Month: November 2021

ANS-332 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins for Nov. 28

by

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 http://www.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.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://mailman.amsat.org/postorius/lists/ans.amsat.org/

In this edition:

  • The AMSAT Journal, September/October 2021 Now Available
  • AMSAT President’s Apogee View Celebrates 2020-2021
  • FUNcube-1 (AO-73) Celebrating Eight Years in Orbit!
  • ISS SSTV December 1-2, 2021 on 145.800 MHz FM
  • Dayton Hamvention Expects to be Live Event in 2022
  • ARISS News
  • Upcoming Satellite Operations
  • Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events
  • Satellite Shorts From All Over

ANS-332 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

To: All RADIO AMATEURS
From: Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation
712 H Street NE, Suite 1653
Washington, DC 20002

DATE 2021 November 28

The AMSAT Journal, September/October 2021 Now Available

The September/October 2021 issue of The AMSAT Journal is now available to members on AMSAT’s Member Portal. The AMSAT Journal is a bi-monthly digital magazine for amateur radio in space enthusiasts, published by the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT). Each issue is your source for hardware and software projects, technical tips, STEM initiatives, operational activities, and news from around the world. Inside this issue:

– Apogee View – Robert Bankston, KE4AL
– The Life and Legacy of Tom Clark, K3IO (SK) – Bob McGwier, N4HY
– Dr. Thomas A. Clark, K3IO – Remembering a Superstar – Richard M. Hambly, W2GPS
– Remembering Tom Clark – Barry A. Baines, WD4ASW
– Mourning the Passing of Dr. Thomas A. Clark – Frank Bauer, KA3HDO
– Full Function Remote Control of a Satellite Base Station – Mark Johns, K0JM

Members can read this issue and all back issues of the AMSAT Journal by logging in at https://launch.amsat.org/The_AMSAT_Journal.

Note yet a member? Start reading the Journal today by joining at https://launch.amsat.org/Membership.

[ANS thanks Joe Kornowski, KB6IGK, AMSAT Journal Editor-in-Chief.]

AMSAT President’s Apogee View Celebrates 2020-2021

Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT President writes:

“This issue of The AMSAT Journal marks my first year as AMSAT President, so I thought I would take this opportunity to update you on what we’ve been working on, where we are now, and what we will focus on in the coming year.

“Our Engineering team has been making significant progress on our GOLF program, and we hope to see the launch of GOLF-TEE in the latter half of next year. Under the leadership of our Vice-President of Engineering, Jerry Buxton, N0JY, our volunteer engineers have worked tirelessly to develop, prototype, and test GOLF-TEE’s systems. I thank each and every one of them for donating their time and expertise.

“Not to be outdone, our Educational Relations team completed its beta testing on the CubeSat Simulator and launched the CubeSat Simulator printed circuit board set on the AMSAT Store. Dr. Alan Johnston, KU2Y, and his team have done a phenomenal job. In addition, as announced at this year’s symposium, they have not only developed and released the new CubeSatSim Lite version, but Dr. Johnston and his team have begun to experiment with high altitude balloon launches to take the CubeSatSim concept to the next level of educational initiatives.

“Behind the scenes, we have been busy modernizing back-office tasks, finding ways to more efficiently do business, and ensuring the AMSAT machine runs smoothly. To be honest, running AMSAT without Martha has been a significant challenge.

“Our modernization efforts, which really began with the May 2020 launch of our online member management system, have been the key to our overall success this year. Transforming a 52 year old organization from brick and mortar to virtual was no easy task and not without a few hiccups along the way, but we are better positioned moving forward. It was a sad day packing up the AMSAT office in Kensington, Maryland, in May and putting everything in storage. To touch all that history reaffirmed why we do what we do.

“I look forward to both the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. AMSAT is in a very solid position from both a financial and a membership perspective. We have a strong fiscal foundation, an excellent governance and management team, generous volunteers who freely donate their time and expertise, and a diverse membership base who truly care about keeping amateur radio in space.

“Financially, we are on a solid footing, with over $950,000 in cash and liquid investments. Our revenues are down from last year, as is the rest of the U.S. economy; however, we are on track to exceed our profitability margin over last year because of the cost-cutting measure we implemented. In 2020, $0.82 of every dollar went to pay overhead. In 2021, that amount was reduced to $0.56 for every dollar we brought in – a 31% reduction. This means a lot more of your membership dues and revenues we develop from other sources are going towards building satellites and expanding our educational efforts.

“AMSAT membership has consistently been over 4,000 the past year, with 4,045 current members as of this writing. AMSAT’s membership is diverse, representing 76 countries. While each comes for varied reasons (builders and operators, scientists and educators, HEO and LEO), we all come together for a single purpose: to keep amateur radio in space. So, what’s next? With over 52 years of success, what are we going to do now?

“We have an ambitious, forward-thinking plan (www.amsat.org/strategicplan/) that’s ready to be put into action. Central to this plan are the needs to modernize how we manage projects and explore ways to collaborate with our international partners, given current ITAR/EAR restrictions.

“In addition, as an all-volunteer member organization, we need help. While we have a solid core of volunteers now, expanding our programs will require additional human resources and added expertise. I will be addressing this in the next issue of The AMSAT Journal, but if you cannot wait, please feel free to contact me directly. We would love to have you join our team.

“Our greatest threat right now is the ever-tightening regulatory environment. It is one thing to hope to return to higher orbits and even beyond, but all of this will be for naught if we can’t get a satellite licensed in orbit above LEO. Proposed orbital debris mitigation regulations will require orbits above 600 kilometers to have a flight-proven, low-risk transfer orbit, long-term reentry capability, and/or improved move-away-and-stay-away storage options for orbital lifespans more than 25 years. However, proving you can get there and operate responsibly will not be enough. Every mission will be closely evaluated to ensure it serves the greater benefit of all, which, at this time, strongly favors commercial, scientific and educational interests. Thankfully, our engineers had the foresight to develop the GOLF program for this very purpose.

“While we await the FCC’s final ruling, we cannot sit idly by and be content with mediocrity. Instead, we must continue to push Onward and Upward. We should focus our efforts on new communication systems that more efficiently allow us to communicate in space and spacecraft which will take us towards and beyond the next space horizon. At the same time, we must establish and maintain a path of sustainability that not only introduces space communications using amateur radio to the public but also nurtures them to be the next generation of satellite builders and operators.

“On a side note, I had the pleasure of attending and speaking at the 2021 AMSAT-UK Space Colloquium on October 24th. It was an incredible event, and AMSAT-UK did a phenomenal job of hosting the virtual event. In addition to the extraordinary work being done by the Surrey Space Center team on their STAR-XL project, the operators chasing QO-100, and Peter, 2M0SQL’s, roving efforts in Northern Scotland, we were treated to presentations on IARU Amateur Satellite co-ordination by Hans Blondeel Timmerman, PB2T, and an AMSAT-DL update, by Peter Guelzow, DB2OS. If you missed the AMSAT-UK Colloquium, I encourage you to view it on AMSAT-UK’s YouTube Channel, www.youtube.com/user/AMSATUK/videos.

“Let me close with personally thanking all of our members, who generously donated to the AMSAT President’s Club this year, and our Vice-President of Development, Frank Karnauskas, N1UW, who single-handedly resurrected this program and managed to raise over $33,000. I look forward to what Frank can do for next year.”

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

FUNcube-1 (AO-73) Celebrating Eight Years in Orbit!

November 21, 2021, marks the eighth birthday of the FUNcube-1 CubeSat. Remarkably the tiny spacecraft, launched from Russia on November 21, 2013, continues to work well having travelled more than a billion kilometers in space.

