ANS-036 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins for Feb. 5

February 5, 2023February 5, 2023 by Paul Stoetzer

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-036

In this edition:

* AO-95 QRT
* VUCC Satellite Standings as of February 1, 2023
* New Satellite Distance Records
* ARISS News
* Upcoming Satellite Operations
* Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events
* Satellite Shorts From All Over

The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and information service of AMSAT, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS publishes news related to Amateur Radio in Space including 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 news feed on http://www.amsat.org publishes news of Amateur Radio in Space as soon as our volunteers can post it.

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

You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: https://mailman.amsat.org/postorius/lists/ans.amsat.org/

ANS-036 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

To: All RADIO AMATEURS
From: Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation
712 H Street NE, Suite 1653
Washington, DC 20002

DATE 2023 Feb 05

AO-95 QRT

After a lingering illness of the battery, AO-95 passed away peacefully on December 23rd. While a miraculous return is always possible, it is not expected.

AO-95, known prior to launch as Fox-1Cliff to commemorate amateur satellite pioneer Cliff Buttschardt, K7RR, who became a silent key in 2007, launched on December 3, 2018 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Vandenburg Air Force Base. Shortly after deployment, the AMSAT Engineering team received nominal telemetry data from the satellite, but upon the first attempts at commanding, it was discovered that the receiver had failed for unknown reasons. Still, the satellite provided an easy to receive beacon and telemetry data for over four years before the NiCd batteries failed.

[ANS thanks Alan Biddle, WA4SCA, AMSAT Fox Operations Team, and AMSAT for the above information]

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The 2023 AMSAT President’s Club coins are here now!
To commemorate the 40th anniversary of its launch
on June 16, 1983, this year’s coin features
an image of AMSAT-OSCAR 10.
Join the AMSAT President’s Club today and help
Keep Amateur Radio in Space!
https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/
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VUCC Satellite Standings as of February 1, 2023

VUCC Satellite Award/Endorsement Change Summary for January 01, 2023 to February 01, 2023.

Callsign	January 1, 2023	February 1, 2023
K8DP	1350	1425
WC7V	1256	1303
MI6GTY	579	970
KF7R		925
N3GS	796	873
NS3L	725	785
K9UO	750	777
KE8RJU	650	725
WD9EWK (DM43)	715	720
KN2K	654	701
F4BKV	600	700
VE6WK	564	700
W8LR	667	687
EA2AA	643	653
XE1L	639
KC1MMC	532	629
DL2GRC	New	628
FG8OJ	513	531
VU2LBW	400	513
KB1HY	427	457
KC3KOP	New	439
AC9DX	332	427
N8MR	377	425
WB7QXU	325	400
DL6KBG	250	331
XE1UYS	126	327
JH0BBE	226	314
LU3FCA	101	310
AA0MZ	263	276
LU4FTA	223	268
IK7FMQ	190	254
W7YED	163	254
PA7RA	224	242
JG6CDH	New	235
DL8GAM	186	220
JH8FIH	New	214
JA1GZK	150	205
AG7NR	101	200
IK3ITB	100	200
JL1SAM	New	200
IK8YTA	106	162
JG2TSL	New	157
JS2GGD	101	157
SP5ULN	New	156
JE1TNL	New	150
PY2YJ	New	150
JO4JKL	New	135
KE8RPJ	100	125
IK0WRB	New	123
XE1EVP	New	123
N6PAZ	100	110
JA1QJI	New	109
KB9DAK	New	108
N1QDQ	New	107
JI5USJ	New	104
JE3HCZ	New	103
NY1V	New	102
4Z1JJ	New	100
DH1OK	New	100
N9BX	New	100
VA7TF	New	100

Congratulations to the new VUCC holders.
4Z1JJ is first VUCC Satellite holder from Israel and KM71
JG6CDH is first VUCC Satellite holder from PM43
JI5USJ is first VUCC Satellite holder from PM64
JO4JKL is first VUCC Satellite holder from PM65
JG2TSL is first VUCC Satellite holder from PM94
JH8FIH is first VUCC Satellite holder from QN14

[ANS thanks Jon Goering, N7AZ, for the above information]

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Need new satellite antennas? Purchase Arrows, Alaskan Arrows,
and M2 LEO-Packs from the AMSAT Store. When you purchase through
AMSAT, a portion of the proceeds goes towards
Keeping Amateur Radio in Space.
https://amsat.org/product-category/hardware/

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New Satellite Distance Records

A number of new distance records via satellite have been claimed over the past couple of months. First is the massively popular new MEO satellite IO-117. Burt DeMarcq, FG8OJ, worked Shigenori Nasu, JH8FIH, on November 25, 2022 at 08:22 UTC. The distance between FG8OJ in FK96hg63 in Guadeloupe and JH8FIH in QN14qi16 in Japan is 12,823 km.

Note that for future claims of IO-117, only live QSOs may be counted and not those completed over multiple orbits using the satellite’s delayed messaging capabilities.

A new distance record was also claimed via the QO-100 geostationary satellite. PT9AL in GG27os in Brazil worked XW4KV in Laos OK27jj on December 10, 2022 at 14:41 UTC. The distance between the two stations is 17,834 km, eclipsing the previous record held by PR8KW and YC5YC of 17,378 km.

Finally, FO-118, launched in December is a LEO satellite carrying three transponders. Familiar faces for the AMSAT Satellite Distance Records have claimed the initial record on all three transponders – the V/u FM transponder, the V/u linear transponder, and the H/u linear transponder (15 meter uplink). F4DXV and VE1CWJ completed transatlantic QSOs on all three transponders. On January 6, 2023 at 04:15 UTC, they completed a QSO via the V/u FM transponder and then switched over to the V/u linear transponder to complete a QSO there one minute later. VE1CWJ was in FN85do83sg and F4DXV was in JN04js20pr. They completed the sweep of all three transponders on January 30, 2023, when they completed a QSO via the H/u linear transponder at 17:16 UTC. VE1CWJ was in the same location while F4DXV was in JN04it22nt for this QSO, for a distance of 4,908 km.

Anyone who wants to claim a distance record via an amateur satellite should check the current list at https://www.amsat.org/satellite-distance-records/ and email n8hm at arrl.net if they complete a new record distance. Audio and/or video of the QSO is encouraged but not required.

[ANS thanks Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, AMSAT Executive Vice President, for the above information]

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Want to fly the colors on your own grid expedition?
Get your AMSAT car flag and other neat stuff
from our Zazzle store!
25% of the purchase price of each product goes
towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space
https://www.zazzle.com/amsat_gear

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Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for February 2, 2023

Two Line Elements or TLEs, often referred to as Keplerian elements or keps in the amateur community, are the inputs to the SGP4 standard mathematical model of spacecraft orbits used by most amateur tracking programs. Weekly updates are completely adequate for most amateur satellites. TLE bulletin files are updated Thursday evenings around 2300 UTC, or more frequently if new high interest satellites are launched. More information may be found at https://www.amsat.org/keplerian-elements-resources/

AMSAT IT, in conjunction with the New England Sci-Tech STEM Education Center assembled a tiger team of software experts from the Olin College of Engineering, Boston Latin School and the Wilson Middle School to investigate the recent disappearance of AO-7 from www.amsat.org/tle/current/dailytle.txt and the legacy naasbare.txt files.

