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[jamsat-news:1118] * SpaceNews 12-Jul-99 *


SB NEWS @ AMSAT $SPC0712
* SpaceNews 12-Jul-99 *

BID: $SPC0712


			       =========
			       SpaceNews
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		 	  MONDAY JULY 12, 1999


* PHASE 3D NEWS *
=================
On behalf of the P3-D Team and the P3-D Integration Manager Lou McFadin
W5DID, Peter Guelzow, DB2OS, would like to thank everyone for all the
positive mail and reactions the Phase 3-D team received as a result of
their recent P3-D status reports.  In the meantime, the entire team
consisting of Karl Meinzer DJ4ZC, Werner Haas DJ5KQ, Peter Guelzow DB2OS,
Wilfried Gladisch, Hermann Guenther, Mirek Kasal OK2AQK, Matjaz Vidmar
S53MV, Michael Fletscher OH2AUE and Danny Orban ON4AOD are back in Europe. 

Over the last three weeks, the team has successfully tested all
subsystems, the bus and the electronic modules of P3-D.  All receivers
and transmitters were tested again with the satellite high-gain and omni
antennas during the rollout, including the 10GHz TWT and the 21MHz and
24MHz shortwave receivers. 

One of the last things was the installation and testing of the YACE
camera and the microphone for the experimental IHU-2 (YAHU), performed
by Lyle Johnson WA7GXD, Chuck Green N0ADI and Peter Guelzow DB2OS.  This
will enable controllers to make visual and audible recordings of the
separation during launch.  The microphone will also pick up the mechanical
noise of the wheels and other sources in the spacecraft after launch.
In space no one can hear you, but the microphone can still pick up the
mechanical noise in the structure.  The camera will be later used for
other experiments, including earth imaging.  James Miller, G3RUH was
able to obtain a license from ARM Technologies Ltd. to use their assembler
JPEG coding library for P3-D.  Compressing of a typical YACE picture
will take only 56ms at an IHU-2 speed of 133 MHz using the StrongARM
processor.  With a compression factor of 25, the original 256 KByte image
will be reduced to about 15-20 KByte file size, depending on the image
contents.  Thus, downloading will be drastically improved without too
much loss of image quality.  With the 8MB bulk memory of the IHU-2,
controllers will be able to take a "movie" of the separation, probably
including sound.  P3-D will be the first (amateur radio) satellite to
use on-board JPEG compression software.

Stacey Mills, W4SM was able to almost complete his telemetry decoding
software, which is also used for commanding purposes.  A general version
and detailed specification of the flight telemetry format will be made
available soon. 

Another major event was the successful completion of the SBS (support
bearing structure) load testing by Rick Leon KA1RHL, Bob Davis KF4KSS
and Jay.  The SBS will carry the P3-D satellite inside during the launch
and needed to be tested according to the specification of the launcher
agency. 

After a few more close-out items and the spin balance test, P3-D is 
ready for the vibration and shake test, which is scheduled for later 
this month at NASA facilities in Washington.  The test will be performed 
according to specifications from the launcher agency.  A final check-out 
of all electronics and a visual inspection will follow when P3-D returns 
to Orlando, before it will than be shipped to the launch site. 

73s, Peter DB2OS


* FUJI-OSCAR-29 NEWS *
======================
FO-29 was switched into mode JD (1200 bps PSK mailbox operation) on
July 6th.  The satellite will remain in that mode until July 12th.
The remainder of the operating schedule is as follows: 

July 12 (Mon) 0500z - July 21 (Wed) 0300z  :  Mode JA
July 21 (Wed) 0300z - July 26 (Mon) 0200z  :  Mode JD 1200
July 26 (Mon) 0400z - Aug  9  (Mon)        :  Mode JA

[Info via Kazu Sakamoto, JJ1WTK]


* AMSAT-UK COLLOQUIUM NEWS *
============================
The 14th AMSAT-UK Colloquium will be held at Surrey University, Guildford, 
Surrey, U.K., from Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th July 1999.  There will also be 
the usual social events including: Command Station visits, the Annual Dinner 
and Auction, AMSAT-UK annual meeting, and other light-hearted fun.  There
will also be beginners' sessions (see below) and the RSGB microwave guys
will be bringing test equipment (noise figure measurements 10 MHz to
1500 MHz, and other equipment for tests up to 47 GHz). 

You do not have to be a member of AMSAT-UK to come to this event.

Colloquium Application Forms were sent out recently but, if you're not a 
member, an SAE to the Secretary, G6ZRU, (snail-mail address below) will get 
you a form mailed now; it is also now available on Amsat-UK's web pages 
which are at the following URL: http://www.uk.amsat.org/

Colloquium papers and speakers are trickling in at the usual rate; if
there's anyone who wants to talk about something please let G3RWL know
SOON.  A printed paper for the Proceedings document, whilst desirable,
is not mandatory. 

A current list of speakers and subjects, as well as lots of other info,
is on the web page; closer to the event the formal program will be placed
on there instead.

Beginners Sessions (Same on Saturday and Sunday):

General session (60 minutes): G3AAJ
orbits                                      bandplans
tracking (+ keplers)                        polarization
groundstation equipment                     doppler
modulation types                            telemetry
message content                             info sources
capabilities of different satellites        uses of computers

Analogue satellites (30 mins): Speaker TBA
expectations (dx etc)
manned space platforms
transponder inversion
(live demo if possible)

Digital satellites (30 mins): G7UPN
modulation types 
modems/TNCs
software
(live demo if possible)

It's getting near.  Anyone who wants to come should book as soon as
possible in order to avoid disappointment.

AMSAT-UK Mail address:
F Southwell G6ZRU
40 Downsview
Small Dole
W Sussex   BN5 9YB
United Kingdom

73
Richard W L Limebear G3RWL
Program Organizer
Communications Officer, Amsat-UK
g3rwl@amsat.org
FOC # 1188


* 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 @ N2SMV.NJ.USA.NA
INTERNET  : kd2bd@amsat.org, magliaco@email.njin.net
SATELLITE : AMSAT-OSCAR-16, KITSAT-OSCAR-25


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