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[jamsat-news:1363] ANS 317
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS 317
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 take place in Atlanta, Georgia at the
19th Space Symposium and AMSAT-NA Annual Meeting. Stay tuned
to ANS for date, agenda and other details on the 2001 Symposium!
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)
* AMSAT K-12 Educational Liaison mailing list (AMSAT-K12)
A daily digest version is available for each list.
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 Jerry Mason, W1KRF,
of Freeport, Maine, who died recently at age 78. W1KRF was among the
hundreds of New York and New England amateurs who provided needed
emergency communication during the disastrous September 1938
hurricane, flood and tidal wave that surprised the region. The efforts of
Mason and other ham radio heroes of the famous storm were chronicled
in a compelling cover story in the November 1938 QST. [ANS thanks
David Harris, KC1XR, and the ARRL for this information]
ANS is also dedicated to the memory of past ANS editor 'BJ' Arts,
WT0N, and to the memory of long-time AMSAT supporter Werner
Haas, DJ5KQ.
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-318.01
PHASE 3D LAUNCH UPDATE
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 318.01 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, NOVEMBER 13, 2000
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-318.01
A new era in Amateur Radio communications is about to be ushered in
as Amateur Radio satellite operators worldwide await the upcoming
launch of the Phase 3D satellite from the European Spaceport in
Kourou, French Guiana. The anticipated date and time of launch for
Arianespace Flight 135, on which P3D will fly, is confirmed for
01:07 UTC, Wednesday, November 15, 2000.
P3D will be launched with three other satellites - the large PAS-1R
communications satellite and the smaller STVR-1C and 1D satellites,
all to be placed into a geostationary transfer orbit.
As of Monday, November 13th, the AR-507 launcher was rolled-out
to the Launch Zone (ZL). Peter, DB2OS, reported to ANS "the
spacecraft is still in perfect shape and everything looks very well.
Tonight they will start filling the helium tank and tomorrow at they
will start filling the cryogenic main stage with LOX and LH2. In the
morning I will be attending a press conference and I will then be in
the Jupiter control center before launch."
Peter went on to say that "a very exciting day is ahead," adding
"thank you all for a wonderful satellite, in particular Karl."
Best regards from Kourou,
Signed, Peter, DB2OS
This Ariane 5 flight will prove to be a record setting mission, marking
the first use of the ASAP-5 platform. The ASAP-5 enables the launcher
to carry auxiliary micro and mini satellite payloads. If successful, this
launch will place into orbit the largest commercial communications
satellite ever built (PAS-1R) -- and the largest Amateur Radio satellite
ever built (P3D). P3D will be ejected from the launcher by three
spring-loaded arms pushing on the bottom of the satellite. As it now
sits ready for launch the satellite is being restrained from this happening
by explosive nuts attached to bolts holding P3D in place. The Ariane 5
launcher will be spinning at the time of separation (which in turn means)
P3D will also be spinning when it's ejected.
A view of the entire payload can be found at the following URL:
http://www.arianespace.com/news_missionupdate.html
The complete Phase 3-D frequency band plan is available at:
http://www.amsat-dl.org/p3dqrg.html.org
AMSAT's Ken Ernandes, N2WWD, provided ANS with estimated
Keplerian Elements for the Phase 3D spacecraft. Ken reports the
vector data was computed from Arianespace orbital parameters at
the time P3D is scheduled to separate from the Ariane 5 upper stage.
The elements were computed, in turn, from the vector.
Catalog number: 93400
Satellite: Phase 3D
Catalog number: 93400
Epoch time: 00320.07636550
Element set: 1
Inclination: 6.5034 deg
RA of node: 246.6469 deg
Eccentricity: 0.7357988
Arg of perigee: 175.9296 deg
Mean anomaly: 13.3886 deg
Mean motion: 2.02435417 rev/day
Decay rate: 7.71000e-09 rev/day^2
Epoch rev: 1
Checksum: 283
N2WWD also notes that 93400 is a temporary catalog number and the
Keplerian elements represent a pre-launch estimate of Phase 3D's
initial orbit.
