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[jamsat-news:1161] ANS 283
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS 283
ANS is a free, weekly, news and information service of AMSAT North
America, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS reports on the
activities of a worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an
active interest in designing, building, launching and communicating
through analog and digital Amateur Radio satellites.
Information on AMSAT-NA is available at the following URL:
http://www.amsat.org (or)
AMSAT-NA
850 Sligo Avenue, Suite 600
Silver Spring, Maryland
20910-4703
Voice: 301-589-6062
FAX: 301-608-3410
Currently, AMSAT-NA supports the following free mailing lists:
* AMSAT News Service (ANS)
* General satellite discussion (AMSAT-BB)
* Orbit data (KEPS)
* Manned space missions (SAREX)
* District of Columbia area (AMSAT-DC)
* New England (AMSAT-NE)
* AMSAT Educational Liaison mailing list (AMSAT-EDU)
To subscribe, or for more list information, visit the following URL:
http://www.amsat.org/amsat/listserv/menu.html
This edition of ANS is dedicated to the memory of Ernest Pappenfus,
K6EZ, who was a major figure in the development of Collins ham gear.
Pappenfus died August 14th at 81. During his years at Collins in
the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, Pappenfus directed development of such
products as the famous S-Line and the 30L-1.
ANS would like to take this opportunity to wish our Canadian friends a
very happy 'Thanksgiving' -- as they celebrate this national holiday
across VE land.
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-283.01
PHASE 3D LAUNCH ANNOUNCEMENT
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 283.01 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, OCTOBER 10, 1999
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-283.01
ANS is pleased to repeat the October 8th special announcement
concerning the launch opportunity for the Phase 3D satellite
(ANS 281.01). This special announcement was made simultaneously by
AMSAT-DL in Germany, at the AMSAT-NA Symposium in San Diego
and on the AMSAT-NA Bulletin Board (AMSAT-BB) and the ANS
reflector.
MARBURG, GERMANY (October 8, 1999) AMSAT's most ambitious
project to date... the International Phase 3-D communications satellite...
has now been accepted for launch aboard an Arianespace Ariane 5
launch vehicle.
Dr. Karl Meinzer, DJ4ZC, AMSAT-Germany's President and Phase
3-D Project Leader released the following statement:
"As the primary agency responsible for securing a launch opportunity
for Phase 3-D, I am pleased to announce that AMSAT-Germany and
Arianespace have now come to an agreement calling for the launch
of P3-D as a secondary payload aboard the "first suitable" Ariane 5 flight.
Dr. Meinzer went on to comment that, "From the very beginning of the
Phase 3-D project, we considered the Ariane 5 series our primary launch
vehicle. Our long history of success and mutual cooperation with both the
European Space Agency (ESA) and Arianespace, coupled with our need
to lift P3-D into a high geostationary transfer orbit, made the Ariane 5 the
unanimous choice by AMSAT."
Following standard protocol, specific details of the launch agreement were
not released.
AMSAT-NA President Keith Baker, KB1SF, was elated with the latest
news. "I'm very pleased to see that AMSAT-DL's negotiations with
Arianespace have resulted in a launch contract for Phase 3-D, and I'm
delighted we are again slated to fly on an Ariane vehicle," he said.
"Following the resounding success of Ariane flight 503, the Ariane 5
has now proven itself to be a very capable launcher. When coupled
with our many past successes with ESA and Ariane, I believe we now
have an unbeatable combination. Once it is in orbit, the Phase 3-D
satellite will not only help us usher in the new Millennium, it will also
signal the dawn of a brand new era for Amateur Radio," he concluded.
While both AMSAT presidents expressed optimism for an early launch
of the satellite, Dr. Meinzer expressed caution that the wait for the "first
suitable" flight could still turn out to be a long one. "While the launch
of Phase 3-D could come as early as the first half of the year 2000, we
must remember that Ariane's launch manifests are continually being
updated to accommodate market changes as well as the availability
of other payloads. Thus, one or more changes to P3-D's anticipated
launch date, along with its specific Ariane 5 mission number, are a very
real possibility before our satellite actually flies," he said.
