Month: August 2024

ANS-238 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

by

In this edition:

* ISRO Successfully Launches SSLV-D3, Deploys EOS-08 and SR-0 Demosat
* SpaceX Transporter-11 Launches 116 Satellites, Including OreSat0.5
* Polaris Dawn Set for Historic Launch and First Commercial Spacewalk
* GridMasterMap Satellite Top 100 Rovers September 2024 Rankings
* Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for August 23, 2024
* ARISS News
* Upcoming Satellite Operations
* AMSAT Ambassador Activities
* Satellite Shorts From All Over

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://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/

ANS-238 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

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

DATE 2024 Aug 25

The 42nd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting will be held on Friday through Saturday, October 25-26, 2024
DoubleTree by Hilton Tampa Rocky Point Waterfront in Tampa, Florida. Click Here to Register Now

Rooms can be reserved at https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/radioamateursatellite/
If you’re interested in presenting or submitting a paper, see the Call for Papers webpage

ISRO Successfully Launches SSLV-D3, Deploys EOS-08 and SR-0 Demosat

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched its third and final developmental flight of the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV-D3) on August 16, 2024. The launch, conducted from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, India, placed two satellites, EOS-08 and SR-0 Demosat, into orbit, marking the completion of the SSLV’s development phase. This achievement enables the rocket’s operational use by Indian industry and NewSpace India Limited (NSIL).

The primary payload, EOS-08, is an Earth observation satellite developed by ISRO’s U R Rao Satellite Centre. The satellite was placed into a 475-kilometer low Earth orbit about 13 minutes after liftoff. EOS-08 is equipped with three advanced payloads: the Electro Optical Infrared Payload (EOIR), the Global Navigation Satellite System-Reflectometry payload (GNSS-R), and a SiC UV Dosimeter. These instruments will support a variety of Earth and atmospheric monitoring tasks, including disaster management and environmental surveillance. EOS-08 also features several new technologies, including an integrated avionics system and flexible solar panels, which will be demonstrated during its mission.

Liftoff of India’s third SSLV rocket on Aug. 16th carrying EOS-08 and SR-0 Demosat satellites. [Credit: ISRO]

The secondary payload, SR-0 Demosat, developed by Space Kidz India, is a 0.2kg CubeSat designed for educational and amateur radio purposes. Deployed into the same orbit as EOS-08, SR-0 Demosat is equipped with an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) and a LoRa digipeater. The satellite’s mission includes raising awareness about amateur radio and nano satellites among students, transmitting health telemetry, and serving as a Digital Packet Store and Forward System for radio amateurs worldwide. Additionally, SR-0 Demosat will act as a demonstration unit to qualify a new CubeSat deployer, reflecting Space Kidz India’s innovative approach to space technology.

Space Kidz India, which developed SR-0 Demosat, has a history of launching educational satellites. The SR-0 Demosat continues this tradition, serving both educational and amateur radio communities. Operating on a 437.400 MHz downlink, the satellite supports various digital communication modes, including 9k6 FSK AX25, 4FSK SSDV, and 38k4 LoRa. This allows radio amateurs globally to engage with the satellite and collect valuable data. SR-0 Demosat’s telemetry dashboard can be found on the SatNOGS website: https://db.satnogs.org/satellite/WZIT-9333-7102-4860-3049.

SR-0 Demosat LoRa decode by Scott Chapman, K4KDR, using a STM32WL55JC2 development board. [Credit: @scott23192]

ISRO Chairman S. Somanath highlighted the precise placement of the satellites, noting that the successful deployment of both EOS-08 and SR-0 Demosat underscores the SSLV’s readiness for operational missions. The SSLV, known for its low cost, quick turnaround, and flexibility, is suited for launching mini, micro, and nano satellites, which are increasingly in demand for commercial and educational purposes.

The SSLV-D3 launch represents a key step in India’s space program. With the successful deployment of EOS-08 and SR-0 Demosat, ISRO has demonstrated its capability to deliver a range of payloads into orbit, meeting the growing needs of the global small satellite market. This mission also highlights the potential of space technology to inspire the next generation of engineers and scientists while advancing the capabilities of the amateur radio community.

[ANS thanks U Tejonmayam, The Times of India, and Space Kidz India, for the above information]

SpaceX Transporter-11 Launches 116 Satellites, Including OreSat0.5

SpaceX successfully launched 116 payloads aboard its Falcon 9 rocket as part of the Transporter-11 rideshare mission on August 16, 2024. The launch occurred at 11:56 a.m. PDT from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. This mission is the latest in SpaceX’s series of rideshare launches, which provide small satellites from various countries an opportunity to reach orbit without needing dedicated launch vehicles. Following stage separation, the Falcon 9’s first-stage booster successfully returned to Landing Zone 4, marking its 12th flight and 20th landing at LZ-4.

Transporter-11 carried a diverse range of payloads, including satellites from Japan, Chile, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Among the Australian payloads were three satellites launched by the Australian Space Agency: Kanyini, Waratah Seed-1, and Cuava-2. Waratah Seed-1, a 6U CubeSat, hosted multiple payloads, such as the Perovskites in Orbit Readiness Test (PORT-2), the Submillimeter Particle Detection System (SPaDeS), and Spiral Blue Space Edge-1 (SE-1), showcasing the collaborative nature of this mission.

SpaceX Transporter-11 launched 116 satellite payloads on August 16th. [Credit: @GewoonLukas_]
Oregon also had a key payload on Transporter-11 with the launch of OreSat0.5, the state’s second satellite. Developed by the Portland State Aerospace Society (PSAS) at Portland State University, OreSat0.5 is a 2U CubeSat designed to demonstrate two critical systems: the attitude determination and control system (ADCS) of the modular OreSat bus and the Cirrus Flux Camera (CFC), which uses short-wave infrared (SWIR) technology. Deployed into a 510 km sun-synchronous low Earth orbit, the satellite began transmitting its first data beacons just 16 minutes after deployment, marking a significant milestone for the Portland State Aerospace Society team.

OreSat0.5’s mission includes testing an open-source ADCS designed for precise antenna and camera pointing on amateur radio satellites, and demonstrating the “DxWiFi” S-band 802.11b bidirectional radio system for high-speed (1 Mbps) communication. Additionally, it aims to provide openly published flight performance data, including power and thermal characteristics, to support the development of cost-effective, scalable satellite systems. Telemetry data from OreSat0.5 can be received on 436.500 MHz and decoded using 9600 baud GMSK with DK3WN’s GetKISS+ v.1.4.2 software. The telemetry dashboard is viewable on the SatNOGS website: https://db.satnogs.org/satellite/DKCD-1609-0567-7056-3922.

OreSat0.5 undergoing Exolaunch CubeSat deployer integration. [Credit: Cass Blum / PSAS]
Planet Labs PBC, a California-based company, contributed 36 SuperDove Earth-imaging satellites to the mission, along with the Tanager-1 hyperspectral satellite. Tanager-1, developed in collaboration with the Carbon Mapper Coalition and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, is designed to detect methane and CO2 emissions from space. This capability will enable precise monitoring of emissions from individual facilities, such as gas pipelines and coal mines, thereby enhancing efforts to combat climate change.

The mission also marked a significant achievement for Exolaunch, the satellite deployment company responsible for integrating 42 of the 116 satellites on the Transporter-11 mission. This launch was Exolaunch’s 30th successful integration, representing more than two dozen companies. Exolaunch CEO Robert Sproles expressed gratitude to their customers and SpaceX, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and innovation in the success of these missions.

