[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
[jamsat-news:986] ANS 347
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS 347
ANS is a weekly news and information service of AMSAT, 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.
The AMSAT News Service mailing list (ANS) is from the
AMSAT.ORG system administered by AMSAT-NA.
Currently, AMSAT-NA mailing lists cover the following topics:
* AMSAT News Service (ANS)
* General satellite discussion (AMSAT-BB)
* Orbit data (KEPS)
* Manned space missions (SAREX)
* District of Columbia area (AMSAT-DC)
* New England (AMSAT-NE)
More information is available at the following URL:
http://www.amsat.org/amsat/listserv/menu.html
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-347.01
ISS CONSTRUCTION
HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 347.01 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, DECEMBER 13, 1998
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-347.01
Construction of the International Space Station continued this past week
as five Americans and one Russian successfully mated the American
built Unity component with the Russian built Zarya module.
On Monday, the Unity module came to life for the first time. Activation
followed the connection of electrical and data cables by Astronauts Jerry
Ross and Jim Newman during a 7-hour, 21-minute space walk.
Endeavour's astronauts boosted the fledgling International Space Station
to a higher altitude Tuesday and had a chance to relax for a few hours as
the first station assembly flight neared the halfway mark.
By Thursday, Endeavour's astronauts had installed antennas for an ISS
communications system and helped free jammed antennas on the
station's Russian module, achieving all the objectives planned for the
second mission space walk. Space walkers Ross and Newman pressed
ahead with the removal of launch restraint pins on the four hatchways on
the body of Unity. This is where additional station modules and truss
structures will be mated during future assembly missions. The two also
installed a sunshade over Unity's two data relay boxes to ensure that
they will be protected against harsh sunlight as the station circles the
Earth. Near the end of the space walk, Newman was hoisted to the
Zarya control module on the end of Endeavour's robot arm so that he
could use a grappling hook to free a backup rendezvous system
antenna. After nudging the antenna with the grappling device, the
antenna popped out to its fully extended position as the shuttle passed
over the northeast coast of Australia.
Endeavour's astronauts also opened the new International Space Station
'for business' Thursday, entering the Unity and Zarya modules for the
first time and establishing an S-band communications system that will
enable U.S. flight controllers to monitor the outpost's systems. Reflecting
the international cooperation involved in building the largest space
complex in history, Commander Bob Cabana and Russian Cosmonaut
Sergei Krikalev opened the hatch to the U.S.-built Unity connecting
module and then floated into the new station together. The rest of the
crew followed and began turning on lights and unstowing gear in the
roomy hub to which all other modules will be connected in the future.
Each passageway within Unity was marked by a sign leading the way
into tunnels to which new modules will be connected.
Cabana and Krikalev then opened the hatch to the Russian-built Zarya
control module, which will be the nerve center for the station in its
embryonic stage. Joined by Pilot Rick Sturckow and Mission Specialists
Jerry Ross, Jim Newman and Nancy Currie, Cabana and Krikalev hailed
the historic entrance into the International Space Station and said the
hatch opening signified the start of a new era in space exploration.
On Friday, Endeavour's astronauts wrapped up the first visit inside the
ISS and prepared it for undocking, closing the hatches for the final time
to the new complex before it is left to fly unpiloted for the next five
months. Left behind were tools, supplies and clothing for the next crew of
astronauts which will visit the station during the next shuttle assembly
flight in May. Permanent occupancy of the station is currently scheduled
for January 2000.
In all, Ross and Newman spent 21 hours and 22 minutes outside
Endeavour in the initial assembly of the station.
On Sunday, for the first time ever, the new International Space Station
Flight Control Room in Houston issued a wake-up call to orbiting
astronauts. After preparation, Pilot Rick Sturckow separated Endeavour
from the station, firing the shuttle's jets to place the orbiter 450 feet
above the outpost. Sturckow then initiated a nose-forward flyaround of
the station as shuttle TV cameras captured spectacular views of the two
station modules framed against the blue backdrop of the Earth.
