AMSAT

ANS-355 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

December 21, 2025 by Paul Stoetzer

AMSAT News Service

ANS-355
December 21, 2025

In this edition:

W2RS Memorial AMSAT CW Activity Day to be Held January 1, 2026
New Satellite Tracking Application Released
How University Space Clubs Prepare for Their First Satellite Project
Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for December 19, 2025
ARISS News
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/

W2RS Memorial AMSAT CW Activity Day to be Held January 1, 2026

In March 2022, the AMSAT community lost one of our pioneers when Ray Soifer, W2RS, became a silent key. In addition to his numerous contributions to AMSAT and the worldwide amateur satellite community, Ray was also the long time organizer of AMSAT’s CW Activity Day – previously AMSAT Straight Key Night – held in conjunction with the ARRL’s event on New Year’s Day. In recognition of Ray’s long time service to AMSAT and his keen interest in CW operating via satellite, AMSAT’s CW Activity Day is now known as the W2RS Memorial AMSAT CW Activity Day.

The rules are simple – operate CW through any amateur satellite between 0000 UTC and 2359 UTC on January 1, 2026. Straight keys and bugs are encouraged, but not required. Logs are not required, but operators are encouraged to submit a report of their activity to the AMSAT-BB. Photos and video clips of activity are also encouraged – post them on X or other social media networks and tag @AMSAT or #amsat.

Remember to use the minimum power required for communication as constant carrier modes, including CW, can disrupt transponder operation for other users.

[ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information]

New Satellite Tracking Application Released

Bob McGwier, N4HY, has announced the release of a new satellite tracking application entitled Visible Ephemeris.

Visible Ephemeris is a modern, spiritual successor to Quiktrak (1986), re-engineered for the Raspberry Pi 5 and modern silicon. It is capable of propagating 13,000+ satellites in real-time with sub-second updates while maintaining <5% CPU utilization.

Visible Ephemeris is high performance physics based program using Kelso/Villado SGP4, to track satellites (all in the Celestrak TLE). It uses McGwier’s implementation of Pedro Escobal AOS/LOS search but rewritten for altitude and not Eccentric Anomaly. The code is designed for and intended for Raspberry Pi and displays graphics components using Web UI.

It features a Hybrid Decoupled Architecture where the UI, Orbital Mechanics, and Network Services run on independent threads, ensuring the interface never freezes—even during heavy calculation loads.

Visible Ephemeris has been released under the MIT license and further details can be found at https://github.com/n4hy/VisibleEphemerisCPP.git

[ANS thanks Bob McGwier, N4HY, for the above information]

How University Space Clubs Prepare for Their First Satellite Project

The spark of curiosity and ambition often starts in a university lab: a handful of students gather, sketch rough diagrams on whiteboards, debate orbital mechanics at midnight, and dream of seeing their own hardware flying above Earth. For many of these aspiring engineers and scientists, involvement with a student satellite club represents more than just coursework: it’s their first real shot at participating in space exploration. These clubs, across universities worldwide, transform ideas into hardware and enthusiasm into the kind of rigorous planning it takes to actually launch.

From Idea to Kickoff: Forming the Team And Setting Goals

At the outset, a group of students (often from different disciplines like mechanical engineering, computer science, electronics, or physics) comes together with a shared interest in building a satellite. For many, this marks the beginning of a university satellite project rather than just a class exercise, and some teams even use a dedicated research assistant to streamline early planning and gather technical insights. The club defines its mission: maybe it’s Earth observation, environmental sensing, communications testing, or a technology demonstration.

The first practical step is to assemble a core team: subsystem leads for avionics, communications, structure, power, payload, and operations. This division, common in professional aerospace teams, helps students learn early how complex spacecraft are divided into interdependent systems. Some clubs also look for faculty advisors or collaborators from industry to guide them through unfamiliar territory.

Once the pieces are in place, the club sets goals and schedules. Will this be a CubeSat, a smaller PocketQube, or a microsatellite? What payload makes sense given the budget and skills available? How will ground station communications work? Early decisions help steer the entire project and establish realistic expectations about scope, cost, and timeline.

The Importance of Design, Simulation, And Prototyping

Design is where theory meets reality. Students work on 3D models of satellite structure, layout of solar panels, shielding, antennas, and internal boards. They simulate thermal, electrical, and mechanical stresses to ensure their satellite can survive launch vibrations and the harsh environment of space. Many clubs employ computer-aided design (CAD) tools and simulation software to anticipate potential issues.

