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[jamsat-news:1314] ANS 226
Date: Sun, 13 Aug 2000 00:32:31 -0400
To: Amsat News Service <ans@AMSAT.Org>
From: Keith Baker <kb1sf@core.com>
Subject: ANS 226
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS 226
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.
AMSAT-NA is pleased to announce that recent and future development
in Amateur Radio satellites will be presented in Portland, Maine
- October 27-29, 2000 - at the 18th Space Symposium and
AMSAT-NA Annual Meeting. The Symposium Chairman is
George Caswell Sr., W1ME.
More information is available at:
http://www.amsat.org/amsat/symposium
(or from) w1me@amsat.org
Information on AMSAT-NA is available at the following URL:
http://www.amsat.org (or from)
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 area (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 past ANS editor
'BJ' Arts, WT0N, and to the memory of Werner Haas, DJ5KQ.
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-226.01
ARIANE 5 AGAIN CLEARED FOR FLIGHT
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 226.01 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, AUGUST 13, 2000
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-226.01
Arianespace's Flight 130 is back on track following a launcher
hardware change-out decision to ensure the highest level of reliability
for the upcoming Ariane 5 mission. Two thruster modules consisting
of three thrusters each are integrated into the vehicle equipment bay of
the Ariane 5 launch vehicle. The replacement of six thrusters in
the Ariane 5's attitude control system for Flight 130 was decided after
another thruster failed during a test-bench firing in Europe. The firing
was a long-duration test for the future "Versatile" version of
Ariane 5's EPS upper stage.
An investigation revealed a problem in the brazing of two pieces
inside the failed thruster, which resulted in Arianespace's postponement
of Flight 130 from the original July 25 launch date.
"Our position is clear: we simply do not launch if there is any question
about hardware or system reliability," Jacques Rossignol, Arianespace
Executive Vice President, said. "When the thruster problem occurred
in Europe, we wanted to make absolutely sure that we resolved
all questions about the flight hardware on the Flight 130 launch vehicle
in French Guiana."
Arianespace worked closely with Astrium, the attitude control system
supplier, in investigating the thruster failure and developing a recovery
plan for Flight 130. Together, it was decided to replace all six thrusters
on the Flight 130 launcher's attitude control system -- selecting
other thrusters after subjecting them to ultrasonic inspection.
The replacement thrusters will be test fired, and will be shipped to
French Guiana for installation on the Ariane 5.
"We had excellent cooperation with Astrium throughout the entire
process, which once again demonstrates the benefit of long-term
relationships that have been established by Arianespace with its
industrial team," Rossignol said.
The attitude control system for Ariane 5 is incorporated in launcher's
vehicle equipment bay, and consists of two thruster modules
with three thrusters each. The hydrazine propellant-fed system
ensures roll control during the flight of Ariane 5's main cryogenic
stage and its upper stage, as well as providing three-axis
control during all satellite positioning maneuvers.
Flight 130 will carry the dual payload of the SES Astra 2B
and GE Americom GE-7 satellites. The mission's new
launch date is set for September 14.
[ANS thanks ArianeSpace for this information]
--ANS BULLETIN END---
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-226.02
WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PART 1
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 226.02 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, AUGUST 13, 2000
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-226.02
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 146.00 MHz CW/SSB
Beacon 29.458 MHz
Robot Uplink 145.840 MHz
Robot Downlink 29.504 MHz
Status: Operational, in mode-KA with a 10-meter downlink
and a 15-meter and 2-meter uplink.
More information about RS-12 and RS-13 can be found on the
AC5DK RS-12/13 Satellite Operators page at:
http://www.qsl.net/ac5dk/rs1213/rs1213.html
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)
Status: 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 web site. In addition to satellite data, antenna information for
mode-A operation 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)
Status: Semi-operational, mode-B. AO-10 has been locked into a 70-cm
uplink and a 2-meter downlink for several years.
DX continues to be worked (and heard) on AO-10.
