ANS-363 AMSAT News Service Bulletins for December 29

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-363

The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and information service of AMSAT, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS publishes news related to Amateur Radio in space including reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building, launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio satellites.

The news feed on https://amsat.org publishes news of Amateur Radio in space as soon as our volunteers can post it. Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor at amsat dot org.  You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see:  https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans

In this edition:

  • First Element of ARISS Next Generation Radio System Readied for Launch on SpaceX CRS-20
  • ARISS SSTV Event Planned for December 28 – January 1
  • Reminder: AMSAT CW Day on January 1
  • Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for December 26
  • Upcoming Satellite Operations
  • Satellite Shorts From All Over

First Element of ARISS Next Generation Radio System Readied for Launch on SpaceX CRS-20

IORS
IORS with TM-D710GA

During this Holiday Season, when the spirit of giving and receiving gifts reigns high, ARISS received a special gift and delivered a phenomenal gift to the international community. This occurred on Thursday December 19, 2019.

Our international gift to all—students, STEM education, the public and the amateur radio community—was the historic transfer of the first Interoperable Radio System (IORS) flight unit, serial number 1001, to NASA Johnson Space Center for launch on SpaceX CRS-20. The special gift received by ARISS was the approval from NASA Safety to launch the IORS on SpaceX CRS-20 and stow the radio system on the International Space Station. December 19, 2019 was truly a banner day for ARISS!

The IORS is a foundational element of the ARISS next generation radio system and is an incredible engineering achievement by the ARISS hardware team. This first element delivery will support easier radio mode transitions and enable new, exciting capabilities for hams, students and the general public. The IORS will include a higher power radio, an enhanced voice repeater, updated digital packet radio (APRS) capabilities and slow scan television (SSTV) capabilities for both the US and Russian segments. The IORS consists of a special, modified JVC Kenwood TM-D710GA transceiver, an AMSAT-developed multi voltage power supply and interconnecting cables.

This first flight IORS will be installed in the ISS Columbus module. A second flight unit is expected to be launched sometime in 2020 for installation in the Russian Service module. A total of 4 flight units and 10 total units will be built by the ARISS hardware team to support on-board flight operations, training, operations planning and hardware testing. Future upgrades and enhancements to the next generation system are in various stages of design & development. These include a repaired Ham Video system (currently planned for launch in mid-to-late 2020), L-band (uplink) repeater, ground command operations capability, LimeSDR signal reception, a microwave “Ham Communicator” and Lunar Gateway prototype experiment.

While yesterday was truly an historic milestone, it should be noted that there is still much “heavy lifting” work to be done to prepare the IORS for Operations on ISS. ARISS has 92 engineering requirements and our operations Phase III safety review to complete. The space agencies take a position of “Trust but Verify.” Thus, these engineering and safety “verifications” all need to be closed out before the IORS can be unstowed and turned on. This will be the ARISS hardware team’s focus over the next few months.

Also, please remember that ARISS is almost entirely run by volunteers. So donations to the ARISS program for next generation hardware developments, operations, education and administrative functions are always welcome. Please go to https://www.ariss.org/donate.html if you want to contribute to our efforts!

In closing, ARISS would like to thank the outstanding contributions of the IORS hardware development team on an incredible radio system. ARISS would like to thank our sponsors and donors for helping us realize the IORS hardware systems. On behalf of the ARISS team, we would like to wish you all a joyful and prosperous Holiday Season — Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy New Year!!

Ad Astra! To the Stars!

73,
Frank Bauer, KA3HDO
ARISS International Chair
AMSAT V.P. for Human Spaceflight Programs

[ANS thanks Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, AMSAT Vice President – Human Spaceflight and ARISS International Chair for the above information]

Purchase AMSAT Gear on our Zazzle storefront.
25% of the purchase price of each product goes
towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space
 https://www.zazzle.com/amsat_gear

ARISS SSTV Event Planned for December 28 – January 1

ARISS is planning an SSTV event featuring commemorative images. This event is currently scheduled to begin on December 28, 2019 at 11:00 UTC and ends at 18:20 UTC on January 1, 2020. Please make note that sometimes changes may occur in the crew work schedule that could affect our SSTV transmission dates and times, so frequently check our ARISS Facebook and Twitter accounts shown below for any updates before and throughout the event.

