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[jamsat-news:1369] ANS 324
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS 324
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 Alf Almedal, LA5QK,
former IARU Region-1 Executive Committee member and HF Chairman.
LA5QK, of Sola, Norway, died November 11th. He was an ARRL member
and a former president of the Norwegian Radio Relay League. [ANS
thanks Ole Garpestad, LA2RR, 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-324.01
PHASE 3D IN ORBIT!
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 324.01 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, NOVEMBER 19, 2000
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-324.01
A new era in Amateur Radio communications was ushered in on
November 16, 2000 (UTC) as AMSAT-DL Executive Vice President
and P3D Mission Director Peter Guelzow, DB2OS, informed AMSAT
News Service that the launch of the Phase 3D satellite from the
European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana was successful
--following a spectacular nighttime launch that lifted off exactly as
predicted at 01:07 UTC.
"It was a textbook launch" said DB2OS, "from the first minute of flight,
until P3D separated from the Ariane 5 launch vehicle, all received
telemetry indicates the launch went perfectly and our satellite appears to
be in very good health."
Launched with three other satellites - the large PAS-1R communications
satellite and the smaller STVR-1C and 1D satellites, Phase 3D was
placed into geostationary transfer orbit, from where it will be nudged into
it's final elliptical orbit.
The Ariane 5 flight proved to be a record setting mission as it marked
the first use of the ASAP-5 platform. The ASAP-5 enables the launcher
to carry auxiliary micro and mini satellite payloads. By coincidence, P3D
was married to the PanAm-1R satellite, which was also the case when
the first Ariane 4 (flight 401) rocket also launched both an AMSAT and a
PanAm satellite.
On this launch, PAS-1R becomes the largest commercial satellite ever
put into orbit -- and P3D the largest Amateur Radio satellite ever built
and launched.
At liftoff the Ariane 5 launch vehicle mass was over 6,200 Kg (almost
13,700 lbs.)! This included the mass of the PanAmSat primary payload
and the three auxiliary satellites (of which P3D was one), as well as the
mass of the ASAP-5 platform and the other payload mounting and
interface hardware.
AMSAT-NA President Robin Haighton, VE3FRH, welcomed the news of
the launch, noting "that the design, building and financing of P3D by
international volunteers is a great achievement."
Immediate AMSAT-NA past President Keith Baker, KB1SF, told ANS
that he was "delighted" by the news of the Phase 3D launch. "Obviously
this is a big thrill for all of us who have spent the better part of our
lives
over the past ten years bringing the satellite to fruition. I have no doubt
that today will be regarded as one of the greatest days in the history of
Amateur Radio."
ANS also received word from AMSAT-NA Board of Directors Chairman
(and past AMSAT-NA President) Bill Tynan, W3XO. "I can't begin to tell
you how happy I am to see P3D in orbit," said Tynan, "as I followed the
launch sequence, I thought of the many people who have been involved
with this project from the very beginning and how pleased everyone
must be to see the reward of such hard work."
A 50 second video of the launch can be seen at:
http://arianespace.com/interior/v135better.mov
Although safely in orbit, there is much work to be done with Phase 3D
before the satellite is opened for general Amateur Radio use. Initial
housekeeping tasks are now underway to verify the health of the many
complex systems onboard - followed by bringing these systems online.
As previously noted P3D is now in a transfer orbit used for
geosynchronous satellites. To move P3D from this orbit the Arcjet motor
will burn intermittently (at perigee) over a 270-day period, with final
inclination and apogee adjustments made by the spacecraft's 400
Newton motor. "When these maneuvers are completed and three-axis
stabilization is achieved, the satellite solar panels will then be spread
out
to receive full sunlight," said Haighton. "It is anticipated that at this
time
the satellite will be fully operational for use by Amateur Radio operators
around the world."
ANS has received many inquiries from satellite operators around the
world asking if P3D would be available for general communications in
the near future. Although this is certainly a possibility, it is important
to
note that the P3D team is very closely monitoring the power budget
of this new satellite, both in available battery voltage and current orbital
parameters. These two areas will be among the most important factors
that determine what happens with P3D in the near future.
The P3D command team has reported to ANS that after the initial
establishment of communication following launch, a number of
systems have been checked out and found to be working perfectly.
The attitude control system was calibrated after finding a minor error in
the magnet vector. By changing 6 bytes in P3D's software, the proper
vector has been achieved. Presently, Phase 3D's attitude is being
changed to prepare for the first motor burn. This maneuver is currently
proceeding according to expectations and should be completed in a
few days.
Both S-band transmitters have been tested (S-1 and S-2), and both
have been found to work properly. With P3D's dish-antennas (for now)
pointing away from Earth, signals were weak as expected.