During the past couple of months, the spacecraft’s orbits have been running just along the edge of the terminator. Initially it had effectively full sun with no eclipses but at the beginning of this month it appears that the solar panels were not receiving enough solar radiation to keep the battery fully charged.

FUNcube-1 was transmitting continuous high-power telemetry and was therefore consuming maximum power. The FUNcube Dashboard showed the rapid decline in the bus voltage from an already below normal 8.0V down to 7.8V. The spacecraft was switched to safe mode on the afternoon of November 18, 2021. This reduced to total power consumption by almost 50% and the spacecraft is again in a happy power positive situation.

Although safe mode provides less than 20mW of downlink RF, it is remarkable how many stations are still receiving and decoding the 1k2 BPSK telemetry. This is a good point at which to say a massive thank you to the many stations around the world who, even after eight years, are continuing to submit their data to the FUNcube Data Warehouse. It really is valuable to the team and has really helped us to understand what is going on up there.

The team will continue to monitor the telemetry over the next few weeks and plan to return FUNcube-1 to nominal autonomous operation, with the transponder on when the spacecraft is in eclipse, as soon as possible.

Interestingly, it appears that the satellite will not be having any more full sunlight periods for the foreseeable future. However, those that we have experienced have provided some good data on how hot a 1U CubeSat can become in such circumstances!

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

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Join the 2021 President’s Club!
Score your 2″ 4-Color Accent Commemorative Coin.
This gold finished coin comes with
Full Color Certificate and Embroidered “Remove Before Flight” Key Tag
Donate today at
https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/
You won’t want to miss it!
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ISS SSTV December 1-2, 2021 on 145.800 MHz FM

Russian cosmonauts on the International Space Station (ISS) are planning to transmit Slow Scan TV images on 145.800 MHz FM using the SSTV mode PD-120.

The transmissions are part of the Moscow Aviation Institute SSTV experiment (MAI-75) and will be made from the amateur radio station RS0ISS in the Russian ISS Service module (Zvezda) using a Kenwood TM-D710 transceiver.

– December 1, 2021 (Wednesday) from 12:10 GMT until 19:10 GMT*
– December 2, 2021 (Thursday) from 11:40 GMT until 17:20 GMT*

Dates and times subject to change.

The signal should be receivable on a handheld with a 1/4 wave whip. If your rig has selectable FM filters try the wider filter for 25 kHz channel spacing.

You can get predictions for the ISS pass times at https://www.amsat.org/track/

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

Dayton Hamvention Expects to be Live Event in 2022

Dayton Hamvention organizers are planning to mount the first in-person show in 2022, following 2 years of COVID-related cancellations. The event is set for May 20 – 22 at the Greene County Fairgrounds and Expo Center in Xenia, Ohio. Last January, Hamvention organizers from the sponsoring Dayton Amateur Radio Association (DARA) announced they were calling off the 2021 event after considerable planning was already under way. The Hamvention Executive Committee cited lagging COVID-19 vaccine distribution in the US and the emergence of a more communicable form of the virus.

Southgate Amateur Radio News quotes Hamvention General Chairman Rick Allnutt, WS8G, as saying that Hamvention committees have been meeting, and volunteers are committed to making up for the time lost to pandemic cancellations.” The Hamvention website is already accepting bookings from vendors and inside exhibitors, and individual visitors can already buy tickets, which Allnutt said, “are all printed and ready to go.”

Nominations for the 2022 Hamvention Awards opened on November 1. Hamvention seeks ‘the best of the best” nominees for its Technical Achievement, Special Achievement, Amateur of the Year, and Club of the Year awards. Nominations close on February 15, 2022. Submit nomination forms via email or USPS to Hamvention Awards Committee, Box 964, Dayton, OH 45401-0964

[ANS thanks Southgate Amateur Radio News for the above information.]

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AMSAT’s GOLF Program is about getting back to higher orbits, and it all
begins with GOLF-TEE – a technology demonstrator for deployable solar
panels, propulsion, and attitude control, now manifested for launch on
NASA’s ELaNa 46 mission. Come along for the ride. The journey will be
worth it!

https://tinyurl.com/ANS-GOLF

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ARISS NEWS

Amateurs and others around the world may listen in on contacts between amateurs operating in schools and allowing students to interact with astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station.

Upcoming Contacts

+ Amur State University, Blagoveshchensk, Russia, direct via TBD.
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RS0˜ISS.
The downlink frequency is presently scheduled to be 145.800 MHz.
The scheduled crewmember is Anton Shkaplerov.
Contact is go for Monday, November 11, 2021 at 08:20 UTC.

+ Colegio Pumahue Temuco, Temuco, Chile, direct via CE6TC.
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS.
The downlink frequency is presently scheduled to be 145.800 MHz.
The scheduled crewmember is Raja Chari KI5LIU.
Contact is go for: Monday, November 2021 at 13:53:37 UTC.

+ Berufliche Schule Direktorat 1 Nürnberg, Nuremberg, Germany, telebridge via IK1SLD.
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS.
The downlink frequency is presently scheduled to be 437.525 MHz.
The scheduled crewmember is Matthias Maurer KI5KFH.
Contact is go for: Thursday, December 2, at 13:38:56 UTC.

+ Wolfgang-Kubelka-Realschule (WKR), Schondorf am Ammersee, Germany, telebridge via VK4KHZ.
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS.
The downlink frequency is presently scheduled to be 437.525 MHz.
The scheduled crewmember is Matthias Maurer KI5KFH.
Contact is go for: Thursday, December 2, 2021 at 14:16:35 UTC.

+ Hino Elementary School & Canna Project-Canna School Contact Team, Suzaka, Japan, direct via 8NØCAN.
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS.
The downlink frequency is presently scheduled to be 145.800 MHz.
The scheduled crewmember is Kayla Barron KI5LAL.
Contact is go for: Friday, December 3, 2021 at 10:02:22 UTC.

Please note, two of the contacts are using the UHF public downlink frequency.

The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html

The latest list of frequencies in use can be found at https://www.ariss.org/contact-the-iss.html

[ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team mentors for the above information]

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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/

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Upcoming Satellite Operations

FN51: November 27-28, 2021
KC1MEB on Cape Cod, MA. No schedule as of this time.

EM86, November 20-30, 2021
WY7AA: DM RJ for a sched.

[ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT rover page manager, for the above information]

Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events

ARRL National 2022 Convention & Orlando Hamcation
February 11-13, 2021
Central Florida Fairgrounds and Expo Park, Orlando, Florida

[ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT Events page manager, for the above information]

Satellite Shorts From All Over

+ Congratulations to Chris Polena, AA8CH, in EN62vp48, and Jose Rodriguez, EB1AO, in IN52pe28, for setting the new AO-27 distance record of 6,125 km on November 20, 2021 at 21:30 UTC! Distance records may be seen at https://www.amsat.org/satellite-distance-records/.
[ANS thanks Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, AMSAT Executive VP, for the above information.]

+ Satellite trackers have been working overtime to figure out just how much dangerous debris Russia created when it destroyed one of its own satellites early Monday – and the picture they’ve painted looks bleak. Computer visualizations of the debris cloud can be viewed at https://bit.ly/3FNuFZU.
[ANS thanks The Verge for the above information.]

+ CaribouLite is an affordable, open-source, dual-channel software-defined radio (SDR) platform”and an SDR-focused FPGA development framework” implemented as a Raspberry Pi (RPi) HAT. CaribouLite turns a Raspberry Pi single-board computer (SBC) into a self-contained, dual-channel radio Tx/Rx that spans a wide tunable frequency spectrum up to 6 GHz. The full version comes with two TX/RX half-duplex channels, with channel one covering 30 MHz to 6 GHz, and channel two covering sub 1 GHz only. Both channels use a 13-bit ADC, capable of a bandwidth of up to 2.5 MHz maximum. The unit is capable of up to 14 dBm of transmit power. More information at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-332-CaribouLite.
[ANS thanks RTL-SDR.com for the above information.]