[ANS thanks Will Robinson-Smith, Spaceflight Now, and the Portland State Aerospace Society, for the above information]

The 2024 AMSAT President’s Club coins are here now!
Help Support GOLF and Fox Plus

Join the AMSAT President’s Club today and help
Keep Amateur Radio in Space!
https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/

Polaris Dawn Set for Historic Launch and First Commercial Spacewalk

The private astronaut mission Polaris Dawn is poised for launch on August 27, 2024, with a groundbreaking objective: the first commercial spacewalk. The four-member crew, consisting of Anna Menon, Scott Poteet, Jared Isaacman, and Sarah Gillis, arrived at the Kennedy Space Center on August 19 to finalize preparations. This mission, the first of the Polaris program, marks a significant step in commercial space exploration and is set to launch aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon atop a Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A.

Scheduled to last five days, the Polaris Dawn mission will propel the Crew Dragon spacecraft to altitudes reaching 1,400 kilometers, the highest for a crewed mission since Apollo 17 in 1972. The mission’s objectives are multifaceted, including testing laser intersatellite links with SpaceX’s Starlink satellites and conducting 40 experiments. However, the highlight will be the spacewalk, a historic first for a private mission, and the first from a Crew Dragon spacecraft. The spacewalk will involve all four astronauts, with two emerging from the hatch in new SpaceX-developed extravehicular activity (EVA) suits for a brief yet pivotal two-hour spacewalk.

Polaris Dawn mission will propel the Crew Dragon spacecraft to altitudes reaching 1,400 kilometers. [Credit: @PolarisProgram]

Jared Isaacman, the billionaire backing the Polaris program and commander of Polaris Dawn, emphasized the importance of the spacewalk during a press conference after arriving at KSC. “The idea is to learn as much as we possibly can about this suit and get it back to the engineers to inform future suit design evolutions,” Isaacman stated. The spacewalk is scheduled for flight day three, with preparations beginning shortly after launch. The crew will undergo a prebreathing protocol to adjust the cabin’s atmospheric pressure and increase oxygen levels, a process essential for the EVA.

SpaceX engineer Sarah Gillis, serving as a mission specialist, detailed the crew’s rigorous preparations. On flight day two, the astronauts will don the EVA suits for mobility tests inside the spacecraft. During the spacewalk, two astronauts, referred to as EV1 and EV2, will take turns exiting the spacecraft for approximately 15 to 20 minutes each. Isaacman noted that while the idea of a free-floating spacewalk was considered, the crew will instead perform a “hands-free” demonstration with their feet securely attached to the spacecraft’s mobility aids, underscoring the mission’s cautious approach.

Polaris Dawn private astronaut mission crew members are shown inside a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule. [Credit: @SpaceX]

The mission’s development has been intensely focused on the spacewalk and the associated EVA suits. “The EVA probably makes up the majority of the development for Polaris Dawn,” Isaacman said, acknowledging the inherent risks. SpaceX vice president Bill Gerstenmaier, formerly of NASA, confirmed that extensive safety protocols have been implemented. He mentioned a recent issue where engineers identified and resolved a static electric discharge risk, ensuring the crew’s safety during the spacewalk.

Polaris Dawn’s mission profile includes a launch window between 3:38 and 7:38 a.m. Eastern on August 27, carefully chosen to minimize risks from micrometeoroids and orbital debris. After reaching an initial orbit, the spacecraft will ascend to 1,400 kilometers before lowering to 700 kilometers for the spacewalk. The mission will conclude with a demonstration of Starlink capabilities on flight day four, followed by reentry on day six. As the first of three planned missions under the Polaris program, Polaris Dawn represents a significant leap forward in commercial spaceflight, setting the stage for future endeavors, including a potential crewed Starship launch.

[ANS thanks Jeff Foust, SpaceNews for the above information]

GridMasterMap Satellite Top 100 Rovers September 2024 Rankings

The September 2024 rankings for the Top 100 Rovers (Mixed LEO/MEO/GEO) in satellite operations, as determined by @GridMasterMap on Twitter, has been released. The ranking is determined by the number of grids and DXCC entities activated, taking into account only those grids where a minimum number of QSOs logged on the gridmaster.fr website have been validated by a third party. Grid numbers do not directly reflect the exact number of activations. Satellite operators are encouraged to upload their LoTW satellite contacts to https://gridmaster.fr in order to provide more accurate data.

Updated: 2024-08-24

1 ND9M 26 KG5CCI 51 JK2XXK 76 LU4JVE
2 NJ7H 27 N4AKV 52 AC0RA 77 AA8CH
3 JA9KRO 28 DL2GRC 53 SM3NRY 78 VE1VOX
4 N5UC 29 N5BO 54 EA4NF 79 FG8OJ
5 UT1FG 30 K8BL 55 BA1PK 80 PT9BM
6 OE3SEU 31 KE4AL 56 JL3RNZ 81 KJ7NDY
7 DL6AP 32 KB5FHK 57 AA5PK 82 KI7UXT
8 WI7P 33 VE3HLS 58 DF2ET 83 YU0W
9 DP0POL 34 KI0KB 59 KI7QEK 84 KB2YSI
10 K5ZM 35 KI7UNJ 60 SP5XSD 85 WA9JBQ
11 N6UA 36 LA9XGA 61 F4DXV 86 N6UTC
12 HA3FOK 37 F4BKV 62 AD7DB 87 N4DCW
13 WY7AA 38 PA3GAN 63 VE1CWJ 88 JM1CAX
14 N9IP 39 JO2ASQ 64 KE9AJ 89 VE3GOP
15 W5PFG 40 N7AGF 65 XE1ET 90 N0TEL
16 AK8CW 41 VK5DG 66 VA7LM 91 KG4AKV
17 AD0DX 42 XE3DX 67 N8RO 92 K6VHF
18 F5VMJ 43 KE0WPA 68 KM4LAO 93 K0FFY
19 WD9EWK 44 K7TAB 69 W8LR 94 CU2ZG
20 ND0C 45 KE0PBR 70 N4UFO 95 VE7PTN
21 AD0HJ 46 VA3VGR 71 W1AW 96 AF5CC
22 LU5ILA 47 PR8KW 72 DL4EA 97 VE6WK
23 DJ8MS 48 W7WGC 73 HB9GWJ 98 W8MTB
24 KX9X 49 N6DNM 74 PT2AP 99 DK9JC
25 ON4AUC 50 EB1AO 75 M1DDD 100 PT9ST

[ANS thanks @GridMasterMap for the above information]

Need new satellite antennas?
Purchase an M2 LEO-Pack 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/

Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for August 23, 2024

Two Line Elements or TLEs, often referred to as Keplerian elements or keps in the amateur community, are the inputs to the SGP4 standard mathematical model of spacecraft orbits used by most amateur tracking programs. Weekly updates are completely adequate for most amateur satellites. TLE bulletin files are updated daily in the first hour of the UTC day. New bulletin files will be posted immediately after reliable elements become available for new amateur satellites. More information may be found at https://www.amsat.org/keplerian-elements-resources/.

This week there are no additions or deletions to the AMSAT TLE distribution.

[ANS thanks AMSAT Orbital Elements page for the above information]

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.

