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[jamsat-news:980] * SpaceNews 07-Dec-98 *


SB NEWS @ AMSAT $SPC1207
* SpaceNews 07-Dec-98 *


BID: $SPC1207


			       =========
			       SpaceNews
			       =========


		        MONDAY DECEMBER 7, 1998


SpaceNews originates at KD2BD in Wall Township, New Jersey, USA.  It
is published every week and is made available for non-commercial use.


* RS-18 NEWS *
==============
RS-18 QSL cards may be obtained by sending a reception report along with a
a self addressed envelope and two IRCs (International Reply Coupons) to the
following address:

	AMSAT-France
	RS-18 QSL Manager
	14 bis, rue des Gourlis
	92500 Rueil-Malmaison
	France

A list of QSLs received by the French QSL manager is available at the
following URL (Note: The list changes daily as cards are received):

	http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/ascerland/sp41QSL.htm

RS-18 may be received on a downlink frequency of 145.812 MHz FM.

[Info via Jean-Louis Rault G/F6AGR and Gerard Auvray, F6FAO]


* AMSAT-OSCAR-10 NEWS *
=======================
As many satellite enthuiasts are aware, AO-10 is functioning rather well
these days with the exception of the long-standing QSB problem.  Here
are some updated Keplerian elements based on recent ranging data:

Satellite: AO-10
Catalog number: 14129
Epoch time:      98334.41402
Inclination:        26.8570 deg
RA of node:         56.2190 deg
Eccentricity:     0.59993
Arg of perigee:    269.7500 deg
Mean anomaly:      218.2590 deg
Mean motion:     2.05837914 rev/day
Decay rate:         0.00    rev/day^2

AO-10
1 14129U          98334.41402000 0.00000000           00000-0 0     7
2 14129  26.8570  56.2190 5999300 269.7500 218.2590  2.05837914    00

Also note that the satellite is in darkness after perigee on every orbit.
Perigee is now at the lowest point of orbital latitude (ArgP = 270).  This
gives the satellite track on a "rectangular" (Mercator) map projection a
distinctly symmetrical pattern.

[Info via Stacey Mills, W4SM]


* SEDSAT-1 NEWS *
=================
Dennis Ray Wingo thanks everyone who has monitored the SEDSAT-1 satellite
and has sent telemetry reports to the satellite's groundstation controllers
in an effort to diagnose the problems with the satellite.  Dennis reports
that we may be nearing the end of the efforts to recover the bird.  He has
determined that one of the two Mode L receivers on board the satellite
was non-functional when it was launched.  This was due to the removal
of a part during final integration of the bird due to a fit problem.

Dennis feels that there is a strong possibility that this was the main
receiver.  The second receiver, even if it is working, may be useless.
As is well known, there are several receivers on most of the UoSAT
satellites.  SEDSAT's communication section is designed in exactly the
same manner.  As it turns out, that part of the initialization sequence
was not implemented for the second receiver by the UAH team for unknown
reasons.  

There is a possibility, that controllers may be able to get around this
problem, but it will require some very close coordiation with the beginning
of the operating period after the satellite comes out of its safe mode.
As Mineo Wakita, JE9PEL has correctly pointed out, SEDSAT "live" time is
increasing.  It is Dennis' theory that this is due to the day/night cycle
ratio increasing.  If the bird gets to a 80/20 day/night ratio, the bird
will go power positive until that ratio drops below about 78/22.  The 80/20
ratio is possible.  Dennis will drop the bird into STK and figure out when
this will be.

Despite the problems being experienced with the satellite, controllers are
at least getting some very good engineering telemetry from the bird that is
giving the folks at NASA some data with which to evaluate the Nickel Metal
Hydride batteries on-board the satellite.

Those who are copying data from the satellite are asked to please continue
doing so.  It is very important and controllers may be able to figure out
a way to get around some of the known problems with the uplink receiver.

There are still a couple of other things that the SEDSAT controllers would
like to try, but since they have the best teams in the world in satellite
operations in Jim White, Tim Cunningham, Graham Radcliff and others trying
their best to recover the satellite, the hope of recovering the bird is
dimming.

[Info via Dennis Ray Wingo, KD4ETA]


* TMSAT NEWS *
==============
Colin, VK5HI, has uploaded version 1.08 of his "CCD Display 97" program
to the UO-22 (file 69c0f), KO-23 (file 2d5f6), and KO-25 (file 11de4)
satellites.  This version permits the display of images captured by
TMSAT-1 earth imaging cameras, and offers four improvements:

	1. Provides the correct viewing of thumbnails
	2. Permits image enhancement on TM00xx00.IMI (350k) files
	3. Allows previewing of .ACT files
	4. Offers inclusion of embryo help files.

This program operates under Windows 95/98 only.

[Info via Colin VK5HI via TMSAT-1]


* SpaceNews NEWS *
==================
Those reading the 1998-Nov-23 issue of SpaceNews either via satellite or
via the Internet may have noticed a short packet radio distrbution test
message included with the issue.  The purpose of the test message was to
automatically send an acknowledgement back to the author via the packet
radio network in an effort to see how effective and widespread the packet
radio distribution of SpaceNews really is.  A total of 22 responses were
eventually received showing SpaceNews entering the amateur packet radio
network due to the efforts of the following:

	HS0AC  - Bangkok, China
	F6BVP  - France
	SP1KKD - Poland
	KT0H   - NE Colorado, USA
	W4DPH  - Tampa, Florida, USA
	KP4IG  - Puerto Rico
	KS4HR  - Howell, NJ, USA
	XQ2FOD - Chile
	UA1ALL - Russia
	N4XEO  - Florida
	EA1BCU - Spain
	GB7KLY - Great Britian
	UA9CIR - Russia
	N2BQF  - Long Island, NY, USA
	GB7DLI - Great Britian
	NC8Q   - Ohio, USA
	WB5EKW - Texas, USA
	CX3ACS - Uruguay
	OH4SAT - Finland
	LU2MGQ - Argentina
	ZL2TZE - New Zealand
	SV1IW  - Greece

It's nice to see that despite the popularity of the Internet, the packet
radio network is still alive and well.  Thanks to all who help to distribute
SpaceNews bulletins by uploading them to their local packet radio BBSs.


* FEEDBACK/INPUT WELCOMED *
===========================
Comments and input for SpaceNews should be directed to the editor
(John, KD2BD) via any of the paths listed below:
 
WWW       : http://www.njin.net/~magliaco/
PACKET    : KD2BD @ KS4HR.NJ.USA.NA
INTERNET  : kd2bd@amsat.org, magliaco@email.njin.net
SATELLITE : AMSAT-OSCAR-16, KITSAT-OSCAR-25


      <<=- SpaceNews: The first amateur newsletter read in space! -=>>
	    <<=- Serving the planet (and beyond) since 1987 -=>>

/EX

--
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- John A. Magliacane, KD2BD -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Internet  : kd2bd@amsat.org          |  Voice : +1.732.224.2948
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