+ GNU Radio Conference 2021 was a great success, with around 100 in-person attendees and over 1000 remote attendees!
Talks were split between in-person and remote (pre-recorded). All talks are now available to watch on YouTube. A playlist that includes all videos can be seen at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-332-GRCON.
[ANS thanks gnuradio.org for the above information.]

+ Russia’s Prichal docking module linked up with the International Space Station Friday, November 26, 2021 adding the final planned piece of the Russian segment of the outpost to provide a new connection for future crew and cargo ships. The spherical, ball-shaped docking node launched Wednesday on top of a Russian Soyuz-2.1b rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. More information at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-332-PRICHAL.
[ANS thanks spaceflightnow.com for the above information.]

Join AMSAT today at https://launch.amsat.org/

In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to:

* Societies (a recognized group, clubs or organization).
* 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 6 post-secondary years in this status.
* Memberships are available for annual and lifetime terms.

Contact info [at] amsat.org for additional 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

ANS-325 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins for Nov. 21

by

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-325

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 http://www.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.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://mailman.amsat.org/postorius/lists/ans.amsat.org/

In this edition:

  • Russian Anti-Satellite (ASAT) Missile Generates Debris Cloud, Threatens ISS and Other Assets in LEO
  • Ten-Koh 2 Microsatellite With JAMSAT V/u Linear Transponder Coordinated by IARU
  • Open Source CubeSat Workshop 2021 – Call for Abstracts extended till 22. Nov
  • Prof. Dr. Karl Meinzer, DJ4ZC, Made Honorary Deutscher Amateur Radio Club (DARC) Member
  • ARISS News
  • Upcoming Satellite Operations
  • Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events
  • Satellite Shorts From All Over

ANS-325 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

To: All RADIO AMATEURS
From: Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation
712 H Street NE, Suite 1653
Washington, DC 20002

DATE 2021 Nov 21

Russian Anti-Satellite (ASAT) Missile Generates Debris Cloud, Threatens ISS and Other Assets in LEO

On Monday November 15th, the Russian Ministry of Defense launched a anti-satellite (ASAT) missile, destroying their Kosmos 1408 satellite. Kosmos 1408 was launched on September 16, 1982 and was in an orbit of 679 km x 645 km with an inclination of 82.5 degrees.

The destruction of the satellite caused the generation of at least 1500 pieces of debris, orbiting between 300 km and 1100 km. As the satellite was just above the ISS’s altitude, this debris cloud potentially threatened the astronauts and cosmonauts on board the ISS, who were forced to take shelter in their crew capsules during the second and third passes of the debris field.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson released the following statement condemning the Russian test:

“Earlier today, due to the debris generated by the destructive Russian Anti-Satellite (ASAT) test, ISS astronauts and cosmonauts undertook emergency procedures for safety.

“Like Secretary Blinken, I’m outraged by this irresponsible and destabilizing action. With its long and storied history in human spaceflight, it is unthinkable that Russia would endanger not only the American and international partner astronauts on the ISS, but also their own cosmonauts. Their actions are reckless and dangerous, threatening as well the Chinese space station and the taikonauts on board.

“All nations have a responsibility to prevent the purposeful creation of space debris from ASATs and to foster a safe, sustainable space environment.

“NASA will continue monitoring the debris in the coming days and beyond to ensure the safety of our crew in orbit.”

In an interview with the ARRL, AMSAT President Robert Bankston, KE4AL, said that Russia’s action will pose a threat to all activities in low Earth orbit for years to come, placing satellites and human spaceflight missions at risk.

“Space is already crowded, but now there are at least 1,500 trackable fragments and, possibly, hundreds of thousands of smaller yet still-threatening pieces of debris in low Earth orbit,” Bankston said. “While space stations have the capability to move out of the way, with sufficient notice, most satellites in low Earth orbit, including those designed, built, launched, and operated by AMSAT, do not. As such, they face greater risk of catastrophic destruction or degraded mission functionality, if struck by fragments from Russia’s destruction of Kosmos-1408.”

[ANS thanks NASA, AMSAT, and the ARRL for the above information]

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Join the 2021 President’s Club!
Score your 2″ 4-Color Accent Commemorative Coin.
This gold finished coin comes with
Full Color Certificate and Embroidered “Remove Before Flight” Key Tag
Donate today at
https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/
You won’t want to miss it!
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Ten-Koh 2 Microsatellite With JAMSAT V/u Linear Transponder Coordinated by IARU

The IARU has coordinated frequencies for Ten-Koh 2, a microsat under development by the Department of Aerospace Engineering, College of Science and Technology, Nihon University.

Ten-Koh 2 has dimensions of 366 x 226 x 100 mm and carries several payloads of interest to the amateur radio community, including a V/u linear transponder developed by JAMSAT. The transponder will run continuously for two days per week, with operations beginning two weeks after launch.

Additional payloads include a digi-talker, a camera module, and microwave communications system. The contents of the digi-talker, which is planned to operate one day per week, will be developed in cooperation with students from Nihon University’s Faculty of Arts. The camera module, developed by Cheng Kung University, will take pictures of the earth of approximately 3 MB in size per picture. Radio amateurs around the world will be able to copy parts of the picture data that will be combined to produce a complete image, which will be published on the website. The image transmission system is expected to operate for one day per week. The satellite will also carry an experimental 5.8 GHz microwave transmitter, which will operate a CW beacon for one day per week. Additionally, the satellite will experiment with high speed data transmission on the 435 MHz downlink, with data rates of up to 38.4 kbps in 4FSK. High speed data transmission is expected to operate for one day per week.

The linear transponder uplink will be 145.895 MHz – 145.935 MHz and the downlink will be 435.875 MHz – 435.915 MHz. The data, digitalker, and image downlink will be 435.895 MHz. The microwave CW beacon will be 5389.000 MHz.

A JAXA launch to a 500 km circular orbit with an inclination of 51.6 degrees is planned for 2023.

More information about the satellite is available at https://okuyamalab.wordpress.com/

[ANS thanks the IARU for the above information]

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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/

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Open Source CubeSat Workshop 2021 – Call for Abstracts extended till 22. Nov

The 5th edition of the Open Source CubeSat Workshop is around the corner! It will be run as a free virtual conference on 9 & 10 December.

You can still submit proposals for:

– Talks: Give a 12 min presentation followed by open discussions
– Lightning Talks: Give a 4 min presentation of a project
– Tutorial: Give a 45 min (or longer) tutorial around a project that the audience can code along
– Discussion: Drive a 45 min (or longer) discussion around an open source topic for space

You can submit your proposals here: https://events.libre.space/event/5/abstracts/

PS: You can modify your abstract submission until the deadline.
PPS: Spread the word to your interested space networks and open source people!

[ANS thanks Libre Space for the above information]

Prof. Dr. Karl Meinzer, DJ4ZC, Made Honorary Deutscher Amateur Radio Club (DARC) Member

Former AMSAT-DL President Prof. Dr. Karl Meinzer, DJ4ZC, who was first licensed in 1957 aged 17, has been named a new Deutscher Amateur Radio Club (DARC) honorary member. AMSAT congratulates Dr. Meinzer on this well-deserved honor. In addition to the accomplishments described by DARC in the announcement below, Dr. Meizner’s work was integral to the early history of AMSAT. His doctoral research on High Efficency Linear Amplification by Parametric Synthesis (HELAPS) was crucial for the linear transponders in operation on amateur satellites. Along with his doctoral research, Dr. Meinzer developed and built a linear transponder utilizing these HELAPS principles with a 432 MHz uplink and a 145 MHz downlink along with Werner Hass, DJ5KQ. This transponder was flown as the Mode B transponder on AMSAT-OSCAR 7 and is still functioning more than 47 years after its launch on November 15, 1974.