+ Recently Completed Contacts

Bayou Academy, Cleveland, MS, direct via W5YD
The ISS callsign was NA1SS
The scheduled crewmember was Sunita Williams KD5PLB
The ARISS mentor was K4RGK
Contact was successful: Thu 2024-08-22 16:43:06 UTC
Watch the livestream at https://www.youtube.com/live/PzZuhb1bGiw

Gymnasium der Stadt Meschede, Meschede, Germany, direct via DRØZ
The ISS callsign was OR4ISS
The scheduled crewmember was Sunita Williams KD5PLB
The ARISS mentor was IN3GHZ
Contact was successful: Fri 2024-08-23 08:05:04 UTC
Watch the livestream at https://www.instagram.com/gds_meschede/

+ Upcoming Contacts

Fasta Villa Eucaristica School, Cordoba City, Argentina, direct via LU1HKO
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS
The scheduled crewmember is Matthew Dominick KCØTOR
The ARISS mentor is VE6JBJ
Contact is go for: Fri 2024-08-30 15:29:39 UTC

The crossband repeater continues to be active (145.990 MHz up {PL 67} & 437.800 MHz down). If any crewmember is so inclined, all they have to do is pick up the microphone, raise the volume up, and talk on the crossband repeater. So give a listen, you just never know.

The packet system is also active (145.825 MHz up & down).

As always, if there is an EVA, a docking, or an undocking; the ARISS radios are turned off as part of the safety protocol.

Note, all times are approximate. It is recommended that you do your own orbital prediction or start listening about 10 minutes before the listed time.

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]

Upcoming Satellite Operations

Posted August 20th by @KB5FHK_Tom on X (formerly Twitter): I will be heading home to MS on Labor Day weekend. My main focus is EM41. I already posted a couple of passes on hams.at.

Philippe, EA4NF will be QRV (as KE4NF) from EL95 25-27 Aug. Looks like this will be FM LEO only. Log as KE4NF.

A growing number of satellite rovers are currently engaged in sharing their grid square activations on https://hams.at. By visiting the website, you gain easy access to comprehensive information about the operators responsible for activating specific grid squares. Additionally, you have the ability to assess the match score between yourself and a particular rover for a given pass, while also being able to identify the upcoming satellite passes that are accessible from your location.

[ANS thanks Ian Parsons, K5ZM, AMSAT rover page manager, for the above information]

AMSAT Ambassador Activities

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, says,

South Africa called – and was answered! I’ll be presenting “How to Work
the FM Satellites with Your HT” show to a great group next month. Their
“ARRL” is the South African Radio League … and I am looking forward
to meeting these fine hams.

Think such a lively and informative 75-minute presentation on would be
appropriate for YOUR event or club? Just let us know!

Clint Bradford K6LCS
[email protected]
909-999-SATS (7287)

Northeast HamXpostion – August 22nd thru 25th, 2024
Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel & Trade Center
181 Boston Post Road West
Marlborough, MA 01752
https://hamxposition.org/

Greater Louisville Hamfest – September 7th, 2024
Paroquet Springs Conference Centre
395 Paroquet Springs Drive
Shepherdsville, KY 40165
https://louisvillehamfest.wixsite.com/louisvillehamfest

AMSAT Forum and Information Table / W4FCL

North Star Radio Convention – October 5th, 2024
Hennepin Technical College (North Campus)
9000 Brooklyn Boulevard
Brooklyn Park, MN 55445
https://conv2023.tcfmc.org/

AMSAT Forum and Information Table / KØJM and ADØHJ

Central Kentucky Hamfest – October 5th, 2024
Highlands Baptist Church
2032 Parallel Road
Lexington, KY 40502
https://www.facebook.com/w9khz/

AMSAT and Educational Satellites Forum and Information Table / AI4SR and W4FCL

Radio Society of Tucson – October 5th, 2024
Calvary Tucson Church
8711 East Speedway Boulevard
Tucson AZ 85710
https://k7rst.club/2024/07/tucson-autumn-ham-fest-2024/

N1UW

Pacificon 2024, ARRL Pacific Division Conference – October 18th thru 20th, 2024
San Ramon Marriott
2600 Bishop Drive
San Ramon, CA  94583
https://www.pacificon.org/

WU0I

2024 AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting – October 25th thru 27th, 2024
Doubletree by Hilton Tampa Rocky Point Waterfront
3050 N Rocky Point Drive West
Tampa, FL 33607
https://www.amsat.org/

Stone Mountain Hamfest, ARRL State Convention – November 2nd and 3rd, 2024
Gwinnett County Fairgrounds
2405 Sugarloaf Parkway
Lawrenceville, GA 30042
https://stonemountainhamfest.com/

Oro Valley Amateur Radio Club – November 9th, 2024
Marana Middle School
11285 West Grier Road
Marana, AZ 85653
https://www.tucsonhamradio.org/copy-of-hamfest-2022

N1UW

Yuma HAMCON – February 20th thru 22nd, 2025
Yuma, AZ

N1UW

[ANS thanks Bo Lowrey, W4FCL, Director – AMSAT Ambassador Program, for the above information]

Want to fly the colors on your own grid expedition?
Get an 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

Keeping Amateur Radio in Space
https://www.zazzle.com/amsat_gear

Satellite Shorts From All Over

+ Russia successfully launched its 89th Progress cargo spacecraft, Progress MS-28, to the International Space Station (ISS) on August 15, 2024. The uncrewed spacecraft lifted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan aboard a Soyuz rocket at 0320 UTC. Carrying nearly three tons of food, scientific equipment, and other supplies, the spacecraft autonomously docked with the ISS on August 17 at 0553 UTC, connecting to the rear port of the Zvezda service module. This docking occurred just days after the previous cargo spacecraft, Progress MS-26, was deorbited on August 12 following its six-month mission. With its arrival, Progress MS-28 joined two other freighters, including Cygnus NG-21, and three crewed spacecraft already at the ISS. The successful mission continues Russia’s long-standing contribution to ISS resupply operations. (ANS thanks Mike Wall, Space.com, for the above information)

+ The European Space Agency’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) mission is making headlines with its dual gravity assist maneuver this week. After a successful flyby of the moon on August 19, 2024, Juice passed Earth on August 20, 2024, marking the first-ever lunar-Earth double flyby. This maneuver uses Earth’s gravity to adjust Juice’s trajectory, setting it up for a flyby of Venus in August 2025 and ultimately aiming for Jupiter’s orbit by July 2031. The spacecraft’s two cameras are capturing and sending images back to Earth, while mission operators are closely monitoring the high-risk maneuver to ensure precision. With Jupiter being nearly 500 million miles away, this gravity assist strategy allows Juice to conserve fuel and carry a variety of scientific instruments. The mission’s success relies on careful navigation and timing, as any deviation could jeopardize its ambitious goals. (ANS thanks Ashley Strickland, CNN, for the above information).

+ Space is hard: NASA’s BurstCube, which deployed from the ISS in April, is a 6U CubeSat that detects gamma rays from short gamma-ray bursts, likely caused by neutron star collisions. BurstSat, unfortunately, lost one of its magnetorquers during commissioning, along with one solar panel that did not fully deploy. The team has been able to continue the satellite’s mission by compensating for the malfunctioning equipment through the use of a Sun-pointing configuration. But due to these failures, the mission will likely reenter sooner than expected, around the end of 2024. [Before complaining about the failure of your favorite HamSat, consider that even NASA has issues!] (ANS thanks The Orbital Index for the above information.)

