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A new era in amateur radio communications is about to be ushered in as amateur radio satellite operators worldwide await the upcoming launch of the Phase 3D satellite from the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. The anticipated date and time of launch for Arianespace Flight 135, on which P3D will fly, is confirmed for 01:07 UTC, Wednesday, November 15, 2000.
P3D will be launched with three other satellites -- the large PAS-1R communications satellite and the smaller STVR-1C and 1D satellites, all to be placed into a geostationary transfer orbit.
As of Monday, November 13th, the AR-507 launcher was rolled-out to the Launch Zone (ZL). Peter, DB2OS, reported to ANS "the spacecraft is still in perfect shape and everything looks very well. Tonight they will start filling the helium tank and tomorrow at they will start filling the cryogenic main stage with LOX and LH2. In the morning I will be attending a press conference and I will then be in the Jupiter control center before launch."
Peter went on to say that "a very exciting day is ahead," adding "thank you all for a wonderful satellite, in particular Karl."
Best regards from Kourou,
Signed, Peter, DB2OS
This Ariane 5 flight will prove to be a record setting mission, marking the first use of the ASAP-5 platform. The ASAP-5 enables the launcher to carry auxiliary micro and mini satellite payloads. If successful, this launch will place into orbit the largest commercial communications satellite ever built (PAS-1R) -- and the largest amateur radio satellite ever built (P3D). P3D will be ejected from the launcher by three spring-loaded arms pushing on the bottom of the satellite. As it now sits ready for launch the satellite is being restrained from this happening by explosive nuts attached to bolts holding P3D in place. The Ariane 5 launcher will be spinning at the time of separation (which in turn means) P3D will also be spinning when it's ejected.
A view of the entire payload can be found at http://www.arianespace.com/news_missionupdate.html
The complete Phase 3D frequency band plan is available at http://www.amsat-dl.org/p3dqrg.html
AMSAT's Ken Ernandes, N2WWD, provided ANS with estimated Keplerian Elements for the Phase 3D spacecraft. Ken reports the vector data was computed from Arianespace orbital parameters at the time P3D is scheduled to separate from the Ariane 5 upper stage. The elements were computed, in turn, from the vector.
Catalog number: 93400
Satellite: Phase 3D
Catalog number: 93400
Epoch time: 00320.07636550
Element set: 1
Inclination: 6.5034 deg
RA of node: 246.6469 deg
Eccentricity: 0.7357988
Arg of perigee: 175.9296 deg
Mean anomaly: 13.3886 deg
Mean motion: 2.02435417 rev/day
Decay rate: 7.71000e-09 rev/day^2
Epoch rev: 1
Checksum: 283
N2WWD also notes that 93400 is a temporary catalog number and the Keplerian elements represent a pre-launch estimate of Phase 3D's initial orbit.
North American P3D command station operator Stacey Mills, W4SM, has placed a zip file containing his P3D telemetry decoding program (P3T.exe) as well as some additional supporting files at http://www.cstone.net/~w4sm2/software2/P3t_AP.zip
The program will run on Windows 95/98/NT/2000 platforms. W4SM reports additional programs are under development for Mac and Linux platforms. A 400 baud PSK demodulator is required. Additional information regarding demodulators, and the telemetry format can be found at http://www.amsat-dl.org/p3d/
Russ Tillman, K5NRK, AMSAT Journal Editor, told ANS "we plan to devote two pages in the November/December issue of The AMSAT Journal to show photographs of what our members were doing during the launch of Phase 3D." For example said Russ, "if you are hosting a Galaxy 4 viewing or HF net party for local ham radio club members, take a photo of the get-together and send it in." Photos can be e-mailed to k5nrk@amsat.org or sent via the K5NRK postal mail address.
The Radio Club of Kourou's FY5KE has announced plans to broadcast the Phase 3D launch on 14.315 MHz in French "and probably in English." The FY5KE transmission will start at approximately 15 minutes prior to launch and will end about 45 minutes later when the satellite reaches orbit.