A translation of the DARC post reads:

This was announced by DARC chairman Christian Entsfellner, DL3MBG, at the virtual conference of the amateur council – in replacement of the canceled general meeting – on November 13th. Meinzer developed an enthusiasm for amateur radio at a young age. At the age of 17 he obtained his amateur radio license in 1957.

He passed the Abitur [educational qualification] along with a degree in physics and graduated with a doctorate. He spent his professional life at the University of Marburg, especially in the Central Development Laboratory (ZEL) until his retirement in 2005. The rooms of the ZEL were also the headquarters of the AMSAT-DL. Numerous OSCAR satellites were created in the laboratories in Marburg: AO-10, AO-13, AO-21, AO-40. Phase 3E is de facto finished, but is still waiting for a suitable launch. A special operating system works in all satellites built by AMSAT-DL, on which Meinzer played a key role.

Meinzer doesn’t skimp on sharing his expertise and so he is still in close contact with the board of AMSAT-DL today. It is not surprising that DJ4ZC was one of the first radio amateurs to work on QO-100.

In addition, Prof. Dr. Karl Meinzer carried out further technical radio tests. He was obsessed with testing whether radio signals could be reflected off the planet Venus. In fact, he succeeded in doing this with 5 kW at 2.4 GHz, including a water-cooled magnetron. He had a special permit from the Federal Network Agency [BNetzA] specifically for these experiments.

But even in earlier years he achieved amazing things: In 1964 he set a course record of 70 cm between his home town of Iserlohn and Switzerland. And even then he was QRV on 433 MHz EME and contacted Puerto Rico. “He is one of the few old-timers who keeps pace with modern technology,” explains Christian Entsfellner, DL3MBG.

“There are only three Keplerian laws, everything can be done in them,” said Meinzer once, according to DL3MBG. “Unfortunately, he is reluctant to present his skills, but the AMSAT board always likes to refer to his expertise,” said the DARC chairman, who later wishes him a happy 82nd birthday.

“The DARC has unanimously decided to award you honorary membership for your services. I am happy to welcome you as a new honorary member, ” concluded DL3MBG.

DJ4ZC expressed his thanks. “My life has always been shaped by amateur radio. Some of the services were only made possible by other people, ”explains Meinzer. “I hope to continue to contribute something for amateur radio and DARC in the future.

Unfortunately, communication behavior in society has changed. So it’s a challenge for the DARC. However, I have the hope that technology will gain more importance again. Ultimately, amateur radio has to prove that it is useful for society,” said Prof. Dr. Meinzer in conclusion.

[ANS thanks DARC for the information and AMSAT-UK for the translation]

ARISS News

Amur State University, Blagoveshchensk, Russia, direct via TBD (***)

The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS
The downlink frequency is presently scheduled to be 145.800 MHz
The scheduled crewmember is Anton Shkaplerov (***)

Contact is go for Mon 2021-11-29 08:20 UTC (***)

The next mode change is expected to occur in early December.

The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html

The latest list of frequencies in use can be found at https://www.ariss.org/contact-the-iss.html

Activation of the MAI-75 SSTV experiment is proposed for December 1 and 2. Targeted start and stop times in UTC are:

December 1 – Start: 12:10 – Stop: 19:10
December 2 – Start: 11:40 – Stop: 17:20

Opportunities for North America on Dec 1 and only far eastern North America on Dec 2.

[ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team mentors, for the above information]

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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/

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Upcoming Satellite Operations

No upcoming satellite operations are currently listed.

[ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT rover page manager, for the above information]

Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events

AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events.

No events are currently scheduled.

[ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT Events page manager, for the above information]

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Want to fly the colors on your own grid expedition?
Get your AMSAT car flag and other neat stuff
from our Zazzle store!
25% of the purchase price of each product goes
towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space
https://www.zazzle.com/amsat_gear

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Satellite Shorts From All Over

+ Happy 47th Birthday to AMSAT-OSCAR 7, which launched on November 15, 1974 and is still operational in sunlight. November 15th is an important date in amateur satellite history. AMSAT-OSCAR 40 also launched on November 15, 2000 (North American time – November 16th UTC) and Qatar-OSCAR 100 is celebrating its 3rd birthday, having launched on November 15, 2018. November 15th is also the birthday of AMSAT’s Founding President Dr. Perry Klein, W3PK.

+ Happy 4th Birthday to AMSAT-OSCAR 91, which launched on the penultimate flight of the Delta II rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base on November 18, 2017. AO-91 remains available for use in sunlight despite the deterioration of the satellite’s battery cells.

+ November birthdays for the international AMSAT family don’t end there! Happy 8th Birthday to AMSAT-OSCAR 73, which launched on November 21, 2013 and remains operational.

+ A new study is being conducted to demonstrate the feasibility of iodine electric propulsion for CubeSats. More information at https://www.theregister.com/2021/11/18/iodine_satelite/

+ The SatNOGS Network has reached a milestone of 5 million observations. https://satnogs.org/2021/11/19/5million-observation-for-satnogs/

 

Join AMSAT today at https://launch.amsat.org/

In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to:

* Societies (a recognized group, clubs or organization).
* 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 6 post-secondary years in this status.
* Memberships are available for annual and lifetime terms.

Contact info [at] amsat.org for additional 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

ANS-318 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins for Nov. 14

by

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 http://www.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.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://mailman.amsat.org/postorius/lists/ans.amsat.org/

In this edition:

* AMSAT is looking for Volunteers
* Z-Sat launched 8 November 2021, Communication established
* IARU Work Group Works to Protect 23 cm Amateur Band
* Space Physics Professor Seeks Radio Amateurs’ Help in Making Space Physics Data Audible
* Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution as of November 11, 2021
* ARISS News
* Upcoming Satellite Operations
* Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events
* Satellite Shorts From All Over

ANS-318 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

To: All RADIO AMATEURS
From: Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation
712 H Street NE, Suite 1653
Washington, DC 20002

DATE 2021 Nov 14

AMSAT is looking for Volunteers

Keeping Amateur Radio in Space is a team effort and the work of AMSAT is carried out entirely by volunteers. AMSAT needs people with a wide range of technical and non-technical skills. In short, WE NEED YOU! There is no pay, but a great deal of satisfaction in knowing that you are helping make something happen.

AMSAT has volunteer openings in several senior leadership roles, including

• Vice President of User Services
• Secretary
• Volunteer Coordinator
• Public Information Officer

In addition, we have several volunteer opportunities to support functions within AMSAT to include Engineering, News Services, and Administration.

