[jamsat-news:1594] Special Bulletin AO-40

["MLMASTER" <mlmaster@jamsat.or.jp>]

 From: VEFRH@aol.com
Date: Fri, 28 Sep 2001 09:26:37 EDT
Subject: Special Bulletin AO-40
To: ans@AMSAT.Org, amsat-bb@AMSAT.Org, projcomm@AMSAT.Org, bod@AMSAT.Org,
   officers@AMSAT.Org, BIZDEV@AMSAT.Org, p3d-dev@AMSAT.Org

ANS is pleased to report that the GPS experiment on AO-40 has undergone
successful testing. This experiment supplied and sponsored by NASA, is to
 determine if it is possible to get positional data outside of the GPS ring
of
 satellites.

 There are two GPS receivers on AO-40, the A receiver  for receiving signals
 around apogee and the B receiver for signal reception around perigee. Both
 receivers are operational, and Data is passed from the receivers through
the
 RUDAK to the S-band transmitter.

 Jim White WD0E, has been the AMSAT coordinator and chief operator for this
 activity, reports that "we received a signal on the apogee receiver from
 about 52 Thousand Kilometres out with good signal levels, further data is
 being gathered and those downloaded so far are being analysed.

 Frank Bauer KA3HDO, AMSAT-VP Human Spaceflight Programs, and  instrumental
in
 setting up the GPS experiment, said "If this experiment goes the way I
expect, it will revolutionise the way we use GPS in Space. Many future HEO
 spacecraft will be able to take advantage of GPS for autonomous navigation
 and stationkeeping".

 AMSAT President Robin Haighton, VE3FRH, was delighted with the news of the
 GPS success, and commented that "It is great to be able to help our friends
 at NASA. Testing this experiment has been a long time in coming, and we
were
 worried that radiation may have damaged the GPS receivers. Now at last we
 have a very positive result from this important experiment."

 Stay tuned to ANS for further details as they become available.

 ANS Editor Dan James (N0DJ@amsat.org)

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