Transmissions will be sent at 145.800 MHz FM in the SSTV mode PD-120. Once received, images can be posted and viewed by the public at http://www.spaceflightsoftware.com/ARISS_SSTV/index.php and you can receive a special SSTV ARISS Award for posting your image. See https://ariss.pzk.org.pl/sstv/ for details. Also for simplicity, we have added a new information tab for SSTV events, under the General Contacts pulldown menu at  https://www.ariss.org/ .

[ANS thanks Dave Jordan, AA4KN, ARISS Public Relations for the above information]

Reminder: AMSAT CW Day on January 1

You are cordially invited to take part in AMSAT CW Activity Day 2020 sponsored by AMSAT for all radio amateurs throughout the world. The 2020 event will be held in memory of Larry Brown, W7LB, and Keith Pugh, W5IU. Among their many contributions to AMSAT, they were the AMSAT 20-meter net for many years.

Participation is easy. Just operate CW through any Amateur Radio satellite on 1 January 2020. Use of straight keys or bugs is encouraged but not required. If you use AO-7, please observe the QRP rules currently in effect for that 45-year-old satellite. May it be with us for many years to come!

[ANS thanks Raphael Soifer, W2RS, AMSAT Senior Advisor for the above information.]

The digital download version of the 2019 edition of
Getting Started with Amateur Satellites is now available
as a DRM-free PDF from the AMSAT Store. Get yours today!
https://tinyurl.com/ANS-237-Getting-Started

Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for December 26

This week’s AMSAT TLE distribution reflects the following two satellite name changes per ANS Bulletin 356.01 dated December 22, 2019:

  • SMOG-P (Cat. ID 44832) is now MO-105 (Magyar-OSCAR 105) and ATL-1 (Cat. ID 44830) is now MO-106 (Magyar-OSCAR 106).
    (Per Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA AMSAT VP Operations / OSCAR Number Administrator)
  • The following Amateur Radio satellite has been added to this week’s TLE distribution:
  • FloripaSat 1 – NORAD CAT ID 44830 (Taiyuan Space Center launch, 12/20/2019).
    (Thanks to Nico Janseen, PA0DLO, for satellite identification.)
  • CAS-6 was launched as a piggyback satellite on TIANQIN-1 on December 20, 2019 via a CZ-4B launch vehicle from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center. Still awaiting a satellite signal, thus the CAT ID has not been positively identified as yet. More later.

[ANS thanks Ray Hoad, WA5QGD, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager for the above information]

Need new satellite antennas? Purchase Arrows, Alaskan Arrows, and M2 LEO-Packs
from the AMSAT Store. When you purchase through AMSAT, a portion of the proceeds
goes towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space.
https://amsat.org/product-category/hardware/

Donate to AMSAT Tax-Free From Your IRA

Are you over 70-1/2 years of age and need to meet your IRA’s Required Minimum Distribution for 2019? Consider making a donation to AMSAT!

Under the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015, individuals over 70-1/2 years of age may make direct transfers of up to $100,000 per year from a traditional IRA to an eligible charity without increasing their taxable income. Consult your tax advisor or accountant to make certain you are eligible.

AMSAT is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational and scientific organization whose purpose is to design, construct, launch, and operate satellites in space and to provide the support needed to
encourage amateurs to utilize these resources. AMSAT’s federal tax ID is 52-0888529.

Upcoming Satellite Operations

Satellite Shorts:

  • Dec 27-30 EM90 N4DCW – vacation style (Twitter: @MWimages)
  • Dec 27-30 EL86 K4WPX FM
  • Dec 30 EM94 (overnight) – vacation style (Twitter: @MWimages)
  • Dec 30-Jan 01 EL87/88 K4WPX FM
  • Jan 02 EM58/68 WB9VPG Midday passes on AO-91/92

Rover Activations:

  • Wyoming (DN71,DN72,DN81,DN82) December 31, 2019
    Doug, N6UA, and RJ, WY7AA are teaming up with special guest operator Ron, AD0DX, to activate the DN71, DN72, DN81, DN82 grid corner on December 31st. Plan is to be there for the morning FM passes and stay until they get bored. FM and SSB.
  • Mississippi River Delta (EL58) January 4, 2019
    Ron AD0DX, Brian KG5GJT, and Robert KE4AL will operate as W5M/mm from the mouth of the Mississippi River (EL58) on January 4th. This will be a 6-hour activation from approximately 1430z to 2030z, on FM and linear satellites. Further information will be posted as it comes available.
  • Labrador (GO11 +) January 19-27, 2019
    Chris VE3FU, Dave VE9CB, and Frank VO1HP will be active as VO2AC in the 2020 CQ160 CW contest, January 24-26, from Point Armour Lighthouse, in Labrador. If time permits before the contest, they may be active on FM satellites from GO11 as VO2AC or VO2AAA. Depending on weather and timing of passes, you might catch them on FM satellites as they make their way from FO93 to GO-11, passing through FO92, GO02, GO13, GO12, and GO22 along the way, but no promises. They will also make the reverse trek on January 27.
  • Big Bend National Park (DL88) March 16-17, 2020
    Ron AD0DX, Doug N6UA, and Josh W3ARD will operate from Big Bend National Park to put grid DL88 on the air. Details will be added here as they come available, but you are more than welcome to keep an eye on their individual Twitter feeds: https://twitter.com/ad0dx, https://twitter.com/dtabor, and https://twitter.com/W3ARDstroke5