+ The FCC has granted SpaceX permission to upgrade its first-generation Starlink satellites with second-generation technology, aiming to enhance broadband quality for its users. This upgrade is expected to improve service, especially in polar regions, by using advanced beam-forming and digital processing technologies. SpaceX initially launched first-generation satellites in 2019 and applied in 2023 to integrate the new technology. Despite pushback from Dish Network over potential interference issues, the FCC dismissed these concerns, supporting SpaceX’s plans to optimize spectrum use and increase network capacity. SpaceX will replace the older satellites with upgraded ones as they reach the end of their operational period, rather than de-orbiting them rapidly. The overall goal is to provide more robust service to underserved areas across the country. (ANS thanks Michael Kan, PCMag, 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, Mitch Ahrenstorff, ADØHJ
ad0hj [at] amsat.org

ANS-231 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

by

AMSAT News Service

ANS-231
August 18, 2024

In this edition:

  • Registration Now Open for the 42nd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium & Annual General Meeting
  • Call for Papers
  • AMSAT Board of Directors Election Underway
  • AMSAT Mail Alias Service to End August 31, 2024
  • Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for August 16, 2024
  • ARISS News
  • Upcoming Satellite Operations
  • AMSAT Ambassador Activities
  • Satellite Shorts From All Over

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://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/

Registration Now Open for the 42nd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium & Annual General Meeting

The 42nd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting will be held on Friday through Saturday, October 25-26, 2024, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Tampa Rocky Point Waterfront in Tampa, Florida.

Highlights of all scheduled events include:

  • AMSAT Board of Directors Meeting, October 24-25
  • 42nd AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting, October 25-26
  • Friday Night Social and Auction, October 25
  • AMSAT Banquet and Reception, October 26
  • AMSAT Ambassador Breakfast (all are welcome), October 27

Note – if you wish to register guests for the banquet and/or breakfast who are not attending the Symposium sessions, you must register for each event separately and include your guests with your banquet and breakfast tickets.

If you are interested in presenting or submitting a paper for inclusion in the Symposium Proceedings, please see the Call for Papers.

IMPORTANT: The deadline for Symposium registrations if you want to include the Saturday evening banquet or Sunday breakfast is Friday, October 18th. Meals cannot be ordered after that date.

Click Here to Register Now

Hotel Reservations

The rate for a standard room with two Queen beds is $169.00 plus state and local taxes of 14.5%. Rooms may be available for check-in on Wednesday, October 23 and check out Sunday, October 27.

Rooms can be reserved at https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/radioamateursatellite/.

Reservations may also be made by phone at 813-888-8800. Reference AMSAT to receive the group rate.

Note: If you are planning on driving to the Symposium or renting a car, parking charges are $20 per night for overnight parking. 

We, at AMSAT, are excited to be able to host our 42nd annual Symposium this year. We hope that you can join us in celebrating Amateur Radio in Space.

Schedule

Thursday, October 24, 2024

8:00 AM – 6:00 PM AMSAT Board Meeting
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Pre-Registration Check-in

Friday, October 25, 2024

8:00 AM – 12:00 Noon AMSAT Board Meeting (Closed Session)
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM Registration
1:00 PM – 1:15 PM AMSAT Symposium Kickoff, President’s Welcome
1:15 PM – 5:00 PM Paper Sessions
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM Informal Dinner on your own
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM AMSAT Reception and Auction, Cash Bar Available

Saturday, October 26, 2024

8:00 AM – 11:45 AM Registration
8:00 AM – 8:15 AM AMSAT Symposium Welcome
8:15 AM – 12:00 Noon Paper Sessions
1:00 PM – 3:15 PM Paper Sessions
3:30 PM – 4:45 PM AMSAT Annual Meeting & Awards Ceremony
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Attitude Adjustment (Social), Cash Bar
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM AMSAT Banquet, Cash Bar

Sunday, October 27, 2024

7:30 AM – 9:00 AM AMSAT Ambassador Breakfast (All are welcome)

[ANS thanks the AMSAT Symposium Committee for the above information]

Call for Papers

This is the first call for papers for the 42nd annual AMSAT Space Symposium to be held on the weekend of October 25-27, 2024 at the Doubletree by Hilton Tampa Rocky Point Waterfront in Tampa, Florida.

Proposals for symposium papers and presentations are invited on any topic of interest to the amateur satellite community. We request a tentative title of your presentation as soon as possible, with final copy submitted by October 18 for inclusion in the symposium proceedings. Abstracts and papers should be sent to Dan Schultz, N8FGV at [email protected]

[ANS thanks Dan Schultz, N8FGV, AMSAT Symposium Proceedings Editor for the above information]

AMSAT Board of Directors Election Underway

The nomination period for the 2024 AMSAT Board of Directors Election ended on June 15th. The following candidates have been duly nominated:

  • Mark Hammond, N8MH
  • Frank Karnauskas, N1UW
  • Bruce Paige, KK5DO
  • Paul Stoetzer, N8HM
  • Douglas Tabor, N6UA

As three seats on the Board of Directors are up for election this year, the three candidates receiving the largest number of votes shall be declared elected to the seats. The two candidates receiving the next largest number of votes shall be declared First Alternate and Second Alternate, respectively.

The voting process is now underway. AMSAT members can find candidate statements and electronic voting information on AMSAT’s Wild Apricot Membership Portal.

The voting period will conclude on September 15th and results will be announced no later than September 30th.

[ANS thanks Jeff Davis, KE9V, AMSAT Secretary for the above information]

AMSAT Mail Alias Service to End August 31, 2024

A long-standing member service, the AMSAT Mail Alias Service is scheduled to end on August 31, 2024. A mail alias on AMSAT.ORG permitted people to send an email to members without knowing their actual internet email address. They just needed to know their amateur radio callsign.

Unfortunately, the unchecked rise in domain name hacking and email account high-jacking has made it impossible to sustain this service at a cost-effective level. The number of [email protected] email accounts that had been hijacked and converted to zombie spam accounts over the years had led many internet service providers and gateway centers to ban all @amsat.org email addresses, including those business accounts of AMSAT officers and officials. The tireless efforts of AMSAT’s all volunteer IT staff has worked for years to repair much of the damage, but AMSAT still get complaints from members who are not getting their personal emails, ANS bulletins or AMSAT-BB posts because of persistent delivery problems.

It has come to the point where the AMSAT volunteer IT staff can no longer keep up with the maintenance requirements to keep the alias mail list clean and to work with email gateways to remove blocks. And, after considerable investigation into alternative paid email services, AMSAT leadership decided that the money required to keep an email alias system alive would be better spent on building and flying satellites for its members.

Persons using the Mail Alias Service should begin to migrate to different email accounts so they do not lose receipt of personal emails, AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins, AMSAT-BB posts, or official messages from AMSAT itself. Members are especially asked to make sure they are NOT using a [email protected] as their registered email address in the AMSAT membership portal. Members can easily change their registered member email address by logging into the portal and updating their profile.

[ANS thanks the AMSAT IT Team for the above information]

The 2024 Coins Are Here Now!
Help Support GOLF and Fox Plus.
Join the AMSAT President’s Club today!

Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for August 16, 2024

Two Line Elements or TLEs, often referred to as Keplerian elements or keps in the amateur community, are the inputs to the SGP4 standard mathematical model of spacecraft orbits used by most amateur tracking programs. Weekly updates are completely adequate for most amateur satellites. TLE bulletin files are updated Thursday evenings around 2300 UTC, or more frequently if new high interest satellites are launched. More information may be found at https://www.amsat.org/keplerian-elements-resources/

The following satellites have been removed from this week’s AMSAT TLE distribution:

KASHIWA NORAD Cat ID 59508 Decayed from orbit on or about 10 August 2024
SPROUT NORAD Cat ID 39770 Decayed from orbit on or about 11 August 2024

[ANS thanks Joe Fitzgerald, KM1P, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager, for the above information]

Need new satellite antennas?
Purchase an M2 LEO-Pack from the AMSAT Store!

When you purchase through AMSAT, a portion of the proceeds goes towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space.

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.

Bayou Academy, Cleveland, MS, direct via W5YD

The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS
The scheduled crewmember is Sunita Williams KD5PLB
The ARISS mentor is K4RGK

Contact is go for: Thu 2024-08-22 16:43:06 UTC 80 deg

Watch for Livestream at https://www.youtube.com/live/PzZuhb1bGiw  https://live.ariss.org/

Gymnasium der Stadt Meschede, Meschede, Germany, direct via DRØZ

The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS
The scheduled crewmember is Sunita Williams KD5PLB
The ARISS mentor is IN3GHZ

Contact is go for: Fri 2024-08-23 08:05:04 UTC 45 deg

As always, if there is an EVA, a docking, or an undocking; the ARISS radios are turned off as part of the safety protocol.

The crossband repeater continues to be active (145.990 MHz up {PL 67} & 437.800 MHz down),  If any crewmember is so inclined, all they have to do is pick up the microphone, raise the volume up, and talk on the crossband repeater. So give a listen, you just never know.

Note, all times are approximate. It is recommended that you do your own orbital prediction or start listening about 10 minutes before the listed time.

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]

Upcoming Satellite Operations

A growing number of satellite rovers are currently engaged in sharing their grid square activations on https://hams.at. By visiting the website, you gain easy access to comprehensive information about the operators responsible for activating specific grid squares. Additionally, you have the ability to assess the match score between yourself and a particular rover for a given pass, while also being able to identify the upcoming satellite passes that are accessible from your location.

Philippe, EA4NF will be QRV (as KE4NF) from EL94 13-17 Aug, then EL95 25-27 Aug. Looks like this will be FM LEO only. Log as KE4NF.

In between these two activations, Philippe will activate Grenada (FK92) as J38NF on FM satellites, August 18-23. Log as J38NF.

[ANS thanks Ian Parsons, K5ZM, AMSAT Rover Page Manager,  for the above information]

 Want to fly the colors on your own grid expedition?
Get an 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

AMSAT Ambassador Activities

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, says,

“Think a 75-minute presentation on “working the easy satellites” would be appropriate for your club or event? Let me know by emailing me at k6lcsclint (at) gmail (dot) com or calling me at 909-999-SATS (7287)!”

Clint has NEVER given the exact same show twice: EACH of the 150+ presentations so far has been customized/tailored to their audiences.

Scheduled Events

Northeast HamXpostion
August 22-25, 2024

Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel & Trade Center
181 Boston Post Road W
Marlborough, MA 01752

Greater Louisville Hamfest
September 7, 2024

Shepherdsville, KY
AMSAT Forum and Information Table
W4FCL

Central Kentucky Hamfest
October 5, 2024

Lexington, KY
AMSAT and Educational Satellites Forum and Information Table
AI4SR and W4FCL

North Star Radio Convention
October 5, 2024

Hennepin Technical College (North Campus)
Brooklyn Park, Minn.
AMSAT Forum and Information Table
KØJM and ADØHJ

Radio Society of Tucson
October 5, 2024

Calvary Tucson Church
7811 E. Speedway
Tucson, AZ
https://k7rst.club/2024/07/tucson-autumn-ham-fest-2024/
N1UW

Pacificon 2024, ARRL Pacific Division Conference
October 18-20, 2024

San Ramon, CA
WU0I

2024 AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting
October 25-27, 2024

Doubletree by Hilton Tampa Rocky Point Waterfront
3050 N Rocky Point Dr W
Tampa, FL 33607

Stone Mountain Hamfest, ARRL State Convention
November 2-3, 2024

Stone Mountain, GA
K4RGK

Oro Valley Amateur Radio Club
November 9, 2024

Marana Middle School
11285 West Grier Rd.
Marana, AZ 85653
https://www.tucsonhamradio.org/copy-of-hamfest-2022
N1UW

Yuma HAMCON
February 20-22, 2025

Yuma, AZ
N1UW

[ANS thanks Bo Lowrey, W4FCL, Director – AMSAT Ambassador Program, for the above information]

Satellite Shorts from All Over

+ A Chinese Long March 6A rocket launched 18 Qianfan broadband Internet satellites into polar orbit last week. Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology (SSST)’s new constellation, translated as “Thousand Sails,” may grow to as many as 14,000 satellites. It joins potentially two other under-development broadband Chinese megaconstellations, each proposing over 10,000 satellites, in competition with OneWeb, Kupier, and Starlink. Unfortunately, the LM-6A’s upper stage appears to have malfunctioned and scattered over 700 pieces of space debris in a fairly high 800 km orbit (again). The debris at this altitude will likely take about a century for orbital decay. (ANS thanks The Orbital Index for the above information)

+ Orbital Space has announced its Lunar Program to send a student-built experiment to the Moon, marking the Arab world’s first privately funded lunar mission. The experiment by students from AGH University of Science and Technology in Poland focuses on analyzing interactions between lunar regolith and various materials that could be used in making cables and connectors for future lunar missions. Astrobotic will carry the payload on its third lunar mission aboard a Griffin-class lunar lander, targeting launch no earlier than Q4 2026. (ANS thanks Spacewatch Global for the above information)

+ The 2024 Olympic Games officially began in Paris, France on July 26, with athletes coming from around the world to compete. Meanwhile, above the world — on our orbiting laboratory, the International Space Station — NASA’s astronauts got into the Olympic spirit. Check out their training montage from space, followed by a message to Earth from astronaut Matt Dominick at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycDoaIn6wuk (ANS thanks The Orbital Index and NASA for the above information)

+ From Dave, G4DPZ, regarding the FUNcube Data Warehouse: “Our hosting provider has told us that they will be migrating our services to a new virtual machine on the 1st of September. Unfortunately the versions of the MySQL database server and Java runtime available on the new instance are not compatible with the current application implementation. Therefore I have to rebuild the development tool chain and migrate the application to suit the new instance. The work is underway but may take us into early September. We do know that database table migration works as we have already done a test of migrating the several GB of database between machines. If we do have any outage, the dashboards will upload when they detect the new instance is alive.” (ANS thanks Dave Johnson, G4DPZ, Hon. Sec., AMSAT-UK, for the above information)

+ The SpaceX Transporter-11 rideshare mission launched 116 payloads from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on August 16th. Four of these payloads carry transmitters on amateur bands. NIGHTJAR and TORO carry amateur UHF transmitters, but are not IARU coordinated. QUBE carries an amateur UHF transmitter, but its IARU coordination was declined. ORESAT0.5 is the sole IARU coordinated amateur mission on this launch with downlinks of 436.500 MHz and 2422.0 MHz. More information about ORESAT can be found at https://www.oresat.org/satellites/oresat0-5. Discussion regarding this launch can be found on the LibreSpace forum at https://community.libre.space/t/spacex-f9-transporter-11-rideshare-vsfb-slc-4e-2024-08-16-18-19-utc/11973/1 (ANS thanks LibreSpace and the ORESAT team for the above information)

