SB NEWS @ AMSAT $SPC0601 * SpaceNews 01-Jun-98 * BID: $SPC0601 ========= SpaceNews ========= MONDAY JUNE 1, 1998 SpaceNews originates at KD2BD in Wall Township, New Jersey, USA. It is published every week and is made available for non-commercial use. * KITSAT-OSCAR-25 NEWS * ======================== The problem with KITSAT-OSCAR-25's uplink receiver appears to have been resolved. The satellite became unresponsive to user uplink signals on 1998-May-17. On 1998-May-28, the satellite was not only responding to user uplink signals, but was responding on BOTH uplinks (145.870 and 145.980 MHz). Directory listings show that the satellite activity logs, LEED surveys, and EIS (Earth Imaging System) data collections started up again on 1998-May-25, just three days before the satellite became available again for general use. * FUJI-OSCAR-29 NEWS * ====================== On 1998-Jun-01, the FUJI-OSCAR-29 command station released a new status report regarding the FO-29 satellite. The satellite has been in analog transponder mode (Mode JA) for some time, and recent solar activity has induced frequent 2-bit memory errors in the spacecraft's on-board computer, hampering efforts to upload new software and causing system malfunctions. The satellite will remain in Mode JA for a while longer while the 2-bit memory error investigations continue. The FO-29 command station welcomes reports from radio amateurs who can confirm that the value of channel '2A' in CW telemetry transmissions has changed. The value of channel '2A' is transmitted as the 6th item after 'HI HI'. The value is normally '00'. Reports should be sent to FO-29 commanders at: lab@jarl.or.jp [Info via Kazu Sakamoto, JJ1WTK] * AMSAT-OSCAR-10 NEWS * ======================= Stacey Mills, W4SM, reports tha AO-10 downlink signals have improved considerably in the last two weeks. QSO's are now taking place again via the satellite and the solar illumination should continue to improve. Stacey had no problem hearing his own downlink at 30,000 km distance. This bodes well for this year's field day activities on AO-10. The satellite will also be orbitally well positioned for field day use this year. The low point of this illumination cycle appears to have been around 1998-Apr-24, although the beacon could still be barely heard with deep QSB at that time. Stacey has revised his estimated ALON/ALAT to be approximately 100/25 based on these observations. A bit more information is available at: http://www.cstone.net/~w4sm/AO-10.html Further updates to the Web page will take place in the next few days as time permits. [Info via Stacey Mills, W4SM] * AMRAD-OSCAR-27 NEWS * ======================= AMRAD-OSCAR-27 spacecraft controller Michael Wyrick, N4USI, reports that AO-27 TEPR States: On 1998-May-02, AO-27's TEPR states were set as follows: 4 = 36 = 18 Minutes 5 = 72 = 36 Minutes This means AO-27's TX turns on 18 minutes after entering sunlight and stays on for 18 Minutes. AO-27's TX is turned off at all other times during the orbit. Remember, this happens every orbit, 14.2 times a day, around the globe. This will cause the satellite to be on during the daytime at Northern latitudes. [Info via Michael Wyrick, N4USI] * MESSAGE FROM ANDY THOMAS * ============================ Andy Thomas, the American astronaut working on the space station Mir posted the following message to the Mir packet radio personal message system on 1998-May-24 for all radio amateurs: SUBJECT: THANKS/BYE I AM ABOUT TO END MY TIME ON MIR AND I WANT TO THANK ALL THE HAM OPERATORS AROUND THE WORLD WHO HAVE SENT MESSAGES. I HOPE IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT THE VOLUME OF TRAFFIC HAS MADE INDIVIDUAL RESPONSES IMPOSSIBLE BUT WE REALLY ENJOY YOU MAIL. VOICE HAS BEEN VERY DIFFICULT PARTICULARLY OVER THE US AND EUROPE. TOO MANY TALKING AT ONCE. IN THE SHORT TIME I HAVE LEFT I WILL TRY TO DO VOICE, BUT ASK THAT REPEAT CALLERS STAY OFF THE AIR SO THAT I CAN GIVE NEW CALLERS A CHANCE FOR A CONTACT. BEST WISHES TO ALL OF YOU. ANDY THOMAS P.S. REMEMBER, FOR QSL, CONTACT DAVE LARSEN ON N6CO IN CALIFORNIA. * IRIDIUM SATELLITE NEWS * ========================== Motorola's Iridium satellites have become popular spacecraft to watch streak across the night sky due the brief and predictable -8 magnitude "flare" that can be seen when sun angles are just right. The "flare" occurs when an antenna on one of the satellites aligns correctly between your location and the sun. Stephen Daniels explains that several Internet Web pages have been developed for those interested in Iridium flares. One such page is located at: http://www.satellite.eu.org/sat/vsohp/iridium.html while information on general satellite observation is available at: http://www.satellite.eu.org/sat/vsohp/satintro.html Iridium flare prediction software is also available at the URL listed above. Keplerian orbital data may be found at: http:// www.wingar.demon.co.uk/satevo/index.htm while online predictions are available at: http://www.gsoc.dlr.de/satvis/ Further information and discussions relating to visually observing satellites may be found on the Usenet newsgroup sci.astro.satellite.visual-observe. Information on a listserver for observations and general mail about visible satellites may be found at: http://www.satellite.eu.org/sat/seesat/seesatindex.html [Info via Steve Daniels] * 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, KITSAT-OSCAR-25 <<=- SpaceNews: The first amateur newsletter read in space! -=>> <<=- Serving the planet for over 10 years -=>> /EX