Nevertheless, based on its new 'standby' launch status, Phase 3-D is
slated to be delivered to the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French
Guiana later this month so as to be ready for quick integration once
Arianespace identifies a specific Ariane 5 launch vehicle for P3-D's ride
to orbit.
While its primary focus is on improved worldwide satellite
communications, the Phase 3-D satellite will also have a very positive
influence on the very future of Amateur Radio. Built primarily from
donated resources, the International Phase 3-D team includes
participating AMSAT groups from Austria, Great Britain, Japan, Canada,
Finland, Russia, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, France,
New Zealand and Hungary - in addition to the groups from
AMSAT-Germany and AMSAT-North America.
AMSAT is very proud of its long tradition of excellence and the
contributions it has made to the advancement of space communications,
space education and the space sciences. Phase 3-D will be Amateur
Radio's premier vehicle to continue the quest for new communications
technologies for generations yet unborn.
[ANS thanks AMSAT President's Dr. Karl Meinzer, DJ4ZC and
Keith Baker, KB1SF, and congratulates the entire Phase 3-D team
on this exciting announcement]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-283.02
REACTION TO PHASED 3D ANNOUNCEMENT
HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 283.02 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, OCTOBER 10, 1999
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-283.02
Following release of ANS 281.01 concerning the launch opportunity for
Phase 3D, AMSAT received several comments:
"Congratulations to the entire AMSAT team," came from John, N2HMM.
"What a wonderful piece of news," wrote Sangat, 9M2SS, adding,
"please convey our heartfelt good wishes to the entire Phase 3-D team
on this exciting announcement." "Woohoo!" wrote Jeff, W4JEF. Andy,
WD9IYT, added, "Good news! Now, for a smooth ride to orbit and let
the fun begin. Congratulations to all of the folks who have been chugging
away on this one."
ARRL Executive Vice President David Sumner, K1ZZ, welcomed the
AMSAT announcement. "Congratulations to AMSAT's Phase 3D team
on moving another important step closer to launch," Sumner said. "For
those who have been putting off getting their stations ready for Phase
3D, the time for procrastination is just about over!"
The League has been a major contributor to the Phase 3D project.
Both the ARRL and SpaceNews included coverage of the AMSAT
announcement.
In San Diego for the AMSAT-NA Symposium and Annual Meeting,
AMSAT-NA President Keith Baker, KB1SF, said the news meant "lots of
smiles around the conference room." Baker said he was pleased that
AMSAT-DL's negotiations with Arianespace resulted in a launch contract
for Phase 3D and was delighted that Phase 3D was again slated to fly
on an Ariane vehicle. KB1SF emphasized today that Phase 3D is "a
standby passenger in every sense of the word," so a specific launch
date is "very uncertain" right now. However, Phase 3D is slated to be
delivered to the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana, later
this month.
Bruce, KK5DO, reported the Houston AMSAT Net had a "very successful
two days of live Symposium transmission over GE-1." For those that were
not able to hear this C-Band satellite transmission, Bruce has many of
the seminars available in RealAudio on his web site. Point your browser
to:
www.amsatnet.com
Peter, DB2OS, summed up the feelings of the entire Phase 3D team with
his posting; "congratulations to everyone," said DB2OS, and "thank you
to all who have been so patient and never gave up their confidence in
AMSAT P3-D."
Pictures from the official signing of the P3-D launch contract can be
found on the AMSAT-DL web site at the following URL:
http://www.amsat-dl.org/
The Arianespace launch schedule can be found at:
www.arianespace.com/english/news_status.html#10
[ANS thanks the entire Phase 3D team and the ARRL for this
information. Excerpts were also taken from the AMSAT-NA-BB]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-283.03
ISS UPDATE
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 283.03 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, OCTOBER 10, 1999
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-283.03
The International Space Station spent a quiet week in orbit with flight
controllers in Houston and Moscow monitoring onboard systems, while
verifying backup command links through NASA's communications
network.