Prototyping follows design. Groups build mock-ups or engineering models — sometimes out of inexpensive materials — to test fits, deployment mechanics, and subsystem integration. This hands-on phase reveals assembly challenges that might not show up on the screen. It also builds critical skills: soldering, wiring, 3D printing parts, basic clean-room assembly practices, and rigorous testing.

Building Support Networks: Mentors, Funding, Partnerships

A student group rarely operates in isolation. Universities might provide lab space, clean rooms, testing facilities, and occasionally small budgets, but often, additional external support is crucial. Clubs frequently reach out to faculty in engineering, physics, or computer science departments for mentorship. Some clubs also form partnerships with research institutions, local aerospace companies, amateur radio communities, or national space agencies to gain access to more advanced equipment.

Ground-Station Planning And Mission Operations Prep

One often-overlooked but essential component is the ground segment. A successful satellite needs to reliably communicate with Earth: upload commands, receive telemetry, downlink data. For many student teams, building or adapting a ground station is part of the learning curve.

On the operations side, the team writes procedures and schedules: when to turn on instruments, how to run health checks, how to handle contingencies like partial failures or unexpected behavior in orbit. This mission-operations mindset trains students in the discipline of space mission management.

Preparing for Launch: Testing, Regulatory Paperwork, And Final Review

As the launch nears, the club shifts into full production mode. All subsystems must be assembled, tested, and integrated. Thermal-vacuum tests, vibration tests, and electromagnetic interference tests help ensure the satellite will survive the rigors of launch and space. Students often run repeated functional tests: power cycling, communications tests, antenna deployment, battery charging, and simulating real in-orbit operations.

At the same time, they must deal with paperwork: launch licensing, radio-frequency licensing, compliance with local and international space regulations, and environmental reviews. Some universities facilitate this, but others require the student club to navigate the regulatory process itself, a valuable learning experience in project management.

Once everything checks out, the team must coordinate with a launch provider, reserve a ride-share slot or secure a deployment contract, define orbit parameters, and prepare payload manifests.

The First Launch, And What Comes Next

Reaching orbit is a major milestone, but for student-built satellites, it’s only the beginning. First missions are typically demonstration or technology-testing. Once the satellite is in orbit, the ground station begins routine operations: receiving telemetry, validating system health, operating payloads, and collecting data.

Why do these clubs matter? Beyond the immediate technical achievement, they cultivate a culture of innovation, hands-on learning, and collaboration. They lower the barrier to entry into space for students who might never have had the opportunity otherwise. Many graduates of student satellite clubs go on to careers in aerospace, research, or related industries, carrying with them practical skills in design, systems engineering, hardware testing, and project management.

As university clubs gain experience and build reputations, they do more than just offer small satellite development for students; they also help governments and space agencies recognize the value of small satellites: low-cost experimentation, rapid iteration, educational outreach, and workforce development.

[ANS thanks Orbital Today for the above information. Read the full article at https://orbitaltoday.com/2025/12/19/how-university-space-clubs-prepare-for-their-first-satellite-project/]

AMSAT Remove Before Flight Key Tags Now Available
Yes, These are the Real Thing!

Your $20 Donation Goes to Help Fly a Fox-Plus Satellite
Includes First Class Postage (Sorry – U.S. Addresses Only)
Order Today at https://www.amsat.org/product/amsat-remove-before-flight-keychain

Last Chance to Join The 2025 AMSAT President’s Club
Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Amateur Radio on Human Spaceflight
Help Support GOLF and Fox Plus.
Join the AMSAT President’s Club today!

Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for December 19, 2025

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 changes to the AMSAT TLE Distributions.

[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.

Scheduled Contacts

No contacts currently scheduled

Many times a school may make a last minute decision to do a Livestream or run into a last minute glitch requiring a change of the URL but we at ARISS may not get the URL in time for publication. You can always check https://live.ariss.org/ to see if a school is Livestreaming.

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]

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

No events currently scheduled

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

For more information go to: https://www.amsat.org/ambassador/

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

Satellite Shorts from All Over

+ AO-123’s FM transponder has been back in operation periodically over the past week. The uplink for the FM transponder is 145.850 MHz (67.0 Hz CTCSS) and the downlink is 435.400 MHz. (Thanks to contributors to the AMSAT Status Page).

+ The 90th AMSAT Rover Award has been issued to HJ1M. For more information on AMSAT awards, visit https://www.amsat.org/awards-2/ (Thanks to Bruce Paige, KK5DO, AMSAT Director of Contests and Awards).