Submit resume or CV with a cover letter explaining what position(s) you are interested in, to Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, Executive Vice President or email info [AT] amsat.org

73,

Robert Bankston, KE4AL
President
Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT)

[ANS thanks the Robert Bankston, KE4AL, President and Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, Executive Vice President, AMSAT for the above information]

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Join the 2021 President’s Club!
Score your 2″ 4-Color Accent Commemorative Coin.
This gold finished coin comes with
Full Color Certificate and Embroidered “Remove Before Flight” Key Tag
Donate today at
https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/
You won’t want to miss it!
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+

Z-Sat launched 8 November 2021, Communication Established

Yasutaka Narusawa, JR2XEA, of the Komaki Amateur SATCOM Club reports the satellite Z-Sat was launched on an Epsilon rocket on November 8 Nov 2021 Uchinoura Space Center. The 50 kg class infrared observation microsatellite was developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. It was part of an 8 mission payload that included RAISE-2, DRUMS- a unique debris removal satellite, and four cubesats that also included Nanodragon and KOSEN-1. The Z-Sat CW beacon signal (145.875MHz) contains information such as satellite battery voltage and is very important to monitor for survival information immediately after the satellite is put into orbit. Komaki Amateur SATCOM Club would appreciate reports sent to jr2xea <at> nagoya.so-net.jp or via Twitter at @KOMAKI_AMSATCOM

Initial TLE is as follows;
1 99999U 00000A 21313.08704961 .00000000 00000-0 00000-0 0 00003
2 99999 097.6003 012.6148 0016801 247.1903 152.6649 15.02606103005884

Early reception reports came in from Pedro Converso, LU7ABF and Bob Stricklin, N5BRG.
Bob Stricklin commented: “I also copy Z-Sat at 15:16 to 15:27 UTC Nov 9. Copied HELLO WORLD. and S2 00 86 83 00. S1 line was difficult to copy. CW seem to speed up a lot. Will keep trying. I notice I could still hear beacon over ~2 minutes past calculated window based on Sat32 tracking so Keplerian data may need to be improved. Beacon Frequency at my LOS was 145,872,150 Hz. Signal was strong for me.”
Later Bob added: “Z-Sat is CW Beacon only now, 20 to 25 WPM. I have not read any plans for Z-Sat to do anything else. Has a nice signal. Frequency is 145.875 MHz. Starts out at about 145.877 and finishes at about 145.873 or so with Doppler. I think they would like all the reports they can get in these early few days to establish conditions on bird. Just copied it on a pass at my QTH.”

Nov 10 03:21 to 03:44 UTC
S1 2C BC BC 7D
S2 00 7F 7F 00
Battery 1 Voltage 22.12 V
Battery 2 Voltage 22.12 V
Vref 11.20 V
Battery Temp 12.10 Deg C
Radio Temp 12.10 Deg C
Z Plane Current 0 <— May be a problem here. Voltage is dropping and temp is also.

Follow Z-Sat at: https://twitter.com/KOMAKI_AMSATCOM. Editors note: The TLE for other sats in the payload are in the weekly changes report from Ray Hoad, WA5QGD, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager elsewhere in this newsletter.

[ANS thanks Yasutaka Narusawa, JR2XEA of the Komaki Amateur SATCOM Club and Bob Stricklin, N5BRG for the above information]

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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/

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IARU Work Group Works to Protect 23 cm Amateur Band

A work group from the International Amateur Radio Union Region 1 is preparing reports to help protect the 23 cm amateur band (1.2 GHz) when the 2023 World Radiocommunication Conference meets to consider remedies to interference with radionavigation systems.

The working party is considering simulations provided by two administrations to estimate the interfered area that might exist around a 23cm band amateur service transmitter. A number of amateur station configurations are under consideration identified as “Home Station 1”, “Home Station 2” and “Permanent Station” (e.g. Repeater station) based on characteristics developed and contributed by the IARU. Both narrowband and wideband emissions are considered. Two further scenarios are included in which “Home Station 1” operates with antenna uptilt as an amateur satellite uplink station and in which “Home Station 2” operates with antenna uptilt as an E-M-E station.

The IARU representatives contributed to an off-line email discussion to ensure the amateur station parameters used are more representative than those that had been proposed in the original contribution papers. The studies were revised based on these negotiations during the meeting and are reflected in the draft working document. The interim results show interference distances of up to several km depending on the antenna and power level assumed. Work on these studies will continue into the next meeting.

The IARU is working to ensure the amateur services are realistically represented in the studies as they move forward and remain consistent with the information developed in WP5A. It remains vital that national amateur communities present their views on the importance of this band to their national regulators in a consolidated and consistent manner.

The work on this topic will continue throughout the year both in ITU R and in the regional telecommunications organisations and the IARU is committed to ensure every group hears the amateur position on this important microwave band.

The summary report from the WP4C meeting can be found at: https://bit.ly/3c4Rco0

[ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information]

Space Physics Professor Seeks Radio Amateurs’ Help in Making Space Physics Data Audible

Professor Martin Archer of Imperial College London wants to know the best approach to making space physics data audible. Archer is the UKRI (UK Research and Innovation) Stephen Hawking Fellow in Space Physics and Public Engagement and is working in the fields of citizen science and data sonification. He is seeking individuals to complete a survey, the results of which may help him to determine the best way to give space physics data a voice. See: https://imperial.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_295iuL4yxfaQ0Qu

“Our sense of sound can be a powerful tool in exploring and analyzing data collected from satellites. But what is the best way to make this data audible?” Archer asks. Space science researchers at Imperial College London are asking for input from communities with relevant expertise — such as those involved with audio, citizen science, music, public engagement, and science communication. HamSCI Founder Nathaniel Frissell, W2NAF, believes the list could also include radio amateurs.

“Given the connection between radio propagation and geomagnetic disturbances, along with the fact that hams are so used to listening to signals in noise, we think the amateur community would have valuable input,” he said.

Specifically, the project seeks the best method of making ultra-low-frequency waves around Earth audible. Archer believes feedback from radio amateurs and others could help space scientists to improve science communication, public engagement, and citizen science.

Completing the survey should take no longer than 10 minutes. A participant information sheet offers greater detail. Direct questions should be sent to Archer via email m.archer10 at imperial dot ac dot uk.

[ANS thanks the ARRL for the above information]

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AMSAT’s GOLF Program is about getting back to higher orbits, and it all
begins with GOLF-TEE – a technology demonstrator for deployable solar
panels, propulsion, and attitude control, now manifested for launch on
NASA’s ELaNa 46 mission. Come along for the ride. The journey will be
worth it!

https://tinyurl.com/ANS-GOLF

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Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution as of October 14, 2021

The following satellites have been added to this week’s AMSAT TLE
Distribution:
LEDSAT – NORAD Cat ID 49069 (Thanks to Nico Janssen, PA0DLO for ID)
Binar-1 – NORAD Cat ID 49272 (Thanks to Space-Track for ID)
TeikyoSat 4 – NORAD Cat ID 49396 (Thanks to Nico Janssen, PA0DLO for ID)
Z-Sat – NORAD Cat ID 49399 (Thanks to Nico Janssen, PA0DLO for ID)
KOSEN 1 – NORAD Cat ID 49402 (Thanks to Nico Janssen, PA0DLO for ID)

Nico Janssen, PA0DLO, reports NO SIGNAL from NanoDragon as yet.

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

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Want to fly the colors on your own grid expedition?
Get your AMSAT car flag and other neat stuff
from our Zazzle store!
25% of the purchase price of each product goes
towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space
https://www.zazzle.com/amsat_gear

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ARISS NEWS

Amateurs and others around the world may listen in on contacts between amateurs operating in schools and allowing students to interact with astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station. The downlink frequency on which to listen is 145.800 MHz worldwide.

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2021-09-15 15:30 UTC

None reported.

​Columbus Module radios:
– IORS (Kenwood D710GA) – STATUS – Configured. Supporting cross band repeater (145.990 MHz up {PL 67} & 437.800 MHz down) . Next planned mode change is to packet operation (145.825 MHz up & down) targeting early December.​​
– Power down for COL experiment on Nov 24, Progress docking Nov 25 and 6R module docking on Nov 26. OFF Nov. 24 at 09:45 and ON Nov 26 at TBD UTC.
– Power down for upcoming US EVA on Nov. 30.
– Supporting USOS scheduled voice contacts, packet and voice repeater ops.