One of the routine systems checks aboard the station included verifying
the Unity module's early communications system is available for backup
commanding to the Zarya. This is done by sending commands to Zarya
via the communications system housed inside Unity using NASA's
Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) System. Both control centers
in Houston and Korolev (outside Moscow) sent commands to Zarya
through Unity.
Other station systems checked included the onboard motion control
system used to refine the spin rate of the ISS -- which is currently about
three tenths of a degree per second. This maintains even temperatures
on the overall structure and minimizes propellant usage to maintain
orientation. Also, the batteries used to harness the sun's energy for
electrical systems are cycling as expected with the exception of
battery 1, which remains disconnected from the system.
Circling the Earth every 92 minutes, the ISS is orbiting at an altitude with
a high point of 248 statute miles and a low point of 230 statute miles.
Since Zarya was launched last November, the station has completed
more than 5,000 revolutions of the planet.
Space Station viewing opportunities worldwide are available on the
Internet at:
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/
[ANS thanks NASA for this information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-283.04
SPACE SHUTTLE UPDATE
HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 283.04 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, OCTOBER 10, 1999
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-283.04
With wiring inspections and repairs of space shuttles Discovery and
Endeavour nearing completion and similar work beginning on Atlantis,
shuttle program managers recently set new planning target launch dates
for the next three Space Shuttle missions.
* the Hubble Space Telescope Servicing Mission (STS-103) is
scheduled for shuttle Discovery with a target launch date of
December 2, 1999.
* the Radar Topography Mission (STS-99) is scheduled for shuttle
Endeavour with a target launch date of January 13, 2000.
* the ISS Logistics/Assembly Flight 2A Mission (STS-101) is scheduled
for shuttle Atlantis with a target launch date of February 10, 2000.
"Our number one priority for the Space Shuttle is to fly safely, and that is
why we delayed our launch preparations and have performed such
comprehensive wiring inspections and repairs," Space Shuttle Program
Manager Ron Dittemore said. "As a result of our inspections, we've
made significant changes in how we protect electrical wiring. We believe
those changes, along with changes to the work platforms and
procedures we use in the Shuttle's payload bay, will prevent similar wire
damage from recurring," Dittemore added.
Shuttle status reports are available on the web at:
http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/kscpao.htm
[ANS thanks NASA for this information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-283.05
ANS IN BRIEF
HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 283.05 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, OCTOBER 10, 1999
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-283.05
ANS news in brief this week includes the following:
** Discover the newest AMSAT web site -- AMSAT-ON, sponsored by
the amateur satellite organization of Belgium. AMSAT-ON members
constructed the 24 GHz (K-band) transponder on Phase 3D! This is just
one item covered on this new site, along with new and exciting areas
about Amateur Radio in space! To view the site, point your web browser
to http://www.amsat-on.org. -Berto, ON1CAU
** Kerry, N6IZW, was amazed at the interest in operating on the
Amateur Radio microwave bands during a presentation he recently gave
at the AMSAT Symposium in San Diego. Need more information on the
ham microwave bands? Check out the SBMS reflector and the SBMS
web site at: http://www.ham-radio.com/sbms/reflector.html. This is just
one of many according to N6IZW. - Kerry, N6IZW
** The payload for the third Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission
will be the focus of an upcoming media opportunity. Members of the
media will be allowed to view and photograph the STS-103 payload
flight hardware and talk with HST project representatives. This servicing
mission is designed to replace aging parts on the 9-year-old observatory
and upgrade some of its functioning systems. During the flight, the
astronauts will replace all six of Hubble's gyroscopes, a fine guidance
sensor, the spacecraft's main computer along with other important
equipment. -NASA
** AMSAT-SA has introduced a SunSat Operating Award to reward
stations for the number of contacts they have made through SO-35.