Please submit any additions or corrections to ke4al (at) amsat.org

[ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT VP – User Services, for the above information]

AMSAT, along with our ARISS partners, is developing an amateur radio package,
including two-way communication capability, to be carried on-board Gateway in
lunar orbit. Support AMSAT’s projects today at https://www.amsat.org/donate/ 

Satellite Shorts From All Over

  • www.zarya.info (@Zarya_Info) reports that on Dec 18 at ~01:00 UTC, the Meteor M2-2 meteorological satellite collided with an item of space debris and entered a tumble. This event reduced orbit SMA by 1 km and height from 813 x 815 km to 811 x 814 km. The satellite is now stabilized and communicating. Damage is being assessed.
  • Mike Thomas, KB8BMY, has made a video for those of you wanting to take the next step to Linear Ham Radio Satellites. He shows how he put his station together: My Linear Satellite Setup / KB8BMY / How to Set Up a Portable Linear Station: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrQ14Cs9ia4&feature=youtu.be
  • Satellite antennas don’t need to be very high, but tower safety is always a good topic for amateurs: https://zerofalls.org/
  • Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin #1445 listed these two satellite activations:
  • 7X, ALGERIA. Members of the “Association des Radio Amateurs Tunisiens” (ARAT) are traveling to Algeria to conduct a joint Low Bands DXpedition with five members of the “Amateurs Radio Algeriens” (ARA) between December 28th and January 2nd (2020). The team is led by Afif/7X2RO and Ash/3V8SS/KF5EYY, and will also includes Ahmed/3V1B/KG5OUE (22 years), Marwa/3V8CB (24 years, YL), Mohamed/7X3TL (27 years), Mohamed/7X5FG, Redha/7X5QB and Abdelghani/7X2TT/M0NPT. The operators will be focusing on working as many stations as possible on 160 and 80 meters as well as the other HF bands and Satellites. Modes will be CW/SSB/FT8. QSL via 7X2RO and LoTW. There will be ClubLog Live Streaming. For more details on how to help and/or LF skeds, E-mail Ash at: ash.kf5eyy at gmail.com  Your financial support will be used to cover youngsters’ costs.
  • VO2, CANADA (Zone 2). Operators Chris/VE3FU (VO2AC), Frank/VO1HP and Dave/VE9CB (VO2AAA) will be active as VO2AC during the 2020 CQWW 160M CW Contest (January 24-26th) from the Point Amour Lighthouse, the tallest lighthouse in Atlantic Canada, on the south coast of the rare Labrador (LB) multiplier. Point Amour is located in the southeast part of CQ Zone 2, and has a salt water path from NE clockwise through SW. The team will be putting in a serious Multi-Op/High-Power effort as VO2AC. Expect some pre contest activity as VO2AC, VO1HP/VO2 and VO2AAA on 160m as they get their wire vertical array and beverage working; they will especially be looking for JA/Asia on CW and FT8. If time permits, they may also be active before the contest on 80m, 60m, 40m and the FM satellites (AO-85, AO-91 and AO-92) from Grid GO11.

 

In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the President’s Club. Members of the President’s Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive additional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT office.

Primary and secondary school students are eligible for membership at one-half the standard yearly rate. Post-secondary school students enrolled in at least half time status shall be eligible for the student rate for a maximum of six post-secondary years in this status. Contact Martha at the AMSAT office for additional student membership information.

73 and remember to help keep amateur radio in space,
This week’s ANS Editor,
Paul Stoetzer, N8HM
n8hm at amsat dot org

First Element of ARISS Next Generation Radio System Readied for Launch on SpaceX CRS-20

During this Holiday Season, when the spirit of giving and receiving gifts reigns high, ARISS received a special gift and delivered a phenomenal gift to the international community.  This occurred on Thursday December 19, 2019.