The V-band beacon is currently transmitting PSK telemetry on
145.898 MHz. "P3D is loud," reported ANS principal satellite investigator
N1JEZ, "even at apogee signals at my QTH are S-9 or better with no
detectable QSB." Along with telemetry, P3D is currently transmitting
the following messages:
'This is AMSAT OSCAR-40, the international satellite to support
science and education, Amateur Radio space communications and
above all, international friendship.'
'QST, QST de AMSAT OSCAR-40 in memory of Werner Haas, DJ5KQ,
Vice President, AMSAT-DL, 13-06-00.'
AMSAT's Ken Ernandes, N2WWD, provided ANS with orbital
elements for AO-40. NORAD has cataloged AO-40 as #26609.
Epoch time: 00321.07636550
Element set: 3
Inclination: 6.4414 deg
RA of node: 247.6325 deg
Eccentricity: 0.7351717
Arg of perigee: 175.8868 deg
Mean anomaly: 13.4478 deg
Mean motion: 2.03016775 rev/day
Decay rate: 7.56000e-09 rev/day^2
Epoch rev: 1
Checksum: 284
P3D's orbital elements are also available on the AMSAT-NA
web page at:
http://www.amsat.org/amsat/keps/ao40.html
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/
The complete Phase 3-D frequency band plan is available at:
http://www.amsat-dl.org/p3dqrg.html
Stay tuned to ANS for additional bulletins from AMSAT, the official
source of information on the Phase 3D satellite.
[ANS thanks AMSAT-DL and AMSAT-NA for this information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-324.02
PHASE-3D OSCAR NUMBER
HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 324.02 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, NOVEMBER 19, 2000
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-324.02
AMSAT-NA Board Chairman (and past president) Bill Tynan, W3XO,
told ANS that Phase 3D will now be known as AMSAT-OSCAR 40,
or AO-40. "We have been calling it Phase 3D for far too long," W3XO
said, "henceforth it will take its place in the long line of OSCAR
satellites
built by the Amateur Radio community throughout the world."
W3XO reported he received the official go-ahead to name P3D from
project leader Karl Meinzer, DJ4ZC. "Under the authority vested in me by
Karl and our new AMSAT-NA President Robin Haighton, VE3FRH, and as
the 'keeper of OSCAR numbers' -- I hereby christen our newest, and
proudest bird, AMSAT-OSCAR 40."
AO-40 has been dedicated to the memory of one of its principal builders,
Werner Haas, DJ5KQ, and operates under the call sign DP0WH. As ANS
readers know, Werner was the AMSAT-DL Vice President and longtime P3D
supporter who died earlier this year. A plaque aboard AO-40 is dedicated to
his memory.
[ANS thanks AMSAT-NA for this information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-324.03
ALINS COVERAGE
HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 324.03 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, NOVEMBER 19, 2000
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-324.03
The AMSAT launch information net that followed P3D's ride to orbit
was deemed a great success by Amateur Radio operators around the
world. The net broadcast a blow-by-blow description of the launch
along with comments from several AMSAT officers and P3D team
members who provided interesting information about both the satellite
and the launch.
Across North America, coverage was broadcast on six bands, namely
75, 40, 20, 15, 10, and 2-meters. History chapters in the Radio Amateur
Satellite Handbook chronicle AMSAT launch information nets back to the
early OSCAR days.
"Monitored the launch here in California via nets on both 20 and
40-meters," said WB6HGW, "great work on the coverage!" WB6LLO
reported "great coverage by W5IU and crew, it was really a blast!"
In addition to HF and VHF rebroadcast, ALINS information was also
carried live on the Internet by several sources, including on the Houston
AMSAT Net web page.
[ANS congratulates Keith, W5IU, for his hard work in putting the ALINS
system together and thanks all stations who participated in the launch
coverage of AO-40]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-324.04
P3D CONGRATULATIONS FLOOD ANS
HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 324.04 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, NOVEMBER 19, 2000
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-324.04
ANS was flooded with well wishes following the successful launch of
AO-40. "Congratulations on the success to the many members of
the AMSAT team who participated in building and launching P3D - a
job well done, " said N4UMQ. KK5DO added, "thanks to Arianespace
for a graceful ride into orbit and I am sure that I join hams worldwide
in wishing Arianespace much success in the future."
"Just watched one of the most beautiful launches ever," said KW8KW.
"Between P3D and ARISS, this has been AMSAT's best week ever,"
said W2RS. F6BVP told ANS, "congratulations, the bird will open a
new era in communications."
G3YJO offered his thanks and congratulations "especially to all those
across the continents who have worked so hard to bring this dream to
reality. Amidst our celebrations, we also remember Werner Hass."