Closer to home, AMSAT-NA Vice President of Operations Keith Pugh, W5IU, reports that details are being worked out for an AMSAT-NA P3D Launch Information Net to run "live" during the launch. Keith told ANS that "at a minimum, the net will include several HF stations and bands." The current plan is to start about 15 minutes before launch and carry through separation of P3D. The U.S. net will be based on the live Arianespace satellite feed from the launch site and will also contain commentary by key AMSAT officials associated with the launch. Participating commentators will include newly elected AMSAT-NA President Robin Haighton, VE3FRH, Andy MacAllister, W5ACM, Pat Kilroy, N8PK, (at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center), launch team second-in-command Chuck Green, N0ADI, Stacy Mills, W4SM, and IARU Satellite Coordinator Hans van den Groenendaal, ZS5AKV. Others will be added as the launch approaches.
According to W5IU, "dissemination of the launch information will be by the Houston AMSAT Net connection and by key HF stations, led by WA3NAN on their Shuttle re-transmission frequencies. Additional HF stations and frequencies will be added to fill in North American coverage." W5IU reports the plan is to monitor Arianespace for real time information and then communicate the information. Keith reports the group will not re-transmit Arianespace audio to avoid possible problems with the FCC.
WA3NAN will re-transmit launch reports on 3.860, 7.185, 14.295, 21.395, and 147.450 MHz. Other HF frequencies used will be 3.840, 7.279, and 14.282 MHz. These frequencies will be used by W5RRR or alternates.
The plan for WA3NAN participation in the overall AMSAT Launch Information Net Service (ALINS) is to conduct standard, independent amateur radio nets on each of the HF bands noted above during the hour before launch. Callsign check-ins will be accepted and traffic listed. Then, at about 15 minutes prior to launch, NCS will switch over to simulcast the AMSAT audio. Shortly after Phase 3D separation from the launch vehicle (L+42 minutes) the nets will close in the absence of any additional traffic.
W5IU is still in need of additional HF stations (with phone patch capability) to participate in the P3D AMSAT Launch Information Net. If interested, contact Keith at w5iu@amsat.org.
The Houston AMSAT Net connection will also be available via the Internet using the RealAudio format. Visit the net web site at http://www.amsatnet.com/
Bob Arnold, N2JEU, is also planning to make the Arianespace audio available on the Internet. Details are available at http://www.ralabs.com/livep3d/
The page currently contains information on the live audio stream that N2JEU will be providing to the Internet along with a test stream to check out your system.
CQ Amateur Radio magazine will offer continuously-updated coverage of the upcoming launch on its web site, http://www.cq-amateur-radio.com
These updates will be made every few minutes, or more often if events require. In addition, there will be a link provided from the CQ web site to one of two sites featuring live video of the launch.
ANS has been informed that live video of the launch will be available via the C-band Galaxy 4 satellite. In addition, the Arianespace web cast can be found at http://www.arianespace.com/news_livevideo.html
The AMSAT-UK launch net operated by Richard, G3RWL, will not operate during the launch. G3RWL reports that "the AMSAT-UK net will happen the following evening so that people can find out what happened. This will be on Wednesday, 15 November at 19:00 UTC on/about 3.780 MHz.
Stay tuned to ANS for additional bulletins from AMSAT, the official source of information on the Phase 3D satellite.
[ANS thanks the ARRL, AMSAT-DL and AMSAT-NA for this information and congratulates the AMSAT launch team on their outstanding work]
This weekend was scheduled as time off for the Expedition-1 crew on the International Space Station -- after a full week of activities. The normal work schedule for the crew calls for five-day work weeks with most weekends free.
The crew has spent a relatively quiet weekend as they prepared for the arrival of an unmanned supply ship that is scheduled to arrive on November 17th. The ship will contain about 2 tons of supplies and food. This ship will be unloaded by the crew prior to the launch of the shuttle Endeavor on November 30th. Endeavor/mission STS-97, is to deliver the first, huge, U.S. built solar arrays to be installed on ISS.
ISS Commander Bill Shepherd, Soyuz Commander Yuri Gidzenko and Flight Engineer Sergei Krikalev recently hooked up cables and other hardware to the Station's Motion Control System. This will enable ISS to automatically reactivate its jet thrusters after the docking of a supply ship or a manned Soyuz vehicle.