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
Status: Operational, mode J.
An AO-27 question-and-answer page is available on the AMSAT-NA
web site. The URL is: http://www.amsat.org/amsat/intro/ao27faq.html.
AO-27 uses a method called Timed Eclipse Power Regulation (TEPR)
to regulate the on-board batteries. In simple terms, TEPR times how
long the satellite has been in an eclipse (or in the sun) and decides
what subsystems to turn on or off. The AO-27 pages on the AMSAT-NA
web site include an explanation of TEPR AO-27 operations (at):
http://www.amsat.org/amsat/sats/n7hpr/ao27.html
Chuck, KM4NZ, reset the TEPR states on AO-27 7/26/00) as follows:
TEPR 4 46
TEPR 5 82
[ANS thanks Chuck Wyrick, KM4NZ, and Michael Wyrick, N4USI, for
AO-27 information]
UO-14
Uplink 145.975 MHz FM
Downlink 435.070 MHz FM
Status: Operational, mode J.
UO-14 was launched in January 1990 and has returned to Amateur Radio
operation after many years of commercial service.
Tim, KG8OC, has updated the Michigan AMSAT Information site
to include UO-14 information -- point your web browser to the following
URL:
http://www.qsl.net/kg8oc
[ANS thanks Chris Jackson, G7UPN/ZL2TPO, for UO-14 information]
SUNSAT SO-35
Uplink 436.291 MHz FM
Downlink 145.825 MHz FM
Status: Operational.
SunSat was launched February 23, 1999 aboard a Delta II rocket from
Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.
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 in addition
to Mode J operation. The satellite has two VHF and two UHF
transmit-receive systems.
Bob, WB4APR, recently caught a SunSat APRS pass while driving home
recently and copied N4ZO, WB8WOR, WB4APR, N5ZNL and N9IDH.
Johann, ZR1CBC, reports that SunSat will operate in Mode J during the
coming weeks (with weekdays included). A schedule for all voice passes
is available on the SunSat web page.
For more information on SunSat, visit the following URL:
http://sunsat.ee.sun.ac.za
A summary of the active modes and frequency allocations for
SunSat is available at the following URL:
http://esl.ee.sun.ac.za/~lochner/sunsat/modes.html
[ANS thanks Garth Milne, ZR1AFH, for this information]
JAS-1b FO-20
Uplink 145.90 to 146.00 MHz CW/LSB
Downlink 435.80 to 435.90 MHz CW/USB
Status: Operational. FO-20 is in mode JA continuously.
JAS-1b (FO-20) was launched in February 1990. OZ1MY reports the
beacon on FO-20 is working again, mostly in CW.
[ANS thanks Kazu Sakamoto, JJ1WTK, for the FO-20 status reports]
JAS-2 FO-29
Voice/CW Mode JA
Uplink 145.90 to 146.00 MHz CW/LSB
Downlink 435.80 to 435.90 MHz CW/USB
Status: Operational, rotated with a digital mode and a digi-talker.
JAS-2 was successfully launched on August 17, 1996, by an H-II
launch vehicle from the Tanegashima Space Center in Japan.
Digital Mode JD
Uplink 145.850 145.870 145.910 MHz FM
Downlink 435.910 MHz FM 9600 baud BPSK
Digitalker 435.910 MHz
Operational rotated with analog mode and digi-talker.
The JARL FO-29 command station has announced the following
operation schedule of FO-29:
July 20-Aug 31st - Digi-talker (except mode JA every Wednesday)
Mike, KF4FDJ, has put together a very informative document on FO-29,
addressing the analog, digital and digi-talker modes. To obtain a copy
e-mail Mike at: kf4fdj@amsat.org.