There are three categories, Bronze for 25 contacts, Silver for 50
contacts and Gold for 100 contacts. The objective is to work as many
different callsigns as possible with the restriction that only one
contact per pass may be claimed for the Award. Applicants must submit
a copy of their log, to AMSAT-SA, PO Box 1842, Hillcrest 3650,
South Africa. Short-wave Listeners may also apply for the award.
Their logs must include the callsigns of both the stations monitored.
-Henry, ZS1AAZ, and the SunSat team
** Ham ingenuity lives! Bob, WB4APR, had trouble transmitting APRS
packets out of his hotel room during the recent AMSAT Symposium?
so he took a few helium balloons from nearby decorations and let them
'carry' his J-pole 14 feet above his balcony (and clearing the hotel roof!).
The result?clear transmissions and success! -AMSAT-BB
** South African geologists have identified a crater in central Africa
thought to be the oldest and largest in the world caused by the impact
of a comet or an asteroid. -SpaceDaily
--ANS BULLETIN END---
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-283.06
WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PART 1
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 283.06 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, OCTOBER 10, 1999
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-283.06
RADIO SPORT RS-12
Uplink 21.210 to 21.250 MHz CW/SSB
Uplink 145.910 to 145.950 MHz CW/SSB
Downlink 29.410 to 29.450 MHz CW/SSB
Downlink 145.910 to 145.950 MHz CW/SSB
Beacon 29.408 MHz
Robot Uplink 21.129 MHz
Robot Downlink 29.454 MHz
Semi-operational, beacon only.
RADIO SPORT RS-13
Uplink 21.260 to 21.300 MHz CW/SSB
Uplink 145.960 to 146.000 MHz CW/SSB
Downlink 29.460 to 29.500 MHz CW/SSB
Downlink 145.960 to 146.000 MHz CW/SSB
Beacon 29.458 MHz
Robot Uplink 145.840 MHz
Robot Downlink 29.504 MHz
Operational, in mode-KA with a 10-meter downlink
and a 15-meter and 2-meter uplink.
RS-13's Robot CW auto-transponder is active. For confirmation of an
RS-13 Robot contact, send your QSL card along with the Robot
QSL number to:
Radio Sport Federation
Box 88
Moscow
Kevin, AC5DK, has information about RS-12/13 that contains a simple
explanation on how to operate on the satellite, including a forum for
operators to exchange information, pose questions or even set up
schedules via RS-12/13.
AC5DK's RS-12/13 Satellite Operators Page:
http://www.qsl.net/ac5dk/rs1213/rs1213.html
AC5DK's RS-12/13 Satellite Forum:
http://www.hotboards.com/powerforum/pwrforum.exe?who=rs1213
RADIO SPORT RS-15
Uplink 145.858 to 145.898 MHz CW/SSB
Downlink 29.354 to 29.394 MHz CW/SSB
Beacon 29.352 MHz (intermittent)
SSB meeting frequency 29.380 MHz (unofficial)
Semi-operational, mode-A, using a 2-meter uplink and a
10-meter downlink.
Dave, WB6LLO, has operating information for both RS-15 and RS-13
on his personal web site. In addition to satellite data, antenna
information and AMSAT-NA Jewelry Contest information is also featured.
The WB6LLO web site URL is:
http://home.san.rr.com/doguimont/uploads
OSCAR 10 AO-10
Uplink 435.030 to 435.180 MHz CW/LSB
Downlink 145.975 to 145.825 MHz CW/USB
Beacon 145.810 MHz (unmodulated carrier)
Semi-operational, mode-B. AO-10 has been locked into a 70-cm uplink
and a 2-meter downlink for several years.
Masa, JN1GKZ, reports his web page shows the current AO-10
spin period and spin rate (by measuring the beacon with FFTDSP
software). The JN1GKZ web site can be found at the following URL:
http://www.din.or.jp/~m-arai/ao10/beacone.htm
W4SM has more information about the satellite at the following URL:
http://www.cstone.net/~w4sm/AO-10.html
[ANS thanks Stacey Mills, W4SM, for his AO-10 status information and
web site]
AMRAD AO-27
Uplink 145.850 MHz FM
Downlink 436.795 MHz FM
Operational, mode J.