+ Three AMSAT GridMaster Awards were awarded over the past week: #67 was awarded to Endaf, N6UTC, #68 was awarded to Raymond, KN2K, and #69 was awarded to Steven, KC1MMC. Congratulations to both. Additionally, two Reverse VUCC Awards were issued. #15 was awarded to Sean, KX9X, with 103 grids and #16 was issued to Randy, ND0C, with 109 grids. Congratulations to all the new award recipients! More information about AMSAT’s awards program can be found at https://www.amsat.org/awards-2/ (ANS thanks Bruce Paige, KK5DO, AMSAT Director of Contests and Awards for the above information)

+ IO-117’s digipeater has not been operational for the past week. No further information is available regarding its status or expected timeframe for a potential return to service.

+ AMSAT’s Operations team, in coordination with the University of Maine and AMSAT Engineering, continues to work to complete MESAT1’s science mission. More telemetry coverage is needed! If you have UHF receive capability, please download FoxTelem and help us capture more data. (ANS thanks AMSAT 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,

Paul Stoetzer, N8HM
n8hm [at] arrl.net

ANS is a service of AMSAT, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, 712 H Street NE, Suite 1653, Washington, DC 20002

Registration Now Open for the 42nd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium & Annual General Meeting

by

AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin

ANS-226
August 13, 2024

In this edition:

  • Registration Now Open for the 42nd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium & Annual General Meeting
  • Call for Papers

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://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/

Registration Now Open for the 42nd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium & Annual General Meeting

The 42nd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting will be held on Friday through Saturday, October 25-26, 2024, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Tampa Rocky Point Waterfront in Tampa, Florida.

Highlights of all scheduled events include:

  • AMSAT Board of Directors Meeting, October 24-25
  • 42nd AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting, October 25-26
  • Friday Night Social and Auction, October 25
  • AMSAT Banquet and Reception, October 26
  • AMSAT Ambassador Breakfast (all are welcome), October 27

Note – if you wish to register guests for the banquet and/or breakfast who are not attending the Symposium sessions, you must register for each event separately and include your guests with your banquet and breakfast tickets.

If you are interested in presenting or submitting a paper for inclusion in the Symposium Proceedings, please see the Call for Papers.

IMPORTANT: The deadline for Symposium registrations if you want to include the Saturday evening banquet or Sunday breakfast is Friday, October 18th. Meals cannot be ordered after that date.

Click Here to Register Now

Hotel Reservations

The rate for a standard room with two Queen beds is $169.00 plus state and local taxes of 14.5%. Rooms may be available for check-in on Wednesday, October 23 and check out Sunday, October 27.

Rooms can be reserved at https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/radioamateursatellite/.

Reservations may also be made by phone at 813-888-8800. Reference AMSAT to receive the group rate.

Note: If you are planning on driving to the Symposium or renting a car, parking charges are $20 per night for overnight parking. 

We, at AMSAT, are excited to be able to host our 42nd annual Symposium this year. We hope that you can join us in celebrating Amateur Radio in Space.

Schedule

Thursday, October 24, 2024

8:00 AM – 6:00 PM AMSAT Board Meeting
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Pre-Registration Check-in

Friday, October 25, 2024

8:00 AM – 12:00 Noon AMSAT Board Meeting (Closed Session)
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM Registration
1:00 PM – 1:15 PM AMSAT Symposium Kickoff, President’s Welcome
1:15 PM – 5:00 PM Paper Sessions
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM Informal Dinner on your own
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM AMSAT Reception and Auction, Cash Bar Available

Saturday, October 26, 2024

8:00 AM – 11:45 AM Registration
8:00 AM – 8:15 AM AMSAT Symposium Welcome
8:15 AM – 12:00 Noon Paper Sessions
1:00 PM – 3:15 PM Paper Sessions
3:30 PM – 4:45 PM AMSAT Annual Meeting & Awards Ceremony
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Attitude Adjustment (Social), Cash Bar
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM AMSAT Banquet, Cash Bar

Sunday, October 27, 2024

7:30 AM – 9:00 AM AMSAT Ambassador Breakfast (All are welcome)

[ANS thanks the AMSAT Symposium Committee for the above information]

Call for Papers

This is the first call for papers for the 42nd annual AMSAT Space Symposium to be held on the weekend of October 25-27, 2024 at the Doubletree by Hilton Tampa Rocky Point Waterfront in Tampa, Florida.

Proposals for symposium papers and presentations are invited on any topic of interest to the amateur satellite community. We request a tentative title of your presentation as soon as possible, with final copy submitted by October 18 for inclusion in the symposium proceedings. Abstracts and papers should be
sent to Dan Schultz, N8FGV at [email protected]

[ANS thanks Dan Schultz, N8FGV, AMSAT Symposium Proceedings Editor 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 Contributing Editor,

Paul Stoetzer, N8HM
n8hm [at] arrl.net

ANS is a service of AMSAT, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, 712 H Street NE, Suite 1653, Washington, DC 20002

ANS-224 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

by

In this edition:

  • 42nd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium & Annual General Meeting October 24-27
  • QCWA Awards AMSAT Youth and Education Programs $2,500
  • VUCC Satellite Standing August 2024
  • AMSAT EA’s GENESIS-A Launched
  • NASA Seeks Student Missions to Send to Space in 2026, Beyond
  • Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for August 9, 2024
  • ARISS News
  • Upcoming Satellite Operations
  • Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events
  • Satellite Shorts From All Over

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 [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://mailman.amsat.org/postorius/lists/ans.amsat.org/

ANS-224 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

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

DATE 2024 Aug 11

42nd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium & Annual General Meeting October 24-27

Mark your calendar now for the 42nd Annual 2024 AMSAT Space Symposium and General Meeting, October 25-27, 2024 in Tampa, Florida.

The event will be held October 25-27, 2024 at the Doubletree by Hilton Tampa Rocky Point Waterfront. Special group rate of $169 plus taxes and fees is for a standard 2-queen room. Overnight car parking is an additional $20 per night.

Note: The block of rooms for the Symposium had not been released at the time of this publication. Watch for an announcement on how to make your hotel reservations later this week.

[ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information.]

The 2024 AMSAT President’s Club coins are here now!
Help Support GOLF and Fox Plus

Join the AMSAT President’s Club today and help
Keep Amateur Radio in Space!

https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/

QCWA Awards AMSAT Youth and Education Programs $2,500

Responding to a competitive Request for Proposal by the Quarter Century Wireless Association, Alan Johnston, KU2Y, AMSAT VP-Educational Relations and Frank Karnauskas, N1UW, AMSAT VP-Development submitted a request for funds to support AMSAT’s youth and educational programs. The request was fully consistent with the QCWA’s Mission Statement which reads in part “to promote interest in Amateur Radio communications and the advancement of the electronic art” especially among boys and girls essential to keep Amateur Radio and AMSAT’s ranks filled for the future growth of the hobby.

In response to its proposal, the QCWA generously awarded $2,500 to AMSAT on June 4, 2024 for its youth and educational programs.