The team determined that AMSAT’s processing is not robust in the face of minor format differences in the source data received from the USSF’s 18th Space Defense Squadron. Specifically, the TLE data provided does not always include the leading zero in AO-7’s object number “07530”. The official report from the team’s leader : “My grandma would say that AMSAT’s software is just a little too persnickety”. A member of the tiger team agreed to adjust the update script to account for the vagaries of the 18th SDS data. A production quality fix is expected by March 1st, meanwhile manual monitoring and updates will keep AO-7 in the files.

There were no changes to the February 2, 2023 distribution.

[ANS thanks Ray Hoad, WA5QGD, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager, and Joe Fitzgerald, KM1P, AMSAT IT, for the above information]

ARISS News

Amateurs and others around the world may listen in on contacts between amateurs operating in schools and allowing students to interact with astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station. The downlink frequency on which to listen is 145.800 MHz worldwide.

Quick list of scheduled contacts and events:

Dinskaya, Russia, direct via TBD

The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS
The downlink frequency is presently scheduled to be 145.800 MHz
The scheduled crewmember is Anna Kikina
Contact is go for Sun 2023-02-05 14:25 UTC (***)

Cache County School District, Millville, UT, direct via W7IVM

The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS
The downlink frequency is presently scheduled to be 145.800 MHz
The scheduled crewmember is Josh Cassada KI5CRH
Contact is go for: Tue 2023-02-07 18:45:54 UTC 32 deg

Colegio Diocesano Santa María Nuestra Señora, Écija, Spain, telebridge via IK1SLD

The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS
The downlink frequency is presently scheduled to be 145.800 MHz
The scheduled crewmember is Josh Cassada KI5CRH
Contact is go for: Wed 2023-02-08 10:13:59 UTC 74 deg

Starting about 15 minutes before AOS, watch for Livestream at http://www.ariotti.com/

Special thanks to our ARISS telebridge ground stations. Approximately 38% of the ARISS school contacts are handled by the ARISS telebridge stations. Thanks to following stations: AB1OC, IK1SLD, K6DUE, NA7V, ON4ISS, VK4ISS, VK4KHZ, VK5ZAI, VK6MJ, and ZS6JON.

The crossband repeater continues to be active. If any crewmember is so inclined, all they have to do is pick up the microphone, raise the volume up, and talk on the crossband repeater. So give a listen, you just never know.

Comments on making general contacts

I have been seeing a lot of traffic on Facebook and I suspect on other social media sites with people asking why they are not hearing the crew make general contacts. First off the crew is very busy on the ISS and they simply may not have the time to just pick up the microphone and talk. Also, one needs to be aware of their normal daily schedule. I have listed below the constraints that we at ARISS have to follow in order to schedule the school contacts. Hopefully this will help you better schedule your opportunities.

Typical daily schedule

Wakeup to Workday start= 1.5 hours
Workday start to Workday end=12 hours
Workday end to Sleep= 2 hours
Sleep to wakeup= 8.5 hours

The crew’s usual waking period is 0730 – 1930 UTC. The most common times to find a crew member making casual periods are about one hour after waking and before sleeping, when they have personal time. They’re usually free most of the weekend, as well.

SSTV events are not that often. So please check out https://www.ariss.org/ for the latest information or watch for the ARISS announcements.

And don’t forget that the packet system is active.

As always, if there is an EVA, a docking, or an undocking; the ARISS radios are turned off as part of the safety protocol.

ARISS Radio Status

Columbus Module radios:
IORS (Kenwood D710GA) – STATUS – Configured. Default mode is for cross band repeater (145.990 MHz up {PL 67} & 437.800 MHz down).
*Powering off for Progress 81 undock on February 7. OFF Feb 6 about 14:30 UTC. ON Feb 7 about 08:35 UTC.
*Powering off for Progress 83 docking on February 11. OFF Feb 10 about 18:55 UTC. ON Feb 12 about 14:00.
*Powering off for Progress 82 undock on February 18. OFF Feb 17 about 18:25UTC. ON Feb 18 about 11:45 UTC.
*Powering off for Soyuz 69 docking on February 22. OFF Feb 21 about TBD . ON Feb 13 about TBD.
*Capable of supporting USOS scheduled voice contacts, packet and voice repeater ops.

Service Module radios:
IORS (Kenwood D710GA) – STATUS – Configured. Default mode is fo packet operations (145.825 MHz up & down)
*Powering off for Progress 81 undock on February 7. OFF Feb 6 about 14:30 UTC. ON Feb 7 about 08:35 UTC.
*Powering off for Progress 83 docking on February 11. OFF Feb 10 about 18:55 UTC. ON Feb 12 about 14:00.
*Powering off for Progress 82 undock on February 18. OFF Feb 17 about 18:25UTC. ON Feb 18 about 11:45 UTC.
*Powering off for Soyuz 69 docking on February 22. OFF Feb 21 about TBD . ON Feb 13 about TBD.
*Capable of supporting ROS scheduled voice contacts, packet, SSTV and voice repeater ops.

The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html

The latest list of frequencies in use can be found at https://www.ariss.org/contact-the-iss.html

[ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team mentors for the above information]

Upcoming Satellite Operations

JD1YCC ( G-G HAM Club ) is planning to activate EME operation on 2m/70cm/23cm band at Ogasawara chichi island(JD1/O) from Feb.07 to Feb.13 2023. They plan to QRV on GREENCUBE/IO-117 also (EME) at Moon time. Op will be JJ3JHP/JD1BQD Hiro.

[ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT rover page manager, for the above information]

Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events

AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events.

AMSAT Ambassador Clint Bradford K6LCS has a few satellite presentations scheduled, most notable is Thames Valley, England (5/11/23) Clint can be reached at: (909) 999-7287 or an email link at https://www.work-sat.com/contact.html.

2023 HamCation(r)Hosting ARRL Southeastern Division Convention.
Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT President, will present “Shaping the Amateur Radio Satellite World of Tomorrow” at 2:00PM – 3:00PM EST Saturday, February 11 in the OS Pavillion. HamCation will be held at Central Florida Fairgrounds and Expo Park, Orlando, FL, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, February 10-12, 2023

[ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT Events page manager, for the above information]

Satellite Shorts From All Over

+ The FO-99 operation schedule for February is available at https://www.jamsat.or.jp/?p=2079 (Thanks to JAMSAT for this information)

+ A volunteer is being sought to take over the Gridmaster Heat Map on Twitter. Paul Overn, KE0PBR, has announced his intent to “retire” from the project that he has moderated there for the past three years. Paul has assisted many grid chasers by relaying information about rovers, and keeping tabs of which grids are in greatest need. Unless someone steps forward, Gridmaster Heat Map will disappear next month. Thanks to Paul for your valuable contribution to satellite operations! (ANS thanks Paul Overn,
KE0PBR, for this information)

+ A while ago, perhaps almost two years ago, I modified the LVBTracker firmware in my Fox Delta ST2-USB so that it would allow for more calibration points than just the min and max for azimuth. I had added a remote-control option to an old Yaesu G-450XL, but the output voltage was very non-linear, which led to terrible aiming of the antennas. With the mods I made to the firmware it now allows me to calibrate the controller at 0, 90, 180, 270, and 360 degrees and aiming is now rather accurate. I wrote about it here:

Fox Delta ST2 / LVBTracker Calibration Mods

If you feel this could be useful for you, the source code for the project can be found on GitHub:

https://github.com/TheHamLab/LVBTracker.KR1ST

(Thanks KR1ST for this information)

+ SuitSat-1 (AMSAT-OSCAR 54) deployed from the ISS 17 years ago February 3rd. It played voice messages in languages recorded by the ARISS partners and students from around the globe. It also sent telemetry data. It was lost 15 days later. SuitSat came back to life in a 2021 short horror film! If you’d like to watch the Sci-Fi Horror short film “Decommissioned” based on the ARISS SuitSat, it can be found on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNtpdvfbTjA (Thanks ARISS for this information)

Join AMSAT today at https://launch.amsat.org/

In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to:

* Societies (a recognized group, clubs or organization).
* Primary and secondary school students are eligible for membership at one-half the standard yearly rate.
* Post-secondary school students enrolled in at least half time status shall be eligible for the student rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status.
* Memberships are available for annual and lifetime terms.