According to NASA, the only significant activity on tap for the weekend calls for the crew to begin the setup of ham radio equipment in Zarya. The ARISS team was informed by Mission Control in Moscow that the crew had confirmed they had installed the amateur radio hardware. Several engineering test passes need to be performed before general ham radio operations can commence. According to the ARISS team "this is a major step forward for amateur radio in human spaceflight."
ARISS team member Will Marchant, KC6ROL, reported to ANS that "with the successful execution of engineering test communications passes, the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station project has passed a significant milestone. The initial two passes were through the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC) ham shack R3K in Star City near Moscow. The control operator at Star City was Sergej Samburov, RV3DR." Will added that Eugene Labutin, RA3APR, planned to address the crew and Vladimir Zagainov, UA3DKR, was also in the ham shack. Sergej is the Russian delegate to the ARISS team and Eugene is the AMSAT Russia president. Eugene is also continuing a family tradition as his father made the inaugural contacts with the Mir ham station.
KC6ROL also reported that a subsequent test pass through the NN1SS station at the Goddard Space Flight Center was equally successful. Engineering tests with the packet rig still need to be organized.
The crew, while still very busy, expressed their interest and support of amateur radio activities on ISS. "It seems likely that over the next few weeks, as the crew's schedule settles out, that we may be able to look forward to more ham radio activity from humanity's latest foothold in space," according to KC6ROL.
Once general ham operation begins, the ARISS team reminds all satellite operators to please remember to practice good operating practices and remain courteous and patient with this crew while they establish their ham operation preferences.
ARISS recommends to listen before transmitting and make sure you don't step upon another QSO. Wait for the crew to call for contacts before transmitting. Please let others have a chance with a rare contact, don't monopolize the crew or the packet rig and please do not ask the crew to schedule school contacts or other schedules as this puts them in an awkward and uncomfortable position.
Students at the Burbank School in Burbank, Illinois, are tentatively scheduled to have a QSO with the Expedition-1 crew in December. The school applied for a SAREX QSO in January 1996, and its application is currently the one waiting the longest in the files. Another 18 schools are under consideration for ARISS school contacts. More information about requesting dedicated contacts is available on the ARISS web pages.
The Expedition-1 portion of the ARISS web page has been updated. See http://ariss.gsfc.nasa.gov/ExpeditionOne/
[ANS thanks NASA, ARISS and the ARRL for this information]
ANS news in brief this week includes the following:
ISS . Mir . RS-12 . RS-13 . RS-15 . AO-10 . AO-27 . UO-14 . FO-20 . FO-29 . KO-23 . KO-25 . UO-11 . AO-16 . DO-17 . WO-18 . LO-19 . UO-22 . IO-26 . TO-31 . GO-32 . SO-33 . PO-34 . SO-35 . UO-36
Worldwide packet uplink: 145.990 MHz
Region 1 voice uplink: 145.200 MHz
Region 2/3 voice uplink: 144.490 MHz
Worldwide downlink for voice and packet: 145.800 MHz
TNC callsign RZ3DZR
ARISS initial station launched September 2000 aboard shuttle Atlantis
Status: Engineering test communications passes completed
ARISS team member Will Marchant, KC6ROL, reported to ANS that the weekend of November 11, 2000 saw successful execution of engineering amateur radio test communications passes. The initial two passes were through the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center ham shack R3K in Star City near Moscow. KC6ROL also reported that a subsequent test pass through the NN1SS station at the Goddard Space Flight Center was equally successful. Engineering tests with the packet rig still need to be organized.
The crew, while still very busy, expressed their interest and support of amateur radio activities on ISS. "It seems likely that over the next few weeks, as the crew's schedule settles out, that we may be able to look forward to more ham radio activity from humanity's latest foothold in space," according to KC6ROL.
The initial station will use an existing antenna that will be adapted to support 2-meter FM voice and packet. The ARISS equipment will get a more-permanent home aboard the Service Module in 2001, along with VHF and UHF antennas. Plans call for amateur TV, both slow scan and fast scan ATV, a digipeater and relay stations.
