail: Richard W. L. Limebear, G3RWL
60 Willow Road
Enfield EN1 3NQ
United Kingdom
AMSAT-UK also invites anyone with requests for Program Topics to submit them
as soon as possible to G3RWL.
[Info via Richard W. L. Limebear, G3RWL]
* SEASON'S GREETINGS *
======================
All the best wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season! de John, KD2BD
* FEEDBACK/INPUT WELCOMED *
===========================
Comments and input for SpaceNews should be directed to the editor (John,
KD2BD) via any of the paths listed below:
WWW : http://www.njin.net/~magliaco/
PACKET : KD2BD @ KS4HR.NJ.USA.NA
INTERNET : kd2bd@amsat.org, magliaco@email.njin.net
SATELLITE : AMSAT-OSCAR-16, LUSAT-OSCAR-19, KITSAT-OSCAR-25
<<=- SpaceNews: The first amateur newsletter read in space! -=>>
/EX
--
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- John A. Magliacane, KD2BD -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Internet : kd2bd@amsat.org | Voice : +1.732.224.2948
Satellite : AO-16, LO-19, KO-25 | Morse : -.- -.. ..--- -... -..
Packet : KD2BD @ KS4HR.NJ.USA.NA | WWW : http://www.njin.net/~magliaco/
Video : 426.250 MHz/439.250 MHz | FAX : +1.732.224.2060
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