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[jamsat-news:1274] * SpaceNews 22-May-00 *
SB NEWS @ AMSAT $SPC0522
* SpaceNews 22-May-00 *
BID: $SPC0522
=========
SpaceNews
=========
MONDAY MAY 22, 2000
* OSCAR-11 NEWS *
=================
During the period 15th April to 16 May 2000, fairly good signals
have been received from OSCAR-11's VHF-FM beacon on 145.826 MHz.
The battery voltage during daylight passes has continued to decrease.
The average value observed was 13.6, with a range of 13.1 to 14.0 volts.
The internal temperatures have again decreased, by about two degrees C.
They are now 0.6C and -0.6C for battery and telemetry electronics
respectively. Further reductions in temperature are expected until
July.
The Z axis magnetorquer counter reached its maximum value of 1024
towards the end of April. This has stopped further magnetorquer firings,
and the attitude is now being controlled solely by the passive gravity
gradient boom. The magnetometer readings indicate that the attitude
remains nominal. The spin period has steadily increased during the
month from -231 to -324 seconds. Ground control operations are
needed to reset the counters.
A single WOD survey of channels 10, 20, 30, 40 (+Y, -X, +X solar array
currents, array voltage) dated January 06 has been transmitted. Note
the year of this WOD survey is incorrectly displayed as 99. This survey
clearly shows the solar eclipses, and a spin period of 340 seconds.
Users should note that the date in the hardware generated ASCII
telemetry is now advanced by THREE days, and the other dates (which
are generated by software) are advanced by ONE day. Ground control
may be able to correct the software generated dates, but not the
hardware generated date.
The Mode-S beacon has been heard by Alan G2HIO, who reports good
signals. He uses a 5-ft dish, with 1.5t loop, and Drake converter.
OSCAR-11's 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)
The ASCII bulletin is currently a static message, detailing modes and
frequencies of all the amateur radio satellites. There are 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 delivering half
power. This beacon is a useful test source for those testing Mode-S
converters, prior to the launch of P3-D. However, the signals are very
weak, and there is a lot of Doppler shift. Users should also note that
the polarization of OSCAR-11 is left-hand circular. Even if you can't
hear OSCAR-11, your equipment may still be okay for P3-D.
Any reports of OSCAR-11 reception on 2401 MHz would be most welcome,
and should be directed to Clive Wallis via email at: g3cwv@amsat.org.
OSCAR-11's 435.025 MHz beacon is normally OFF, but it can sometimes
be heard when the satellite is being commanded by ground control, ie.
within range of Guildford, UK. When this beacon is transmitting,
the 145 MHz beacon is normally OFF. The data transmitted is mainly
binary.
Listeners to OSCAR-11 may be interested in visiting a web site dedicated
to the satellite. The site contains details of hardware required and
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. Also included are
some audio files that include examples of each type of data transmitted
by OSCAR-11. Each one plays for about ten seconds. There are also examples
of Mode-S reception. All the audio files are zipped so that they can
be played off-line. These are designed to help listeners identify the
various types of data transmitted by the satellite, and give an indication
of the signal quality required for successful decoding.
The OSCAR-11 Web Page is located at:
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/clivew/
[Info via Clive Wallis, G3CWV (g3cwv@amsat.org)]
* SUNSAT NEWS *
===============
"Sunsat will now also offer digital services", Johann Lochner, ZR1CBC of
the SUNSAT SO35 command team at the University of Stellebosch announced
late last week.
When the orbit permits the acquisition of high resolution images, image
data will be broadcast in an unconnected AX.25 data stream across the
world. Radio amateurs can collect data in KISS format and merge it via
the Internet. This process will reduce the download times of the 50 MB
images considerably.
Satellite operators with PACSAT stations are invited to join this project.
Visit Sunsat's web page, at:
http://sunsat.ee.sun.ac.za/index.html
for more information.
Periodic announcements, bulletins, status information and calibrated
telemetry will be transmitted as unconnected AX.25 packets, to be
displayed in human readable format by terminal software.