Mineo, JE9PEL, has a FO-29 satellite telemetry analysis program that
will automatically analyze all digital telemetry from the satellite (such as
current, voltage and temperature). The JE9PEL FO-29/shareware is
available at the following URL:
http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/
[ANS thanks Kazu Sakamoto, JJ1WTK, for the FO-29 status reports]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-226.03
WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PART 2
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 226.03 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, AUGUST 13, 2000
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-226.03
KITSAT KO-25
Uplink 145.980 MHz FM (9600 baud FSK)
Downlink 436.500 MHz FM
Status: Operational.
Jim, AA7KC reports KO-25 is operational with downlink efficiency
in the 80% range. Jim reports moderate traffic on the satellite.
[ANS thanks Jim Weisenberger, AA7KC, for KO-25 status information]
UOSAT UO-22
Uplink 145.900 or 145.975 MHz FM (9600 baud FSK)
Downlink 435.120 MHz FM
Status: Operational.
Chris Jackson, G7UPN, reported to ANS last March that UO-22 was in
full sunlight and the temperatures had increased considerably.
Controllers (at that time) turned the satellite upside down to point the
critical systems to cold space. At the time of the last report only the
145.900 MHz receiver was usable for communications.
No further information has been received from the UO-22 ground
control stations on the status of UO-22.
More information on the satellite is available at the following URL:
http://www.sstl.co.uk/
[ANS thanks 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
Status: Operational.
OSCAR-11 celebrated its sixteenth birthday in space on March 1, 2000.
The operating schedule is as follows:
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 active amateur radio satellites.
Users should note that the date in the hardware generated ASCII
telemetry is now advanced by 3 days and all other dates (which
are generated by software) are advanced by 1 day. Ground control
stations may be able to correct the software generated dates, but not
the hardware-generated date.
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]
LUSAT LO-19
Uplink 145.84 145.86 145.88 145.90 MHz FM (using 1200 baud
Manchester FSK)
CW downlink 437.125 MHz
Digital downlink 437.150 MHz SSB (RC-BPSK 1200 baud PSK)
Status: Semi-operational. The CW beacon is sending eight telemetry
channels and one status channel. No BBS service is available. The
digipeater is active.
Mineo, JE9PEL, has recorded LO-19 CW and PSK telemetry and
placed the information on his Internet homepage site at:
http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/
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]
PACSAT AO-16
Uplink 145.90 145.92 145.94 145.96 MHz FM (using 1200 baud
Manchester FSK)
Downlink 437.025 MHz SSB (RC-BPSK 1200 baud PSK)
Mode-S Beacon 2401.1428 MHz
Status: Semi-operational.
Russ, WJ9F, reported last March that ground stations were running
memory test software on the satellite. In addition to the memory testing,
ANS received information that the spacecraft spin rate around the
vertical (Z) axis created a less than ideal condition for battery charging.
No recent information about these situations has been received by ANS.
Normally, the S-band transmitter is off.
A WOD collection of satellite graphics (dated 02/26/2000) can be
found at:
http://www.ctv.es/USERS/ea1bcu
[ANS thanks Miguel Menendez, EA1BCU, for AO-16 status information]
TMSAT-1 TO-31
Uplink 145.925 MHz (9600 baud FSK)
Downlink 436.925 MHz (9600 baud FSK)
Status: 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
Many of the high-resolution color images transmitted by TMSAT are
compressed using a UoSAT compression format. This format is
supported by the VK5HI CCD display program.
[ANS thanks Chris Jackson, G7UPN/ZL2TPO, for TO-31 status
information]
UoSAT-12 UO-36
Uplink 145.960 MHz (9600 baud FSK)
Downlink 437.025 MHz 437.400 MHz
Status: Operational.
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.
NASA has demonstrated on UO-36 the ability to use standard Internet
protocols to communicate with an orbiting spacecraft (just like any node
on the Internet). NASA has been developing this project by working with
the commercial payload aboard UoSAT-12.
The BBS is open, although uploading and downloading may be
disabled at times.
The VK5HI viewer shareware for UO-36 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
Status: Semi-operational, the digipeater function is on and open for
APRS users.
IO-26 was launched on the September 26, 1993.