Contact info [at] amsat.org for additional membership information.

73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space!

This week’s ANS Editor,

Paul Stoetzer, N8HM
n8hm [at] amsat.org

ANS-282 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins for Oct. 9

October 10, 2022October 9, 2022 by Paul Stoetzer

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-282

The news feed on http://www.amsat.org publishes news of Amateur Radio in Space as soon as our volunteers can post it.

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

You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: https://mailman.amsat.org/postorius/lists/ans.amsat.org/

In this edition:

Post Tropical Storm Ian: Artemis 1 Launch Window Rescheduled for November
Final Call for Papers – 2022 AMSAT Space Symposium & Annual General Meeting
40th Annual AMSAT Space Symposium and General Meeting, October 21 – 22, 2022
AMSAT-UK Space Colloquium October 8-9, 2022
Doreen Bogdan-Martin, KD2JTX, is Elected as Next ITU Secretary General
VUCC Satellite Standing October 2022
ARISS News
Upcoming Satellite Operations
Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for October 6, 2022
Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events
Satellite Shorts From All Over

DATE 2022 October 9

Post Tropical Storm Ian: Artemis 1 Launch Window Rescheduled for November

Teams at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida conducted initial inspections Friday to assess potential impacts from Hurricane Ian. There was no damage to Artemis flight hardware, and facilities are in good shape with only minor water intrusion identified in a few locations. Next, engineers will extend access platforms around the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft inside the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) to prepare for additional inspections and start preparation for the next launch attempt, including retesting the flight termination system.

As teams complete post-storm recovery operations, NASA has determined it will focus Artemis I launch planning efforts on the launch period that opens Nov. 12 and closes Nov. 27. Over the coming days, managers will assess the scope of work to perform while in the VAB and identify a specific date for the next launch attempt. Focusing efforts on the November launch period allows time for employees at Kennedy to address the needs of their families and homes after the storm and for teams to identify additional checkouts needed before returning to the pad for launch.

[ANS thanks NASA for the above information]

Final Call for Papers – 2022 AMSAT Space Symposium & Annual General Meeting

This is a call for papers for the 40th annual AMSAT Space Symposium to be held on the weekend of October 21-22, 2022 at the Crowne Plaza Suites hotel in Bloomington, Minnesota.

Proposals for symposium papers and presentations are invited on any topic of interest to the amateur satellite community. We request a tentative title of your presentation as soon as possible, with final copy submitted by October 14 for inclusion in the symposium proceedings. Abstracts and papers should be sent to Dan Schultz, N8FGV at n8fgv at amsat.org

[ANS thanks Dan Schultz, N8FGV, AMSAT Symposium Proceedings Editor, for the above information.]

40th AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting, October 21-22

The 40th AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting will take place in Bloomington, Minnesota. on Oct. 21-22, 2022. Highlights of all scheduled events include:

– AMSAT Board of Directors Meeting, October 20-21
– 40th AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting, October 21-22
– Friday Night Social and Auction, October 21
– AMSAT Banquet and Reception, October 22
– AMSAT Ambassador Breakfast, October 23

A preliminary schedule is available on the AMSAT Member Portal, launch.amsat.org, under the Events tab.

Crowne Plaza is located adjacent to the Minneapolis / St. Paul International Airport and provides complimentary, scheduled shuttle to and from the airport. Nearby attractions include Mall of America with Nickelodeon Universe Theme park, Target Field, and the Minnesota Zoo.

Hotel reservations at reduced rate may no longer be available as Sunday, October 2nd was the announced deadline. You can still make hotel reservations by calling the hotel directly at (952) 854-9000. The group code is ASG (Amateur Satellite Group). Hotel reservations can also be made online at the following link: https://tinyurl.com/ANS-219-Symposium-Rooms.

Symposium tickets and banquet reservations may be purchased on the AMSAT Member Portal. Log into https://launch.amsat.org/ and clock on the Events tab.

We at AMSAT, are excited to be able to host an in-person Symposium this year. We hope that you can join us in celebrating Amateur Radio in Space.

[ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information.]

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The 2022 AMSAT President’s Club coins have arrived!
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of its launch on
October 15, 1972, this year’s coin features
an image of AMSAT-OSCAR 6.
Join the AMSAT President’s Club today and help
Keep Amateur Radio in Space!
https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/
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AMSAT-UK Colloquium Talks are being Live-Streamed this weekend

The talks given at the AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium are being streamed live to a global audience over this weekend (October 8-9, 2022). The weekend event attracts an international audience that ranges from those involved in building and operating Amateur Radio satellites to beginners who wish to find out more about this fascinating branch of the hobby. There will be including a roundup of a number of new live and potential spacecraft projects that are under investigation and/or development.

The streaming on Sunday will run from 0830-1415 GMT.

Th streaming URL is https://batc.org.uk/live/amsatuk2022.

A link to the schedule of talks is available at https://amsat-uk.org/colloquium/.

[ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information.]

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Doreen Bogdan-Martin, KD2JTX, is Elected as Next ITU Secretary General

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies, has announced the election of Doreen Bogdan-Martin of the United States of America as the next ITU Secretary-General. Bogdan-Martin will assume office on January 1, 2023. She is radio amateur; call sign KD2JTX.

The election took place during ITU’s Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-22) in Bucharest, Romania, on Thursday, September 29, 2022. Bogdan-Martin won the position with 139 votes, out of 172 votes cast by representatives of Member States.

Read the ITU press release https://bit.ly/3e1kRDl.

“This is an exciting development for ITU,” said International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) President Tim Ellam, VE6SH. “…she will be the first female SG [Secretary General] and only the third to hold an amateur license. Doreen has an exciting agenda for ITU.”

The US Department of State has published a statement from Bogdan-Martin, as well as her biography, and vision.

“She will make an outstanding ITU Secretary-General and one IARU will be proud to work with on behalf of the Amateur Services,” said Ellam.

[ANS thanks ARRL News for the above information.]

