News Release from AMSAT(r)
The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NUMBER 02-01
April 27, 2002

AMSAT-NA TO BUILD NEW COMMUNICATIONS SATELLITE

SILVER SPRING, MARYLAND (AMSAT News Service) AMSAT-North America 
(AMSAT-NA) has started construction of a new Low Earth Orbit (LEO) 
communications satellite.  Although the satellite will be similar in mass 
and size to the original AMSAT MICROSAT design, it will incorporate all 
new, leading edge electronics and RF technology.  

Robin Haighton, VE3FRH, AMSAT-NA President, discussed the new project at 
the organization's Board of Directors meeting held in Washington, DC, 
April 20-21, 2002.  "I am very pleased that we are embarking on a brand 
new satellite project.  I am particularly pleased that this new project 
will operate as an"EZ Sat," as well as serving as a test bed for new and 
exciting technologies." he said.  

Returning to the original pre-launch numbering system used in many of the 
earliest AMSAT-NA developed satellites, the new "bird" will be named 
AMSAT-OSCAR E (Echo) until launch.  Plans call for the satellite to 
contain analog and digital VHF/UHF FM transponders similar to those 
carried on the UOSAT-OSCAR 14 and AMRAD-OSCAR 27 satellites currently in 
orbit.  In addition, the new satellite will have the capability to host 
one or two other experimental payloads.  

Continuing an approach used in past projects, AMSAT-NA has partnered with 
an outside contractor, SpaceQuest, Ltd.  of Fairfax, Virginia, who will 
assist in building the satellite bus.  AMSAT volunteers are responsible 
for the design, development, integration and testing of the various 
experimental payloads.  

Dr.  Tom Clark, W3IWI, AMSAT-NA BOD member and one of the "spark plugs" 
for the original MICROSAT project noted that, "The last major program that 
AMSAT-NA managed was the MICROSATS and this is a superb chance for us to 
update that legacy with all-new technology." He went on to note that, "We 
now have accumulated about 70 years of on-orbit experience with the 
MICROSAT design since our original flock were launched back in 1990, with 
several other satellites of that same basic design now on the drawing 
boards.  The design is a true classic." 

The spacecraft is now slated to be ready for launch in late 2003.  A 
number of affordable launch opportunities are being actively explored.  

AMSAT is very proud of its long tradition of excellence and the 
contributions it has made to the advancement of space communications, 
space education and the space sciences.  AMSAT-OSCAR E will be a new 
vehicle for Amateur Radio to continue that quest for communications 
technologies for future generations.  

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FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT US ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB AT:
"http://www.amsat.org"

 
OR CONTACT:

AMSAT-North America		
Dan James, NN0DJ; VP, Public Affairs
P.O. Box 279; 57732 350th Street
Warroad, MN 56763 USA
Phone: 218-386-1544
Internet: nn0dj@amsat.org