[ANS thanks ITAMSAT Project Manager Alberto E. Zagni, I2KBD, for
IO-26 information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-226.04
WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PART 3
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 226.04 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, AUGUST 13, 2000
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-226.04
THE FOLLOWING ARE IN ORBIT BUT ARE NON-OPERATIONAL
AT THIS TIME:
KITSAT KO-23
Uplink 145.900 MHz FM (9600 baud FSK)
Downlink 435.175 MHz FM
Status: Non-operational.
Jim, AA7KC, reports KO-23 is (again) non-operational. Jim reports the
downlink transmitter is off.
KyungHee Kim, HL0ENJ, reports (from the KO-23 control team) that part
of the problem with non-operation has been the power budget aboard
the satellite.
[ANS thanks Jim Weisenberger, AA7KC, and KyungHee Kim, HL0ENJ,
for KO-23 status information]
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
Status: Non-operational. No operation in 2000 has been observed.
TECHSAT-1B GO-32
Downlink 435.225 MHz using HDLC telemetry
Status: Non-operational.
Efforts were reported to be underway to bring GO-32 on line,
however, no information has been received by ANS (the last
report was dated November 1999).
The TechSat-1B micro-satellite was successfully launched from
the Russian Baikonur Cosmodrome on July 10, 1998.
Last reported, the satellite does transmit a 9600-baud burst every
30 seconds (for a continuous 3 seconds in length) on 435.225 MHz.
The TechSat team has a home page about TechSat. To view the site,
point your web browser to:
http://techsat.internet-zahav.net/
PANSAT PO-34
Status: Unknown.
Uplink/downlink frequencies have never been released.
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) on October 29, 1998.
At the time of launch, PanSat spread-spectrum digital transponders
were promised to be available to Amateur Radio operators along with
software to utilize this technology. To date, this has not happened.
For more information, visit the official PanSat web site at:
http://www.sp.nps.navy.mil/pansat/
PanSat was the featured cover article on the July/August 1999 issue
of the AMSAT-NA Journal (the story written by KD6DRA and N7HPR).
[ANS thanks Dan Sakoda, KD6DRA, for this information]
MIR SPACE STATION
145.985 MHz (FM) voice and SSTV (Robot 36 Mode)
Status: Unmanned.
AMSAT's Bruce Paige, KK5DO, reported that cosmonauts
Sergei Zalyotin and Alexandr Kaleri arrived on the Russian Mir
space station after an April 4, 2000 launch from the Baikonur
Cosmodrome and the successful docking with Mir. After just
over two months in space the cosmonauts returned to Earth in
June. During their stay the ham radio equipment aboard Mir was
activated in a very limited fashion.
Currently, there is no human habitation aboard the station and the
onboard Amateur Radio equipment has been turned off. Several
news agencies have reported that Mir in now on 'autopilot'.
Stay tuned to ANS for further details.
MIR SAFEX II 70-cm Repeater
Uplink 435.750 MHz FM w/subaudible tone of 141.3 Hz
Downlink 437.950 MHz FM
Status: Not operational. No operation in 1999 or 2000 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
Status: Not operational. No operation in 1999 or 2000 has been observed.
DOVE DO-17
Downlink 145.825 MHz FM (1200 baud AFSK)
2401.220 MHz
Status: 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)
Status: Non-operational.
WO-18 was last reported to be in MBL mode after a software crash.
No additional information is available at this time.
SEDSAT-1 SO-33
Downlink 437.910 MHz FM (9600 baud FSK)
Status: Non-operational.
The satellite is not currently available for uplink transmissions and
the image and transponder recovery efforts have been unsuccessful.
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.
SedSat-1 has downlinked months worth of telemetry data on the
performance of its electrical power system parameters. The Nickel
Metal Hydride batteries on the spacecraft were experimental and
experienced some abuse due to a power negative situation. This
information has provided NASA with useful information. With the
exception of the imaging system and the use of the transponders,
SedSat-1 has been judged a success.
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.
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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