SB NEWS @ AMSAT $SPC0603 * SpaceNews 03-Jun-96 * BID: $SPC0603 ========= SpaceNews ========= MONDAY JUNE 3, 1996 SpaceNews originates at KD2BD in Wall Township, New Jersey, USA. It is published every week and is made available for non-commercial use. * AMRAD-OSCAR-27 NEWS * ======================= As of 27-May-96 at 17:00 UTC, AO-27's transmitter schedule is as follows: 20 minutes after entering the sun, the transmitter turns on at normal power 18 minutes after turn on, it shuts off. (38 minutes after entering the sun) TEPR STATE 4 = 20 minutes, 40 Units TEPR STATE 5 = 18 minutes, 76 Units To clear up any misunderstanding, the Amateur transmitter on board EYESAT-1 known as AMRAD-OSCAR-27 CAN and DOES from time to time run off batteries. The reason for an 18 minute window over latitudes equal to most of the U.S. is a limited power budget for the Amateur payload. EYESAT-1 runs experiments for Interferometrics, Inc. in Chantilly, Va. There is not enough power left over to run the Amateur transmitter full time. Ocassionally when AO-27 control operator Michael Wyrick, N4USI, has the chance to work AO-27 during night time passes, he will turn the experiments off and turn the Amateur payload on. This is why ground stations can hear and work it at night, mostly during weekends. On 02-Feb-96, Mr. Wyrick had a skydiving accident that resulted in a broken pelvis in six places. This kept him from changing the TEPR (schedule) for several months. With the sun's movement during the summer, TEPR schedules need to be uploaded every few weeks to keep the Amateur transmitter turning on for all of the pass for stations at mid US latitudes. Michael is happy to report that with the help of fellow amateurs, he now has a working control station located at his home. This now allows him to upload schedules when needed. AO-27 is a secondary payload onboard EYESAT-1, and demands on system resources need to go the the primary payload. Jeff, KO6RD in Merced, California reports working N7SFI in Utah last Thursday who was making satellite contacts through AO-27 while standing in a parking lot with a dual band HT. Many others have been able to work AO-27 without receive preamplifiers or high gain antennas. Stations have also been known to work this satellite from their automobiles, and slow scan television contacts have also been attempted. AO-27 accepts FM uplinks on 145.850 MHz, and downlinks on 436.800 MHz. [Info via N4USI and KO6RD] * SAFEX-II NEWS * ================= The following are the 70 cm frequencies to be used for communication with the SAFEX II equipment located in MIR's PRIRODA module: Mode 1 repeater Mode 2 packet Mode 3 QSO Downlink 437.950 MHz 437.975 437.925 Uplink 435.750 MHz 435.775 435.725 CTCSS YES NO YES Speed - 9600 baud - Mode 1: Repeater - like a standard FM repeater with CTCSS. Mode 2: 9600 Baud (G3RUH compatible) Packet Operation. Mode 3: QSO possibility with MIR Crew, but CTCSS is used. The first activation of SAFEX-II in Mode 1 (FM Repeater) is scheduled for 01-Jun-96. The CTCSS tones required for these modes will published at a later date after equipment testing is complete. [Info via DL3LUM, DL2MDE, and DB2OS] * MIR NEWS * ============ Mir cosmonauts Onufriyenko and Usachov made their third EVA between 20:47 UTC on 24-May-96 and 02:30 UTC on 25-May-96. The EVA lasted longer than expected, but all operations went well. The cosmonauts installed a new solar panel on the outer surface of the Kvant-1 module, connected the contacts and attended the deployment of that panel. During the last phase of the EVA, radio traffic was handled via Altair-1 (COSMOS-2054) and VHF-frequencies. After returning inside Mir, the cosmonauts expressed their satisfaction about the good cooperation with TsUP during this work and also about the very good construction of the new solar panel. A fourth EVA was scheduled for 30-May-96 between 19:00 and 21:00 UTC. The main goal of this EVA was the transfer and installation of the MOMS (opto-electronic stereo scanner) to the outer surface of the Priroda module. [Info via Chris Vandenberg and Russ Tillman] * WEBERSAT-OSCAR-18 NEWS * ========================== WO-18 was copied in New Jersey during a pass between 15:40 and 15:50 UTC on 01-Jun-96. The satellite was transmitting AX.25 flags, but no data. The downlink signal strength appeared to be normal. * THANKS * ========== Thanks to all who sent messages of appreciation to SpaceNews, especially: AA0BC/SV1 Dave Grant N9AVG * SpaceNews AVAILABILITY * ========================== SpaceNews is available regularly on Usenet in the rec.radio.info, rec.radio.amateur.misc, and sci.space.news newsgroups, and on packet radio BBSs worldwide as well as the AMSAT-OSCAR-16 Pacsat satellite. It may also be retrieved using the File Transfer Protocol (FTP) at ftp.njin.net (165.230.224.140) from the /pub/SpaceNews subdirectory. Internet users may also "finger magliaco@pilot.njin.net" for a copy of the latest issue, or access it via the World Wide Web at: http://www.cs.indiana.edu/finger/pilot.njin.net/magliaco/w. * FEEDBACK/INPUT WELCOMED * =========================== Comments and input for SpaceNews should be directed to the editor (John, KD2BD) via any of the paths listed below: WWW : http://www.njin.net/~magliaco/ PACKET : KD2BD @ KS4HR.NJ.USA.NA INTERNET : kd2bd@amsat.org, magliaco@email.njin.net SATELLITE : AMSAT-OSCAR-16, LUSAT-OSCAR-19 <<=- SpaceNews: The first amateur newsletter read in space! -=>> /EX