SB NEWS @ AMSAT $SPC0410 * SpaceNews 10-Apr-95 * BID: $SPC0410 ========= SpaceNews ========= MONDAY APRIL 10, 1995 SpaceNews originates at KD2BD in Wall Township, New Jersey, USA. It is published every week and is made available for unlimited free distribution. * LAUNCH FAILURE UPDATE * ========================= Following information comes from Richard Limebear, G3RWL. Anyone repeating this story is requested to acknowledge AMSAT-UK as the collator of the information: Further information about the launch failure is now to hand. Apparently the failure was because the fourth stage did not burn completely so the fifth stage was not triggered; the fourth stage quenched 12 seconds before it was supposed to be exhausted. It is also understood that the debris fell on land, not in the sea, and the landing site is known but if salvage is attempted the components will not be re-usable (not surprising after falling about 600 km! do satellites get headaches ?). Russian authorities are still claiming that UNAMSAT (the so-called Mexican spacecraft) was a Russian satellite which had Mexican participation; details of this are vague and further verification of ownership would be welcome >From anyone who *KNOWS*. The third payload *WAS* a dummy; I have seen the photographs, it was a plain cylinder. Launch was from a (fixed) mobile launcher tube which, apparently, erects hydraulically from horizontal to vertical in about 13 seconds; the launch vehicle is then lifted vertically in some fashion before main motor ignition. The Israelis are, I understand, already building two more Techsat-1 class spacecraft; more or less copies of the first one. There is no indication of a replacement launch but it is notable that Russian officials are now saying that there was no clause for financial compensation in the launch agreement. At the launch-site, however, Israeli staff were told by Russians that another launch would be provided. This information is a collation of data from 4X1AS (still in London), Geoff Perry, and Reuters whom we thank. [Info via Richard, G3RWL for AMSAT-UK and UOSAT] * SAREX QSY * ============= Space Shuttle Flight STS-71, to be launched in June, is the first to feature a docking between the shuttle and the Russian MIR space station. Special Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment (SAREX) voice frequencies will be used. The special frequencies are: downlink: 145.84 MHz worldwide and uplinks: 144.45 and 144.47 MHz worldwide. SAREX and MIR amateur radio stations normally share the same downlink frequency, which would cause interference on the STS-71 mission. Because of this and lessons learned from using particular frequencies during previous SAREX missions, the SAREX Working Group has made these changes for STS-71. The new frequencies were chosen after much deliberation to minimize interference between SAREX, MIR, and terrestrial stations. Most SAREX operations are split frequency, with a downlink (astronauts transmitting to earth stations) and an uplink (earth stations transmitting to astronauts). Listen to the downlink and transmit only when the shuttle is in range and astronauts are on the air. MIR operations are simplex and remain on 145.55 MHz. Before transmitting, listen to the SAREX uplink to avoid interfering with others, and listen for the astronauts' instructions about frequencies they're using. They won't favor a specific uplink, and your ability to work them will be "the luck of the draw." If these special SAREX frequencies prove acceptable, they will be used for future docking missions. If you have comments, send them to AMSAT's Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, at his callbook address, or to the ARRL Educational Activities Department. Please note that there is a strong chance that STS-70 will fly before STS-71 if so, STS-70 will use the regular SAREX frequencies. [Info via ARRL] * EME LISTSERV NEWS * ===================== "Moon-Net", a new e-mail reflector for amateur EME operators, has been established by Michael Owen (W9IP) with support of his employer, St. Lawrence University. This reflector is devoted to exchange of information regarding all aspects of EME operation. It is an unmoderated list open to anyone with an interest in EME. "Moon-Net" traffic should adhere closely to EME-related topics. Please refrain from posting VHF, satellite, or general ham radio-related messages to "Moon-Net". Also, please avoid cross-posting messages to/from "Moon-Net" with other radio-related lists. "Moon-Net" traffic is not archived. To subscribe, address a message to : LISTSERV@VM.StLawu.EDU. In the body of the message, put "SUBSCRIBE Moon-Net" followed by your name. For example: SUBSCRIBE Moon-Net Michael Owen When your request for subscription is received, a file of instructions will be sent to you along with confirmation of subscription. This should only take a few moments. To un-subscribe, the message should be UNSUBSCRIBE (everything else is the same): UNSUBSCRIBE Moon-Net Michael Owen Since subscription/unsubscriptions are handled automatically, no other text will be read if the address is LISTSERV. To post a message to the net, address it to: Moon-Net@VM.StLawu.EDU. If you have problems, send a message to MOWE@SLUMUS.STLAWU.EDU. This is the first LISTSERV at this site so users should expect a few start-up glitches. Please be patient. [Info via Michael Owen, W9IP] * SpaceNews BBS NEWS * ====================== The SpaceNews BBS in Tacoma, Washington is still in full operation according to Mario, KD6ILO, who runs the system. Ted, N6EQZ in Renton supports the system as well with ARES and RACES information and traffic. The BBS can be found operating on 145.050 MHz. It is also linked to the UoSAT-OSCAR-22 satellite through the N7RSN SatGate also located in Tacoma, Washington. [Info via Mario, KD6ILO @ N6EQZ.#APL.WA.USA.NOAM] * THANKS! * =========== Thanks to all those who sent messages of appreciation to SpaceNews, especially: KD1ZD KA2DRV N2VQB DG4MLL KC5HWJ KD6ILO AD7I * 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