Digipeating of unconnected AX.25 packets will be activated. It could,
for example, be used for relaying low bandwidth APRS data.
These services will be enabled for all non-voice passes over Dayton,
in the USA, during their annual Hamvention from 19 to 21 May. During
the next few weeks the schedule is to be extended to a continuous
service, except for when the voice repeater is active.
For South Africa, week-day/night passes will be used by the Sunsat
control station. On weekends, the voice repeater will operate as at
present. Typically one pass per day will be used for control purposes.
On remaining weekend passes, digital services will be active.
Schedules are published on the Sunsat web page.
[Info via Hans van de Groenendaal, ZS5AKV]
* JAWSAT WO-39 RESET *
======================
Randy Kohlwey, N7SFI, reports that reset commands were sent to the JAWSAT
satellite late last week. He would appreciate receiving reports from
anyone who hears the satellite on 437.070 and/or 437.175 MHz. A reply
to the reset command was never received by ground controllers last week.
The beacons should be on for 30 seconds with 9600 bps GMSK modulation.
A telemetry packet is sent at the start and at the end of the 30 second
transmission. The time between beacons is 90 seconds for 437.175 MHz
and 255 seconds for 437.070 MHz.
Controllers are assuming that the WO-39 is object number 26061, but in
case it is not they also sent reset signal to objects 26064 (FALCONSAT)
and 26065 (ASUSAT). Replies were not received from these satellites
either.
[Info via Randy N7SFI, and Paul KC7QFS]
* AMRAD-OSCAR-27 NEWS *
=======================
Last week, Chuck, KM4NZ, reset AO-27's TEPR settings to permit longer
transponder operation towards the equator. The settings are now as
follows:
TEPR 4 is 42
TEPR 5 is 78
[Info via Chuck Wyrick, KM4NZ]
* SECOND CALL FOR PAPERS *
==========================
The 18th AMSAT-NA Annual Meeting and Space Symposium will be held
October 27-29th, 2000 (Friday-Sunday) at the Holiday Inn West in
Portland, Maine. This is the second call to authors who wish to submit
papers for presentation and publication in the Proceedings document of
the Symposium.
Topics covering the diverse aspects of the Amateur Radio satellite
disciplines are sought from throughout the AMSAT community. If authors
do not wish to present a paper but have a topic of interest, they are
asked to submit the topic and perhaps arrangements can be made for
presentation and publication in the Proceedings document.
Key deadline dates for authors are as follows:
June 1, 2000 - Final due date for one-page abstracts.
When submitting abstracts, authors should include any time preferences
for presentation. Authors will be advised by e-mail and/or postal mail
shortly after June 1, 2000 (if their paper has been accepted or not).
August 1, 2000 - Camera ready copy due.
This is the final due date for authors to submit camera-ready copy of
their paper (authors are urged to submit their papers in advance of this
deadline). Upon receipt, papers will only be superficially edited and
will generally be printed as submitted. Authors are asked to refer to
past proceedings for the grammatical layout of papers. Authors are also
requested to provide an electronic copy preferably in any version of
Microsoft Word or WordPerfect in the event a disaster is spotted and
can be corrected at the last minute.
In September, authors will be provided with a tentative Symposium
agenda that provides the time they will make their presentations.
Each presentation should be limited to approximately 20 minutes.
Abstracts and papers should be sent to:
George Caswell, Sr., W1ME
16 Westwood Avenue
Scarborough, Maine 04074
More information is available by e-mail at: w1me@amsat.org
[Info via the AMSAT-NA News Service]
* 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/
MAIL: John A. Magliacane, KD2BD
Department of Engineering and Technology
Brookdale Community College
765 Newman Springs Road
Lincroft, New Jersey 07738
U.S.A.
PACKET: KD2BD @ N2TDU.NJ.USA.NA
INTERNET: kd2bd@amsat.org, magliaco@email.njin.net
SATELLITE: AMSAT-OSCAR-16, KITSAT-OSCAR-25
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