Our international gift to all—students, STEM education, the public and the amateur radio community—was the historic transfer of the first Interoperable Radio System (IORS) flight unit, serial number 1001, to NASA Johnson Space Center for launch on SpaceX CRS-20.  The special gift received by ARISS was the approval from NASA Safety to launch the IORS on SpaceX CRS-20 and stow the radio system on the International Space Station.  December 19, 2019 was truly a banner day for ARISS!

The IORS is a foundational element of the ARISS next generation radio system and is an incredible engineering achievement by the ARISS hardware team. This first element delivery will support easier radio mode transitions and enable new, exciting capabilities for hams, students and the general public.  The IORS will include a higher power radio, an enhanced voice repeater, updated digital packet radio (APRS) capabilities and slow scan television (SSTV) capabilities for both the US and Russian segments. The IORS consists of a special, modified JVCKenwood TM-D710GA transceiver, an AMSAT-developed multi voltage power supply and interconnecting cables.

This first flight IORS will be installed in the ISS Columbus module.  A second flight unit is expected to be launched sometime in 2020 for installation in the Russian Service module.  A total of 4 flight units and 10 total units will be built by the ARISS hardware team to support on-board flight operations, training, operations planning and hardware testing.  Future upgrades and enhancements to the next generation system are in various stages of design & development.  These include a repaired Ham Video system (currently planned for launch in mid-to-late 2020), L-band (uplink) repeater, ground command operations capability, LimeSDR signal reception, a microwave “Ham Communicator” and Lunar Gateway prototype experiment.

While yesterday was truly an historic milestone, it should be noted that there is still much “heavy lifting” work to be done to prepare the IORS for Operations on ISS.  ARISS has 92 engineering requirements and our operations Phase III safety review to complete.  The space agencies take a position of “Trust but Verify.”  Thus, these engineering and safety “verifications” all need to be closed out before the IORS can be unstowed and turned on.  This will be the ARISS hardware team’s focus over the next few months.

Also, please remember that ARISS is almost entirely run by volunteers.  So donations to the ARISS program for next generation hardware developments, operations, education and administrative functions are always welcome.  Please go to https://www.ariss.org/donate.html  if you want to contribute to our efforts!

In closing, ARISS would like to thank the outstanding contributions of the IORS hardware development team on an incredible radio system.  ARISS would like to thank our sponsors and donors for helping us realize the IORS hardware systems.  On behalf of the ARISS team, we would like to wish you all a joyful and prosperous Holiday Season—Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy New Year!!

Ad Astra!  To the Stars!

73,
Frank Bauer, KA3HDO
ARISS International Chair
AMSAT V.P. for Human Spaceflight Programs

IORS

ANS-356 AMSAT News Service Bulletins for December 22

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-356

The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and information service of AMSAT, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS publishes news related to Amateur Radio in space including reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building, launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio satellites.

The news feed on https://amsat.org publishes news of Amateur Radio in space as soon as our volunteers can post it. Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor at amsat dot org.  You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see:  https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans

In this edition:

  • SMOG-P and ATL-1 Designated Magyar-OSCAR 105 (MO-105) and Magyar-OSCAR 106 (MO-106)
  • CAMSAT CAS-6 Satellite Launched
  • FCC Formally Adopts Proposals to Remove Amateur 3-GHz Band, Invites Comments
  • FCC Considers NPRM for 5.9 GHz Band Rules
  • Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for December 19, 2019
  • AztechSat-1 CubeSat to Demonstrate Intra-Satellite Communication
  • AMSAT CW Day, January 1, 2020 is Just Ahead!
  • ESA’s OPS-SAT Flying Laboratory Launched
  • AMSAT-LU – Dec-15 AMSAT-LU NEMO-1 Buoy Report
  • Upcoming Satellite Operations
  • ARISS News
  • Satellite Shorts from All Over

SMOG-P and ATL-1 Designated Magyar-OSCAR 105 (MO-105) and Magyar-OSCAR 106 (MO-106)

SMOG-P
MO-105 (SMOG-P)

On December 6, 2019, the Technical University of Budapest SMOG-P and ATL-1 PocketQubes were launched on an Electron launch vehicle from the Mahia Launch Complex in New Zealand. SMOG-P and ATL-1 were developed as part of the university curriculum and operated in cooperation with the HA5MRC Technical University amateur radio club. The satellites carry spectrum monitoring payloads and are currently active.