VUCC Satellite Standing October 2022

VUCC Satellite Award/Endorsement Change Summary for September 01, 2022 to October 02, 2022.
————————————————————
WA4NVM 1609 1632
K8DP 1322 1350
N8RO 1139 1151
AA5PK 1132 1149
N9EAT 843 910
N3GS 729 796
KE8RJU 577 650
WA4HFN 611 631
KE8FZT 576 625
W8LR 619 623
S57NML 508 615
VE1CWJ ??? 609
DF2ET 500 601
EA2AA 566 594
AD0HJ 500 523
N0GVK 311 401
KB1HY 353 395
NA1ME 327 350
VE7PTN 294 301
W3VHF 210 250
JH0BBE 206 226
VA3VGR 164 209
NK1K 194 204
WD9EWK (DM22) 189 195
WD9EWK (DM42) 164 171
PA7RA 156 160
I2OIM New 155
XE1UYS New 126
IK8YTA New 106
Z31RQ New 103
AA9VI New 100
KE8RPJ New 100
KF2T New 100
VE7CYA New 100
W9LN New 100
————————————————————
Congratulations to the new VUCC holders.
XE1UYS is first VUCC Satellite holder from EK19
I2OIM is first VUCC Satellite holder from JN45
Z31RQ is first VUCC Satellite holder from Macedonia and 1st from KN01

73 Jon N7AZ

[ANS thanks Jon Goering, N7AZ, AMSAT VUCC Manager for the above information.]

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ARISS News

Harris Middle School, Spruce Pine, N.C., direct via K4CF. The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS. The downlink frequency is presently scheduled to be 145.800 MHz. The scheduled crewmember is Bob Hines KI5RQT.
Contact is go for: Tue 2022-10-11 15:00:45 UTC 34 deg

Regional Communications Center of Russian Railways, Vologda, Russia, direct via TBD (***). The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS. The downlink frequency is presently scheduled to be 145.800 MHz. The scheduled crewmember is Anna Kikina (***). Contact is go for Thu 2022-10-13 08:55 UTC (***)

Kjell Lindgren KO5MOS continues to be making general contacts on the cross-band repeater. He is using NA1SS. If any crewmember is so inclined, all they have to do is pick up the microphone, raise the volume up, and talk on the crossband repeater. So give a listen, you just never know.

Two IIS Crew-5 astronauts have amateur radio callsigns. Josh A. Cassada (Crew-5 Pilot) is KI5CRH. JAXA astronaut Koichi Wakata (Mission Specialist) is KC5ZTA. The NASA SpaceX Crew-5 mission to the ISS was launched on Wednesday October 5.

The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html

The latest list of frequencies in use can be found at https://www.ariss.org/contact-the-iss.html

[ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team mentors and NASA News for the above information]

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AMSAT, along with our ARISS partners, is developing an Amateur
Radio package, including two-way communication capability, to
be carried on-board Gateway in lunar orbit.

Support AMSAT’s projects today at https://www.amsat.org/donate/

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Upcoming Satellite Operations

Quick Hits:

K4DCW: Four of the six weekends starting week of 9/7 thru 10/16 look to be full of SOTA summits! Alerts are posted, and depending on timing should include some @Sats_and_SOTA when possible. Look for me this weekend in EM85. Click here for details: https://bit.ly/3CDl6xE

LA7XK / JW7XK: Starting in the evening on Oct .5 ending in the morning on Oct. 10. I will be QRV on RS-44 from Longyearbyen on Svalbard. Locator is JQ78TF

M1DDD: activity ‘holiday style’ (family) 11-16 October 2022 IO70 (basecamp) IN79 hopefully a full day (FM/Lin) possibly IN69 (FM only, couple hours one afternoon) Updates on Twitter and http://hams.at

KB2YSI: will be roving 10/7-11, FN10,FM18,EL98,97,96,95,94,84,rough schedule attached & subject to change without notice. The Dry Tortugas National Park is currently closed, but 10/16 will be ad hoc passes on the trip GA->NY: https://bit.ly/3VlOeky

[ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT rover page manager and AMSAT for the above information]

Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for October 6, 2022

The following satellite has been added BACK to this week’s AMSAT-NA TLE distribution:

AO-16 NORAD Cat ID 20439 (TNX to Mark Hammond, N8MH, for this “heads up”).
Per Mark Hammond, N8MH, AO-16 has entered a period of full sunlight for the first time in many years. Based on past experience, AO-16 might warm up and wake up. So, use the AO-16 TLE to listen for an old friend.

The following satellites have decayed from orbit and have been removed from this week’s AMSAT-NA TLE distribution:

ELFIN-B NORAD Cat ID 43616 (decayed from orbit on 9/30/22 per Space-Track).
BINAR-1 NORAD Cat ID 49272 (decayed from orbit on 9/30/22 per Space-Track).

[ANS thanks Ray Hoad, WA5QGD, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager, for the above information]

Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events

AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events.

AMSAT Ambassador Schedules:

AMSAT Ambassador and ARRL instructor Clint Bradford, K6LCS, has these upcoming “Working Amateur Satellites With Your HT” sessions …

Tri-State Amateur Radio Society, Indiana
Northern CA DX Club
Radio Amateurs of Greater Syracuse (NY)

A re-scheduled presentation to SOARA – the South Orange County (CA) Amateur Radio Association. Clint’s local ER and cardiologist had unplanned and unexpected procedures for him last month when the SOARA session was originally scheduled – but all is a “GO!” now for SOARA!

AMSAT Ambassadors make it their missions to show ALL that they really can work FM voice satellites – including the International Space Station – with minimal equipment … gear that many probably already own.

Clint has presented his session more than 150 times to clubs, conventions, and hamfests in the US, Canada, and Great Britain. A recent attendee wrote:

“I really enjoyed Clint’s presentation last night. The fact that he had taken the time to research and know something about his audience and welcomed interaction made it very informative and enjoyable. This was a refreshing change from many canned YouTube presentations I’ve tried to watch, which were poorly done, fuzzy video or muddy audio, or a badly prepared presenter stumbling his way through, with any valuable info lost along the way. Thanks for hooking this one up.”

Do you think your club or convention would be interested in a 75-minute live Zoom presentation on working the “easy” satellites? Send an email or call!

Clint Bradford K6LCS
– work-sat.com
– Voicemail – (909) 999-SATS
– Email – k6lcs AT ham-sat.info

Scheduled Events with AMSAT involvement:

Hamfests and Conventions

40th Annual AMSAT Space Symposium and General Meeting
October 21–22, 2022
The Crowne Plaza Suites
3 Appletree Square, Bloomington, MN
https://launch.amsat.org/event-4922878

[ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT Events Page Manager, for the above information]

Satellite Shorts From All Over

+ SpaceX to save Hubble? At SpaceX’s request, NASA and SpaceX signed an unfunded Space Act Agreement to cooperate on a six-month study of the feasibility for a Polaris Program mission to boost Hubble’s orbit. Without a boost, the thrusterless telescope is expected to re-enter and burn up around 2037—now at ~535 km, it has lost about 30 km since the final Shuttle visit 13 years ago. It seems Jared Isaacman’s nascent commercial space program is looking for useful things to do, and this certainly qualifies. Their first mission, Polaris Dawn, is scheduled for NET March 2023 and includes plans for the first commercial spacewalk. If NASA decides to move forward with the reboost, other companies will also likely get to bid (perhaps unless Polaris decides to do it for free). Related: NASA originally envisioned periodically boosting Hubble with an uncrewed Orbital Maneuvering Vehicle as an augment to the Shuttle program. (ANS thanks The Orbital Index for the above information)

