AMSAT - Satellite Detail - Radio Sputnik 13

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Satellite Detail - Radio Sputnik 13

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Radio Sputnik 13

Spacecraft Summary

Oscar Number:	RS-13	International Designator:	1991-007A
Norad Number:	21089	Common Name:	Radio Sputnik 13
Alternate Name:	Cosmos 2123	Satellite Type:	Payload
Launch Date:	5 February, 1991	Launch Location:	Plesetsk
Launch Vehicle:	Cosmos C	Apogee:	1006.00
Perigee:	961.00	Inclination:	82.92
Period:	104.77	Weight:	0.000 Kg
Organization:	Radio Sport Federation

Frequency Information


Mode V/A (A) Linear Transponder (Non-Inverting): Non-Operational
Uplink:	145.9600 - 146.0000 MHz SSB/CW
Downlink	29.4600 - 29.5000 MHz SSB/CW

Mode V Beacon: Non-Operational
Downlink	145.8620 MHz CW
Downlink	145.9080 MHz CW

Mode V Robot: Non-Operational
Downlink	145.8430 MHz CW

Mode H/V (T) Linear Transponder (Inverting): Non-Operational
Uplink:	21.2600 - 21.3000 MHz SSB/CW
Downlink	145.9600 - 145.0000 MHz SSB/CW

Mode H/A (K) Linear Transponder (Non-Inverting): Non-Operational
Uplink:	21.2600 - 21.3000 MHz SSB/CW
Downlink	29.4600 - 29.5000 MHz SSB/CW

Mode H Robot: Non-Operational
Downlink	21.1380 MHz CW

Mode A Beacon: Non-Operational
Downlink	29.4580 MHz CW
Downlink	29.5040 MHz CW

Current Keplerian Elements

RS-13
1 21089U 91007A   09326.00960813  .00000044  00000-0  30943-4 0  3180
2 21089  82.9199 149.5198 0027793 249.6465 110.1715 13.74490250942872

Detailed Description

RS 12/13 was launched February 5, 1991 on board a Russian Cosmos C launcher. RS-12/13 rode piggyback on a primary spacecraft on a COSMOS 2123 Russian Navigation Satellite. Each satellite had two radio amateur transponders onboard. Only one was switched on at a time.

Both satellites had a 40 kHz wide linear transponder allowing for CW and SSB contacts. One unique feature of both these satellites was the ROBOT autotransponder. The autotransponders made it possible to carry on a CW telegraphy contact with the ROBOT computer carried on the spacecraft. Upon calling the satellite on the ROBOT uplink frequency, the computer would return with a short message and issue a QSO number.

It is thought that after superpower proton flashes from the Sun about July/August 2002 caused damaged to the COSMOS2123 and RS-12/13 transponders (thanks Jerry, K5OE/3).

In addition to the operating modes listed, RS-13 supported two additional modes

Mode KT: 21 MHz uplink into 29 and 145 MHz downlinks
Mode KA: 21 MHz and 145 MHz uplinks into a common 29 MHz downlink