Less than an hour and a half after undocking, Sturckow then fired
Endeavour's jets one final time as the orbiter passed 450 feet below the
complex, separating for the final time as the station faded from view
along the horizon.
International Space Station flight controllers at Mission Control, Houston
and at the Russian Mission Control Center in Korolev, outside Moscow,
will now spend the next five months monitoring the station's systems and
awaiting the launch of Discovery on the STS-96 mission. That mission
will see a multinational crew of seven astronauts return to the station in a
logistics resupply flight which will include at least one spacewalk to
attach additional hardware to the new orbiting facility.
Late Sunday, flight controllers commanded the station into a new
orientation to point the Zarya Control Module toward deep space and the
Unity Module toward the Earth. Commands were then sent to place the
station into a slow spin of about one revolution every 30 minutes to keep
the station within proper thermal conditions as it orbits the Earth.
Zarya's motion control system will be reactivated about once a week over
the next few months to insure it is working properly and its guidance
system will be updated with the latest orbital parameters.
Endeavour's astronauts also deployed a small 590-pound satellite called
SAC-A for the Argentinean National Committee of Space Activities.
Equipped with five technology experiments, including one to track the
movement of whales off the coast of Argentina, SAC-A was ejected from
a canister in the cargo bay as the shuttle few over the northern Indian
Ocean. The satellite is expected to remain in orbit from five to nine
months sending back data to Argentine researchers back on Earth.
Endeavour is scheduled for landing at the Kennedy Space Center
Tuesday night.
TDRS Tracking and Data Relay satellites handle all shuttle ground-to-air
communications. The easiest way to follow shuttle communications and
activities is NASA Select TV, which can be viewed from several sources
including the Internet. Two of the web sites that feature NASA Select TV
are:
http://www.shuttle.nasa.gov/realdata/index.html
http://www.broadcast.com/events/nasa
Ken, N2WWD, has provided the following Keplerian elements:
STS-88
1 25549U 98069A 98349.16833912 .00002668 00000-0 33343-4 0 424
2 25549 51.5722 42.3372 0012690 242.6373 16.6851 15.59060500 1701
[ANS thanks NASA and Ken Ernandes, N2WWD, for this information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-347.02
SEDSAT AND PANSAT OSCAR NUMBERS
HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 347.02 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, DECEMBER 13, 1998
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-347.02
ANS is pleased to report two new OSCAR numbers! Responding to a
question from Keith Baker, KB1SF, AMSAT-NA President, both the
SEDSAT and PANSAT teams have now answered that they wish
OSCAR numbers be assigned to their respective spacecraft.
According to KB1SF, he also passed along congratulations from all
AMSAT-NA members to both teams on their success in placing their
respective satellites into orbit.
The assignment of consecutive OSCAR numbers to new Amateur Radio
spacecraft is a wonderful tradition that dates from the launch of the very
first Amateur Radio Satellite -- OSCAR-1. In order for an OSCAR
number to be assigned, the satellite must successfully achieve orbit and
one or more transmitters must be successfully activated in the Amateur
Radio bands. Then, the builders and/or owners of the satellite must
formally request that a consecutive OSCAR number be assigned to their
satellite once the first two requirements are accomplished.
Speaking for the SEDSAT team, Dr. Mark Maier, SEDSAT faculty
advisor and Associate Professor at the University of Alabama in
Huntsville, said "the SEDSAT team requests issuance of an OSCAR
number for SEDSAT. We would prefer the designation SO-33. As of
October 24, 1998, SEDSAT was placed into orbit and its transmitter was
successfully activated."
Likewise, Dan Sakoda, PANSAT Project Manager at the Naval
Postgraduate School in Monterey, California said, "we would be very
pleased to be assigned an OSCAR designation. As I understand, the
number 34 is available and the designation PO-34 (PANSAT-OSCAR
34) could be used."
KB1SF has informed ANS that, in the light of this information, it is now
appropriate to refer to the two amateur satellites as 'SEDSAT-OSCAR
33' (or simply 'SO-33') and PANSAT-OSCAR-34' (or simply 'PO-34')
respectively.