+ Two NASA astronauts, a veteran Japanese space flier, and the first Russian cosmonaut to launch on a U.S. spacecraft since 2002 soared into orbit Wednesday from Kennedy Space Center in Florida aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, in what could signal an easing of tension between NASA and the new leadership of the Russian space agency. The four-person crew rode a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft to docking at the space station at 5:01 p.m. EDT (2101 GMT) Thursday to begin a five-month science expedition. (ANS thanks Spaceflight Now for the above information)

+ Firefly reaches orbit. After its dramatic launch failure a year ago, and a last-second T-0 launch abort (after ignition) a few days ago, Firefly Aerospace’s Alpha rocket has now reached orbit. The 3am launch from Vandenberg was visible up and down the California coast. Onboard were educational and tech demonstration cubesats and an open source PicoBus deployer (source) from Libra Space Foundation which carries tiny PocketQube satellites from them (satellite tracking), FOSSA Systems (IoT), and AMSAT-EA (amateur radio). The Alpha small-lift launch vehicle is the first rocket powered by a tap-off cycle to reach orbit and is also the first in a bevy of new rockets in the 1,000 kg to LEO / 745 kg to SSO class, with Terran 1, Miura 5, and RS-1 all on the way. Its most direct current competitors are the Long March 6 and JAXA’s Epsilon, leaving it with little immediate Western commercial competition. Firefly’s next vehicle, currently named MLV, is a Falcon 9 competitor with a capacity of 13 tons to LEO. (ANS thanks The Orbital Index for the above information)

+ Sergei Krikalev, head of Russia’s human space flight programs, told reporters that Roscosmos had started “to discuss extending our participation in ISS program with our government and hope to have permission to continue next year.” With ties between Russia and the West rupturing over the war in Ukraine, Roscosmos chief Yuri Borissov had announced over the summer that Russia would leave the ISS “after 2024”, and would seek to build its own space station. He has not set a firm date for that plan.(ANS thanks Space Daily and AFP for the above information)

Join AMSAT today at https://launch.amsat.org/

In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to:

Contact info [at] amsat.org for additional membership information.

73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space!

This week’s ANS Editor,

Jack Spitznagel, KD4IZ
kd4iz at arrl dot org

ANS-275 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins for Oct. 2

October 2, 2022 by Paul Stoetzer

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-275

The news feed on http://www.amsat.org publishes news of Amateur Radio in Space as soon as our volunteers can post it.

Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans–editor [at] amsat.org.

You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: https://mailman.amsat.org/postorius/lists/ans.amsat.org/

In this edition:

Final Call for Papers – 2022 AMSAT Space Symposium & Annual General Meeting
40th AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting, October 21-22
AMSAT-UK Colloquium Talks to be Live-Streamed
FCC Says Out-of-Service Satellites Must be Removed Within Five Years
IARU Coordinates Frequencies for CosmoGirlSat
Zimbabwe Amateur Radio Satellite Launch Imminent
China CAS-10 Ham Radio Satellite to Launch in November
ARISS News
Upcoming Satellite Operations
Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events
Satellite Shorts From All Over

ANS-275 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

To: All RADIO AMATEURS
From: Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation
712 H Street NE, Suite 1653
Washington, DC 20002

DATE 2022 Oct 2

Final Call for Papers – 2022 AMSAT Space Symposium & Annual General Meeting

This is a call for papers for the 40th annual AMSAT Space Symposium to be held on the weekend of October 21-22, 2022 at the Crowne Plaza Suites hotel in Bloomington, Minnesota.

[ANS thanks Dan Schultz, N8FGV, AMSAT Symposium Proceedings Editor, for the above information.]

40th AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting, October 21-22

The 40th AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting will take place in Bloomington, Minnesota. on Oct. 21-22, 2022. Highlights of all scheduled events include:

A preliminary schedule is available on the AMSAT Member Portal, launch.amsat.org, under the Events tab.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2ND IS THE DEADLINE FOR RESERVING A HOTEL ROOM AT THE REDUCED RATE! You can make hotel reservations by calling the hotel directly at (952) 854-9000. The group code is ASG (Amateur Satellite Group). Hotel reservations can also be made online at the following link: https://tinyurl.com/ANS-219-Symposium-Rooms.

Symposium tickets and banquet reservations may be purchased on the AMSAT Member Portal. Log into https://launch.amsat.org/ and clock on the Events tab.

We at AMSAT, are excited to be able to host an in-person Symposium this year. We hope that you can join us in celebrating Amateur Radio in Space.

[ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information.]

AMSAT-UK Colloquium Talks to be Live-Streamed

The talks given at the AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium will be streamed live to a global audience over the weekend of October 8-9, 2022. The weekend event attracts an international audience that ranges from those involved in building and operating Amateur Radio satellites to beginners who wish to find out more about this fascinating branch of the hobby. There will be including a roundup of a number of new live and potential spacecraft projects that are under investigation and/or development.

The streaming on Saturday will run from 0830-1645 GMT and from 0830-1415 GMT on Sunday.

Th streaming URL is https://batc.org.uk/live/amsatuk2022.

A link to the schedule of talks is available at https://amsat-uk.org/colloquium/.

[ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information.]

FCC Says Out-of-Service Satellites Must be Removed Within Five Years

Satellites that are no longer in service must get out of the sky far more quickly under a new rule adopted by US federal regulators Thursday — and it’s all in the name of combating the garbage in Earth’s orbit.

Unused satellites in low-Earth orbit, which is the area already most congested with satellites, must be dragged out of orbit “as soon as practicable, and no more than five years following the end of their mission,” according to the new Federal Communications Commission rule.

That’s far less time than the long-standing rule of 25 years that has been criticized as too lax. Even NASA advised years ago that the 25-year timeline should be reduced to five years.

“Twenty-five years is a long time. There is no reason to wait that long anymore, especially in low-Earth orbit,” FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said at Thursday’s meeting. The FCC rule passed unanimously.

The goal of this rule is prevent the dangerous proliferation of junk and debris in space. Already, there’s estimated to be more than 100 million pieces of space junk traveling uncontrolled through orbit, ranging in size from a penny to an entire rocket booster. Much of that debris, experts say, is too small to track.

Collisions in space have happened before. And each collision can span thousands of new pieces of debris, each of which risk setting off even more collisions. One well-known theory, called “Kessler Syndrome,” warns that it’s possible for spaceborne garbage to set of disastrous chain reactions, potentially causing Earth’s orbit to become so cluttered with junk that it could render future space exploration and satellite launches impractical and even impossible.

More than half of the roughly 10,000 satellites the world has sent into orbit since the 1950’s are now obsolete and considered “space junk,” Rosenworcel said, adding that the debris poses risks to communication and safety.

The FCC plan had been questioned by some US lawmakers who have said the rules could create “conflicting guidance” and without clear congressional authority. But Thursday’s vote moved forward nonetheless.

“At risk is more than the $279 billion-a-year satellite and launch industries and the jobs that depend on them,” according to an FCC document released earlier this month. “Left unchecked, orbital debris could block all of these benefits and reduce opportunities across nearly every sector of our economy.”