At the request of the Technical University of Budapest, AMSAT hereby designates SMOG-P as Magyar-OSCAR 105 (MO-105), and ATL-1 as Magyar-OSCAR 106 (MO-106). AMSAT congratulates the owners and operators, thank them for their contribution to the amateur satellite community, and wish them a long mission and continued success on this and future projects.

[ANS thanks Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, AMSAT VP Operations / OSCAR Number Administrator for the above information.]

CAMSAT CAS-6 Satellite Launched

CAS-6 / Tianqin-1
CAS-6 / Tianqin-1

CAMSAT’s amateur radio payload CAS-6 piggybacked on a technology test satellite TIANQIN-1 was successfully launched on December 20, 2019 at the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center of China using a CZ-4B launch vehicle. The primary payload of this launch is China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellite CBERS-4A. Specifications for the satellite are as follows:

Satellite NameCAS-6/TIANQIN-1
Orbit TypeSun Synchronous
Apogee629 km
Inclination97.89 degrees
Period97 minutes
Satellite ArchitectureMicro-satellit
Mass35 kg
Stabilization3-axis
Amateur Radio CallsignBJ1SO
VHF Antenna1/4 wavelength monopole
UHF Antenna1/4 wavelength monopole
CW Telemetry Beacon145.910 MHz 17 dBm
AX.25 4.8K Baud GMSK Telemetry145.890 MHz 20 dBm
U/V Linear Transponder Downlink145.925 MHz 20 dBm
U/V Linear Transponder Uplink435.280 MHz
U/V Linear Transponder Bandwidth20 KHz Inverting

 

The satellite is currently in orbit testing, the amateur radio payload is expected to be operational in about three days.

[ANS thanks Alan Kung, BA1DU for the above information.]

Need new satellite antennas? Purchase Arrows, Alaskan Arrows, and M2 LEO-Packs
from the AMSAT Store. When you purchase through AMSAT, a portion of the proceeds
goes towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space.
https://amsat.org/product-category/hardware/

FCC Formally Adopts Proposals to Remove Amateur 3-GHz Band, Invites Comments

At its December 12 meeting, the FCC formally adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in WT Docket 19-348 and invited comments on its plan to remove “existing non-federal secondary radiolocation and amateur allocations” in the 3.3 – 3.55 GHz band and relocate incumbent non-federal operations. The FCC said it’s seeking comment on appropriate “transition mechanisms” to make that happen. ARRL has indicated that it will file comments in opposition to the proposal. The amateur 9-meter allocation is 3.3 – 3.5 GHz. The NPRM comes in response to the MOBILE NOW [Making Opportunities for Broadband Investment and Limiting Excessive and Needless Obstacles to Wireless] Act, approved by the 115th Congress to make available new spectrum for mobile and fixed wireless broadband use.

“By proposing to delete the existing non-federal secondary allocations from the 3.3 – 3.55 GHz band, we are taking an important initial step towards satisfying Congress’s directives and making as
much as 250 megahertz of spectrum potentially available for advanced wireless services, including 5G,” the FCC said in the Introduction to its NPRM.

Currently, the entire 3.1 – 3.55 GHz band is allocated for both federal and non-federal radiolocation services, with non-federal users operating on a secondary basis to federal radiolocation services, which have a primary allocation, the NPRM explains.

The FCC said it is seeking comment on relocating non-federal licensees to another band. With respect to amateur operations, the FCC invited comments on whether sufficient amateur spectrum exists in other bands that can support the operations currently conducted at 3.3 – 3.5 GHz. The 3.40 – 3.41 GHz segment is earmarked for amateur satellite communication. “We seek comment on the extent to which the band is used for this purpose, whether existing satellites can operate on other amateur satellite bands, and on an appropriate timeframe for terminating these operations in this band,” the FCC said. If non-federal licensees are relocated to 3.1 – 3.3 GHz band, the FCC proposes that they continue to operate on a secondary basis to federal operations, consistent with current band allocations.

Some comments began to arrive before the FCC formally adopted the NPRM, as it points out in a footnote. Kevin Milner, KD0MA, the secretary/treasurer of the Ski Country Amateur Radio Club in Colorado, has argued that the club’s equipment cannot be re-channeled below 3.4 GHz, and the club is seeking relocation costs. Devin Ulibarri, W7ND, told the FCC that amateur networks in the current band cannot move easily into other amateur allocations because there is no readily available commercial equipment to support the bandwidth, the FCC recounted.

In the event the proposed amendments are adopted, the FCC “seeks comment on relocation options and on transition and protection mechanisms for incumbent non-federal operations.”