[ANS thanks Keith Baker, KB1SF, AMSAT-NA President, for this
information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-347.03
NEW ARRL TECHNICAL AWARDS
HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 347.03 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, DECEMBER 13, 1998
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-347.03
The ARRL has reported to ANS that nominations are now open for three
exciting new ARRL national awards recognizing service, innovation and
microwave development in the technical arena.
The ARRL Technical Service Award
------------------------------------------------
This award will be awarded annually to the licensed radio amateur
whose service to the amateur community and/or society at large is of
exemplary nature within the framework of Amateur Radio technical
activities. Formal nominations may be made by any ARRL member.
Supporting information, including the endorsement of ARRL affiliated
clubs and elected or appointed League officials, should be submitted
along with the nomination document. The award is intended to provide
encouragement, and a tangible reward, for amateurs who are
outstanding in the field of technical service. It also provides an
opportunity for Amateur Radio and its many benefits for society to be
brought to the attention of the public. Nominations should be received at
ARRL Headquarters by March 31, 1999.
ARRL Technical Innovation Award
----------------------------------------------
The amateur community has witnessed great changes over the past
75 years, all the way from spark to space. At the heart of many advances
in radio art has been the amateur himself. It has been and will remain
ARRL policy to encourage amateurs to continue to lead at the forefront
of technological advancement. The ARRL Technical Innovation Award
will be granted annually to the licensed radio amateur whose
accomplishments and contributions are of exemplary nature within the
framework of technical research, development and application of new
ideas and future systems, all in the context of Amateur Radio activities.
The winner will receive a cash award, a suitably engraved plaque, and
travel and accommodations expenses to enable him or her to attend an
ARRL convention at which a formal presentation will be made.
Nominations should be received by March 31, 1999.
ARRL Microwave Development Award
---------------------------------------------------
A great frontier for amateurs is the microwave bands. With room to
move, the microwave region of our spectrum presents amateurs with a
vast test bench for new modes, as well as development of traditional
ones. The ARRL Microwave Development Award will be given each year
to the amateur (individual or group) whose accomplishments and
contributions are of exemplary nature within the framework of microwave
development. Nominations should be received by March 31, 1999.
Stay tuned to ANS for further information and details on the new service,
innovation and development awards offered by the ARRL.
[ANS thanks the ARRL and Rick Palm, K1CE, for this information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-347.04
SATELLITE UPDATE
HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 347.04 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, DECEMBER 13, 1998
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-347.04
A small satellite and a manned spacecraft are featured in this week's
ANS information set. Both RS-18 and the Mir space station have seen
recent changes this past week.
RS-18
--------
Russian cosmonauts successfully launched RS-18/Sputnik 41 on
November 10, 1998, during a spacewalk from the Mir space station.
Gerard, F6FAO, broke the recent news about the satellite on the AMSAT
bulletin board last Friday, posting this report:
No signal in France. F6FAO
Other reports soon followed. Kevin, WB5RUE, told ANS he "didn't hear
RS-18 on the last overhead pass in south Texas." Ray, ZS6RSW,
reported he did not hear anything on 145.812 MHz during RS-18's
scheduled pass Friday over South Africa. Ray, W2RS reported similar
results. Tariq, AP2TJ, confirmed that RS-18 did not stop transmitting until
after 0710 UTC on December 10th, as both Tariq and AP2NK copied the
signal during that pass. Dennis, G0FCL, might have provided the real
answer, as he copied an "ailing" RS-18 over the United Kingdom during
the 1933 UTC pass December 10th.
RS-18 contained no recharging system (such as solar cells) and did
meet its expected design life of 30 days.
Mir SSTV
------------
Several amateurs reported receiving slow-scan television signals
broadcast recently from the Mir space station. Allen, N2YAC,
reported to ANS he copied Robot 36 format SSTV signals from Mir
during orbit 73206. According to Allen, "picture quality was good with
very little noise." Andy, G0SFJ, copied 5X9 signals of the Mir interior.