The number of satellites in low-Earth orbit, which is the sphere of orbit extending about 2,000 km or 1,200 miles out, has grown exponentially in recent years, thanks in large part to massive, new “megaconstellations” of small satellites pouring into space, largely by commercial companies. Most notably, Elon Musk’s SpaceX has launched about 3,000 satellites to space for its space-based internet service, Starlink.

There’s also plans to put tens of thousands of new satellites in low-Earth orbit in years to come, FCC commissioner Nathan Simington noted during Thursday’s meeting.

Commercial companies have routinely promised to take the debris issue seriously, and SpaceX had already agreed to comply with the recommended five-year rule for getting defunct satellites out of orbit.

But there has long been a broader push within the space community to codify new regulations. So the FCC announced plans in early September to at least vote on updates to US regulations.

The FCC also specified that it will apply the rule not only to the US satellite operators it oversees but also to “non-US-licensed satellites and systems seeking US market access.”

“A veritable Cambrian explosion of commercial space operations is just over the horizon, and we had better be ready when it arrives,” said Simington.

[ANS thanks CNN.com for the above information.]

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IARU Coordinates Frequencies for CosmoGirlSat

CosmoGirlSat is a 1U CubeSat mission with three-fold communications capabilities: 1) An automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS) Digipeater – APRS shall provide digital message relay service to the Amateur Radio community by means of digipeating. 2) Picture Data Transmission – The satellite carries a high resolution camera, which can take pictures of the earth which can be downloaded to the ground stations. 3) Short Text Message Transmission – Short text messages uplinked on UHF signals by Radio Amateurs are stored on the satellite. UHF request commands from the ground station triggers the downlink of the stored messages. One stored message is randomly picked up and downlinked to Amateur Radio stations on GMSK signal. CosmoGirlSat will be deployed from the ISS. A CW beacon and 4k8 GMSK telemetry downlink on 437.120 MHz has been coordinated together with the APRS digipeater on 145 825 MHz**

[ANS thanks the IARU for the above information.]

Zimbabwe Amateur Radio Satellite Launch Imminent

Independent Online, a South African newspaper reports Zimbabwe’s first satellite ZimSat-1, carrying an Amateur Radio APRS digipeater is expected to be launched to the ISS in October. The IOL article says the satellite will host a multispectral camera and image classification tool, as well as a device to transmit and receive signals from amateur radio operators.

Named ZimSat-1, the Sunday Mail in Zimbabwe reported that the nanosatellite will reach the International Space Station next month before its launch into orbit, scheduled for November. ZimSat-1 will be on board the Cygnus NG-18, an uncrewed spacecraft that provides commercial cargo resupply to the International Space Station on behalf of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), when it is released into space in October,” the state-owned newspaper reported online.

Zimbabwe’s ambitious satellite is reportedly scheduled to reach the International Space Station by October 28, before being launched from the Japanese Kibo – the Asian country’s science module for the International Space Station.

[ANS thanks Southgate Amateur Radio News for the above information.]

China CAS-10 Ham Radio Satellite to Launch in November

CAMSAT reports the CAS-10 (XW-4) amateur radio satellite with a V/U linear transponder, is expected to be launched to the Tiangong Space Station on November 7, 2022.

On the AMSAT bulletin board Alan Kung BA1DU posted:

The CAMSAT CAS-10 (XW-4) amateur satellite has been shipped to the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center in Hainan China, and has been installed in the Tianzhou-5 cargo spacecraft, which is scheduled to be launched on November 6 using the Long March 7 launch vehicle to China Tiangong Space Station.

The CAS-10 (XW-4) satellite will deploy from the space station into its own orbit around December 15, and the amateur radio payload will be operational immediately after that time. The specific deployment time and satellite orbit TLE will be announced later.

The IARU satellite frequency coordination page reports:

An 8U CubeSat approx 228 x455x 100mm 12kg Mass. A follow on mission from CAS-9 and also known as Hope-4 (XW-4) Carrying a V/U Mode Linear Transponder, a UHF – CW Telemetry Beacon, a UHF – AX.25 4.8k/9.6kbps GMSK Telemetry downlink and a space camera.

1. CAS-10 carries a VHF uplink and UHF downlink linear transponder with a bandwidth of 30kHz. This transponder will work all day during the life cycle of the satellite, and amateur radio enthusiasts around the globe can use it for two-way radio relay communications.

2. CAS-10 carries a camera, and the pictures it takes are stored in the flash memory on the satellite, we have designed a simple remote control system based on DTMF, and amateur radio enthusiasts around the globe can send DTMF commands to download the camera photos.

3. CW beacon uses Morse code to send satellite telemetry data, which is also a feature that is widely welcomed by amateur radio enthusiasts.

Downlink frequencies for VHF/UHF linear transponder 435.180 MHz, for UHF CW telemetry beacon 435.575 MHz and for telemetry 435.725 MHz. Also an uplink for the transponder 145.870 MHz have been coordinated.

[ANS thanks Southgate Amateur Radio News for the above information.]

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ARISS News

+ Completed Contacts
Amur State University, Blagoveshchensk, Russia, direct.
The ISS callsign was RSØISS.
The downlink frequency was 145.800 MHz.
The crewmember was Sergey Prokopyev.
Contact was successful on Monday, September 26, 2022 at 08:20 UTC.

New England Sci-Tech, Natick, MA, telebridge via ON4ISS.
The downlink frequency was 145.800 MHz.
The crewmember was Bob Hines KI5RQT.
Contact was successful Tuesday, September 27 2022 at 18:30 UTC.

+ Upcoming Contacts
St. Stephen’s Episcopal School Houston, Houston, TX, direct via KG5QNO.
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS.
The downlink frequency is presently scheduled to be 145.800 MHz.
The scheduled crewmember is Bob Hines KI5RQT.
Contact is go for Monday, October 3, 2022 at 18:07 UTC.

The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html

The latest list of frequencies in use can be found at https://www.ariss.org/contact-the-iss.html

[ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team mentors for the above information.]

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AMSAT, along with our ARISS partners, is developing an Amateur
Radio package, including two-way communication capability, to
be carried on-board Gateway in lunar orbit.

Support AMSAT’s projects today at https://www.amsat.org/donate/

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Upcoming Satellite Operations

JQ78TF: October 5, 2022
LA7XK/JW7XK will start in the evening on October, 5 and end in the morning on October 10. He will be QRV on RS-44 from Longyearbyen on Svalbard.

IN70, IN79: October 11-16, 2022
M1DDD will be operating ‘holiday style” from his the base camp in IO70. Hopefully a full day operation in IN79 on FM and linear birds. Possibly operation in IN69 will be for a few hours one afternoon on FM only. Updates on Twitter and http://hams.at

DN72,DN73, DN82, DN83, DN92, DN93: October 4-6, 2022
AD0HJ, Mitch, is going to check out the ARRL Rocky Mountain Division Convention. He will be making several stops on the way to do satellite activations from these six lonely grid squares.

[ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT rover page manager, for the above information.]

———————————————————————

Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events

AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events.

+ 40th Annual AMSAT Space Symposium and General Meeting
October 21–22, 2022
The Crowne Plaza Suites, 3 Appletree Square, Bloomington, MN
More information to follow.