+ On December 18, 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order entitled “Ensuring American Space Superiority.” In this order, the President announced the policy of the U.S. Government is to return Americans to the Moon by 2028 through the Artemis Program and to establish the initial elements of a permanent lunar outpost by 2030 “to ensure a sustained American presence in space and enable the next steps in Mars exploration.

+ On December 17, 2025, the U. S. Senate confirmed the nomination of Jared Isaacman to be Administrator of NASA by a vote of 67-30. Issacman took office as the NASA Administrator the following day.

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

In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to:

Societies (a recognized group, clubs or organization).
Students are eligible for FREE membership up to age 25.
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

ANS-348 AMSAT News Service Bulletins

December 14, 2025 by Mark Johns

AMSAT News Service

ANS-348
December 14, 2025

In this edition:

* Soyuz Crew Lands Ending Eight-Month Space Research Journey
* Satellites Experience “Orbital Summer” And “Orbital Winter”
* CCSDS Development Competition Open to European Hams
* VUCC Satellite Standing December 2025
* DXCC Satellite Standing for December 2025
* A Dying Satellite May Photograph Asteroid Apophis in 2029
* Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution
* Boeing’s Next Starliner Flight Will Carry Cargo Only
* ARISS News
* 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/

Soyuz Crew Lands Ending Eight-Month Space Research Journey

The crew of Soyuz MS-27, including NASA astronaut Jonny Kim, KJ5HKP, along with Russian Cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritsky, returned safely to Earth after living aboard the International Space Station (ISS) in weightlessness for 245 days. The return marked the end of ISS Expedition 73.

Lieutenant Commander (LCDR, U.S. Navy) Jonny Kim was born and raised in Los Angeles, California to Korean-American immigrants. He enlisted in the Navy as a Seaman recruit after graduating high school in 2002. After completion of Hospital Corpsman “A” school training, he reported to Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training in Coronado, CA. After completing his training at Naval Special Warfare, Kim reported to the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School in Fort Liberty, NC for the Special Operations Combat Medic Course. He was assigned as a Special Warfare Operator to SEAL Team THREE in San Diego, CA and obtained various qualifications including Military Freefall Parachutist, Advanced SCUBA, Combatant Diver (closed circuit rebreather), Naval Special Warfare Special Reconnaissance Scout and Sniper, and Advanced Special Operations Techniques. As a Navy SEAL he completed more than 100 combat operations.

In 2012, Petty Officer First Class Kim was commissioned as a naval officer through the Navy’s enlisted-to-officer commissioning program, Seaman to Admiral-21, following graduation from the University of San Diego. Kim obtained his medical degree from Harvard Medical School and completed his internship with the Harvard Affiliated Emergency Medicine Residency at Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, MA.

Kim is an Aeromedical Dual Designated (AMDD) Naval Aviator and Flight Surgeon, he completed his primary flight training at Naval Air Station (NAS) Corpus Christi, TX, helicopter advanced flight training at NAS Whiting Field in Milton, FL, and the Naval Flight Surgeon course at the Naval Aerospace Medical Institute at NAS Pensacola, FL.

Selected by NASA in 2017, Kim completed two years of training as an Astronaut Candidate. Training included technical and operational instruction in International Space Station systems, Extravehicular Activities (EVA) Operations, T-38 flight training, robotics, physiological training, expeditionary training, field geology, water and wilderness survival training, and Russian language proficiency training. In 2020, Kim began his support of International Space Station operations as a Capsule Communicator (CapCom) in Mission Control Center Houston and the Artemis program under the astronaut Exploration branch. He served as the International Space Station’s Increment Lead for Expedition 65 in 2021.

As part of his astronaut training, Kim earned his Technician Class amateur radio license in July of 2024.

Soyuz MS-27 crew members (from left) NASA astronaut Jonny Kim and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritsky
pose for a pre-flight portrait at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Russia. (Credit: GCTC)

Kim launched to the International Space Station on April 8, 2025, as a flight engineer on the Soyuz MS-27 spacecraft. He spent eight months aboard the station as an Expedition 72/73 flight engineer, conducting science experiments and maintaining the space station. During the science expedition, Kim orbited the Earth 3,920 times and traveling nearly 104 million miles. He saw the arrival of nine visiting spacecraft and the departure of six during his time in orbit.

This was Kim’s first spaceflight, where he served as flight engineer for Expedition 72 and 73. This also was Zubritsky’s first trip to the space station. Ryzhikov now has logged a total of 603 days in space during three trips to the orbital complex, ranking him 13th all time.

The three crew members were flown by helicopter to Karaganda, Kazakhstan, where recovery teams are based. After medical exams, Kim boarded a NASA aircraft and returned to Houston to spend Christmas with his wife and their three children.