North American P3D Command Station operator Stacey Mills, W4SM,
has placed a zip file containing his P3D telemetry decoding program
(P3T.exe) as well as some additional supporting files at the following
URL:
www.cstone.net/~w4sm2/software2/P3t_AP.zip
The program will run on Windows 95/98/NT/2000 platforms. W4SM reports
additional programs are under development for Mac and Linux platforms.
A 400 baud PSK is required. Additional information regarding demodulators,
and the telemetry format can be found at:
http://www.amsat-dl.org/p3d/
Russ Tillman, K5NRK, AMSAT Journal Editor, told ANS "we plan to
devote two pages in the November/December issue of The AMSAT
Journal to show photographs of what our members were doing during
the launch of Phase 3D." For example said Russ, "if you are hosting
a Galaxy 4 viewing or HF net party for local ham radio club members,
take a photo of the get-together and send it in." Photos can be e-mailed
to k5nrk@amsat.org or sent via the K5NRK postal mail address.
The Radio Club of Kourou's FY5KE has announced plans to broadcast
the Phase 3D launch on 14.315 MHz in French ''and probably in
English.'' The FY5KE transmission will start at approximately 15 minutes
prior to launch and will end about 45 minutes later when the satellite
reaches orbit.
Closer to home, AMSAT-NA Vice President of Operations Keith Pugh,
W5IU, reports that details are being worked out for an AMSAT-NA P3D
Launch Information Net to run "live" during the launch. Keith told ANS
that "at a minimum, the net will include several HF stations and bands."
The current plan is to start about 15 minutes before launch and carry
through separation of P3D. The U.S. net will be based on the live
Arianespace satellite feed from the launch site and will also contain
commentary by key AMSAT officials associated with the launch.
Participating commentators will include newly elected AMSAT-NA
President Robin Haighton, VE3FRH, Andy MacAllister, W5ACM, Pat
Kilroy, N8PK, (at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center), launch team
second-in-command Chuck Green, N0ADI, Stacy Mills, W4SM, and
IARU Satellite Coordinator Hans van den Groenendaal, ZS5AKV.
Others will be added as the launch approaches.
According to W5IU, "dissemination of the launch information will be by
the Houston AMSAT Net connection and by key HF stations, led by
WA3NAN on their Shuttle re-transmission frequencies. Additional HF
stations and frequencies will be added to fill in North American
coverage." W5IU reports the plan is to monitor Arianespace for real
time information and then communicate the information. Keith reports
the group will not re-transmit Arianespace audio to avoid possible
problems with the FCC.
WA3NAN will re-transmit launch reports on 3.860, 7.185, 14.295,
21.395, and 147.450 MHz. Other HF frequencies used will be 3.840,
7.279, and 14.282 MHz. These frequencies will be used by W5RRR
or alternates.
The plan for WA3NAN participation in the overall AMSAT Launch
Information Net Service (ALINS) is to conduct standard, independent
Amateur Radio nets on each of the HF bands noted above during the
hour before launch. Callsign check-ins will be accepted and traffic
listed. Then, at about 15 minutes prior to launch, NCS will switch
over to simulcast the AMSAT audio. Shortly after Phase 3D separation
from the launch vehicle (L+42 minutes) the nets will close in the
absence of any additional traffic.
W5IU is still in need of additional HF stations (with phone patch
capability)
to participate in the P3D AMSAT Launch Information Net. If interested,
contact Keith at w5iu@amsat.org.
The Houston AMSAT Net connection will also be available via the
Internet using the Real Audio format. Visit the net web site at:
http://www.amsatnet.com/
Bob Arnold, N2JEU, is also planning to make the Arianespace audio
available on the Internet. Details are available at:
http://www.ralabs.com/livep3d/
The page currently contains information on the live audio stream
that N2JEU will be providing to the Internet along with a test stream
to check out your system.
CQ Amateur Radio magazine will offer continuously-updated coverage
of the upcoming launch on its web site:
www.cq-amateur-radio.com
These updates will be made every few minutes, or more often if events
require. In addition, there will be a link provided from the CQ web site
to one of two sites featuring live video of the launch.
