[jamsat-news:2552] ANS-272 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-272

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.

Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to:
ans-editor@amsat.org

***************************************************************
***  2008 AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting  ***
***            October 24-26 in Atlanta, Georgia            ***
*** http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/symposium/2008/index.php ***
***************************************************************

In this edition:

* AMSAT Symposium Presentations Posted
* ARISS Confirms Amateur Radio Hardware Deliveries
* Richard Garriott Operations Call for Support
* Call For AMSAT Journal Articles
* AMSAT-Italy Announces Joint VERTA-1 Satellite Project With AMSAT-UK
* Satellite Shorts From All Over
* ARISS Status Report for the Week of September 22, 2008


SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-272.01
AMSAT Symposium Presentations Posted

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 272.01
>From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
September 28, 2008
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-272.01

The list of presentations for the 2008 AMSAT Symposium Oct 24-26 
is now posted on the AMSAT web site. There is a link on the front 
page and also on the Symposium information page. We have a great 
line up of speakers, so make your plans to attend the Symposium 
in Atlanta. The AMSAT board meeting Oct 23-24 preceeds the Symposium 
at the same hotel. Please make your reservations soon and join us to 
get the latest news and information about the organization, plans 
for future satellites and technical information.

Follow this link for the latest Symposium information:
http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/symposium/2008/index.php

We are about to lose our room block at the Buckhead Doubletree in 
Atlanta. If you are planning to attend the 2008 AMSAT Symposium, 
you need to make your room reservations ASAP.  Their direct phone 
number is 404-231-1234. The room rate is $125 per night and the 
Group Code is ASG.

[ANS thanks the 2008 Symposium Committee for the above information]

/EX


SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-272.02
ARISS Confirms Amateur Radio Hardware Deliveries

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 272.02
>From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
September 28, 2008
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-272.02

The ARISS team received confirmation from Sergey, RV3DR, that the 
recent Progress flight delivered the flight backup D-700, a David 
Clark Headset for the Ericsson system, and an additional VOX box 
and cables to support the computer-operated SSTV system.  The D700 
may be installed as early as late this week, depending on crew 
availability.  The flight backup will not provide a significant 
change in ARISS operations, making it easier for the crew to change 
program modes.

Richard Garriott plans to take a Kenwood VC-H1 SSTV communicator 
with him on-board the Soyuz for his flight and leave it aboard the 
ISS for future ARISS use.  The VC-H1 has completed all hardware 
certification on the US and Russian sides.  The final test, an EMI 
radiated emissions test, was performed last week and the test data 
was delivered to Sergey Samburov, RV3DR in Russia this week.  The 
VC-H1 provides a very simple interface for ISS crew members and does 
not require the use of a computer.  Computer usage has been a real 
challenge for ARISS, so the VC-H1 represents a lesson learned to 
improve ARISS operations.

[ANS thanks ARISS International Chairman Frank Bauer, KA3HDO for 
 the above information]

/EX


SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-272.03
Richard Garriott Operations Call for Support

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 272.03
>From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
September 28, 2008
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-272.03

Early during Richard Garriott's flight, he expects to setup the 
VC-H1 SSTV system and autonomously transmit a new Earth image 
every 3 minutes.  He hopes to have this system on a great deal 
of his flight.  We encourage the ham community to bring SSTV 
equipment into schools and download these images in real-time.

The ARISS team also plans to display images from hams around the 
world on a special on a web/blog site.  A beta site has been de-
veloped and will be rolled out to the ham community in the near 
future.  

To successfully implement the on-line SSTV picture site and support 
it 24/7 during Richard's flight, we will need some savvy individuals 
that can sort through the many SSTV photos that ARISS will receive 
and keep the SSTV site up to date in near real time.  Some computer 
skills will be required.  We are looking for global support from a 
few individuals in each international region to make this happen.  
That way we will not be asking individuals to volunteer all-night 
to realize this project.  If you are interested in helping on this, 
please e-mail Frank Bauer, KA3HDO directly via ka3hdo@amsat.org.

[ANS thanks ARISS International Chairman Frank Bauer, KA3HDO for 
 the above information]

/EX


SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-272.04
Call For AMSAT Journal Articles

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 272.04
>From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
September 28, 2008
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-272.04

AMSAT Journal Editor Ed, WA4SWJ said this week, "If you have articles 
for the Journal I need them now! Please, if you have an article to 
contribute to the Journal, get it to me right away. Do not delay. I 
want to get the Journal back on schedule." 

The deadline for contributions to the Journal is the 15th of the ODD 
numbered months (1-3-5-7-9-11) throughout the year. The intent is to 
get the Journal released to the printer the first week of each EVEN 
numbered month. 

[ANS thanks Ed, WA4SWJ for the above information]

/EX


SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-272.05
AMSAT-Italy Announces Joint VERTA-1 Satellite Project With AMSAT-UK

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 272.05
>From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
September 28, 2008
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-272.05

AMSAT-Italy President Florio LX2DV/IW2NMB said this week, "AMSAT-Italia 
along with AMSAT-UK has the great pleasure of announcing our joint
application to launch the proposed "EuroDAST" micro-satellite onboard 
the Arianespace VEGA launcher, with its VERTA-1 flight opportunity."

