SB NEWS @ AMSAT $SPC0320
* SpaceNews 20-Mar-95 *
 
 
BID: $SPC0320
 
 
                               =========
                               SpaceNews
                               =========
 
 
                          MONDAY MARCH 20, 1995
 
 
SpaceNews originates at KD2BD in Wall Township, New Jersey, USA.  It is
published every week and is made available for unlimited free distribution.
 
 
* NOAA-14 EXPERIENCES FAILURE *
===============================
The motor for the Microwave Sounding Unit on the NOAA-14 spacecraft has
stopped working, investigation into the failure is in progress.  Records
show the unit is from a delivery made to Martin Marietta dating back to
1984.  Future NOAA spacecraft will not have this same unit--it will be
replaced with a different type.  NOAA-14 has been in orbit since last
December.
 
[Info via Pat Kilroy] 
 
 
* MIR NEWS *
============
Astrounaut Dr. Norm Thagard and two cosmonauts were launched to Mir last 
Monday and docked with Mir on Thursday.  Joe Dreifuss, WA2GSY reported
contacting Dr. Thagard on Friday morning at 14:27 UTC on 2-meters.  He was
using R0MIR as his callsign.  Joe reported the downlink signal from Mir was
very strong and easily heard even on an HT with a rubber duck antenna.
 
 
* UNAMSAT-1 NEWS *
==================
The UNAMSAT-1 spacecraft has arrived in Moscow for a launch from Plesetsk
on 28-Mar-95.  The launch window begins at 05:00 UTC and ends at 10:00 UTC.
UNAMSAT-1 will be carried along with TECHSAT and a Russian communiations
satellite on a Start-1 rocket.
 
The following are the UNAMSAT-1 operating frequencies:
 
TX1   * default *    437.135 MHz
TX2                  437.179 MHz
 
Telemetry transmissions will start 20 minutes after separation.  If the
software survives the launch, the beacon will transmit normal telemetry, 
otherwise the mailbox will be in operation.
 
The Rx freqs are:
Channel A   145.922 MHz
Channel B   145.942 MHz
Channel C   145.962 MHz
Channel E/F 145.872 MHz
 
(Channel  D  is non-existant)
 
The receiver will be closed for use other than commanding the spacecraft,
but controllers will let make it known when the satellite is available for
use as soon as possible.
 
[Info via David Liberman, XE1TU of the UNAMSAT-1 Team]
 
 
* UPCOMING LAUNCHES *
=====================
DATE      TIME      MISSION             VEHICLE        AGENCY
======    ======    =======             =======        ======
19 Mar    06:19     INTELSAT 705        Atlas 2        INTELSAT
28 Mar              GURWIN 1            Start-1        Russia
                    EKA
                    ENB
   Mar              ORBCOMM 1 & 2       Pegasus        OSC
                    MICROLAB
01 Apr    04:45     MSAT USA            Atlas 2        Martin
05 Apr              PROGRESS M-27       Soyuz          Russia
11 Apr              Classified          Titan 4        USAF
   Apr              Express             Proton         Russia
   Apr              STEP-3              Pegasus XL     USAF
   Apr              ERS-2               Ariane 4       Ariane
   Apr    05:00     Plasma Physics      Black Brant    NASA
   Apr              Delta Clipper-X                    BMDO
   Apr              DMSP 5D-3-F15       Titan 2        DOD
   Apr              HETE/SAC-B          Pegasus XL     NASA
   Apr              CONSORT 7           Starfire       EER System
 
[Info via Pat Kilroy] 
 
 
* FEEDBACK/INPUT WELCOMED *
===========================
Mail to SpaceNews should be directed to the editor (John, KD2BD) via any
of the following paths:
 
FAX       : 1-908-747-7107
PACKET    : KD2BD @ KS4HR.NJ.USA.NA
INTERNET  : kd2bd@amsat.org -or- magliaco@pilot.njin.net
SATELLITE : AMSAT-OSCAR-16, LUSAT-OSCAR-19
 
MAIL      : John A. Magliacane, KD2BD
            Department of Engineering and Technology
            Advanced Technology Center
            Brookdale Community College
            Lincroft, New Jersey  07738
            U.S.A.
 
 
       <<=- SpaceNews: The first amateur newsletter read in space! -=>> 
 
/EX