Planning for the deployment and use of the ham system aboard ISS has been an international effort coordinated by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. The effort began in 1996 with the formation of the Amateur Radio International Space Station organization. ARISS is made up of delegates from major national amateur radio organizations, including AMSAT.
Two U.S. callsigns have recently been issued for amateur radio operations with ISS. The FCC granted vanity callsigns NA1SS and NN1SS to the International Space Station Amateur Radio Club in mid-October. The NA1SS callsign will be used aboard ISS, and NN1SS will be used for ground-based transmissions from the Goddard Space Flight Center. Russian callsign RZ3DZR and German call sign DL0ISS have previously been issued for use aboard the station. The crew may use their own callsigns (KD5GSL, U5MIR) or they may use one of the ISS calls. RZ3DZR is also the callsign entered into the TNC currently onboard Alpha.
More information about the project can be found on the ARISS web site at http://ariss.gsfc.nasa.gov
[ANS thanks the ARISS team for this information]
Uplink 21.260 to 21.300 MHz CW/SSB
Downlink 29.460 to 29.500 MHz CW/SSB
Downlink 145.860 to 145.900 MHz CW/SSB
Beacon 145.863 MHz
Launched February 5, 1991 aboard a Russian Cosmos C launcher
Operational, recently changed to mode-KT with a 2-meter and 10-meter downlink and 15-meter uplink
First noted on the AMSAT bulletin board by Randy, N7SFI, RS-13 apparently has switched to mode KT. Jerry, K5OE, confirmed the move. Jerry notes that "2-meter beacon is at 145.863 MHz, and the 2-meter downlink seems to be 145.860-145.900 MHz. K5OE reports the "2-meter downlink audio is terrific, much better than the 10-meter audio."
Kevin, AC5DK, also reported the mode change on RS-13 "and it's thrown everybody for a loop!"
More information about RS-12 and RS-13 can be found on AC5DK's RS-12/13 Satellite Operators Page: http://www.qsl.net/ac5dk/rs1213/rs1213.html
Uplink 145.858 to 145.898 MHz CW/SSB
Downlink 29.354 to 29.394 MHz CW/SSB
Beacon 29.352 MHz (intermittent)
SSB meeting frequency 29.380 MHz (unofficial)
Launched December 26, 1994 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome
Semi-operational, Mode A (2m uplink, 10m downlink)
Dave, WB6LLO, has operating information for both RS-15 and RS-13 on his personal web site. In addition to satellite data, antenna information for mode A operation is also featured. The WB6LLO web site URL is http://home.san.rr.com/doguimont/uploads
Uplink 435.030 to 435.180 MHz CW/LSB
Downlink 145.975 to 145.825 MHz CW/USB
Beacon 145.810 MHz (unmodulated carrier)
Launched June 16, 1983 by an Ariane launcher from Kourou, French Guiana
Semi-operational.
DX continues to be worked (and heard) on AO-10.
Stacey Mills, W4SM, has more information about the satellite at http://www.cstone.net/~w4sm/AO-10.html
[ANS thanks Stacey Mills, W4SM, for his AO-10 status information and web site]
Uplink 145.850 MHz FM
Downlink 436.795 MHz FM
Launched September 26, 1993 by an Ariane launcher from Kourou, French Guiana
Operational
Periodically, AO-27's analog repeater will be turned off for a few days at a time to enable ground controllers to gather Whole Orbital Data (WOD), to verify the health of the satellite.
An AO-27 question-and-answer page is available on the AMSAT-NA web site: http://www.amsat.org/amsat/intro/ao27faq.html.
AO-27 uses a method called Timed Eclipse Power Regulation (TEPR) to regulate the on-board batteries. In simple terms, TEPR times how long the satellite has been in an eclipse (or in the sun) and decides what subsystems to turn on or off. The current TEPR settings are:
TEPR 4: 36
TEPR 5: 72
The AO-27 pages on the AMSAT-NA web site include an explanation of TEPR AO-27 operations at http://www.amsat.org/amsat/sats/n7hpr/ao27.html
[ANS thanks AMRAD for AO-27 information]
Uplink 145.975 MHz FM
Downlink 435.070 MHz FM
Launched January 22, 1990 by an Ariane launcher from Kourou, French Guiana
Operational.