ANS has been informed that live video of the launch will be available
via the C-band Galaxy 4 satellite. In addition, the Arianespace web
cast can be found at:
http://www.arianespace.com/news_livevideo.html
The AMSAT-UK launch net operated by Richard, G3RWL, will not
operate during the launch. G3RWL reports that "the AMSAT-UK net
will happen the following evening so that people can find out what
happened. This will be on Wednesday, 15 November at 19:00 UTC
on/about 3.780 MHz.
Stay tuned to ANS for additional bulletins from AMSAT, the official
source of information on the Phase 3D satellite.
[ANS thanks the ARRL, AMSAT-DL and AMSAT-NA for this
information and congratulates the AMSAT launch team on their
outstanding work]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-317.02
ARISS UPDATE
HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 317.02 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, NOVEMBER 12, 2000
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-317.02
This weekend was scheduled as time off for the Expedition-1 crew on
the International Space Station -- after a full week of activities. The
normal work schedule for the crew calls for five-day work weeks with
most weekends free.
The crew has spent a relatively quiet weekend as they prepared for the
arrival of an unmanned supply ship that is scheduled to arrive on
November 17th. The ship will contain about 2 tons of supplies and food.
This ship will be unloaded by the crew prior to the launch of the shuttle
Endeavor on November 30th. Endeavor/mission STS-97, is to deliver
the first, huge, U.S. built solar arrays to be installed on ISS.
ISS Commander Bill Shepherd, Soyuz Commander Yuri Gidzenko and
Flight Engineer Sergei Krikalev recently hooked up cables and other
hardware to the Station's Motion Control System. This will enable ISS to
automatically reactivate its jet thrusters after the docking of a supply
ship or a manned Soyuz vehicle.
According to NASA, the only significant activity on tap for the weekend
calls for the crew to begin the setup of ham radio equipment in Zarya.
The ARISS team was informed by Mission Control in Moscow that the
crew had confirmed they had installed the Amateur Radio hardware.
Several engineering test passes need to be performed before general
ham radio operations can commence. According to the ARISS team
"this is a major step forward for Amateur Radio in human spaceflight."
ARISS team member Will Marchant, KC6ROL, reported to ANS that
"with the successful execution of engineering test communications
passes, the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station project
has passed a significant milestone. The initial two passes were through
the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC) ham shack R3K in
Star City near Moscow. The control operator at Star City was Sergej
Samburov, RV3DR." Will added that Eugene Labutin, RA3APR,
planned to address the crew and Vladimir Zagainov, UA3DKR, was
also in the ham shack. Sergej is the Russian delegate to the ARISS
team and Eugene is the AMSAT Russia president. Eugene is also
continuing a family tradition as his father made the inaugural contacts
with the Mir ham station.
KC6ROL also reported that a subsequent test pass through the NN1SS
station at the Goddard Space Flight Center was equally successful.
Engineering tests with the packet rig still need to be organized.
The crew, while still very busy, expressed their interest and support of
Amateur Radio activities on ISS. "It seems likely that over the next
few weeks, as the crew's schedule settles out, that we may be able to
look forward to more ham radio activity from humanity's latest
foothold in space," according to KC6ROL.
Once general ham operation begins, the ARISS team reminds all
satellite operators to please remember to practice good operating
practices and remain courteous and patient with this crew while they
establish their ham operation preferences.
ARISS recommends to listen before transmitting and make sure you
don't step upon another QSO. Wait for the crew to call for contacts
before transmitting. Please let others have a chance with a rare
contact, don't monopolize the crew or the packet rig and please do not
ask the crew to schedule school contacts or other schedules as this puts
them in an awkward and uncomfortable position.
Students at the Burbank School in Burbank, Illinois, are tentatively
scheduled to have a QSO with the Expedition-1 crew in December.
The school applied for a SAREX QSO in January 1996, and its
application is currently the one waiting the longest in the files. Another
18 schools are under consideration for ARISS school contacts. More
information about requesting dedicated contacts is available on the
ARISS web pages.