Service Module radios:
Kenwood D710E – STATUS – Radio usually off.​ ​​
– Power down Progress docking Nov 25 and 6R module docking on Nov 26. OFF Nov. 24 at 09:45 UTC.
– Power down for upcoming US EVA on Nov. 30.
Supporting ROS scheduled voice contacts and SSTV.
The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html
The latest list of frequencies in use can be found at https://www.ariss.org/contact-the-iss.html

[ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team mentors for the above information]

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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/

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Upcoming Satellite Operations

Quick Hits:
AD0HJ: Check out his Twitter for details passes, and sickening good handwriting.
EN01/11: 11/13
EN00/10:11/14
DN90/91: 11/14
DN80/81: 11/15

Major Roves:
NA-008. (Zone 2) After being silent for 18 months, operators Alex/VE1RUS and Pierre/VE3TKB will once again be active as VY0ERC from the Eureka Weather station this October. This station is operated by the Eureka Amateur Radio Club [probably the most northerly located amateur radio club in the world] from Eureka, Nunavut. The VY0ERC team (VE1RUS and VE3KTB) is now in preparation to be active from the Polar Environment Atmospheric Research Laboratory between October 12th and November 22nd, (time and weather conditions permitting). They plan to participate in CQWW DX SSB and the ARRL Sweepstakes Contests. Outside of the contests, the suggested bands are 40 and 20 meters (possibly 80m), as well as FM satellites (from ER60, EQ79) using SSB, the Digital modes (FT8 and RTTY) and very slow CW. Activity will be limited to their spare time. QSL via M0OXO, OQRS or direct. For updates, see: https://twitter.com/vy0erc
[ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT rover page manager, for the above information]

Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events

Winterfest, the ARRL Midwest Division Convention
Collinsville, IL Jan 22 2022

ARRL National Convention and Orlando Hamcation Feb 10-13 2022
Registration details at http://www.arrl.org/arrl-expo
Updates may be found at: https://www.amsat.org/other-events/

AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events.

AMSAT Ambassador Clint Bradford, K6LCS, makes online presentations to Amateur Radio clubs and other interested organizations. Contact Clint at http://www.work-sat.com or by phone at 909-999-SATS (7287) to arrange a presentation.

[ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT Events page manager, and Clint Bradford, K6CLS for the above information]

Satellite Shorts From All Over

+ AMSAT Ambassador Daryl Young (K4RGK) and his wife Lori (K4UPI) represented AMSAT at the Stone Mountain Hamfest on 11/6/2021. The hamfest is the largest in the state of Georgia and serves as the ARRL Georgia Section state convention. (ANS thanks Joe Domaleski, KI4ASK, for the above information)

+ In light of of the successful launch of the Z-Sat, Mike Sartoretti, KC2SYF reminds all S.A.T. device users to autoupdate their devices in order to acquire the new TLE. (ANS thanks Mike Sartoretti, KC2SYF, of CSN Technologies for the above information.)

+ Paul Stoetzer Tweeted: “Congratulations to @KE9AJ and @FG8OJ on the new CAS-4A record of 4,978 km!”. https://amsat.org/satellite-distance-records/ Joe Werth, KE9AJ, announced the feat on Nov 6, 2021 via Twitter: “Amazing QSO this morning on CAS-4A with my friend Bertrand, @FG8OJ from the Colorado mountain summit in DM79iq, for a new #AMSAT distance record of 4978.0 km. Thanks Bertrand!” (ANS thanks Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, for the above information.)

+ The International Space Station performed a short engine burn on Wednesday to avoid potentially hitting a chunk of space junk. At 2015 UTC, the thrusters on Russia’s Progress MS-18 transport cargo vehicle, which is docked to the ISS, fired for 361 seconds to perform the small nudge, Roscosmos said. The agency confirmed on Twitter it had successfully performed the shift, and that the ISS is now safe from a fragment of China’s Fengyun-1C weather satellite that was whizzing by. [Note: Amateurs using the ARISS repeater will want to update their keps following this change in orbit.] (ANS thanks TheRegister for the above information)

+Raja Chari, KI5LIU, a veteran U.S. Air Force test pilot and combat veteran, is the first rookie astronaut to command a NASA space mission since the final crew blasted off to the Skylab space station in 1973. The 44-year-old Air Force colonel was in command of the brand new SpaceX Dragon, named, “Endurance,” that docked to the International Space Station on Thursday for a nearly six-month expedition. Aboard the station, Chari and his crewmates will perform scientific experiments and maintain the orbiting research lab alongside another NASA astronaut and two Russian cosmonauts who launched on Russian Soyuz spaceships. (ANS thanks Space Flight Now for the above information)

+ The European Space Agency’s RadCube, for surveying space weather in low-Earth orbit, has completed its rigorous commissioning phase, culminating in the extension of a magnetometer boom longer than the miniature satellite itself. RadCube is a mission to demonstrate miniaturised technologies for measuring this space radiation environment as well as magnetic field strength. RadCube is a ‘3-unit’ CubeSat, very similar to the planned AMSAT GOLF spaceframes. It was developed for ESA by C3S in Hungary. (ANS thanks Space Daily for the above information)

+ Two NASA astronauts will venture outside the International Space Station on Tuesday, Nov. 30, for a spacewalk to replace a faulty antenna system. NASA astronauts Thomas Marshburn, KE5HOC, and Kayla Barron, KI5LAL, will exit the Quest airlock around 12:10 UTC to replace an S-band Antenna Subassembly (SASA) with a spare already available on the station’s truss structure. The space station transmits low-rate voice and data with flight controllers on the ground over the S-band of radio frequencies. (ANS thanks NASA for the above information)

+ Two Chinese taikonauts completed a space walk on Monday outside the core module of a future space station, with 41-year-old Wang Yaping becoming the first Chinese woman to perform the maneuver, state media reported. Zhai Zhigang, 55, mission commander of Shenzhou-13, opened the hatch of the core cabin Tianhe at 18:51 p.m. (1051 GMT) on Sunday, and was joined by Wang for a space walk that lasted 6-1/2 hours. (ANS thanks Reuters for the above information)

+ John Grant, a Lecturer in Soil Science, Southern Cross University in Lismore, Australia, has calculated that the Moon’s surface “regolith” is made up of approximately 45% oxygen — enough oxygen to support all eight billion people on Earth for somewhere around 100,000 years. But that oxygen is tightly bound into the minerals that can only be released by electrolysis, which requires a great deal of energy. This process is commonly used in manufacturing, such as to produce aluminium. In this case, the oxygen is produced as a byproduct. On the Moon, the oxygen would be the main product and the aluminium (or other metal) extracted would be a potentially useful byproduct. (ANS thanks Space Daily for the above information)

Join AMSAT today at https://launch.amsat.org/

In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to:

* Societies (a recognized group, clubs or organization).
* 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 6 post-secondary years in this status.
* Memberships are available for annual and lifetime terms.

Contact info [at] amsat.org for additional membership information.

73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space!

This week’s ANS Editor, Jack Spitznagel, KD4IZ
kd4iz at frawg dot org

ANS-311 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins for Nov. 7

by

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 http://www.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.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://mailman.amsat.org/postorius/lists/ans.amsat.org/

In this edition:

  • AMSAT Seeks Qualified Volunteers For A Number Of Positions
  • VUCC/r Award Announced
  • W4AMI Award Qualifications Have Changed
  • VUCC Awards-Endorsements for November 2021
  • Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for November 4
  • Results of Artemis 2 Proposal Opportunity
  • ARDC Grant Award for the ARISS-USA STEREO Education Project
  • ARISS School Contacts
  • Upcoming Satellite Operations
  • Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events
  • Satellite Shorts From All Over

ANS-311 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

To: All RADIO AMATEURS
From: Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation
712 H Street NE, Suite 1653
Washington, DC 20002

DATE 2021 Nov 7

AMSAT Seeks Qualified Volunteers For A Number Of Positions

Keeping Amateur Radio in Space is a team effort and the work of AMSAT is carried out entirely by volunteers. AMSAT needs people with a wide range of technical and non-technical skills. In short, WE NEED YOU! There is no pay, but a great deal of satisfaction in knowing that you are helping make something happen. Volunteers are being sought in the following areas:

* Satellite Development Technical Experience
If you have hardware or software technical skills, and proven experience directly applicable to satellite design, please contact the AMSAT Vice President of Engineering, Jerry Buxton, N0JY. Due to International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), positions involving space flight hardware or software require US citizenship or permanent resident status. Ground station development is open to all qualified persons regardless of citizenship.