Florio continues, "Although it be launched with a European Launcher and 
is based on an AMSAT-Italia mission concept, the development of such 
micro-satellite is open to worldwide contributions in hardware and soft-
ware."  Any individuals or groups of interested amateurs, universities,
research centers having space based hardware or software concepts are
invited to submit their ideas by e-mail to: cd@amsat.it.

More information about the Arianespace VEGA mission can be seen at:
http://www.arianespace.com/launch-services-vega/vega_overview.asp. 

[ANS thanks AMSAT-Italy for the above information]

/EX


SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-272.06
Satellite Shorts From All Over

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 272.06
>From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
September 28, 2008
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-272.06

+ Information about a Google Earth plug-in plotting orbiting earth
  satellites can be found at:
 
http://www.universetoday.com/2008/09/05/explore-earths-satellites-with-googl
e-earth/
  (watch line wrap - this URL is a single line).

+ Howard, G6LVB has posted video of the successful ARISS School Contact 
  with the Michael Sobell Sinai School, Harrow, United Kingdom at:
  http://www.g6lvb.com/images/MichaelSobellSinaiSchoolHi.wmv 147Mb
  http://www.g6lvb.com/images/MichaelSobellSinaiSchoolMed.wmv 45Mb
  Howard recommends you download them first then play them, rather than
  attempting to stream.  An MP4 format of the video is available at:
  http://www.uk.amsat.org/content/view/669/68/

+ Congratulations to F3ZD on your 5000th contact via AO-7. Bob, W7LRD 
  reports AO-7 contacts with OH8MBN and AL1F in Alaska.

+ The AO-27 command team will post updates on getting this satellite
  back on at http://www.ao27.org.

+ An interesting photo tour of the Baikonur Cosmodrome is at:
 
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2008/09/the_baikonur_cosmodrome.html#photo6
  (watch line wrap - this URL is a single line).

+ Watch http://spaceweather.com/flybys/ & http://www.heavens-above.com
  for visual sighting opportunites of the Shenzhou-7 spacecraft, ISS,
  Jules Verne, and the Early Ammonia Service jettisoned from the ISS.

+ Have you forgotten your AMSAT Store account name or password? If 
  you have forgotten or misplaced your account name or password for 
  the AMSAT Store, simply create a new one. We hope to have someone 
  working on new software to give your password in the future.  Until 
  then go ahead and make your reservations or purchases with a new 
  account.

[ANS thanks everyone for the above information]

/EX


SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-272.07
ARISS Status Report for the Week of September 22, 2008

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 272.07
>From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
September 28, 2008
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-272.07

1. Upcoming School Contacts - Status

The ARISS team continues its work on scheduling the next school 
radio contacts.  Johnson Space Center was closed the week of 
September 15 due to Hurricane Ike, delaying contact approvals. 
Scheduling is expected to resume this week.

2. Richard Garriott - ISS Flight

Richard Garriott, W5KWQ, will fly with the Expedition 18 crew to 
the ISS on Soyuz TMA-13 which is scheduled to launch on October 12, 
2008.  He plans to participate in several ARISS contacts during 
his mission. A press release has been posted.  
See: http://www.rac.ca/ariss/Garriott%20PR%20Final.doc

3. GSFC LaunchFest Update

On Saturday, September 13, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) in 
Greenbelt, Maryland held a LaunchFest event, during which the 
Center's personnel manned exhibits and provided space related 
demonstrations for the public. ARISS supported LaunchFest with 
its own exhibit booth, providing information, distributing 
lithographs and generating much interest in the program. 
Approximately 13,000 attended the event. See:
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/news/topstory/2008/launchfest_recap.html

4. ASTC - ARISS Presentation 

The Association of Science - Technology Centers (ASTC) will hold 
its 2008 annual conference on October 18-21 in Philadelphia, Penn-
sylvania.  Ten presenters from NASA will describe NASA's education 
and outreach programs and NASA resources. ARISS Deputy Program Manager 
Mark Steiner, K3MS, will give an ARISS overview. For more information 
on this event, see: http://www.astc.org/conference/index.htm

5. ARISS Volunteer Receives Award

Nancy Rabel Hall, a Research Scientist working at NASA Glenn Research 
Center and the current president of the NASA Glenn Amateur Radio Club, 
was the 15th recipient of the Allan Severson, AB8P memorial award. The 
Ohio ARRL (American Radio Relay League) Section Manager presents this 
award each year.  Hall has assisted three local schools with ARISS 
contacts.  For more information, see: 
http://www.arrlohio.org/arrl_allan_severson.htm

[ANS thanks Carol, KB3LKI for the above information]

/EX


In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the
President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors
to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive additional benefits.
Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office.


73,
This week's ANS Editor,
JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM
K9JKM at amsat dot org

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