+ 2022 Rocky Mountain ARRL Division Convention
October 7-9, 2022
Event Center at Archer
3921 Archer Pkwy
Cheyenne, Wyoming 82007
https://wyhamcon.org/site

+ 2022 AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium
October 8–9, 2022
Kents Hill Park Conference Centre, Milton Keynes
https://rsgb.org/main/about-us/rsgb-convention/

[ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT Events page manager, for the above information.]

Satellite Shorts From All Over

+ NASA and SpaceX signed an unfunded Space Act Agreement Thursday, Sept. 22, to study the feasibility of a SpaceX and Polaris Program idea to boost the agency’s Hubble Space Telescope into a higher orbit with the Dragon spacecraft, at no cost to the government. There are no plans for NASA to conduct or fund a servicing mission or compete this opportunity; the study is designed to help the agency understand the commercial possibilities. Teams expect the study to take up to six months, collecting technical data from both Hubble and the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. This data will help determine whether it would be possible to safely rendezvous, dock, and move the telescope into a more stable orbit. Complete information at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-275-Hubble-Boost. [ANS thanks SpaceRef.com for the above information.]

+ After 10 months flying in space, NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) – the world’s first planetary defense technology demonstration – successfully impacted its asteroid target on Monday, the agency’s first attempt to move an asteroid in space. The investigation team will now observe Dimorphos using ground-based telescopes to confirm that DART’s impact altered the asteroid’s orbit around Didymos. Researchers expect the impact to shorten Dimorphos’ orbit by about 1%, or roughly 10 minutes; precisely measuring how much the asteroid was deflected is one of the primary purposes of the full-scale test. Full details at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-275-DART. [ANS thanks NASA for the above information.]

+ Moonhack is an online coding challenge for young learners and celebrates humans’ technological achievements. The 2022 event takes place from 10 to 23 October to coincide with World Space Week, and it features six brand-new projects that show how satellites can help us live more sustainably. Moonhack is free and open to any young coder, whether they are part of a Code Club or not. The projects are already available in English, French, Dutch, and Greek. Arabic and Latin American Spanish versions are in preparation. More information at https://www.raspberrypi.org/blog/moonhack-2022/. [ANS thanks the Raspberry Pi Foundation for the above information.]

Join AMSAT today at https://launch.amsat.org/

In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to:

Contact info [at] amsat.org for additional membership information.

73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space!

This week’s ANS Editor,

Frank Karnauskas, N1UW
n1uw at amsat dot org

ANS-268 AMSAT News Weekly Bulletins for Sept. 25

September 25, 2022 by Paul Stoetzer

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-268

The news feed on http://www.amsat.org publishes news of Amateur Radio in Space as soon as our volunteers can post it.

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

You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: https://mailman.amsat.org/postorius/lists/ans.amsat.org/

In this edition:

Final Call for Papers – 2022 AMSAT Space Symposium & Annual General Meeting
40th AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting, Oct. 21-22
Changes to the AMSAT TLE Distribution for September 21, 2022
July/August 2022 Edition of The AMSAT Journal Now Available
Apogee View – July/August 2022
ARISS News
Upcoming Satellite Operations
Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events
Satellite Shorts From All Over

ANS-268 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

To: All RADIO AMATEURS
From: Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation
712 H Street NE, Suite 1653
Washington, DC 20002

DATE 2022 Sep 25

Final Call for Papers – 2022 AMSAT Space Symposium & Annual General Meeting

This is a call for papers for the 40th annual AMSAT Space Symposium to be held on the weekend of October 21-22, 2022 at the Crowne Plaza Suites hotel in Bloomington, Minnesota.

[ANS thanks Dan Schultz, N8FGV, AMSAT Symposium Proceedings Editor, for the above information]

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The 2022 AMSAT President’s Club coins have arrived!
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of its launch on
October 15, 1972, this year’s coin features
an image of AMSAT-OSCAR 6.
Join the AMSAT President’s Club today and help
Keep Amateur Radio in Space!
https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/

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40th AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting, Oct. 21-22

DISCOUNT HOTEL RESERVATION DEADLINE IS SEPTEMBER 28TH

The 40th AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting will take place in Bloomington, Minn. on Oct. 21-22, 2022. Highlights of all scheduled events include:

A preliminary schedule is available on the AMSAT Member Portal, launch.amsat.org, under the Events tab.

You can make hotel reservations by calling the hotel directly at (952) 854-9000. The group code is ASG (Amateur Satellite Group). Hotel reservations can also be made online at the following link: https://tinyurl.com/ANS-219-Symposium-Rooms.

Symposium tickets and banquet reservations may be purchased on the AMSAT Member Portal. Log into https://launch.amsat.org/ and clock on the Events tab.

We at AMSAT, are excited to be able to host an in-person Symposium this year. We hope that you can join us in celebrating Amateur Radio in Space.

[ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information]

Changes to the AMSAT TLE Distribution for September 22, 2022

The following satellite has been added to this week’s AMSAT TLE distribution:

JAGSAT NORAD Cat ID 53771 (Thanks to Nico Janssen, PA0DLO for this identification).

The following satellite has decayed from orbit and has been removed from this week’s AMSAT- TLE distribution:

ELFIN-A NORAD Cat ID 43617 (decayed from orbit on 09/17/2022 per Space-Track).

[ANS thanks Ray Hoad, WA5QGD, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager for the above information]

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July/August 2022 Edition of The AMSAT Journal Now Available

The July/August 2022 issue of The AMSAT Journal is now available to members on AMSAT’s Member Portal. Members can download the issue at https://launch.amsat.org/The_AMSAT_Journal

The AMSAT Journal is a bi-monthly digital magazine for amateur radio in space enthusiasts, published by the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT). Each issue is your source for hardware and software projects, technical tips, STEM initiatives, operational activities, and news from around the world.

Inside the Current Issue:

* Apogee View – Robert Bankston, KE4AL
* Educational Relations Update – Alan Johnston, KU2Y
* My First Simulated Satellite – Virginia Smith, NV5F
* Building AMSAT CubeSatSims in the Classroom – Alan Johnston, KU2Y and Edward Char
* 2022 AMSAT Field Day – Bruce Paige, KK5DO

If you’re not yet an AMSAT member, join today at https://launch.amsat.org/Membership

[ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information]

Apogee View – July/August 2022

In this “Apogee View,” I want to highlight two important topics: this year’s AMSAT Symposium; and volunteers’ significant role in AMSAT’s accomplishments.

AMSAT Symposium

Three years after we were last able to get together in person at an AMSAT Symposium, I feel excited for the opportunity to meet up in Minnesota next month.

AMSAT symposia are not only an excellent opportunity to celebrate amateur radio in space and share what everyone is working on, but they also provide us with unique opportunities to formulate new directions, ideas, and projects. Some of AMSAT’s most innovative accomplishments started with a discussion that began at a symposium. I hope that you can attend and be part of this experience.

The 40th AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting will be held on Friday through Saturday, October 21-22, 2022, in Bloomington, Minnesota.

Highlights of all scheduled events include:
• AMSAT Board of Directors Meeting, October 20-21
• 40th AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting, October 21-22
• Friday Night Social and Auction, October 21
• AMSAT Banquet and Reception, October 22
• AMSAT Ambassador Breakfast, October 23

The 40th AMSAT Space Symposium is open to anyone interested in advancing the art and science of amateur radio in space. To register, please visit https://launch.amsat.org/Events.