Mike, N1JEZ, reported receiving four SSTV pictures from MIR, including
"a neat shot out the window." Other SSTV reception reports were
received from KB2WQM, ZLl2TE and N3CXP. The downlink frequency
being used by Mir for SSTV transmissions was 145.820 MHz.
Bob, WB4APR, filed a very interesting report. WB4APR was conducting
an APRS School Experiment when he heard SSTV tones. Bob quickly
connected his SSTV equipment and copied the first images from Mir.
WB4APR has posted these images on the APRN web page at the
following URL:
http://web.usna.navy.mil/~bruninga/aprn.html
Dave, WB6LLO has also posted Mir SSTV images on his site, all in .bmp
format. View these images at:
http://users.aol.com/dguimont
Further information on slow-scan television, including the various
methods that can be used to receive SSTV images using a personal
computer, is available at the following URL:
http://www.ultranet.com/~sstv
[ANS thanks SpaceNews for the Mir SSTV information, material for this
bulletin also came from the AMSAT Bulletin Board]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-347.05
ANS IN BRIEF
HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 347.05 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, DECEMBER 13, 1998
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-347.05
ANS news in brief this week includes the following:
** Mineo, JE9PEL, again reports reception of SEDSAT data, this time on
7, 8, 9 December. JE9PEL tells ANS the "received signals included four
frames every one minute." The data received from SEDSAT included
month, day, year, hour, minute, second, main voltage, main current,
amps in bat, battery 1 temp, battery 2 temp along with other pertinent
satellite status information. --AMSAT-BB
** The Geminid meteor shower should peak shortly. The shower's radiant
point (in Gemini) will be fairly high in the east. It will be possible to see
one or two meteors per minute in some areas. For more information visit
http://www.skypub.com/sights/meteors/geminids/98preview. Jon, N0JK,
reports some European VHF operators are reporting great DX
conditions. --Sky and Telescope, Jon, N0JK
** Greg, WD5IVD, reports that both the ARRL and TAPR DCC web page
now contain information from the recent TAPR Conference -- including a
story and photo section. The 1998 Conference Overview Story, photos
from the conference, abstracts from 1998 Proceedings and past Digital
Communication Conference audio and abstracts are now all on the web
site. WD5IVD also reports the 1999 ARRL/TAPR DCC will be held in
Phoenix in September 1999. Visit http://www.tapr.org/dcc/ for more
information. --AMSAT-BB
** Wondering if Aurora conditions are present? Del, K1UHF, suggests
checking out http://www.sel.noaa.gov/pmap/pmapN.html for an up to the
minute look at what's happening with the 'northern lights'. --WSVHF
** Ernie, K1ELA, AMSAT Area Coordinator for the Boston area, invites
everyone to check out his web page using the following address:
http://members.aol.com/k1ela/index.html. SAREX information is featured
on the site. "Happy hamming" from K1ELA. --SAREX remailer
** The SETI League, which supports a privatized search for
extraterrestrial intelligence, has announced an affiliation with the Central
States VHF Society. Plans were formalized at the annual Central States
VHF Conference for each organization to join the other as a member
society. Central States Board Chairman Gerald, WA5DBY, called it "a
logical affiliation." He said the groups hope to collaborate in "applying the
very latest in radio technique to the challenge of interstellar
communications." For more information, visit the following URL:
http://www.setileague.org. --ARRL Letter
** Andy, G0SFJ, tells ANS he has been following STS-88 and the ISS
story. His ISS data predicted the station would pop into visibility recently.
According to Andy it did as predicted "just below an almost full moon in a
clear sky as a beautiful rising bright star, visible as it rose across the
Moon." Andy says the view was "fantastic!" --AMSAT-BB
** ANS is saddened to report the death of Elmer Wavering. Although not
a ham, he had a huge impact on amateur radio as we know it today.
