SB NEWS @ AMSAT $SPC1220 * SpaceNews 20-Dec-99 * BID: $SPC1220 ========= SpaceNews ========= MONDAY DECEMBER 20, 1999 * AMSAT-OSCAR-16 NEWS * ======================= Russ Platt, WJ9F, reports that after over 1900 days of continuous service, PACSAT AO-16 suffered a problem that returned it to safe mode. Last Monday morning, Russ was able to turn the 70 cm transmitter back on. The satellite has been in MBL (Microsat Boot Loader) mode since while controllers download the memory to check for the cause of the problem. The power is set to level 9 which should keep the batteries safe from abuse during this period of reloading. No digipeating through the satellite will be available during this time. [Info via Russ Platt, WJ9F, of the AO-16 Command Team] * AO-27 NEWS * ============== On the morning of 14-Dec-99, Chuck Wyrick, KM4NZ reset the TEPR states on AO-27 as follows: TEPR 4 is 12 TEPR 5 is 48 [Info via Chuck Wyrick, KM4NZ] * OSCAR-11 NEWS * ================= During the period 14 November to 14 December 1999, good signals have been received from OSCAR-11's 145.826 MHz VHF-FM beacon transmitter. The battery voltage during daylight passes has remained consistently high. The average value observed was 13.9, with a range of 13.7 to 14.0 volts, the higher value being observed many times. The internal temperatures have remained fairly constant during this period. They are now 7.0C and 5.2C for battery and telemetry electronics respectively. Ground control reset the attitude correction counters on 17 November. The Z-axis counter is now incrementing normally, at about 10 counts per day. When the counters were reset, the spin period was -235 seconds as shown by the WOD described below. This has slowly drifted to the present value of -295 seconds. No negative spin correction pulses have been counted, and only one has occurred in the positive direction. A new WOD survey of channels 1, 2, 3, 61 (magnetometers) dated 17 November 1999 has been been transmitted. This has a starting time of 15:12:36 UTC. The WOD shows the unusually low spin period of about 235 seconds, which was current at the time when the survey was started. Reports of the Mode-S beacon have been received from Carl WA2PIB in Utah, and Fernando LU1HKO in Cordoba City. Carl uses a 2-ft by 3-ft Meyers dish with DownEast pre-amp and converter at achieve an S3 signal. Fernando uses a home made converter with a 60-cm dish. Many thanks for those reports. The operating schedule remains unchanged: ASCII status (210 seconds) ASCII bulletin (60 seconds) BINARY SEU (30 seconds) ASCII TLM (90 seconds) ASCII WOD (120 seconds) ASCII bulletin (60 seconds) BINARY ENG (30 seconds) The ASCII bulletin is currently a static message, detailing modes and frequencies of all the amateur radio satellites. There are additional status blocks after each bulletin is transmitted, and between ASCII TLM and WOD. The Mode-S beacon is ON transmitting an unmodulated carrier, but telemetry indicates that it has partially failed, and delivering half power. This beacon is a useful test source for those testing Mode-S converters, prior to the launch of P3-D. However, the signals are very weak and there is a lot of Doppler shift. Users should also note that the polarization of OSCAR-11 is LHC. Even if you can't hear OSCAR-11, your equipment may still be satisfactory for P3-D. Any reports of reception on 2401 MHz would be most welcome, and should be directed to Clive Wallis at: g3cwv@amsat.org. OSCAR-11's 435.025 MHz UHF-FM beacon is normally OFF. However, it can sometimes be heard when the satellite is being commanded by ground control, ie. within range of Guildford, UK. When the UHF beacon is transmitting, the VHF beacon is normally OFF. The data transmitted is mainly binary. Listeners to OSCAR-11 may be interested in visiting a web site designed by Clive Wallis. The web site contains details of hardware required and some software for capturing data from OSCAR-11 and decoding ASCII telemetry and Whole Orbit Data. There is an archive of raw data (mainly WOD) for analysis which is continually being expanded as new data is captured. Also included are some audio files containing examples of each type of data transmitted by OSCAR-11. Each sample plays for about ten seconds. There are also examples of Mode-S reception. All the audio files are zipped so that they can be played off-line. These samples should help listeners identify the various types of data transmitted by OSCAR-11, and give an indication of the signal quality required for successful decoding. The URL is: http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/clivew/ [Info via Clive Wallis, G3CWV (g3cwv@amsat.org)] * STS-103 NEWS * ================ After nine launch delays, Space Shuttle Discovery lifted off on 20-Dec-99 at 00:50 UTC with a flawless launch and ascent into orbit. STS-103 is one of two Shuttle missions designed to repair and upgrade the Hubble Space Telescope. STS-103 is scheduled to land on 27-Dec-99 at 22:24 UTC. * THANKS! * =========== Thanks to all who recently sent messages of appreciation to SpaceNews, especially: N2LXM G4FIP * 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 @ N2TDU.NJ.USA.NA INTERNET : kd2bd@amsat.org, magliaco@email.njin.net SATELLITE : AMSAT-OSCAR-16, KITSAT-OSCAR-25 <<=- SpaceNews: The first amateur newsletter read in space! -=>> <<=- Serving the planet (and beyond) since 1987 -=>> /EX