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 Satellite Detail - Delfi OSCAR-64
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Delfi OSCAR-64
(Delfi-C3)

Spacecraft Summary

OSCAR Designation:  Delfi OSCAR-64     Oscar Number:  DO-64    
Norad Number:  32789     Common Name:  Delfi-C3    
Satellite Type:  Nanosatellite     Launch Date:  28 April, 2008    
Launch Location:  Satish Dawan Space
Center, India		     Launch Vehicle:  PSLV    
Apogee:  642.10     Perigee:  621.60    
Inclination:  98.00     Period:  97.20    
Dimensions:  10cm x 10cm x 34cm     Weight:  2.200 Kg    
Organization: Delft University of Technology
Frequency Information
 
Mode V Beacon (Transponder Mode Beacon): Non-Operational
Downlink 145.8700 MHz CW
 
Mode V Telemetry (Primary, Not Continuous Operation): Operational
Downlink 145.8700 MHz BPSK 1200 BPS
 
Mode V Telemetry (Backup, Not Continuous Operation): Operational
Downlink 145.9300 MHz BPSK 1200 BPS
 
Mode U/V (B) Linear Transponder (Inverting): Non-Operational
Uplink: 435.5300 - 435.5700 MHz SSB/CW
Downlink 145.8800 - 145.9200 MHz SSB/CW

Current Keplerian Elements

DO-64
1 32789U 08021G   09326.24040099  .00000759  00000-0  10254-3 0  5338
2 32789  97.9287  28.9297 0014817 236.5362 123.4432 14.81862772 84858

Weekly Satellite Report

From DO-64 Mission Status page:

January 29th, 12:00 (UTC + 1)

Please find a new status update of the Delfi-C3 / DO-64 satellite below.

Following our earlier reports about the transponder issue, we sadly have had to conclude that the linear transponder is not operational anymore. Delfi-C3 / DO-64 has been in basic mode (a mode in which only housekeeping mode is transmitted) for a number of months in order to investigate this issue. Following our extensive tests, we have decided to switch the satellite back to science mode, which from a mission point of view is the most useful mode since it yields valuable science data about the Thin Film Solar Cell payload and the Autonomous Wireless Sun Sensor payload.

Today during the 09:33 UTC pass we have successfully commanded the satellite to science mode using the primary downlink at 145.870MHz, 1200Bd AX.25 BPSK and stored this mode in the on board data base. Subsequent database dumps indicated that the new settings have been stored successfully. This mode is recognized by the higher rate of telemetry frames on the downlink, 3 payload frames are transmitted followed by 1 housekeeping frame.

Note that the satellite boots in this mode on 145.870MHz whenever she comes out of eclipse (no battery on board). It is possible, that the satellite decides to use the 145.930 MHz backup downlink. If you hear Delfi-C3 / DO-64 on this frequency, your reports are highly appreciated!

Contrary to basic mode, in which the downlink is on continuously, downlink drop outs are likely to occur in science mode. Therefore, it iis possible that the satellite is not heard, and due to the orbit, the chances that the downlink is still on over VK / ZL are slim, sorry to all of you down under! However, if you hear the satellite, your reports are very much appreciated! We regularly post the satellite status on the Oscar status page at http://oscar.dcarr.org/ and encourage you to do so as well.

Telemetry can be received using the RASCAL program, which is available at :http://www.delfic3.nl/rascal At this moment, the total amount of frames has exceeded the 500000 mark, more precisely 504364 (which amounts to approx. 72.14 MB), a truly magnificent number. Thanks once again to all of you receiving and submitting telemetry! When in science mode, the IV curves of the Thin Film Solar Cell payload can be viewed by clicking \"options\" --> \"show IV curves\".

Detailed Description

For the past decade, satellite design has been an important discipline at the faculty of Aerospace Engineering at Delft University of Technology. A major change of the predominantly theoretical nature of the satellite projects came into being in 2004, with the completion of an in-house Class 100.000 Clean Room. Along with equipment in laboratories located at the faculty of Electrical Engineering, this facility enables Delft University to not only design, but to produce and assemble a small student satellite in house as well.

Learning about this affordable access to space, the space company Dutch Space approached the faculty of Aerospace Engineering to discuss the possibility to test a new type of thin film solar cells in the space environment. In addition, the Dutch research institute TNO Science and Industry showed interest to join the initiative with an autonomous Sun Sensor using a wireless link for data transfer. A third new technology tested during the Delfi-C3 mission is an advanced high efficiency transceiver sized for application in pico- and nanosatellites. With these three new technologies as primary payloads and the space proven CubeSat concept as a basic principle of design, the Delfi-C3 nanosatellite is to be the first satellite that is designed and realized at Delft University of Technology. Delfi-C3 is scheduled for a piggyback launch by December 2007.


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