Tim, KG8OC, has updated the Michigan AMSAT Information site to include UO-14 information, see http://www.qsl.net/kg8oc
[ANS thanks Chris Jackson, G7UPN / ZL2TPO, for UO-14 information]
Uplink 436.291 MHz CW/LSB
Downlink 145.825 MHz CW/LSB
Mode J uplink 145.825 MHz FM
Mode J downlink 436.250 MHz FM
Mode B uplink 436.291 MHz FM
Mode B downlink 145.825 MHz FM
Launched February 23, 1999 by a Delta II rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base
in California
Operational.
The SunSat package includes 1200 and 9600 baud digital store-and-forward capability and a voice 'parrot' repeater system that will be used primarily for educational demonstrations in addition to Mode J operation. The satellite has two VHF and two UHF transmit-receive systems.
For more information on SunSat, visit http://sunsat.ee.sun.ac.za
A summary of the active modes and frequency allocations for SunSat is available at http://esl.ee.sun.ac.za/~lochner/sunsat/modes.html
[ANS thanks Garth Milne ZR1AFH, for this information]
Uplink 145.900 to 146.000 MHz CW/LSB
Downlink 435.800 to 435.900 MHz CW/USB
Launched February 7, 1990 by an H1 launcher from the Tanegashima Space Center in
Japan
Operational.
FO-20 is in mode JA continuously.
Several satellite operators have reported problems with FO-20's transponder. Mike, N1JEZ, told ANS that he believes the loss of signal is a combination of two factors. First, battery age and an increase in FM traffic due to operators unaware of the band plan. Mike reports he routinely hears FM signals on the transponder.
Tak, JA2PKI, reported the FO-20 control station operators now believe that the UVC (Under Voltage Controller) now is regulating the transponder. The UVC monitors battery voltage and tries to protect the batteries from over discharge. Tak notes that FO-20, launched in 1990, is now over 10 years old.
[ANS thanks Kazu Sakamoto, JJ1WTK for the FO-20 status reports]
The JARL FO-29 command station has announced the following operation schedule of FO-29:
| Nov 7 - 16 | JA |
| Nov 17 - 26 | JD 1200 baud PSK mailbox |
| Nov 27 - Dec 7 | JA |
The FO-29 command station further reports the mode switching Digi-talker to mode JA was unsuccessful recently and FO-29 will remain in Digi-talker mode until the next switch attempt can be made.
Mike, KF4FDJ, has put together a very informative document on FO-29, addressing analog, digital and digi-talker modes. To obtain a copy e-mail Mike at kf4fdj@amsat.org
Mineo, JE9PEL, has updated his FO-29 satellite telemetry analysis program. The software will automatically analyze all digital telemetry from the satellite such as current, voltage and temperature. The JE9PEL FO-29/software update is available at http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/
[ANS thanks Kazu Sakamoto, JJ1WTK, for the FO-29 status reports]
Uplink to be released
Downlink 437.075 MHz
Launched September 26, 2000 aboard a converted Soviet ballistic missile from the Baikonur Cosmodrome
Status: Commissioning stage, initial housekeeping tasks underway
SaudiSat-1A will operate as 9600 baud digital store-and-forward systems as well analog FM repeater mode capability. One of two new ham satellites from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia built by the Space Research Institute at the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology.
Uplink to be released
Downlink 436.775 MHz
Launched September 26, 2000 aboard a converted Soviet ballistic missile from the Baikonur Cosmodrome
Status: Commissioning stage, initial housekeeping tasks underway
SaudiSat-1B will operate as 9600 baud digital store-and-forward systems as well analog FM repeater mode capability. One of two new ham satellites from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia built by the Space Research Institute at the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology.