Building on Dr. Alan Johnston, KU2Y’s ground breaking CubeSat Simulator, the QCWA contribution will help bring actual “CubeSatSims” to more classrooms, enhance instructional materials and to help build a network of online simulators to bring the benefits of this exciting resource directly to youth, their families and to educational resources of all types.

A portion of this generous gift will also be used to further the curriculum of AMSAT’s “KidzSat” program, designed to spark youth’s interest in space communications with its theme, “Satellites in Space for a Better Life Here on Earth.” For older youth the “BuzzSat” program uses Amateur Radio as the laboratory for hands-on experiences with telemetry, control and communications.

In recognition of the QCWA’s contribution to AMSAT programs, the QCWA was inducted into the AMSAT 2024 President’s Club at the Platinum level. Upon receiving news of the award, Karnauskas remarked, “Thanks to the vision of generous benefactors such as the QCWA, AMSAT is better equipped to help bring more youth into the exciting world of satellite communications and the benefits it can bring to mankind – Satellites in Space for a Better Life on Earth!”

[ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information.]

Need new satellite antennas?
Purchase 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/

VUCC Satellite Standing August 2024

VUCC Satellite Award/Endorsement Change Summary for
May 13, 2024 to August 01, 2024.

DF2ET 1402 1500
N0JE 1206 1225
WI7P 1050 1078
JK2XXK 903 1036
EA2AA 931 954
FG8OJ 888 921
KK4YEL 768 799
N8MR 706 731
JS1LQI 617 701
N3CAL 637 653
N7ZO 600 650
LA6OP 600 632
IK7FMQ 550 626
AC9DX 525 625
EA3TA 503 607
N5EKO 550 581
LY4AA 505 555
AD2DD 403 517
KF2T 399 505
AL7ID 425 502
N6PAZ 400 450
AG4W 314 423
KF0QS 301 400
W9FF 284 400
K6VHF 350 376
KB3IAI 254 358
DJ7NT 234 348
AG1A 200 301
N8HRZ 102 298
KB9DAK 255 278
N4QWF 136 255
KH6WI/W9 (EN54) New 250
KB4DSL 127 226
K0JQZ New 205
K5WO New 200
WD9EWK (DM31) 195 200
KD8RTT 101 150
BI8FFH New 132
G4BWP New 123
ER1KW New 111
XE1RCU New 108
BG6HXD New 103
KK7OVF New 103
N6NU New 103
W4BB New 100

Congratulations to the new VUCC holders.
ER1KW is first VUCC Satellite holder from Moldova and KN46
KH6WI/W9 (EN54) is first VUCC Satellite holder from EN54
BI8FFH is first VUCC Satellite holder from PM06
G4BWP is first VUCC Satellite holder from JO02
BG6HXD is first VUCC Satellite holder from OM83
W4BB is first VUCC Satellite holder from FM04

[ANS thanks Jon Goering, N7AZ, for the above information.]

AMSAT EA’s GENESIS-A Launched

AMSAT EA’s GENESIS-A module, attached to the upper stage of the Ariane-6 launcher, was put into orbit with the inaugural launch of the said rocket on July 9, 2024 from French Guiana. The module was programmed to transmit FT-8, which is, as far as the project managers know, the first time that this modulation has been used from space, as well as SSTV. Although its reception seemed impossible, a station located in Delft, the Netherlands, confirmed the reception and decoding of FT-8, as well as the reception of SSTV in orbits 3 and 4 that the stage carried out over Europe.

The station, belonging to the Von Storch Engineering company, has provided the IQ files of the recordings for analysis by AMSAT-EA.

Although the stage was expected to fall into the sea, this did not happen and the GENESIS-A module remains in orbit with the stage.

ESA was asked about the availability of power in the launcher stage and about the possibility of restarting the module, but the battery pack that powered YPSAT and the GENESIS-A module was completely depleted, so there is no real possibility of restarting it.

[ANS thanks Felix Paez, EA4GQS, AMSAT EA for the above information.]

NASA Seeks Student Missions to Send to Space in 2026, Beyond

NASA announced a new round of opportunities for CubeSat, developers to build spacecrafts that will fly on upcoming launches through the agency’s CSLI (CubeSat Launch Initiative). CubeSats are a class of small spacecraft called nanosatellites.

The initiative provides space access to U.S. educational institutions, certain non-profit organizations, and informal educational institutions such as museums and science centers, as well as NASA centers focused on workforce development, including the agency’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in southern California. It also encourages participation by minority serving institutions.

“Working with CubeSats is a way to get students interested in launching a career in the space industry,” said Jeanie Hall, CSLI program executive at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “NASA reviews applications for CubeSat missions every year and selects projects with an educational component that also can benefit the agency in better understanding education, science, exploration, and technology.”

Applicants must submit proposals by 5 p.m. EST, Nov. 15. NASA expects to make selections by March 14, 2025, for flight opportunities in 2026-2029, although selection does not guarantee a launch opportunity. Applicants are responsible for funding the development of the small satellites.

Selected CubeSats get assigned a launch and deployment directly from a rocket or to low Earth orbit from the International Space Station. Once accepted, NASA mission managers act as advisors to the CubeSat team, ensuring technical, safety, and regulatory requirements are satisfied before launch. Those selected will strengthen their skills in hardware design and development and build knowledge in operating the CubeSats.

Eight CubeSat missions recently shared a ride to space on Firefly Aerospace’s Alpha rocket that launched on July 3 from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. One mission is CatSat, built by students at the University of Arizona, which is testing a deployable antenna attached to a Mylar balloon. Another is KUbeSat-1, built by the University of Kansas, is testing a new method of measuring the cosmic rays that hit the Earth. This launch also was notable for two CSLI ‘first’ milestones. The KUbeSat-1 and another called MESAT-1 were the first CSLI missions from the states of Kansas and Maine respectively.

Four CubeSats also went to the space station as cargo in a SpaceX Dragon capsule on March 21 aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida as part of the agency’s SpaceX 30th commercial resupply mission. Once aboard the space station, astronauts deployed the small missions into various orbits to demonstrate and mature technologies meant to improve solar power generation, detect gamma ray bursts, determine crop water usage, and measure root-zone soil and snowpack moisture levels.

CubeSats are a class of spacecraft sized in multiples of a standardized unit called a “U.” A 1-Unit (1U) CubeSat is about 10 x 10 x 11 cm in size (3.9 x 3.9 x 4.5 inches). They are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand and can be stacked together to form a slightly larger, more capable spacecraft. A 3U CubeSat is three times the size of a 1U, a 6U is six times the size.

NASA has selected CubeSat missions from 45 states, Washington, and Puerto Rico, and launched about 160 CubeSats since inception.

The CubeSat Launch Initiative is managed by NASA’s Launch Services Program based at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. To learn more information about CSLI, visit: https://go.nasa.gov/CubeSat_initiative

[ANS thanks JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM, and NASA for the above information.]

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

Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for August 9, 2024

Two Line Elements or TLEs, often referred to as Keplerian elements or keps in the amateur community, are the inputs to the SGP4 standard mathematical model of spacecraft orbits used by most amateur tracking programs. Weekly updates are completely adequate for most amateur satellites. TLE bulletin files are updated daily in the first hour of the UTC day. New bulletin files will be posted immediately after reliable elements become available for new amateur satellites. More information may be found at https://www.amsat.org/keplerian-elements-resources/.