"Hurray," said 4X1KS, "I'm just so happy that P3D has made it with
flying colors." "A major success story," said VE3CDM. "Kudos to all who
had a hand in the building and launch of our new toy," said NA9D.
"Congratulations to everyone who made this possible, " added 9M2DT.
"Thanks to the AMSAT P3D Team for the great work," said IK8XLD.
"Thanks to Arianespace," added KB7ADL, "it's clear that what
Arianespace did for AMSAT was no small thing."
[ANS congratulates AMSAT worldwide on this wonderful achievement]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-324.05
ANS IN BRIEF
HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 324.05 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, NOVEMBER 19, 2000
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-324.05
ANS news in brief this week includes the following:
** Europe's beaches could soon be cleaner thanks to better information
gleaned from ESA satellite data. Using mathematical models developed
to combine data from several satellites, it may soon be possible to predict
where pollution is likely to spread and plan accordingly. -SpaceDaily
** AMSAT's KB5MU reported that many messages to AMSAT-BB
were inadvertently dropped in the last few days due to the
unprecedented load on the board caused by e-mail posted following
the AO-40 launch. This has caused an overload on the AMSAT.ORG
system. -Paul, KB5MU
** It's reported that they can reduce drag, repel shock waves and make
jet fighters vanish. Will plasmas start an aerospace revolution, or are
they just another mirage? The test vehicle suspended in the hypersonic
wind tunnel is little more than a cone. But inside is a small device that
could revolutionize the way aircraft fly, saving fuel and heralding a new
age of travel. Check out the details at the following URL:
http://www.spacedaily.com/news/future-00o.html. -SpaceDaily
** New AMSAT-UK officers: Jim Heck, G3WGM, as secretary and
Barry Sankey, G7RWY, as treasurer. Congratulations from ANS!
-Richard, G3RWL
** Jerry, K5OE, has updated his web page to include the antennas for
P3D. They are a pair of VHF/UHF beams built on a small boom using
PVC pipe, #10 wire, and 1/4" aluminum tubing. The 70-cm beam is 6x6
elements and the 2-meter beam is 3x3 elements. Check out the web site
at http://members.aol.com/k5oe. -ANS
** W1AW will participate in a meteor-scatter experiment by attempting to
bounce APRS packets off the ionized particles resulting from the Leonids
meteor shower. Beginning at 21:00 UTC on November 17th W1AW will
operate WinAPRS-equipped stations on 53.530 MHz and 147.585 MHz,
transmitting its grid square. -ARRL
** Several hams have noted that FO-29 has had light traffic, but recently
"how different it was," reported NA9D. "Seems like AO-40 has helped
revive activity on FO-29 and AO-10," said Jon. -ANS
--ANS BULLETIN END---
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-324.06
WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PART 1
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 324.06 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, NOVEMBER 19, 2000
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-324.06
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!"
In addition, some stations are now reporting they are hearing both
RS-12 and RS-13 - ANS is investing.
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
Tak, JA2PKI, reported the FO-20 control station operators 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 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-324.07
WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PART 2
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 324.07 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, NOVEMBER 19, 2000
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-324.07
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
Some stations had reported the loss of signals from KO-25. Command
station HL0ENJ reported to ANS: "This is the command ground station
of KO-25. The bird was in power safe mode due to over discharge of it's
battery system. We were testing power consumption of KO-25 because
of this. We have now recovered the bird and it is open for use."
Jim, AA7KC, now reports nominal KO-25 operation, with traffic increased
to a moderate level.
[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 279/07:18:54. Time is Sat Nov 18 10:49:55 2000
+10V Bus 11.100 V +Z Array V 22.301 V
+X (RX) Temp -5.448 D RX Temp 1.209 D
+5V Bus 4.968 V +8.5V Bus 8.868 V
BCR Set Point 123.492 C BCR Load Cur 0.374 A
BCR Input Cur 0.527 A BCR Output Cur 0.384 A
Bat 1 Temp 6.049 D Bat 2 Temp 6.049 D
Baseplt Temp 6.049 D PSK TX RF Out 1.465 W
RC PSK BP Temp -0.607 D RC PSK HPA Tmp -0.002 D
+Y Array Temp 2.419 D PSK TX HPA Tmp 3.024 D
+Z Array Temp -0.002 D
Total Array C= 0.471 Bat Ch Cur= 0.010 Ifb= 0.056 I+10V= 0.318
TX:1008 BCR:80 PWRC:05C BT:1E WC:25 EDAC:79
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 light traffic and
downlink efficiencies in the 90% range.
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-324.08
WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PART 3
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 324.08 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, NOVEMBER 19, 2000
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-324.08
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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