[ANS thanks the ARRL for the above information.]

FCC Considers NPRM for 5.9 GHz Band Rules

Also at its December 12 meeting, the FCC considered another NPRM in WT Docket 19-138 that would “take a fresh and comprehensive look” at the rules for the 5.9 GHz band and propose, among other things, to make the lower 45 MHz of the band available for unlicensed operations and to permit “cellular vehicle-to-everything” (C-V2X) operations in the upper 20 MHz of the band. The FCC is not proposing to delete or otherwise amend the amateur allocation, which would continue as a secondary allocation.

The Amateur Radio Emergency Data Network (AREDN) has offered its voice in challenging the FCC proposals on the two bands, saying their adoption would “eliminate our use of the most-effective resource hams have to build its networks.”

“The AREDN Project is able to leverage low-cost commercial devices solely because they are designed to operate on adjacent allocations, AREDN said on its website. “Moving to other allocations would be difficult if not impossible without a complete redesign, manufacture, purchase, and installation of new custom amateur hardware and software…, raising the price out of reach for the typical ham.”

Interested parties may file short comments on WT Docket 19-348 via the FCC’s Electronic Comment Filing Service (Express). Visit the FCC “How to Comment on FCC Proceedings” page for information on filing extended comments.

[ANS thanks the ARRL for the above information.]

Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for December 19, 2019

The following Amateur Radio satellites have been added to this week’s TLE distribution:

  • ATL 1 – NORAD CAT ID 44830 (Rocket Lab launch, 12/06/2019).
  • TRSI-Sat – NORAD CAT ID 44831 (Rocket Lab launch, 12/06/2019). [2]
  • Duchifat 3 – NORAD CAT ID 44854 (ISRO launch, 12/11/2019). [1]
  • OPS-SAT – NORAD CAT ID 44878 (ESA launch, 12/18/2019).

Thanks to Nico Janseen, PA0DLO, for satellite identifications.

Note:
1. Duchifat 3 is being used as the TLE name. Duchifat 3 is the name used by the students who built it, per the university website.
2. TRSI-Sat is not transmitting at the present time. TLEs will be provided until it is determined that it has failed.

[ANS thanks AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager Ray Hoad, WA5QGD, for the above information.]

AztechSat-1 CubeSat to Demonstrate Intra-Satellite Communication

The AztechSat-1 CubeSat, which traveled to the International Space Station (ISS) last weekend on the 19th Space-X Commercial Resupply Services (CRS-19) mission for NASA, will listen for emergency messages in the 439 MHz range and retransmit them for amateur radio operators to copy on the 437.300 MHz downlink using the Winlink protocol, once the CubeSat has been placed into orbit. The satellite is a project of Mexico’s Universidad Popular Autónoma del Estado de Puebla (UPAEP). Aztechsat-1 is set for deployment from the International Space Station in late January.

“The primary objective of the project is to establish communication with the commercial GlobalStar satellites in order to improve data transmission to Earth,” a UPAEP news release said.  AztechSat-1 will create a saturation map of 435 – 438 MHz by listening for the whole orbit and returning captured data to the ground station on the 437.300 MHz amateur radio downlink (9k6 GMSK or FSK) plus a 1600-MHz Global-Star link. Emergency messages received via Globalstar to the AztechSat-1 ground station will be shared on the project’s website. A certificate will be available for amateur stations receiving the emergency message(s) and reporting these for confirmation by the AztechSat-1 team.

Details are on the AztechSat-1 website and on the IARU Amateur Radio  Satellite Communication page.

The project is part of NASA’s CubeSat Launch Initiative, which offers universities, high schools and non-profit organizations the opportunity to fly small satellites. “Innovative technology
partnerships keep down the cost, providing students a way to obtain hands-on experience developing flight hardware,” a NASA report said.

NASA explained, “The investigation demonstrates communication within a satellite network in low-Earth orbit. Such intra-satellite communication could reduce the need for ground stations, lowering the cost and increasing the number of data downloads possible for satellite applications.”

[ANS thanks ARRL for the above information.]

AMSAT CW Day, January 1, 2020 is Just Ahead!

You are cordially invited to take part in AMSAT CW Activity Day 2020 sponsored by AMSAT for all radio amateurs throughout the world. The 2020 event will be held in memory of Larry Brown, W7LB, and Keith Pugh, W5IU. Among their many contributions to AMSAT, they were the AMSAT 20-meter net for many years.