Crowne Plaza is located adjacent to the Minneapolis / St. Paul International Airport and provides a complimentary, scheduled shuttle to and from the airport. Nearby attractions include Mall of America, Target Field, Minnesota Zoo, and the Nickelodeon Universe theme park.

You can make reservations by calling the hotel at (952) 854-9000. The group code is ASG (Amateur Satellite Group). Alternatively, you can make reservations online at: https://tinyurl.com/ANS-219-Symposium-Rooms.

We are AMSAT

Conversations on the AMSAT Bulletin Board start with “AMSAT should…” or “AMSAT needs to….” While these often express great suggestions, the proposals quickly fade into the ether when proponents are asked if they are volunteering.

Asking if someone is volunteering is not meant to slight anyone in any way or discount their ideas; rather, it is a product of who we are and where we are.

AMSAT is an all-volunteer membership organization, and, as such, it draws its strength and accomplishments from its membership. Out of 4,000 members, AMSAT currently has approximately 40 core volunteer engineers, builders, programmers, educators and administrators, who are all fully engaged with the current projects. Thus, taking on any additional work requires additional volunteers.

Think about this for a minute: 40 volunteers out of 4,000 members represent only one percent of our membership. Since we have already achieved so much with that one percent, how much more could we accomplish if we had more of our members volunteer? The potential to advance the art of radio science in space and reach farther is unlimited. Please help us get there!

If you are ready to answer the call, please get in touch with me at rbankston at amsat.org. Until next time, Onward & Upward!

[ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT President, for the above information]

ARISS News

Scheduled ARISS Contacts

Amur State University, Blagoveshchensk, Russia, direct via TBD

The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS
The downlink frequency is presently scheduled to be 145.800 MHz
The scheduled crewmember is Sergey Prokopyev

Contact is go for Mon 2022-09-26 08:20 UTC

New England Sci-Tech, Natick, MA, telebridge via ON4ISS

The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be TBD
The downlink frequency is presently scheduled to be 145.800 MHz
The scheduled crewmember is Bob Hines KI5RQT

Contact is go for: Tue 2022-09-27 18:30:39 UTC 89 deg

Watch for Livestream at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdxnD8uF8t0

Aznakaevo School TBD, Aznakaevo, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, direct via TBD

The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS
The downlink frequency is presently scheduled to be 145.800 MHz
The scheduled crewmember is Dmitry Petlin

Contact is go for Sat 2022-10-01 13:50 UTC

ARISS Radio Status

Columbus Module radios:
IORS (Kenwood D710GA) – STATUS – Configured. Default mode set for cross band repeater (145.990 MHz up {PL 67} & 437.800 MHz down).

* Powered OFF for Soyuz undocking on September 29. OFF Sep. 28 about 09:00 UTC. ON Sep. 30 about 12:30 UTC.
* Capable of supporting USOS scheduled voice contacts, packet and voice repeater ops.

Service Module radios:
IORS (Kenwood D710GA) – STATUS – Configured. Default mode set for packet operations (145.825 MHz up & down)

* Powered OFF for Soyuz undocking on September 29. OFF Sep. 28 about 09:00 UTC. ON Sep. 30 about 12:30 UTC.
* Capable of supporting ROS scheduled voice contacts, packet, SSTV and voice repeater ops.

The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html

The latest list of frequencies in use can be found at https://www.ariss.org/contact-the-iss.html

[ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team mentors, for the above information]

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AMSAT, along with our ARISS partners, is developing an Amateur
Radio package, including two-way communication capability, to
be carried on-board Gateway in lunar orbit.

Support AMSAT’s projects today at https://www.amsat.org/donate/

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Upcoming Satellite Operations

W7WGC: Upcoming, mostly “POTA,” rove. Northwest coast of Oregon, grids CN74, CN75, CN76, CN85 & CN86. Sept. 28th – October 3rd-ish. FM and Linear birds.

LA7XK / JW7XK: Starting in the evening on Oct. 5 ending in the morning on Oct. 10. I will be QRV on RS-44 from Longyearbyen on Svalbard. Locator is JQ78TF

AD0HJ: DN72,DN73, DN82, DN83, DN92, DN93: Oct. 4th, 5th and 6th. Mitch is going to check out the ARRL Rocky Mountain Division Convention. He will be making several stops on the way to do satellite activations from six lonely grid squares.

[ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT rover page manager, for the above information]

Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events

AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events.

+ 2022 Rocky Mountain ARRL Division Convention
October 7, 2022 – October 9, 2022
Event Center at Archer
3921 Archer Pkwy
Cheyenne, Wyoming 82007
https://wyhamcon.org/site

+ 2022 AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium
October 8–9, 2022
Kents Hill Park Conference Centre, Milton Keynes
https://rsgb.org/main/about-us/rsgb-convention/

+ 40th Annual AMSAT Space Symposium and General Meeting
October 21–22, 2022
The Crowne Plaza Suites, 3 Appletree Square, Bloomington, MN
https://launch.amsat.org/event-4922878

[ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT Events page manager, for the above information]

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Satellite Shorts From All Over

+ ArianeGroup unveiled a multi-year design project for a new crew and cargo upper stage that it hopes will meet Europe’s appetite for space travel. Susie (Smart Upper Stage for Innovative Exploration) will launch on top of the nearly flight-ready Ariane 64 heavy-lift vehicle, carrying cargo and astronauts to LEO and, eventually, to deep space. Susie is designed for safety and reusability. The 12 m-long craft is significantly larger than Dragon, Starliner, or Orion—it features 40 cubic meters of payload space and a total mass of 25 tons. (ANS thanks The Orbital Index for the above information)

+ CAPSTONE continues to tumble, but the spacecraft’s communication situation has improved and its propulsion system is being warmed back up to operating temperatures. The CAPSTONE probe is expected to act as a pathfinder for NASA’s Gateway — a small space station designed to orbit the Moon and act as a jumping-off point for crewed missions to the surface. [The AMSAT Board of Directors has made a commitment to support amateur radio’s inclusion on NASA’s Gateway.] (ANS thanks The Orbital Index for the above information)

+ A U.S. astronaut and two Russian cosmonauts blasted off to the International Space Station Wednesday, Sept. 21 on a Russian-operated flight despite soaring tensions between Moscow and Washington over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. NASA’s Frank Rubio and Russia’s Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitry Petelin launched from the Russia-leased Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 1355 GMT. Rubio is the first U.S. astronaut to travel to the ISS on a Russian Soyuz rocket since President Vladimir Putin sent troops into pro-Western Ukraine on February 24. (ANS thanks Spaceflight Now for the above information)

+ EA4NF has made two notable transatlantic QSOs via AO-91 over the past week, both with VE1CWJ in Nova Scotia and both using a Kenwood TH-D7 handheld transceiver with a whip antenna. The first QSO was made from near Madrid and the second from a beach in the Balearic Islands as EA6/EA4NF. Despite poor battery condition, AO-91 is still capable of supporting long distance QSOs with minimal equipment.

Join AMSAT today at https://launch.amsat.org/

In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to:

Contact info [at] amsat.org for additional membership information.

73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space!

This week’s ANS Editor,

Paul Stoetzer, N8HM
n8hm at amsat dot org