Uplink 145.850 or 145.925 MHz 9600 baud FSK
Downlink 437.325 MHz
Broadcast callsign: MYSAT3-11
BBS: MYSAT3-12
NUP: MYSAT3-10
Launched September 26, 2000 aboard a converted Soviet ballistic missile from the Baikonur Cosmodrome
Status: Operational in digital mode, currently at 9600 baud FSK
TiungSat-1 is Malaysia's first micro-satellite and in addition to commercial land and weather imaging payloads will offer FM and FSK amateur radio communication.
TiungSat-1, named after the mynah bird of Malaysia, was developed as a collaborative effort between the Malaysian government and Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd.
For more information on TiungSat-1, see http://www.yellowpages.com.my/tiungsat/tiung_main.htm
Uplink 145.980 MHz FM
Downlink 436.500 MHz FM, 9600 Baud FSK
Launched September 26, 1993 by an Ariane launcher from Kourou, French Guiana
Operational.
Jim, AA7KC, reports nominal KO-25 operation, with low traffic.
[ANS thanks Jim Weisenberger, AA7KC, for KO-25 status information]
Uplink 145.900 or 145.975 MHz FM
Downlink 435.120 MHz FM 9600 Baud FSK
Launched July 17, 1991 by an Ariane launcher from Kourou, French Guiana
Operational
Jim, AA7KC, reports nominal UO-22 operation at high efficiency, with heavy traffic and major sat-gate operation.
More information on the satellite is available at http://www.sstl.co.uk
[ANS thanks Chris Jackson, G7UPN/ZL2TPO for UO-22 status information]
Downlink 145.825 MHz FM, 1200 baud PSK
Beacon 2401.500 MHz
Launched March 1, 1994 by a Delta-Thor rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in
California
Operational.
OSCAR-11 celebrated its sixteenth birthday on March 1, 2000.
During the period 16-September to 17-October excellent signals have been received from the 145 MHz beacon. The satellite is currently experiencing very good solar conditions that should continue through the end of the year.
Ground control operations recently reset the magnetorquer counters and the spin period has now started to slowly return to a nominal value.
The battery voltage observed during daylight passes has continued to increase. The average value observed was 14.0, with a range of 13.9 to 14.1 volts. The internal temperatures have increased recently. They are now 5.8C and 4.2C for battery and telemetry electronics respectively. This rise in temperature is expected to continue as solar eclipse times become shorter.
The operating schedule is 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.
More information on OSCAR-11 is available at http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/clivew/
[ANS thanks Clive Wallis, G3CWV, for OSCAR-11 status information]
Uplink 145.840, 145.860, 145.880, 145.900 MHz 1200 bps Manchester FSK
Downlink 437.150 MHz SSB, 1200 bps RC-BPSK
CW Downlink 437.125 MHz
Launched January 22, 1990 by an Ariane launcher from Kourou, French Guiana
Semi-operational.
The CW beacon is sending eight telemetry channels and one status channel. No BBS service is available. The digipeater is not active.
Mineo, JE9PEL, has recorded LO-19 CW and PSK telemetry and placed the information on his Internet homepage site at http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/
General information and telemetry samples can be found at http://www.telecable.es/personales/ea1bcu
[ANS thanks Miguel A. Menendez, EA1BCU, for this report.]
Uplink 145.900, 145.920, 145.940, 145.860 MHz FM, 1200 bps Manchester
FSK
Downlink 437.025 MHz SSB, 1200 bps RC-BPSK 1200 Baud PSK
Beacon 2401.1428 MHz.
Launched January 22, 1990 by an Ariane launcher from Kourou, French Guiana
Semi-operational.
Russ, WJ9F, reported the S-band transmitter is off. The VHF uplink and the UHF PSK transmitter are operational (TX power at 1.5 watts). The digipeater command is on.