Chuck, KM4NZ, recently reset the TEPR states on AO-27 (on
October 11, 1999).
TEPR 4 is 22 TEPR 5 is 58
[ANS thanks Chuck Wyrick, KM4NZ, and Michael Wyrick, N4USI, for
AO-27 information]
JAS-1b FO-20
Uplink 145.900 to 146.000 MHz CW/LSB
Downlink 435.800 to 435.900 MHz CW/USB
Operational. FO-20 is in mode JA continuously.
FO-20 continues to function quite well.
[ANS thanks Kazu Sakamoto, JJ1WTK, for the FO-20 status reports]
JAS-2 FO-29
Voice/CW Mode JA
Uplink 145.900 to 146.000 MHz CW/LSB
Downlink 435.800 to 435.900 MHz CW/USB
Semi-operational, rotated with digital mode and digi-talker.
Digital Mode JD
Uplink 145.850 145.870 145.910 MHz FM
Downlink 435.910 MHz FM 9600 baud BPSK
Digitalker 435.910 MHz
Semi-operational, rotated with analog mode and digi-talker.
Mike, KF4FDJ, has put together a very informative document on FO-29,
addressing analog, digital and digi-talker modes. To obtain a copy
e-mail Mike at: kf4fdj@amsat.org
Kazu, JJ1WTK, reports the FO-29 operational schedule
(announced by the JARL) is as follows:
through October 18th Digitalker
October 19 - 21 JA
October 22 - November 8th Digitalker
November 09 - 15 JA
Mineo, JE9PEL, has updated his FO-29 satellite telemetry analysis
Program. The software will automatically analyze all digital
telemetry from the satellite such as current, voltage and temperature.
The JE9PEL FO-29/software update is available at:
http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/
[ANS thanks Kazu Sakamoto, JJ1WTK, for the FO-29 status reports]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-283.07
WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PART 2
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 283.07 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, OCTOBER 10, 1999
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-283.07
KITSAT KO-25
Uplink 145.980 MHz FM 9600 baud FSK
Downlink 436.500 MHz FM
Operational.
Jim, AA7KC, reports KO-25 is performing well with good downlink
efficiency.
[ANS thanks Jim Weisenberger, AA7KC, for KO-25 status information]
KITSAT KO-23
Uplink 145.900 MHz FM 9600 baud FSK
Downlink 435.175 MHz FM
Semi-operational.
ANS has learned (from HL0ENJ) that satellite downlink telemetry shows
two of KO-23's battery cells to be very unstable. Transmitter 0 was
shutdown on October 2nd due to a power shortage. The on board
file storage is safe. HL0ENJ reports "this was an anticipated event as
KO-23 is now approaching its maximum eclipse period orbit -- which has
about a 35 minute eclipse -- hence, the decision to turn off the transmitter
until October 13th.
Jim, AA7KC, confirms no signal from KO-23 recently.
[ANS thanks Jim Weisenberger, AA7KC, and KyungHee Kim, HL0ENJ,
for KO-23 status information]
UOSAT UO-22
Uplink 145.900 or 145.975 MHz FM 9600 baud FSK
Downlink 435.120 MHz FM
Operational.
Carol, W9HGI, reports UO-22 is performing within acceptable limits.
W9HGI operates the West Coast Packet Satellite Gateway (WSPG) for
the Worldwide Packet Network (WPN).
More information on the satellite is available at the following URL:
http://www.sstl.co.uk/
[ANS thanks Carol Byers, W9HGI and Chris Jackson, G7UPN/ZL2TPO,
for UO-22 status information]
OSCAR-11
Downlink 145.825 MHz FM, 1200 baud AFSK
Mode-S Beacon 2401.500 MHz
Operational.
The operating schedule is 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)
The ASCII bulletin is currently a static message, detailing modes and
frequencies of all the amateur radio satellites.
