Phase 3D Lab 1998

AMSAT-NA's VP of Engineering, Stan Wood, WA4NFY (right), uses a machinist's level to precisely balance the Phase 3D spacecraft in its construction cradle while Lou McFadin, W5DID, P3D Integration Laboratory Manager (far left) and Konrad Mueller, DG7FDQ, AMSAT-DL's Structural Specialist, assist. The "upside-down paint bucket" on the top of the spacecraft is a dummy load that covers the opening of one of Phase 3D's 10 GHz horn antennas during testing.

Stefaan Burger, ON4FG, uses a rubber-gloved hand to carefully inspect adjacent wire clearances between Phase 3D's 24 GHz (K-band) transmitter oscillator module (upper left) and the satellite's IF Matrix module (lower left). Phase 3D's power switching unit (the satellite's remotely-controlled "power control panel") is shown at top center.

Phase 3D's V-band omnidirectional flight antenna is constructed from the same anodized, flexible "carpenter's rule" material that has been successfully flow on a number of previous AMSAT spacecraft.

Some of Phase 3D's flight-ready electronic modules are visible in this photo of the satellite's Equipment Bay Number 2 during recent integration efforts at the P3D Laboratory in Orlando, Florida. Shown (from top left) are JAMSAT's SCOPE camera experiment and the satellite's second S-Band transmitter. Shown along the bottom (from left) are the spacecraft's receivers for L-Band, S-Band, HF-band, and C-Band.

A large number of Phase 3D's flight ready communications modules are visible in this photo of Equipment Bay Number 3 taken during recent integration efforts at the P3D Laboratory in Orlando, Florida. Shown (from top left) are Phase 3D's S-Band transmitter #1, along with receivers for U (435 MHz) and V (145 MHz) bands, as well as P3D's V/U-Band RF switching unit. Show along the bottom (from left) are the satellite's U-Band transmitter exciter, U-Band combination modulator/high power amplifier, and V-Band transmitter.

	Phase 3D's stable-mode Sun sensors, shown prior to their final cleaning and installation into the spacecraft. Below, a prototype of the sensor measuring fixture. The sensors help determine the satellite's physical orientation.

All photographs by Keith Baker, KB1SF. Image and page preparation by Roy Davis, WB9RKN, and Paul Williamson, KB5MU. Disembodied hands by Stan Wood, WA4NFY, and Gerd Schrick, WB8IFM.