The Expedition-1 portion of the ARISS web page has been updated. To
view the page, point your browser to:
http://ariss.gsfc.nasa.gov/ExpeditionOne/
[ANS thanks NASA, ARISS and the ARRL for this information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-317.03
ANS IN BRIEF
HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 317.03 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, NOVEMBER 12, 2000
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-317.03
ANS news in brief this week includes the following:
** Indian space scientists recently 'rescued' their INSAT 2B satellite,
which supports the country's telecommunications and broadcast
sectors. The satellite had shut down in space following a technical
hitch. -SpaceDaily
** Global Positioning System users soon may have more accurate
navigational measurements as the Air Force launched another NavStar
GPS satellite on a Boeing Delta 2 rocket last Friday. The launch was
dedicated to America's veterans in commemoration of Veterans' Day.
-Florida Today
** ESA is inviting young people between the age of 8 and 12 (and a
national of an ESA member state or Canada) to take part in a unique
competition to draw a flag to represent the Earth. The overall winner will
fly to Kourou, in French Guiana, to see the launch of Envisat, the new
advanced Earth observation satellite. The Ariane 5 launcher that will
carry Envisat into space will bear the Envisat logo and the winning
picture of the Earth flag. Entries should be received by March 31,
2001. -ESA
** A spectacular new image from the Hubble Space Telescope of the
group of galaxies called Stephan's Quintet provides a detailed view of
one of the most exciting star forming regions in the local Universe.
Stephan's Quintet is a favored object for amateur astronomers and
has earned a reputation as a challenging target for good hobby
telescopes. The quintet is a prototype of a class of objects known as
compact groups of galaxies and has been studied intensively for
several decades. -SpaceDaily
--ANS BULLETIN END---
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-317.04
WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PART 1
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 317.04 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, NOVEMBER 12, 2000
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-317.04
INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION/ARISS
Worldwide packet uplink: 145.990 MHz
Region 1 voice uplink: 145.200 MHz
Region 2/3 voice uplink: 144.490 MHz
Worldwide downlink for voice and packet: 145.800 MHz
TNC callsign RZ3DZR
ARISS initial station launched September 2000 aboard shuttle Atlantis
Status: Engineering test communications passes completed
ARISS team member Will Marchant, KC6ROL, reported to ANS that
the weekend of November 11, 2000 saw successful execution of
engineering Amateur Radio test communications passes. The initial
two passes were through the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center
ham shack R3K in Star City near Moscow. KC6ROL also reported that
a subsequent test pass through the NN1SS station at the Goddard
Space Flight Center was equally successful. Engineering tests with
the packet rig still need to be organized.
The crew, while still very busy, expressed their interest and support of
Amateur Radio activities on ISS. "It seems likely that over the next
few weeks, as the crew's schedule settles out, that we may be able to
look forward to more ham radio activity from humanity's latest
foothold in space," according to KC6ROL.
The initial station will use an existing antenna that will be adapted to
support 2-meter FM voice and packet. The ARISS equipment will get a
more-permanent home aboard the Service Module in 2001, along with
VHF and UHF antennas. Plans call for amateur TV, both slow scan and
fast scan ATV, a digipeater and relay stations.
Planning for the deployment and use of the ham system aboard ISS has
been an international effort coordinated by NASA's Goddard Space
Flight Center. The effort began in 1996 with the formation of the
Amateur Radio International Space Station organization. ARISS is made
up of delegates from major national amateur radio organizations,
including AMSAT.
Two U.S. callsigns have recently been issued for Amateur Radio
operations with ISS. The FCC granted vanity callsigns NA1SS
and NN1SS to the International Space Station Amateur Radio Club
in mid-October. The NA1SS callsign will be used aboard ISS, and
NN1SS will be used for ground-based transmissions from the
Goddard Space Flight Center. Russian callsign RZ3DZR and
German call sign DL0ISS have previously been issued for use
aboard the station. The crew may use their own callsigns
(KD5GSL, U5MIR) or they may use one of the ISS calls.
RZ3DZR is also the callsign entered into the TNC currently onboard
Alpha.