Wavering was the inventor of the automotive alternator and also helped
develop the first commercially successful car radio. He also led the
efforts to produce the communications equipment the Apollo astronauts
used to communicate with from the Moon. "The radio may have made
the car fun," he once said, "but the alternator and the switch from
positive to negative grounded systems made everything else possible."
--Morrock News Service
** Angela Mesmer tells ANS that her father, William Cobb, helped design
and build the Tiros-1 weather satellite and antenna for RCA many years
ago. "Now that he is 75," Angela said, "he is very anxious to find any
information on the satellite and antenna... kind of a walk down memory
lane." If anyone can help Angela in the search for information, contact
her at the following e-mail address -- am51@cornell.edu. --AMSAT-BB
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-347.06
WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PT 1
HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 347.06 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, DECEMBER 13, 1998
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-340.06
MIR/SAFEX
SAFEX II 70 cm Repeater
Uplink 435.750 MHz FM w/subaudible tone 141.3 Hz
Downlink 437.950 MHz FM
Semi-operational.
SAFEX II 70 cm QSO Mode
Uplink 435.725 MHz FM w/subaudible tone 151.4 Hz
Downlink 437.925 MHz FM
Semi-operational.
PMS
Uplink/Downlink 145.985 MHz FM 1200 Baud AFSK
Semi-operational due to SSTV transmissions.
The PBBS is running a Kantronics KPC-9612 + V.8.1 TNC. The
commands are similar to most PBBS and BBS systems.
MIREX has announced an on going APRS School Days Test. MIREX is
allowing schools to use APRS for position and status reports via R0MIR.
Non-school stations are asked to refrain from using APRS type
transmissions or beacons via R0MIR.
Several amateurs reported receiving slow-scan television signals
broadcast recently from the Mir space station. N2YAC, G0SFJ, N1JEZ,
KB2WQM, ZLl2TE, N3CXP WB4APR and WB6LLO have all copied Mir
SSTV signals.
Scott, WA6LIE, has a set of instructions on how to work the Mir space
station. Copies of the instructions are available from Scott by e-mail at
wa6lie@juno.com, or by packet at wa6lie@wa6lie.#wcca.ca.usa.noam.
[ANS thanks Scott Avery, WA6LIE, and the MIREX team for Mir status
information]
RS-12
Uplink 145.910 to 145.950 MHz CW/SSB
Uplink 21.210 to 21.250 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 Downlink 29.454 MHz
Last reported to be semi-operational, beacon only.
RS-13
Uplink 21.260 MHz to 21.300 MHz CW/SSB
Uplink 145.960 MHz to 146.000 MHz CW/SSB
Downlink 29.460 MHz to 29.500 MHz CW/SSB
Downlink 145.960 to 146.000 MHz CW/SSB
Beacon 29.504 MHz
Robot Uplink 21.140 MHz Downlink 29.458 MHz
Last reported in mode K (from Jerry, K5OE).
The RS-12/13 satellite has seen many recent changes in operation
during the past weeks. Modes K, T, KT and simultaneous RS-13
operation has all been reported by a number of stations.
No official word from the satellite controllers has been received.
ANS recommends monitoring each satellite carefully to determine the
transponder in operation and which mode it is operating in.
RS-12/13 command is now in the hands of Alex Papkov, in
Kaluga City, Russia.
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)
Semi-operational, mode A, using a 2-meter uplink and a 10-meter
downlink.
Dave, WB6LLO, reports he has prepared a "quick and dirty" set of
operating instructions for RS-15 at the following URL:
http://users.aol.com/dguimont
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)
Operational, mode B, currently in 'sleep' mode.
AO-10 is locked into a 70-cm uplink and a 2-meter downlink.
AO-10 continues to function well with the exception of the periodic deep
QSB, which can be partially eliminated by switching antenna polarization.
Strong signals have been heard even at apogee. Also note that AO-10's
apogee is approaching its most northern point (ArgP = 270). This gives
the satellite track on a rectangular (Mercator) map projection a distinctly
symmetrical pattern. The apogee will begin a slow migration southward.