More information on OSCAR-11 is available at the following URL:
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/clivew/
[ANS thanks Clive Wallis, G3CWV, for OSCAR-11 status information]
PACSAT AO-16
Uplink 145.90 145.92 145.94 145.86 MHz FM
using 1200 baud Manchester FSK
Downlink 437.0513 MHz SSB RC-BPSK 1200 baud PSK
Mode-S Beacon 2401.1428 MHz
Operational (with the exception of the mode-S beacon,
which is currently off).
AO-16 has operated continuously for over 1,800 days since its
last software reload.
AO-16 telemetry is as follows:
Time is Fri Oct 08 21:40:52 1999 uptime is 1846/15:58:08
+10V Bus 10.350 V +X (RX) Temp -10.288 D
RX Temp 4.839 D BCR Load Cur 0.343 A
BCR Input Cur 0.179 A BCR Output Cur 0.018 A
RC PSK TX Out 0.310 W RC PSK BP Temp -5.448 D
RC PSK HPA Tmp -2.422 D +Y Array Temp -23.601 D
PSK TX HPA Tmp -3.632 D +Z Array Temp -16.339 D
Total Array C= 0.000 Bat Ch Cur=-0.326 Ifb= 0.179 I+10V= 0.165
TX:0109 BCR:1E PWRC:59E BT: A WC:25 EDAC:66
General information and telemetry WOD files can be found at:
http://www.ctv.es/USERS/ea1bcu
A complete collection of WOD graphics corresponding to the
year of 1998 can be found at:
http://www.ctv.es/USERS/ea1bcu/wod1998.zip
[ANS thanks Miguel Menendez, EA1BCU, for AO-16 status information]
LUSAT LO-19
Uplink 145.84 145.86 145.88 145.90 MHz FM
using 1200 baud Manchester FSK
Downlink 437.125 MHz SSB RC-BPSK 1200 baud PSK
Currently semi-operational. No BBS service. The digipeater is active.
LO-19 telemetry is as follows:
Time is Fri Oct 08 22:02:49 1999 uptime is 434/08:28:11
+X (RX) Temp -7.722 D RX Temp 3.496 D
BCR Set Point 31.394 C BCR Load Cur 0.283 A
BCR Input Cur 0.127 A BCR Output Cur 0.007 A
RC PSK TX Out 0.616 W RC PSK BP Temp 0.131 D
RC PSK HPA Tmp -0.991 D +Y Array Temp -16.696 D
PSK TX HPA Tmp 0.131 D +Z Array Temp -13.331 D
Total Array C= 0.008 Bat Ch Cur=-0.277 Ifb= 0.119 I+10V= 0.164
TX:017 BCR:1E PWRC:62D BT:3C WC: 0
General information and telemetry samples can be found at:
http://www.ctv.es/USERS/ea1bcu/lo19.htm
[ANS thanks Miguel Menendez, EA1BCU, for LO-19 status information]
TMSAT-1 TO-31
Uplink 145.925 MHz 9600 baud FSK
Downlink 436.925 MHz 9600 baud FSK
Operational.
ProcMail V2.00G has been released by G7UPN. This software permits
the processing of image files from TO-31. It has been posted to the
AMSAT-NA FTP site at the following URL:
http://www.amsat.org/amsat/software/win32/wisp
[ANS thanks Chris Jackson, G7UPN/ZL2TPO, for TO-31 status
information]
PANSAT PO-34
Uplink/downlink frequencies have not been established.
The satellite is not currently available for general uplink transmissions.
PanSat, developed by the Naval Postgraduate School, was launched
from the shuttle Discovery during STS-95. PanSat spread-spectrum
digital transponders will be available to amateur radio operators in the
near future along with software to utilize this technology.
Dan Sakoda, KD6DRA, PanSat Project Manager recommends
'The ARRL Spread Spectrum Sourcebook' as a good place to start in
understanding the spread-spectrum scheme.
For more information, visit the official PanSat web site at:
http://www.sp.nps.navy.mil/pansat/
PanSat is the featured cover article in the July/August issue of the
AMSAT-NA Journal (written by KD6DRA and N7HPR).