* ARISS Development and Support
AMSAT’s Human Space Flight Team is looking for volunteers to help with development and support of the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) project. ARISS needs both technical volunteers for hardware development, as well as technical mentors to assist with scheduled school contacts. To volunteer, contact Frank H. Bauer, KA3HDO, ARISS-USA Executive Director.

* AMSAT Educational Relations
AMSAT’s Educational Relations Team needs volunteers with a background in education and classroom lesson development. Contact Alan Johnston, KU2Y, Vice President – Educational Relations

* AMSAT News and Communications
Communications through the AMSAT News Service [this weekly bulletin] and AMSAT Journal are essential in keeping both our members and the wider public informed. If you have good writing and editing skills and are interested, please contact AMSAT News Service Senior Editor Mark Johns, K0JM, or AMSAT Journal Editor Joe Kornowski, KB6IGK.

* General AMSAT Support
AMSAT is an organization of self starters. While we sometimes have tasks which we can assign, our most important contributions come from someone who sees a need, has the skills to solve the problem, and then goes ahead and does so. So pick an area that you think needs improvement and explain what you will do to make it better. Contact Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, Executive Vice President or email info [AT] amsat.org

[ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information]

+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
Join the 2021 President’s Club!
Score your 2″ 4-Color Accent Commemorative Coin.
This gold finished coin comes with
Full Color Certificate and Embroidered “Remove Before Flight” Key Tag
Donate today at
https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/
You won’t want to miss it!
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+

VUCC/r Award Announced

At the 2021 AMSAT Dr. Tom Clark, K3IO, Memorial Space Symposium & Annual General Meeting on Oct. 30, a new AMSAT award program was announced. This program is to recognize the contribution of rover station operators to the world of grid hunting. Rovers are folks operating while mobile in motion or temporarily parked to give out grids to fixed stations.

The award is called the Reverse VUCC Award. The abbreviation is VUCC/r. It is not an easy award to earn. The award is very similar to the ARRL’s VUCC, but rather than contact a set number of grids on a frequency band, the goal is to make contacts FROM a set number of grids per band. AMSAT took over the issuance of this award from the Central States VHF Society in September, 2021.

The number of grids coincides with the ARRL award. Certificates will be awarded as well as endorsement stickers. QSL cards are required and will be verified by the program administrator. Awards will be presented with a unique serial number.

This award will be a step beyond, and a greater challenge than the AMSAT Rover Award. For more information on VUCC/r see https://www.amsat.org/reverse-vucc-or-vucc-r-award/

[ANS thanks Bruce Paige, KK5DO, AMSAT Director Contests and Awards, for the above information]

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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/

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W4AMI Award Qualifications Have Changed

Effective November 01, 2021 no FM contacts will be accepted towards the Robert W. Barbee Jr., W4AMI Award. Contacts made prior to November 01, 2021 will be accepted.

The decision was reached by a concensus of the AMSAT Board of Directors at their virtual meeting on Oct. 29 out of concern for the demands being placed on the limited resource or our satellite FM repeaters.

“I really don’t know if there are people making contacts with five of their friends on every single pass just to get enough QSOs for this award, but if there is anything we can do to lighten the load on our FM satellites and extend their lifetime, we need to do so,” said one Board member.

The Robert W. Barbee Jr., W4AMI Satellite Operator Achievement Award. It is awarded for the submission of 1,000 satellite contacts on OSCAR-6 or later satellites. There is an endorsement for each additional 1,000 and a special certificate at 5,000. To receive the award, see https://www.amsat.org/amsat-robert-w-barbee-jr-w4ami-award/ and contact AMSAT Director of Contests and Awards, Bruce Paige, KK5DO.

[ANS thanks Bruce Paige, KK5DO, AMSAT Director Contests and Awards, for the above information]

VUCC Awards-Endorsements for November 2021

Here are the endorsements and new VUCC Satellite Awards issued by the ARRL for the period October 1, 2021 through November 1, 2021. Congratulations to all those who made the list this month!

CALLOct.Nov.
WA4NVM15681579
N8HM11271139
AA5PK11151132
N8RO11111124
W5CBF723841
AA8CH775800
N0JE681734
N3GS705729
N6UK687707
VE1VOX510610
AF5CC547582
VE6WK512564
N7EGY501559
K5ND526530
G0ABI454478
KN2K350401
VE4MM376401
EA2AA375382
WB7QXU303325
NA1ME250275
RA3DNC200252
VE3KY201227
XE1GKNew209
KC1MEB168207
AB0XE100200
KE7RTB150200
WD9EWK (DM23)166173
WD9EWK (DM31)156162
WD9EWK (DM54)145153
KE4BKL125150
KP4RV+KP3VNew139
LA9XGA100129
JK2XXK100125
XE1ZDNew109
MU0FALNew102
WA2ZQXNew101

If you find errors or omissions. please contact me off-list at <W5RKN> [AT] <W5RKN> .com. This list was developed by comparing the ARRL .pdf listings for the two months. It’s a visual comparison so omissions are possible. Apologies if your call was not mentioned. Thanks to all those who are roving to grids that are rarely on the birds. They are doing a lot of the work!

[ANS thanks Ron Parsons, W5RKN, for the above information]

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AMSAT’s GOLF Program is about getting back to higher orbits, and it all
begins with GOLF-TEE – a technology demonstrator for deployable solar
panels, propulsion, and attitude control, now manifested for launch on
NASA’s ELaNa 46 mission. Come along for the ride. The journey will be
worth it!

https://tinyurl.com/ANS-GOLF

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Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for November 4

The following satellite has decayed from orbit and has been removed from the AMSAT TLE Distribution:
CP-9 – NORAD Cat ID 44360 (Decay Epoch 10-28-2021)

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

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Want to fly the colors on your own grid expedition?
Get your AMSAT car flag and other neat stuff
from our Zazzle store!
25% of the purchase price of each product goes
towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space
https://www.zazzle.com/amsat_gear

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Results of Artemis 2 Proposal Opportunity

In January this year the Amateur Radio Exploration (AREx) team of ARISS and AMSAT submitted a no-cost proposal to fly hardware and cameras on NASA’s Artemis II mission to the moon to bring “The Excitement and Inspiration of Artemis Journeys to a Worldwide Audience through Interactive Amateur Radio Experiences.” Artemis 2 is the first planned human spaceflight mission to the moon. Like the Apollo 8 mission, it plans to orbit the moon and return to Earth. Recently we got word that we were not competitively selected for the mission.

I just found out who won the competition. The winners, National Geographic and Disney, were, in my opinion, unbeatable challengers for documenting and sharing truly historic events — especially the return of humans to the moon.

https://www.space.com/national-geographic-nasa-artemis-moon-mission-show

Despite this loss, the AREx team learned a great deal in the development of the proposal and were able to significantly refine our lunar payload design concept. A concept that can now meet Gateway payload requirements. This new design will position our amateur radio team for future lunar opportunity requests as well as to communicate our readiness to fly as a payload on the Lunar Gateway mission.