More information about the project can be found on the ARISS web site
at http://ariss.gsfc.nasa.gov
[ANS thanks the ARISS team for this information]
RADIO SPORT RS-13
Uplink 21.260 to 21.300 MHz CW/SSB
Downlink 29.460 to 29.500 MHz CW/SSB
Downlink 145.860 to 145.900 MHz CW/SSB
Beacon 145.863 MHz
Launched: February 5, 1991 aboard a Russian Cosmos C launcher
Status: Operational, recently changed to mode-KT with a 2-meter
and 10-meter downlink and 15-meter uplink
First noted on the AMSAT bulletin board by Randy, N7SFI, RS-13
apparently has switched to mode-KT. Jerry, K5OE, confirmed the
move. Jerry notes the "2-meter beacon is at 145.863 MHz, and the
2-meter downlink seems to be 145.860-145.900 MHz. K5OE
reports the "2-meter downlink audio is terrific, much better than the
10-meter audio."
Kevin, AC5DK, also reported the mode change on RS-13 "and it's
thrown everybody for a loop!"
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)
Launched: December 26, 1994 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome
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)
Launched: June 16, 1983 by an Ariane launcher from Kourou,
French Guiana
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
Launched: September 26, 1993 by an Ariane launcher from Kourou,
French Guiana
Status: Operational, mode J
Periodically, AO-27's analog repeater will be turned off for a few days
at a time to enable ground controllers to gather Whole Orbital Data
(WOD), to verify the health of the satellite.
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 current TEPR settings are:
TEPR 4: 36 TEPR 5: 72
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
[ANS thanks AMRAD for AO-27 information]
UO-14
Uplink 145.975 MHz FM
Downlink 435.070 MHz FM
Launched: January 22, 1990 by an Ariane launcher from Kourou,
French Guiana
Status: Operational, mode J
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
Mode J Uplink: 145.825 MHz FM
Mode J Downlink: 436.250 MHz FM
Mode B Uplink: 436.291 MHz FM
Mode B Downlink: 145.825 MHz FM
Launched: February 23, 1999 by a Delta II rocket from Vandenberg
Air Force Base in California
Status: Operational.
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 B/J operation. The satellite has two VHF and two UHF
transmit-receive systems.
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
Launched: February 07, 1990 by an H1 launcher from the
Tanegashima Space Center in Japan
Status: Operational. FO-20 is in mode JA continuously
Several satellite operators have reported problems with FO-20's
transponder. Mike, N1JEZ, told ANS that he believes the loss of signal
is a combination of two factors. First, battery age and an increase in FM
traffic due to operators unaware of the band plan. Mike reports he
routinely hears FM signals on the transponder.
Tak, JA2PKI, reported the FO-20 control station operators now believe
that the UVC (Under Voltage Controller) now is regulating the
transponder. The UVC monitors battery voltage and tries to protect the
batteries from over discharge. Tak notes that FO-20, launched in 1990,
is now over 10 years old.
[ANS thanks Kazu Sakamoto, JJ1WTK, for the FO-20 status reports]
JAS-2 FO-29
Launched: August 17, 1996, by an H-2 launcher from the
Tanegashima Space Center in Japan
Status: Operational
Voice/CW Mode JA
Uplink 145.90 to 146.00 MHz CW/LSB
Downlink 435.80 to 435.90 MHz CW/USB
Digital Mode JD
Uplink 145.850 145.870 145.910 MHz FM
Downlink 435.910 MHz 1200 baud BPSK or 9600 baud FSK
Callsign 8J1JCS
Digitalker 435.910 MHz
The JARL FO-29 command station has announced the following
operation schedule of FO-29:
November 7 - 16th JA
November 17 - 26th JD 1200 baud PSK mailbox
Nov. 27 - Dec. 7th JA
The FO-29 command station further reports the mode switching
of the Digi-talker to JA was unsuccessful recently and FO-29 will
remain in Digi-talker mode until the next switch attempt can be
made.