Telemetry is as follows:
uptime is 271/17:35:40. Time is Fri Nov 10 21:06:41 2000 +X (RX) Temp -1.212 D RX Temp 12.100 D Bat 1 V 1.263 V Bat 2 V 1.267 V Bat 3 V 1.291 V Bat 4 V 1.283 V Bat 5 V 1.263 V Bat 6 V 1.265 V Bat 7 V 1.253 V Bat 8 V 1.306 V Bat 1 Temp 6.654 D Bat 2 Temp 6.654 D Baseplt Temp 6.049 D PSK TX RF Out 1.330 W RC PSK BP Temp -0.002 D RC PSK HPA Tmp 0.603 D +Y Array Temp -17.550 D PSK TX HPA Tmp 3.629 D +Z Array Temp -6.658 D +10V Bus 10.500 V Total Array C= 0.000 Bat Ch Cur=-0.459 Ifb= 0.150 I+10V= 0.323 TX:1008 BCR:1E PWRC:05C BT:1E WC:25 EDAC:51
A new WOD collection of current graphics along with general information and telemetry samples can be found at http://www.telecable.es/personales/ea1bcu
[ANS thanks Miguel A. Menendez, EA1BCU, for this report.]
Uplink 145.925 MHz 9600 baud FSK
Downlink 436.925 MHz 9600 baud FSK
Launched July 10, 1998 by a Zenit rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome
Operational.
Jim, AA7KC, reports nominal TO-31 operation, with moderate traffic and five new image files available as of November 8th.
ProcMail V2.00G has been released by G7UPN. This software permits the processing of image files from TO-31. It has been posted to the AMSAT-NA FTP site at http://www.amsat.org/amsat/software/win32/wisp
Many of the high-resolution color images transmitted by TMSAT are compressed using a UoSAT compression format. This format is supported by the VK5HI CCD display program.
[ANS thanks Chris Jackson, G7UPN/ZL2TPO, for this report]
Uplink 145.960 MHz, 9600 baud FSK
Downlink 437.025, 437.400 MHz, 9600 baud FSK
Launched April 21, 1999 by a Russian launcher from the Baikonur Cosmodrome
Status: Operational
UO-36 carries a number of imaging payloads, digital store-and-forward communications and mode L/S transponders.
NASA has demonstrated on UO-36 the ability to use standard Internet protocols to communicate with an orbiting spacecraft (just like any node on the Internet). NASA has been developing this project by working with the commercial payload aboard UoSAT-12.
The BBS is open, although uploading and downloading may be disabled at times.
The VK5HI viewer shareware for UO-36 is available on the AMSAT-NA web site at ftp://ftp.amsat.org/amsat/software/win32/display/ccddsp97-119.zip
Further information on UO-36 is available from: http://www.sstl.co.uk/
[ANS thanks Chris G7UPN/ZL2TPO, and the University of Surrey, for this information]
Uplink 145.875, 145.900, 145.925, 145.950 MHz FM
Downlink 435.822 MHz SSB, 1200 Baud PSK
Launched September 26, 1993 by an Ariane launcher from Kourou, French Guiana
Semi-operational.
Digipeater function is on, open to APRS use.
[ANS thanks ITAMSAT Project Manager Alberto E. Zagni, I2KBD, for this information]
Uplink 145.850, 145.900 MHz FM
Downlink 435.175 MHz FM, 9600 Baud FSK
Launched August 10, 1992 by an Ariane launcher from Kourou, French Guiana
Status: Intermittent operation with the downlink transmitter operating at unpredictable intervals
Jim, AA7KC, reports that KO-23's downlink transmitter had been operational recently, but is (again) not transmitting. Duration of this status is unpredictable. Last received downlink was on October 28th.
KyungHee Kim, HL0ENJ, reports (from the KO-23 control team) that part of the problem with non-operation has been the power budget aboard the satellite. HL0ENJ also reports that KO-23 is currently in a full sunlight period that should last through the end of October. The control team will attempt to operate the satellite during this period along with an attempt to control the attitude system. "We are not sure when the bird might be turned off again due to insufficient power. The capability of the onboard power system has been less and less," said Kim.
[ANS thanks Jim Weisenberger, AA7KC, and KyungHee Kim, HL0ENJ, for KO-23 status information]
Uplink 145.910 to 145.950 MHz CW/SSB
Uplink 21.210 to 21.250 MHz CW/SSB
Downlink 29.410 to 29.450 MHz CW/SSB
Downlink 145.910 to 145.950 MHz CW/SSB
Beacon 29.408 MHz
Robot Uplink 21.129 MHz, Downlink 29.454 MHz
Launched February 5, 1991 aboard a Russian Cosmos C launcher
Non-operational. No operation in 2000 has been observed.