Many reports of AO-10 activity. Mike, N1JEZ, recently worked VR2ZGK
for DXCC country #104. KD4ESV reports QSO's with W8WRP and
JA5LG. KA7YAO reports CW contacts with K2LGJ and W8JAQ.
Mart, DL6UAA, tells ANS that he is planning AO-10 operation from 3B8
in March and April '99. If successful, Mart says this will be the "first
satellite operation from 3B8 land." Stay tuned to ANS for details.
Additional information on the operation is available at
http://www.qsl.net/dl6uaa/.
W4SM tells ANS that he has, using ranging software (and hardware)
developed by James Miller, G3RUH, recently made ranging
measurements on AO-10 and have fed these measurements into an
algorithm, which generates modified Keplerian elements from a "seed"
set of elements. The Keplerian elements generated appear to be
accurate within 16-25 km.
Note: This element set may have to be entered by hand or cut and
pasted line by line into a tracking program, rather than automatically
extracted. They are not in the complete AMSAT format, orbit#
(Epoch rev), Element set#, and Checksum are not included.
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
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]
AO-27
Uplink 145.850 MHz FM
Downlink 436.792 MHz FM
Operational, mode J.
The TEPR settings of AO-27 were recently reset by Chuck, KM4NZ. The
new settings now reflect the Earth's position during the northern
fall/winter season.
Mike, N1JEZ, reports working IK3ZAW recently, who was in W4 land.
Mike says it "was surprising to hear an IK3 prefix on AO-27!"
[ANS thanks Michael Wyrick, N4USI, for AO-27 information]
JAS-1b FO-20
Uplink 145.900 to 146.00 MHz CW/LSB
Downlink 435.80 to 435.90 MHz CW/USB
Operational. FO-20 is in mode JA continuously.
[ANS thanks Kazu Sakamoto, JJ1WTK, for the FO-20 status reports]
JAS-2 FO-29
Voice/CW Mode JA
Uplink 145.900 to 146.00 MHz CW/LSB
Downlink 435.80 to 435.90 MHz CW/USB
Operational.
Digital Mode JD
Uplink 145.850 145.870 145.910 MHz FM
Downlink 435.910 MHz FM 9600 baud BPSK
Not operational, the satellite is in JA (voice) mode.
Kazu, JJ1WTK, tells ANS that the FO-29 Command Team has released
the following announcement concerning FO-29 status:
The present JA mode of operation will continue to investigate the
frequency of bit errors in the on-board-computer. Reports from Amateurs
on the value of channel 2A are appreciated. The position of 2A is the
fifth item after 'HI HI' in CW telemetry. The normal value is '00'. Reports
should be sent to lab@jarl.or.jp.
FO-29 is still in 'full sun illumination'; this should end in December.
The on-board-computer (OBC) did accept commands from ground
control before full illumination began. The FO-29 Command Team says
digital (JD) mode operation may be available soon. Digi-talker operation
is also being planned.
[ANS thanks Kazu Sakamoto, JJ1WTK, for this report]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-347.07
WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PT 2
HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 347.07 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, DECEMBER 13, 1998
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-347.07
KITSAT KO-23
Uplink 145.900 MHz FM 9600 Baud FSK
Downlink 435.175 MHz FM
Operational.
AA7KC reports normal KO-23 operation this past week.
[ANS thanks Jim Weisenberger, AA7KC, for KO-23 status information]
KITSAT KO-25
Uplink 145.980 MHz FM 9600 Baud FSK
Downlink 436.50 MHz FM
Operational.
AA7KC reports KO-25 is operational but downlink efficiencies have been
below 50%.
[ANS thanks Jim Weisenberger, AA7KC, for KO-25 status information]
UO-22
Uplink 145.900 or 145.975 MHz FM 9600 Baud FSK
Downlink 435.120 MHz FM
Operational. No additional information is available at this time.
ANS has not received any recent updates concerning the status of
UO-22.