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]
SAUDISAT-1A
Uplink to be released
Downlink 437.075 MHz
Launched: September 26, 2000 aboard a converted Soviet ballistic
missile from the Baikonur Cosmodrome
Status: Commissioning stage, initial housekeeping tasks underway
SaudiSat-1A will operate as 9600 baud digital store-and-forward
systems as well analog FM repeater mode capability. One of two
new ham satellites from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia built by the
Space Research Institute at the King Abdulaziz City for Science and
Technology.
SAUDISAT-1B
Uplink to be released
Downlink 436.775 MHz
Launched: September 26, 2000 aboard a converted Soviet ballistic
missile from the Baikonur Cosmodrome
Status: Commissioning stage, initial housekeeping tasks underway
SaudiSat-1B will operate as 9600 baud digital store-and-forward
systems as well analog FM repeater mode capability. One of two
new ham satellites from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia built by the
Space Research Institute at the King Abdulaziz City for Science and
Technology.
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-317.05
WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PART 2
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 317.05 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, NOVEMBER 12, 2000
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-317.05
TIUNGSAT-1
Uplink 145.850 or 145.925 MHz 9600 baud FSK
Downlink 437.325 MHz
Broadcast callsign MYSAT3-11
BBS MYSAT3-12
NUP MYSAT3-10
Launched: September 26, 2000 aboard a converted Soviet ballistic
missile from the Baikonur Cosmodrome
Status: Operational in digital mode, currently at 9600 baud FSK
TiungSat-1 is Malaysia's first micro-satellite and in addition to
commercial land and weather imaging payloads offers FM and FSK
Amateur Radio communication.
TiungSat-1, named after the mynah bird of Malaysia, was developed as
a collaborative effort between the Malaysian government and Surrey
Satellite Technology Ltd.
For more information on TiungSat-1, visit the following URL:
http://www.yellowpages.com.my/tiungsat/tiung_main.htm
KITSAT KO-25
Uplink 145.980 MHz FM (9600 baud FSK)
Downlink 436.500 MHz FM
Launched: September 26, 1993 by an Ariane launcher from Kourou,
French Guiana
Status: Operational
Jim, AA7KC, reports nominal KO-25 operation, with low traffic.
[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
Call sign UOSAT5-12
Launched: July 17, 1991 by an Ariane launcher from Kourou,
French Guiana
Status: Operational
Jim, AA7KC, reports nominal UO-22 operation at high efficiency,
with heavy traffic and major sat-gate operation.
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
Launched: March 1, 1984 by a Delta-Thor rocket from Vandenberg
Air Force Base in California
Status: Operational
OSCAR-11 celebrated its sixteenth birthday in space on March 1, 2000.
During the period 16-September to 17-October excellent signals have
been received from the 145 MHz beacon. The satellite is currently
experiencing very good solar conditions that should continue through
the end of the year.
Ground control operations recently reset the magnetorquer counters
and the spin period has now started to slowly return to a nominal value.
The battery voltage observed during daylight passes has continued to
increase. The average value observed was 14.0, with a range of
13.9 to 14.1 volts. The internal temperatures have increased recently.
They are now 5.8C and 4.2C for battery and telemetry electronics
respectively. This rise in temperature is expected to continue as solar
eclipse times become shorter.
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.
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)
Launched: January 22, 1990 by an Ariane launcher from Kourou,
French Guiana
Status: Semi-operational. The CW beacon is sending eight telemetry
channels and one status channel on 437.136 MHz. No BBS service is
available. The digipeater is not 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:
www.telecable.es/personales/ea1bcu
[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
Launched: January 22, 1990 by an Ariane launcher from Kourou,
French Guiana
Status: Semi-operational
Russ, WJ9F, reported the S-band transmitter is off. The VHF uplink and the
UHF PSK transmitter are operational (TX power at 1.5 watts). The
digipeater command is on.