[ANS thanks Dan Sakoda, KD6DRA, for this information]
SUNSAT SO-35
Semi-operational. Modes of operation and uplink/downlink
frequencies have yet to be officially established.
SunSat was launched February 23, 1999 aboard a Delta II rocket from
Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. SunSat stands for
Stellenbosch University Satellite and takes it name from the South
African university whose students constructed the payload.
The SunSat package includes 1200 and 9600 baud digital
store-and-forward capability and a voice 'parrot' repeater system
that will be used primarily for educational demonstrations.
The satellite has two VHF and two UHF transmit-receive systems.
SunSat has been in mode-B recently. Greg, KE4ROL, reports excellent
downlink signals. Ray, W2RS, was active from the AMSAT-NA
Symposium along with Danny, VA3JDH, Jerry, K5OE, and others.
The announced SUNSAT schedule through November 7th is as follows:
16-October
Phillipines, China, Taiwan, Japan 01:37 to 01:49 UTC
Africa 09:36 to 09:51
Europe 09:58 to 09:13
South America 14:36 to 14:56
17-October
Indonesia, China, Japan 02:30 to 02:45 UTC
Africa 08:57 to 09:12
Europe 09:19 to 09:33
South America 14:03 to 14:18
23-October
India, Indonesia, Russia, Pakistan 05:09 to 05:24 UTC
Continuous over Africa to Europe 10:00 to 10:29
South America 14:54 to 15:12
24-October
Eastern Australia 00:54 to 01:09 UTC
Africa to Europe 09:16 to 09:48
USA 16:14 to 16:29
30-October
Australia 01:55 to 01:14 UTC
Africa and Europe 08:37 to 09:07
South America and East USA 15:32 to 15:47
31-October
Australia 02:55 to 03:10 UTC
Africa and Europe 09:35 to 10:08
South America 16:30 to 16:47
06-November
Australia 02:16 to 02:34 UTC
Africa to Europe 08:54 to 09:26
South America 13:52 to 14:12
07-November
Indonesia and Japan 01:52 to 02:06 UTC
Africa to Europe 09:55 to 10:25
Western USA 16:50 to 17:06
Times are UTC. Uplink is on 436.291 MHz (+/- doppler up to 9 kHz).
Downlink is on 145.825 MHz.
For more information on SunSat, visit the following URL:
http://sunsat.ee.sun.ac.za
[ANS thanks Garth Milne ZR1AFH, for this information]
UoSAT-12 UO-36
Downlink 437.025 MHz
437.400 MHz
UoSAT-12 was successfully launched on April 21, 1999 from the
Russian Baikonur Cosmodrome. UO-36 carries a number of imaging
payloads, digital store-and-forward communications and mode L/S
transponders.
The satellite is not currently available for general uplink transmissions.
UO-36 has been transmitting 9600-baud FSK telemetry framed in a
VLSI format using a downlink frequency of 437.400 MHz. Chris,
G7UPN, reports UO-36 is also transmitting on 437.025 MHz at a
baud rate of 38,400 (38k4).
G7UPN also tells ANS that UO-36 is severely power limited and Chris
is working on a new protocol to allow the downlink to only be switched
on over active ground stations. "Once we get this going, UO-36 will be
running the 38k4 downlink, and will be available when spacecraft
resources (primarily power) permit," said G7UPN.
Presently the BBS is still closed.
S-band high speed downlink commissioning continues at rates
between 128kb/s and 1Mb/s. The S-band downlink frequency has
not been announced.
The VK5HI/TMSAT viewer shareware is available on the AMSAT-NA
web site at the following URL:
ftp://ftp.amsat.org/amsat/software/win32/display/ccddsp97-119.zip
Further information on UO-36 is available from: http://www.sstl.co.uk/
[ANS thanks Chris G7UPN/ZL2TPO, and the University of Surrey for
this information]
ITAMSAT IO-26
Uplink 145.875 145.900 145.925 145.950 MHz FM 1200 baud
Downlink 435.822 MHz SSB
Semi-operational.