The following satellites have been removed from this week’s AMSAT TLE distribution:

YUSAT 1 NORAD Cat ID 47439 Decayed from orbit on or about 3 August 2024
TEVEL-1 NORAD Cat ID 51013 Decayed from orbit on or about 3 August 2024
TEVEL-3 NORAD Cat ID 50988 Decayed from orbit on or about 3 August 2024
TEVEL-8 NORAD Cat ID 50989 Decayed from orbit on or about 3 August 2024
TEVEL-7 NORAD Cat ID 51062 Decayed from orbit on or about 3 August 2024
TEVEL-4 NORAD Cat ID 51063 Decayed from orbit on or about 3 August 2024
TEVEL-2 NORAD Cat ID 51069 Decayed from orbit on or about 3 August 2024

[ANS thanks Joe Fitzgerald, KM1P, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager, for the above information.]

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.

ARISS News

Upcoming Contacts

A.G. Nikolaev Secondary School, Shorshel, Chuvashia, Russia direct via TBD.
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RS0ISS.
The scheduled crewmember is Nikolay Chub.
The ARISS mentor is A.R.C. ENERGIA,RV3DR.
Contact is go for Sunday, August 11, 2024 at 08:20 UTC.

Blackwater State High School, Blackwater, QLD, Australia, telebridge via ON4ISS.
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS.
The scheduled crewmember is Matthew Dominick, KCØTOR.
The ARISS mentor is Shane Lynd, VK4KHZ.
Contact is go for: Thursday, August 15, 2024 at 09:43:18 UTC.

Pacific Science Center, Seattle, WA, direct via W7AW.
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS.
The scheduled crewmember is Jeanette Epps, KF5QNU.
The ARISS mentor is Ryan Krenzischek, W4NTR.
Contact is go: Friday, August 16, 2024 at 18:14:35 UTC.

Tuskegee Airmen Inc. National Convention, Arlington Virginia, telebridge via K6DUE.
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS.
The scheduled crewmember is Jeanette Epps, KF5QNU.
The ARISS mentor is Frank Bauer, KA3HDO.
Contact is go for: Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 17:34:57 UTC.

Completed Contacts

International Astronomical Union (IAU) General Assembly 2024, Cape Town, South Africa, telebridge via VK6MJ.
The ISS callsign was NA1SS.
The crewmember was Sunita Williams, KD5PLB.
The ARISS mentor was Frank Bauer, KA3HDO.
Contact was successful on Friday, August 9 2024.

Children’s camp “Shtormovoy” of the All-Russian Children’s Center “Orlyonok”, Orlyonok, Russia, direct via RO6C.
The ISS callsign was RS0ISS.
The crewmember was Nikolay Chub.
The ARISS mentor was A.R.C. ENERGIA, RV3DR.
Contact was successful: Saturday, August 3, 2024.

The crossband repeater continues to be active (145.990 MHz up {PL 67} & 437.800 MHz down). If any crewmember is so inclined, all they have to do is pick up the microphone, raise the volume up, and talk on the crossband repeater. So give a listen, you just never know.

The packet system is also active (145.825 MHz up & down).

As always, if there is an EVA, a docking, or an undocking; the ARISS radios are turned off as part of the safety protocol.

Note, all times are approximate. It is recommended that you do your own orbital prediction or start listening about 10 minutes before the listed time.

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.]

Upcoming Satellite Operations

Philippe, EA4NF will be QRV (as KE4NF) from EL94 13-17 Aug, then EL95 25-27 Aug. Looks like this will be FM LEO only. Log as KE4NF

Jonathan @N4AKV has posted an ambitious August roving schedule on his qrz.com page. Tentative plans for a major satellite and 6m road trip through Maine, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and St. Pierre and Miquelon this summer. Satellite passes listed on https://hams.at for the next week include grid squares FN43, FN53, and GN16.

A growing number of satellite rovers are currently engaged in sharing their grid square activations on https://hams.at. By visiting the website, you gain easy access to comprehensive information about the operators responsible for activating specific grid squares. Additionally, you have the ability to assess the match score between yourself and a particular rover for a given pass, while also being able to identify the upcoming satellite passes that are accessible from your location.

[ANS thanks Ian Parsons, K5ZM, AMSAT Rover Page Manager, and Alex Ners, K6VHF, 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.

August 17-18, 2024
Huntsville Hamfest
Huntsville, AL
AMSAT Booth and Forum
N8DEU and W4FCL

August 22-25, 2024
Northeast HamXpostion
Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel & Trade Center
181 Boston Post Road W
Marlborough, MA 01752
W1EME and WD4ASW

September 7, 2024
Greater Louisville Hamfest
Shepherdsville, KY
AMSAT Forum and Information Table
W4FCL

October 5, 2024
North Star Radio Convention
Hennepin Technical College (North Campus)
Brooklyn Park, Minn.
AMSAT Forum and Information Table
KØJM and ADØHJ

October 18-20, 2024
Pacificon 2024, ARRL Pacific Division Conference
San Ramon, CA
WU0I

October 25-27, 2004
AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting
Double Tree Rocky Point Waterfront Hotel
Tampa Bay, FL

November 2-3, 2024
Stone Mountain Hamfest, ARRL State Convention
Stone Mountain, GA
K4RGK

[ANS thanks Bo Lowrey, K4FCL, Director, AMSAT Ambassador Program for the above information.]

Satellite Shorts From All Over

Zeke Wheeler, KJ7NLL’s Desktop Satellite Tracker won First Place in Engineering and Best of Fair at the 2024 Oregon State Science Fair (Northwest Science Expo), Middle School level. Zeke presented “An Affordable Portable Orbital Desktop Satellite Tracker” at the 2024 Crowd Supply Teardown Conference. Watch Zeke’s presentation at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzeoxti90Wo. [ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information.]

A Chinese Long March 6A rocket broke apart in low-Earth orbit and formed a debris field with hundreds of pieces, confirmed by U.S. Space Command. “USSPACECOM has observed no immediate threats and continues to conduct routine conjunction assessments to support the safety and sustainability of the space domain,” a U.S. Space Command spokesperson said. NASA public affairs officer Rob Margetta said there was no immediate threat to the International Space Station. Satellite monitoring company LeoLabs estimated there were at least 700 fragments created by the rocket’s break-up. While there’s no immediate danger, it’s possible that the fragments could eventually descend to where the space station and SpaceX’s Starlink satellites are located. Slingshot Aerospace said debris from the rocket poses “a significant hazard to LEO [low-Earth orbit] constellations below 800 km altitude.” More information at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-224-Debris. [ANS thanks spacedaily.com for the above information.]

AMSAT-UK is pleased to announce that the 2024 Colloquium will take place alongside the RSGB Convention at Kents Hill Park Conference Centre, Milton Keynes, MK7 6BZ on the weekend of October 13-14 2024. As in previous years, the AMSAT-UK Colloquium will run as a separate stream within the RSGB Convention and will include presentations on a variety of satellite and space related topics. The Annual General Meeting of AMSAT-UK will take place during the colloquium. More information at https://amsat-uk.org/2024/07/25/amsat-uk-space-colloquium-2024/. [ANS thanks AMSAT-UK 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 [dot] org for additional membership information.

73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space!

This week’s ANS Editor, Frank Karnauskas, N1UW
f.karnauskas [at] amsat [dot] org