More information on the satellite is available at the following URL:
http://www.ee.surrey.ac.uk/EE/CSER/UOSAT/
[Chris Jackson, G7UPN/ZL2TPO, is the Operations Manager of
UO-22]
OSCAR-11
Downlink 145.825 MHz FM, 1200 Baud AFSK
Beacon 2401.500 MHz
Operational.
Clive, G3CWV, reports an uneventful month for OSCAR-11. Telemetry
has been nominal.
The mode-S beacon is on, transmitting an unmodulated carrier, however
telemetry indicates that it has partially failed -- delivering half power.
This beacon is a useful test source for those testing mode-S converters
prior to the launch of P3D. The 435.025 MHz beacon is normally off.
Two new WOD software packages have recently added to the Oscar 11
web site. The first package enables various WOD channels to be
compared with the solar eclipse status of the satellite. The second
package compares measured and calculated magnetic fields
encountered by Oscar 11. Both packages are of an advanced nature,
users will need experience using the other WOD packages on the web
site along with a spreadsheet program.
The URL is http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/clivew/
Beacon reception reports should be sent to g3cwv@amsat.org.
[ANS thanks Clive Wallis, G3CWV, for this information]
PACSAT AO-16
Uplink 145.90 145.92 145.94 145.86 MHz FM 1200 bps Manchester FSK
Downlink 437.0513 MHz SSB, 1200 bps RC-BPSK 1200 Baud PSK
Beacon 2401.1428 MHz
Operating normally.
The AO-16 command team has authorized an APRS experiment on
AO-16 to explore the use of the 1200-baud PACSAT for APRS
position/status reporting. Test periods will run each Tuesday from
0000 to 2359 UTC.
Telemetry is nominal.
Time is Sat Dec 12 12:07:56 1998 uptime is 1546/06:31:47
+X (RX) Temp -6.658 D RX Temp 0.603 D
Bat 1 Temp 6.654 D Bat 2 Temp 6.049 D
Baseplt Temp 6.049 D RC PSK BP Temp 0.603 D
RC PSK HPA Tmp 1.209 D +Y Array Temp 4.234 D
PSK TX HPA Tmp 0.603 D +Z Array Temp -5.448 D
RC PSK TX Out 0.457 W
Total Array C= 0.444 Bat Ch Cur=-0.012 Ifb= 0.019 I+10V= 0.332
TX:010B BCR:80 PWRC:59E BT: A WC:25 EDAC:EC
General information and telemetry WOD files can be found at:
http://www.ctv.es/USERS/ea1bcu
New telemetry WOD graphics corresponding to Dec-09 can found at:
http://www.ctv.es/USERS/ea1bcu/wod.htm
[ANS thanks Miguel Menendez, EA1BCU, for this report]
LUSAT LO-19
Uplink 145.84 145.86 145.88 145.90 MHz FM 1200 bps Manchester FSK
Downlink 437.125 MHz SSB 1200 bps RC-BPSK
Currently semi-operational.
No BBS service. OBC (on board computer) reload in progress. The
Digipeater is active.
Telemetry is as follows:
Time is Sat Dec 12 12:15:27 1998 uptime is 133/22:37:51
Bat 1 Temp 4.057 D Bat 2 Temp 4.057 D
Baseplt Temp 4.618 D RC PSK BP Temp 0.131 D
RC PSK HPA Tmp 1.252 D +Y Array Temp 1.252 D
PSK TX HPA Tmp 0.131 D +Z Array Temp -4.917 D
RC PSK TX Out 0.659 W
Total Array C= 0.340 Bat Ch Cur= 0.131 Ifb= 0.025 I+10V= 0.133
TX:017 BCR:89 PWRC:62D BT:3C WC: 0
General information and telemetry samples can find at:
http://www.ctv.es/USERS/ea1bcu/lo19.htm
[ANS thanks Miguel Menendez, EA1BCU, for this report]
ITAMSAT IO-26
Uplink 145.875 145.900 145.925 145.950 MHz FM 1200 Baud PSK
Downlink 435.822 MHz SSB
Semi-operational.