Participation is easy. Just operate CW through any Amateur Radio satellite on 1 January 2020. Use of straight keys or bugs is encouraged but not required. If you use AO-7, please observe the QRP rules currently in effect for that 45-year-old satellite. May it be with us for many years to come!

[ANS thanks Raphael Soifer, W2RS, AMSAT Senior Advisor for the above information.]

ESA’s OPS-SAT Flying Laboratory Launched

On December 18 2019 ESA launched a first-of-its-kind space laboratory, OPS-SAT. The satellite lifted off from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana aboard a Soyuz-Fregat rocket. The small, low-cost, test satellite has been specifically designed for operational experimentation in space, and includes the most powerful flight computer on-board any current ESA spacecraft.

Consumer electronics have gone through a revolution over the last 30 years with computers becoming ever faster, smaller and better. But when it comes to million- or even billion-euro satellites, their on-board hardware and software have not seen this revolution due to the risk of testing new technology in flight.

As spacecraft managers dare to fly only tried-and-tested hard and software in the harsh conditions of space, innovation on the operational side of satellites is a very slow-moving process. This is where OPS-SAT steps in, bringing down the barriers to spacecraft operations it provides a chance to safely test out new mission control techniques.

Anyone can apply to become an ‘experimenter’ and test their innovative software and new mission operations techniques in space. OP-SAT provides technology for future missions and paves the way for satellites to further evolve with minimum risk. Complete information is available at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-356-OPS-SAT.

[ANS thanks the European Space Agency for the above information.]

AMSAT-LU – Dec-15 AMSAT-LU NEMO-1 Buoy Report

On Tuesday 10-Dec at 5AM in the Port of Mar del Plata, Argentina, an AMSAT-LU team started the Buoy NEMO-1 operation.

There were LU1ESY and LU3ATZ (land-sea communications), and embarked on the ship ‘Porteño’ LU1DCX, LU2AOP, LU6EI and LU4BMG. Photo: http://amsat.org.ar/nemolanz.jpg

Communications were made thru the ‘Repelata’ (RepeCan), an effective FM VU repeater made by LU9ATJ, that was raised at 450m height by a captive balloon on the coast.

El Porteño sailed 70 km offshore, finding severe sea conditions and impressive waves. However, NEMO-1 was active and between 0800 and 0900 hours there were WSPR reports from 14 stations around the world: LU3DEI W4DZC LU1KCQ OE5FGL DP0GVN PY1EME PY2GN ZL1RS ZL1ROT DK8FT OE9GHV DK0ABT IW2NKE ZL2005.

Later, a ship maneuver, hit the buoy damaging one of the solar panels. The AMSAT team, helped by ship personnel, recovered the buoy and boarded it on board. After checking the damage, it was decided to abort the mission. NEMO-1 returned home and is in Buenos Aires for repairs, spare parts and reinforcements. Conversations have already been established in Mar del Plata to, once the work is finished, repeat and conclude this adventure.

AMSAT thanks the ‘NEMO Group’, the more than 119 people who helped realize this dream http://amsat.org.ar/certboyae.htm and the Menendez Beety family, who selflessly facilitated accommodation in their house in Mar del Plata.

[ANS thanks AMSAT-LU for the above information.]

Purchase AMSAT Gear on our Zazzle storefront.
25% of the purchase price of each product goes
towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space
 https://www.zazzle.com/amsat_gear

Upcoming Satellite Operations

Shorts:

  • Dec 27-30 EM90 N4DCW – vacation style (Twitter: @MWimages)
  • Dec 27-30 EL86 K4WPX FM
  • Dec 30 EM94 (overnight) – vacation style (Twitter: @MWimages)
  • Dec 30-Jan 01 EL87/88 K4WPX FM

Operations Announcements:

  • PNW (CN90, CM99, DM09, DN00, DN10, DN20, DN22, DN13, DN23) December 20-23, 2019
    Casey, KI7UNJ, is about to embark on 9-grid roving trip through the Pacific Northwest. FM & Linears. Pass schedules posted at https://twitter.com/KI7UNJ/status/1206626476377772032?s=20. Be sure to watch Casey’s Twitter feed for further updates.
  • Hawaii (BK19, BK28, BK29, BL20) December 21-28, 2019
    Alex, N7AGF, is heading back to Hawaii over Christmas. This will be a holiday-style activation, with special emphasis on the grid that got away – BK28. Keep an eye on Alex’s Twitter feed for further announcements: https://twitter.com/N7AGF
  • NW Iowa XMAS Rove (EN12, EN13, EN22, EN23) December 23-24, 2019
    Mitch, AD0HJ, will be visiting his parents in Iowa for Christmas. While there, Mitch will take an extra day to put some Northwest Iowa grids on the air. For a full pass schedule, check https://twitter.com/AD0HJ/status/1207099665465978880. As always, keep an eye on Mitch’s Twitter feed for further announcements at https://twitter.com/AD0HJ
  • Mississippi River Delta (EL58) January 4, 2019.
    Ron AD0DX, Brian KG5GJT, and Robert KE4AL will operate as W5M/mm from the mouth of the Mississippi River (EL58) on January 4th. This will be a 6-hour activation from approximately 1430z to 2030z, on FM and linear satellites. Further information will be posted as it comes available.
  • Labrador (GO11 +) January 19-27, 2019
    Chris VE3FU, Dave VE9CB, and Frank VO1HP will be active as VO2AC in the 2020 CQ160 CW contest, January 24-26, from Point Armour Lighthouse, in Labrador. If time permits before the contest, they may be active on FM satellites from GO11 as VO2AC or VO2AAA. Depending on weather and timing of passes, you might catch them on FM satellites as they make their way from FO93 to GO-11, passing through FO92, GO02, GO13, GO12, and GO22 along the way, but no promises. They will also make the reverse trek on January 27.
  • Big Bend National Park (DL88) March 16-17, 2020
    Ron AD0DX, Doug N6UA, and Josh W3ARD will operate from Big Bend National Park to put grid DL88 on the air. Details will be added here, as they come available, but you are more than welcome to keep an eye on their individual Twitter feeds: https://twitter.com/ad0dx, https://twitter.com/dtabor, and https://twitter.com/W3ARDstroke5

Please submit any additions or corrections to ke4al (at) amsat.org

[ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL for the above information.]

ARISS News

No school contacts will be scheduled until 2020.

[ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N for the above information.]

AMSAT, along with our ARISS partners, is developing an amateur radio package,
including two-way communication capability, to be carried on-board Gateway in
lunar orbit. Support AMSAT’s projects today at https://www.amsat.org/donate/ 

Shorts from All Over

  • Your AmazonSmile Purchases Matter!
    AMSAT recently received a quarterly donation of $369.69 thanks to customers shopping at smile.amazon.com. To date, AmazonSmile has donated a total of $4,563.90 to AMSAT. The next time you buy that new radio, toaster, socks, or anything for that matter, make sure you’ve name AMSAT at the beneficiary for your AmazonSmile purchases!  [ANS thanks Paul Stoetzer, AMSAT Executive Vice President for the above information.]
  • Ham Radio Day Aboard the Queen Mary May 2019 Pictures Online
    In case you didn’t work W6RO aboard the Queen Mary in Long Island, California, you can still see pictures of the day’s festivities on the Associated Radio Amateurs of Long Beach Facebook page. Enjoy the fun at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-356-W6RO  [ANS thanks the Associated Radio Amateurs of Long Beach for the above information.]

 

In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the President’s Club. Members of the President’s Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive additional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT office.

Primary and secondary school students are eligible for membership at one-half the standard yearly rate. Post-secondary school students enrolled in at least half time status shall be eligible for the student rate for a maximum of six post-secondary years in this status. Contact Martha at the AMSAT office for additional student membership information.

73 and remember to help keep amateur radio in space,
This week’s ANS Editor,
Frank Karnauskas, N1UW
n1uw at amsat dot org

CAMSAT CAS-6 Satellite to Launch December 20th

CAMSAT’s CAS-6 satellite is scheduled to launch at 03:21 UTC on December 20, 2019. CAS-6 is a payload on the technology test satellite Tianqin-1, which will launch on a CZ-4B launch vehicle from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center. The primary payload on this launch is the China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellite (CBERS-4A).

CAS-6 will be launched to a sun-synchronous orbit at 629 km with an inclination of 97.89 degrees. The satellite carries a 20 kHz wide U/v linear transponder with an uplink of 435.270 MHz –  435.290 MHz and a downlink of 145.915 MHz – 145.935 MHz. The satellite also carries a CW telemetry beacon at 145.910 MHz and a 4k8 GMSK telemetry downlink at 145.890 MHz.

Telemetry downlink specifications and further technical information can be found in the following documents:

 

 

CAS-6 / Tianqin-1
CAS-6 / Tianqin-1
CAMSAT News Release for CAS-6 Satellie CAS-6 CW Telemetry Encoding Format CAS-6 Satellites Digital Telemetry Description