Downlink 435.225 MHz, HDLC telemetry
Launched July 10, 1998 by a Russian Zenit rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome
Semi-operational.
Efforts were reported to be underway to bring GO-32 on line, however no additional information has been received by ANS (the last report was dated November 1999).
Last reported, the satellite does transmit a 9600-baud burst every 30 seconds (the GO-32 beacon sends one short telemetry status transmission of 44 bytes) and, upon request, the complete telemetry buffer. The program to the access the satellite can be downloaded from the homepage.
The TechSat team has a home page about TechSat: http://www.technion.ac.il/pub/projects/techsat/asher/techsatmain.html
Uplink/downlink frequencies have never been released.
Launched October 30, 1998 by the Shuttle Discovery
Status: unknown
The satellite is not currently available for general uplink transmissions.
PanSat was developed by the Naval Postgraduate School. At the time of launch, PanSat spread-spectrum digital transponders were promised to be available to amateur radio operators along with software to utilize this technology. To date, this has not happened.
For more information, visit the official PANSAT web site at:
http://www.sp.nps.navy.mil/pansat/
PanSat was the featured cover article in the July/August 1999 issue of the AMSAT-NA Journal (written by KD6DRA and N7HPR).
[ANS thanks Dan Sakoda, KD6DRA, for this information]
145.985 MHz simplex FM voice and SSTV (Robot 36 mode)
Launched February 18, 1986
Unmanned.
MIR SAFEX II 70-cm Repeater
Uplink 435.750 MHz FM w/subaudible tone 141.3 Hz
Downlink 437.950 MHz FM
Not operational. No operation in 1999 or 2000 has been observed.
MIR SAFEX II 70-cm QSO Mode
Uplink 435.725 MHz FM w/subaudible tone 151.4 Hz
Downlink 437.925 MHz FM
Not operational. No operation in 1999 or 2000 has been observed.
Currently, there is no human habitation aboard the station and the amateur radio equipment has been turned off. Several news agencies have reported that Mir in now on 'autopilot'.
Stay tuned to ANS for further details.
Downlink 145.825 MHz FM, 1200 Baud AFSK
Beacon 2401.220 MHz
Launched January 22, 1990 by an Ariane launcher from Kourou, French Guiana
Non-operational.
DOVE stopped transmitting in March 1998. The 145.825 MHz and 2401.220 MHz downlinks are off the air and the satellite has not responded to ground station control. No additional information is available at this time.
Downlink 437.104 MHz SSB, 1200 Baud PSK AX.25
Launched January 22, 1990 by an Ariane launcher from Kourou, French Guiana
Non-operational.
WO-18 was last reported to be in MBL mode after a software crash.
No additional information is available at this time.
Downlink 437.910 MHz FM 9600 Baud FSK
Launched October 24, 1998 by a Delta 2 rocket from Cape Canaveral in Florida
Non-operational.
The satellite is not currently available for uplink transmissions and image and transponder recovery efforts have been unsuccessful.
SEDSAT-1 signifies Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (satellite number one).
SedSat-1 has downlinked months worth of telemetry data on the performance of its electrical power system parameters. The Nickel Metal Hydride batteries on the spacecraft were experimental and experienced some abuse due to a power negative situation. This information has provided NASA with useful information. With the exception of the imaging system and the use of the transponders, SedSat-1 has been judged a success.
For more information on SedSat-1 visit the satellite web site at http://www.seds.org/sedsat
No additional information is available at this time.
ANS would like to thank Mike Seguin, N1JEZ, ANS principal satellite investigator, for helping provide current satellite information for ANS.
Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to the ANS Editors at ans-editor@amsat.org, or to ANS Editor Dan James, NN0DJ, at nn0dj@amsat.org.
This week's AMSAT News Service bulletins were edited by AMSAT News Service editor Dan James, NN0DJ.