Telemetry is reported as being received on 435.822 MHz at 1200 baud
PSK.
ANS has not received any recent updates concerning the status
of IO-26. No additional information is available at this time.
TMSAT-1 TO-31
Uplink 145.925 MHz 9600 baud FSK
Downlink 436.925 MHz 9600 baud FSK
TMSAT-1 is now open for general access by Amateur Radio operators
worldwide. TMSAT commissioning has been completed and shows that
most of the spacecraft systems are operating correctly. Normal access
will allow operators to use the store and forward communications on the
spacecraft and also download the high-resolution multispectral images.
It is hoped Amateur Radio operators will take advantage of the high-
resolution multispectral images available from TO-31 and keep other
traffic to a minimum. Due to current limitations with on-board memory,
images will only be available on the satellite for a few days after they are
taken. Software to display the thumbnail images from the WAC (Wide
Angle Camera) will be released shortly.
Testing will continue and access may be limited to command stations
only. If at any time the BBS is in a 'SHUT' mode as displayed in WiSP (or
any of the digital programs), do not attempt to access the satellite as it
may delay any command string that is underway.
Fernando, CX6DD, reports he is about to finish his first set of image files
from TO-31, telling ANS the images "look great."
[ANS thanks Chris Jackson, G7UPN/ZL2TPO, for this report]
TechSat-1B GO-32
Downlink 435.325 435.225 MHz
HDLC telemetry framed so a TNC in KISS mode will decode it
The TechSat-1B micro-satellite was successfully launched from the
Russian Baikonur Cosmodrome on July 10, 1998. The satellite is
expected to be available for general amateur use in the future.
ANS has not received any recent updates concerning the current status
of GO-32. No additional information is available at this time.
The satellite does not have a continuos beacon, but does transmit a
9600-baud burst every 30 seconds (for a continuous 3 seconds in
length), currently on 435.225 MHz.
The TechSat team has also constructed a home page about TechSat.
To view the site, point your web browser to:
http://techsat.internet-zahav.net/
[ANS thanks Shlomo Menuhin, 4X1AS, for this information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-347.08
WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PT 3
HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 347.08 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, DECEMBER 13, 1998
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-347.08
THE FOLLOWING SATELLITES ARE NON-OPERATIONAL AT THIS
TIME:
RS-16
Attempts to command the mode A transponder 'on' have been
unsuccessful to date. At this time the RS-16 transponder is
non-operational. The 435 MHz beacon (only) is operational.
No additional information is available at this time.
RS-18/Sputnik 41
Russian cosmonauts successfully launched RS-18/Sputnik 41 on
November 10, 1998, during a spacewalk from the Mir space station.
The satellite stopped transmitting early on December 11, 1998, meeting
the 30 day projected lifetime.
A computer .wav file of the actual received signal can also be found at:
http://www.ik1sld.org/sputnik41.htm
Gerard, F6FAO, suggests the following address for RS-18 QSL
requests:
AMSAT-France
RS-18 QSL Manager
14 bis rue des Gourlis
92 500 Rueil-Malmaison
France
The list of received QSL's by the French QSL manager is available at the
following link (note: the list changes daily as cards are received):
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/ascerland/sp41QSL.htm
DOVE DO-17
Downlink 145.825 MHz FM 1200 Baud AFSK
Beacon 2401.220 MHz
Non-operational.
The 145.825 MHz and 2401.220 MHz downlinks are off the air.
No additional information is available at this time.
WEBERSAT WO-18
Downlink 437.104 MHz SSB 1200 Baud PSK AX.25
Non-operational.
WO-18 is reported to be in MBL mode after a software crash.
No additional information is available at this time.
--ANS END---
Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to
ans-editor@amsat.org, (or to)
ANS Editor, Dan James, NN0DJ, at nn0dj@amsat.org.
/EX
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
----
Via the ans mailing list at AMSAT.ORG courtesy of AMSAT-NA.
To unsubscribe, send "unsubscribe ans" to Majordomo@amsat.org