On behalf of the AREx team, my thanks to all that supported the maturation of our Lunar design and the development and submit of the proposal.

[ANS thanks Frank H. Bauer, KA3HDO, ARISS-USA Executive Director, ARISS International Chair, for the above information]

ARDC Grant Award for the ARISS-USA STEREO Education Project

ARISS-USA is pleased to announce that Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC) awarded a 5-year grant for a project called, “Student and Teacher Education via Radio Experimentation and Operations” (STEREO). Total grant funding over five years is nearly $1.3 million. This ARDC grant will fund three distinct initiatives that enable ARISS to sustain and improve STEAM educational outcomes:

Part 1: ARISS is developing a wireless electronics technology kit called “SPARKI”, short for “Space Pioneers Amateur Radio Kit Initiative” for use with middle and high school students. This ARDC grant will take SPARKI from prototype to operational and then deploy these kits into a selected set of ARISS formal and informal education organizations that are planning their ARISS radio contacts.

Part 2: To be successful, ARISS must “Educate the Educator” by creating awareness of ARISS, amateur radio and SPARKI to prospective formal and informal educators in the USA. ARISS‐USA will conduct educator workshops for a selected set of educators to aid them in seamlessly employing SPARKI in their education environment and for ARISS to receive their feedback and ideas.

Part 3: The grant will support some of the costs of ARISS contact operations between students and astronauts aboard the ISS over the five-year grant period.

ARISS-USA Executive Director Frank Bauer welcomed this news by saying, “ARISS-USA is so excited about this new 5-year initiative. It will be a STEAM education game changer and represents a key element of our ARISS 2.0 vision. Most importantly, it brings wireless technologies and amateur radio into our ARISS formal and informal classrooms. We thank ARDC for their interest and support and look forward to working with them on this incredible initiative!”

ARDC’s mission is to support, promote, and enhance digital communication and broader communication science and technology, to promote Amateur Radio, scientific research, experimentation, education, development, open access, and innovation in information and communication technology. ARDC makes grants to projects and organizations that follow amateur radio’s practice and tradition of technical experimentation in both amateur radio and digital communication science. Such experimentation has led to broad advances for the benefit of the general public – such as the mobile phone and wireless internet technology. ARDC envisions a world where all such technology is available through open-source hardware and software, and where anyone has the ability to innovate upon it.

[ANS thanks ARISS for the above information]

ARISS School Contacts

Amateurs and others around the world may listen in on contacts between amateurs operating in schools and allowing students to interact with astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station. The downlink frequency on which to listen is 145.800 MHz worldwide.

South Yarra Primary School, South Yarra, Victoria, Australia, telebridge via K6DUE
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS
The scheduled crewmember is Mark Vande Hei KG5GNP
Contact is go for: Tue 2021-11-09 09:58:23 UTC 75 deg
Watch for livestream at: https://bit.ly/31yQldr

Ural State University of Railways and Communications, Yekaterinburg, Russia, direct via TBD
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS
The scheduled crewmember is Pyotr Dubrov
Contact is go for 2021-11-11 16: 00 UTC

The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html

The latest list of frequencies in use can be found at https://www.ariss.org/contact-the-iss.html

[ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team mentors for the above information]

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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/

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Upcoming Satellite Operations

KC1MEB & Nu1U are going to be roving in FN10 in PA this Sunday afternoon (11/7) A more definite schedule of passes for that grid will be announced.

NA-008. (Zone 2) After being silent for 18 months, operators Alex/VE1RUS and Pierre/VE3TKB will once again be active as VY0ERC from the Eureka Weather station this October. This station is operated by the Eureka Amateur Radio Club [probably the most northerly located amateur radio club in the world] from Eureka, Nunavut. The VY0ERC team (VE1RUS and VE3KTB) is now in preparation to be active from the Polar Environment Atmospheric Research Laboratory between October 12th and November 22nd, (time and weather conditions permitting). They plan to participate in CQWW DX SSB and the ARRL Sweepstakes Contests. Outside of the contests, the suggested bands are 40 and 20 meters (possibly 80m), as well as FM satellites (from ER60, EQ79) using SSB, the Digital modes (FT8 and RTTY) and very slow CW. Activity will be limited to their spare time. QSL via M0OXO, OQRS or direct. For updates, see: https://twitter.com/vy0erc

[ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT rover page manager, for the above information]

Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events

AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events.

Ambassador Clint Bradford, K6LCS, is scheduling Zoom presentations for these locales in the next few weeks:
Longmont, Colorado
Las Vegas, Nevada
St. Catherines, Ontario, Canada

To schedule, contact Clint at:
http://www.work-sat.com
Email: clintbradford AT mac DOT com
(909) 999-SATS (7287) – voicemail/message

[ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT Events page manager, for the above information]

Satellite Shorts From All Over

+ AMSAT President Robert Bankston, KE4AL, has expressed appreciation to members of the Board of Directors, and to Virtual Symposium Team: Paul Stoetzer, N8HM and Frank Karnauskas, N1UW, and to Dan Schultz N8FGV, Symposium Proceedings editor, on a phenomenal job of carrying out the Symposium on Oct. 30. The Proceedings are available to members at https://launch.amsat.org/ (ANS thanks AMSAT President Robert Bankston, KE4AL, for the above information)

+ Did you miss the 2021 AMSAT Dr. Tom Clark, K3IO, Memorial Space Symposium & Annual General Meeting? A replay of the event is available on YouTube. https://youtu.be/RTvcceM7Tz0 (ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information)

+ NASA has ruled out a weekend launch for a SpaceX Crew Dragon carrying four astronauts to the International Space Station due to expected bad weather. Given an uncertain forecast, the mission managers have opted instead to bring four station astronauts — Crew-2 — back to Earth first, delaying the Crew-3 launch to later next week. The Crew Dragon spacecraft, named Endeavour, is scheduled to undock from the International Space Station at 1:05z on Sunday, Nov. 7, to begin the journey home. Splashing down on Monday will be Shane Kimbrough, KE5HOD, Megan McArthur, Akihiko Hoshide, KE5DNI, and Thomas Pesquet, KG5FYG. The Crew-3 astronauts awaiting launch are all licensed amateurs: Raja Chari, KI5LIU, Tom Marshburn, KE5HOC, Matthias Maurer, KI5KFH, and Kayla Barron, KI5LAL. That crew was originally scheduled to launch on Oct. 31. (ANS thanks SpaceFlightNow and NASA for the above information)

+ NASA missions have primarily relied on radio frequency communications for this transfer of information. But this fall, NASA’s Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) will launch and showcase laser communications. LCRD’s ground stations, known as Optical Ground Station (OGS) -1 and -2, are located on Table Mountain, California, and Haleakala, Hawaii. These remote, high-altitude locations were chosen for their clear weather conditions. While laser communications can provide increased data transfer rates, atmospheric disturbances – such as clouds and turbulence – can disrupt laser signals as they enter Earth’s atmosphere. (ANS thanks SpaceDaily for the above information)

+ A new distance record of 4978.0 km on CAS-4A has been claimed by Joe Werth, KE9AJ, from the Colorado mountain summit in DM79iq, with Bertrand Demarcq, FG8OJ, in FK96hg in Guadeloupe. Congratulations! Distance records are published at https://www.amsat.org/satellite-distance-records/ (ANS thanks Joe Werth, KE9AJ, for the above information)

Join AMSAT today at https://launch.amsat.org/

In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to:

* Societies (a recognized group, clubs or organization).
* 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 6 post-secondary years in this status.
* Memberships are available for annual and lifetime terms.

Contact info [at] amsat.org for additional membership information.

73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space!

This week’s ANS Editor, Mark Johns, K0JM
k0jm at amsat dot org