Telemetry is as follows:
uptime is 271/17:35:40. Time is Fri Nov 10 21:06:41 2000
+X (RX) Temp -1.212 D RX Temp 12.100 D
Bat 1 V 1.263 V Bat 2 V 1.267 V
Bat 3 V 1.291 V Bat 4 V 1.283 V
Bat 5 V 1.263 V Bat 6 V 1.265 V
Bat 7 V 1.253 V Bat 8 V 1.306 V
Bat 1 Temp 6.654 D Bat 2 Temp 6.654 D
Baseplt Temp 6.049 D PSK TX RF Out 1.330 W
RC PSK BP Temp -0.002 D RC PSK HPA Tmp 0.603 D
+Y Array Temp -17.550 D PSK TX HPA Tmp 3.629 D
+Z Array Temp -6.658 D +10V Bus 10.500 V
Total Array C= 0.000 Bat Ch Cur=-0.459 Ifb= 0.150 I+10V= 0.323
TX:1008 BCR:1E PWRC:05C BT:1E WC:25 EDAC:51
A new WOD collection of current graphics along with general
information and telemetry samples can be found at:
www.telecable.es/personales/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)
Launched: July 10, 1998 by a Zenit rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome
Status: Operational
Jim, AA7KC, reports nominal TO-31 operation, with moderate traffic and
five new image files available as of November 8th.
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
Launched: April 21, 1999 by a Russian launcher from the Baikonur
Cosmodrome
Status: Operational
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
Launched: September 26, 1993 by an Ariane launcher from Kourou,
French Guiana
Status: Semi-operational, the digipeater function is on and open for
APRS users
[ANS thanks ITAMSAT Project Manager Alberto E. Zagni, I2KBD, for
IO-26 information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-317.06
WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PART 3
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 317.06 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, NOVEMBER 12, 2000
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-317.06
THE FOLLOWING ARE IN ORBIT BUT ARE NON-OPERATIONAL
AT THIS TIME:
KITSAT KO-23
Uplink 145.900 MHz FM (9600 baud FSK)
Downlink 435.170 MHz FM
Launched: August 10, 1992 by an Ariane launcher from Kourou,
French Guiana
Status: Intermittent operation with the downlink transmitter operating at
unpredictable intervals
Jim, AA7KC, reports that KO-23's downlink transmitter is (again) not
transmitting. Duration of this status is unpredictable. Last received
downlink was on October 28th.
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. "We are not sure when the bird might turn off again due to
insufficient power. The capability of the onboard power system has been
less and less," said Kim. HL0ENJ also noted that as of October 30, 2000
the onboard computer was reset and a reboot of operational software is
now underway.
[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
Launched: February 5, 1991 aboard a Russian Cosmos C launcher
Status: Non-operational. No operation in 2000 has been observed
TECHSAT-1B GO-32
Downlink 435.225 MHz using HDLC telemetry
Launched: July 10, 1998 by a Russian Zenit rocket from the Baikonur
Cosmodrome
Status: Semi-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).
Last reported, the satellite does transmit a 9600-baud burst every
30 seconds (the GO-32 beacon sends one short telemetry status
transmission of 44 bytes) and upon request the complete
telemetry buffer. The program to the access the satellite can be
downloaded from the homepage.
The TechSat team has a home page about TechSat. To view the site,
point your web browser to:
http://www.technion.ac.il/pub/projects/techsat/asher/techsatmain.html
PANSAT PO-34
Uplink/downlink frequencies have never been released
Launched: October 30, 1998 by the Shuttle Discovery
Status: Unknown
The satellite is not currently available for general uplink transmissions.
PanSat was developed by the Naval Postgraduate School. 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).
MIR SPACE STATION
145.985 MHz (FM) voice and SSTV (Robot 36 Mode)
Launched: February 18, 1986
Status: Unmanned
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
Launched: January 22, 1990 by an Ariane launcher from Kourou,
French Guiana
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)
Launched: January 22, 1990 by an Ariane launcher from Kourou,
French Guiana
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)
Launched: October 24, 1998 by a Delta 2 rocket from Cape
Canaveral, Florida
Status: Semi-operational
The satellite is not currently available for uplink transmissions and
the image and transponder recovery efforts have been unsuccessful.
SedSat-1 signifies Students for the Exploration and Development of
Space (satellite number one).
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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