IO-26 was launched on the September 26, 1993, recently celebrating
its sixth birthday.
Alberto, I2KBD, reports IO-26 has been opened to APRS use. ITAMSAT
ground controllers have switched the digipeater function to 'on'.
[ANS thanks ITAMSAT Project Manager Alberto E. Zagni, I2KBD, for this
information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-283.08
WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PART 3
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 283.08 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, OCTOBER 10, 1999
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-283.08
THE FOLLOWING ARE IN ORBIT BUT ARE
NON-OPERATIONAL AT THIS TIME:
MIR SPACE STATION
Ham radio activity aboard the Mir space station came to a close on
August 28, 1999 as the crew returned to Earth, leaving the station
unmanned. Mir is in a stable orbit with only essential systems running.
All Amateur Radio activities have ceased. Currently, the station is being
prepared for re-entry sometime in the first quarter of 2000, however, the
final fate of the space station has not been formally announced. Stay
tuned to ANS for further developments.
Current Amateur Radio equipment aboard Mir includes:
MIR SAFEX II 70-cm Repeater
Uplink 435.750 MHz FM w/subaudible tone 141.3 Hz
Downlink 437.950 MHz FM
Not operational. No operation in 1999 has been observed.
MIR SAFEX II 70-cm QSO Mode
Uplink 435.725 MHz FM w/subaudible tone 151.4 Hz
Downlink 437.925 MHz FM
Not operational. No operation in 1999 has been observed.
MIR PERSONAL MESSAGE SYSTEM (PMS)
Uplink/Downlink 145.985 MHz FM 1200 baud AFSK
Not operational.
RS-16
The 435 MHz beacon (only) is operational.
Attempts to command the mode A transponder 'on' have been
unsuccessful to date. No additional information is available at this time.
DOVE DO-17
Downlink 145.825 MHz FM 1200 baud AFSK
2401.220 MHz
Non-operational.
DOVE stopped transmitting in March 1998. The 145.825 MHz and
2401.220 MHz downlinks are off the air and the satellite has not
responded to ground station control. No additional information is
available at this time.
WEBERSAT WO-18
Downlink 437.104 MHz SSB 1200 baud PSK AX.25
Non-operational.
WO-18 is reported to be in MBL mode after a software crash.
No additional information is available at this time.
TECHSAT-1B GO-32
Downlink 435.225 MHz using HDLC telemetry
Unknown status. ANS has not received any recent updates concerning
the current status of GO-32.
The TechSat-1B micro-satellite was successfully launched from the
Russian Baikonur Cosmodrome on July 10, 1998.
Last reported, the satellite does not have a continuos beacon, but does
transmit a 9600-baud burst every 30 seconds (for a continuous 3
seconds in length), on 435.225 MHz.
The TechSat team has constructed a home page about TechSat.
To view the site, point your web browser to:
http://techsat.internet-zahav.net/
No additional information is available at this time.
SEDSAT-1 SO-33
Downlink 437.910 MHz FM 9600 baud FSK
The satellite is not currently available for uplink transmissions and
recovery efforts have been unsuccessful over the past year.
Mineo, JE9PEL, reports he has again received minimal telemetry
(one frame) from the satellite recently, dated September 20th.
SedSat-1, signifying Students for the Exploration and Development of
Space Satellite number one, was successfully launched and placed in
orbit on Saturday, October 24, 1998.
For more information on SedSat-1 visit the satellite web site at the
following URL:
http://www.seds.org/sedsat
No additional information is available at this time.
/EX
--ANS END---
ANS would like to thank Mike Seguin, N1JEZ, ANS principal satellite
investigator, for helping provide current satellite information for ANS.
Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to
ans-editor@amsat.org
Daniel (Dan) James
AMSAT News Service Bulletin Editor
AMSAT-NA Vice President/Public Affairs
Amateur callsign: NN0DJ
Grid Square EN28iv
Warroad, Minnesota U.S.A.
e-mail: nn0dj@amsat.org
----
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