Expedition 74 is now underway with veteran NASA astronaut Mike Fincke, KE5AIT, as commander leading six flight engineers including NASA astronauts Zena Cardman, KJ5CMN, and Chris Williams, KJ5GEW, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Kimiya Yui, KG5BPH, and Roscosmos cosmonauts Oleg Platonov, Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev.

[ANS thanks NASA for the above information.]

AMSAT Remove Before Flight Key Tags Now Available
Yes, These are the Real Thing!

Your $20 Donation Goes to Help Fly a Fox-Plus Satellite
Includes First Class Postage (Sorry – U.S. Addresses Only)
Order Today at https://www.amsat.org/product/amsat-remove-before-flight-keychain

Satellites Experience “Orbital Summer” And “Orbital Winter”

Think satellites are immune to seasons? Think again!

They experience “Orbital Summer” and “Orbital Winter” with extreme effects. Because of the position of the Earth, as well as the orbital path, satellites experience periods when they are entirely out of Earth’s shadow (“orbital summer”) and periods when they are in “eclipse” for most or all of their orbits (“orbital winter”).

What does this mean for their batteries and temperature?

(Credit: TinyGS)

When fully illuminated, solar panels are generating non-stop power and batteries are fully charged. But “Orbital Summer” isn’t just about light; it’s about heat. Without the shadow of an eclipse to cool down, the satellite heats up, putting stress on batteries and other components.

Conversely, when “Orbital Winter” happens, a satellite will experience maximum eclipse time. When in eclipse, batteries may not charge sufficiently. Satellites must survive long periods in the dark, relying heavily on batteries and internal heaters to keep from freezing.

“Orbital Summer” And “Orbital Winter” are primary contributors to satellite failure, and a major challenge to those who build and operate satellites of all types.

[ANS thanks TinyGS for the above information.]

Only 2 Weeks Left to Get Your 2025 Coin!
Celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Amateur Radio on Human Spaceflight
Help Support GOLF and FoxPlus.

Annual memberships start at only $120
Join the AMSAT President’s Club today and help
Keep Amateur Radio in Space!
https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/

CCSDS Development Competition Open to European Hams

The European Space Agency (ESA) is presenting a pilot programme on behalf of The Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS) and is pleased to announce a new outreach initiative aimed at strengthening engagement with the European amateur satellite and academic communities. This initiative supports the wider objective of promoting the adoption and practical application of CCSDS space communication standards.

CCSDS invites European amateur satellite operators, students, educators, and academic researchers to participate and to help advance open, interoperable space communication technologies.

ESA, in partnership with Goonhilly Earth Station, CCSDS, AMSAT-UK, and AMSAT-DL, are launching a competition to develop high-quality reference implementations of selected CCSDS protocols.

This competition is sponsored by the European Space Agency (ESA).

About the Competition

This programme invites participants to:

Develop open, standards-compliant reference implementations of CCSDS protocols
Contribute to a shared technical resource for amateur satellite operators, universities, and research groups
Gain recognition within both the CCSDS community and the broader space communications field

An in-person hackathon at Goonhilly Earth Station will be available to interested participants, providing a unique environment for collaboration, expert guidance, and accelerated development.

Goonhilly Earth Station is coordinating the competition and will not assert any ownership over Hackathon/Competition outputs.

Prize

Winners of the competition will receive an invitation to attend a CCSDS conference in the United States, where they will present their results to the international CCSDS community.

Protocols Featured in the Competition

These are the outlines of the two CCSDS protocols selected for this competition:

LunaNet Signal-In-Space Recommended Standard – Augmented Forward Signal (LSIS – AFS)
The LSIS–AFS standard defines how lunar orbiters or surface systems broadcast a unified navigation and timing signal to support future missions on and around the Moon. It provides a framework for creating an enhanced, interoperable “forward signal” that spacecraft, rovers, and astronauts can use for more accurate positioning, timing, and situational awareness.

Space Communications Session Control (CCSDS 235.1)

The CCSDS 235.1 standard defines how space missions establish, manage, and conclude communication sessions between spacecraft and ground systems. It provides a common framework that ensures reliable coordination when exchanging data, sending commands, and transitioning between communication states.

Participants may choose either to develop a functional concept or prototype that demonstrates how the LSIS–AFS signal could be designed, transmitted, interpreted, or applied to support future lunar missions, or to create a practical, interoperable reference implementation of Space Communications Session Control aligned with the CCSDS 235.1 standard.

A Long-Term Vision: Toward a Cislunar Amateur Radio Payload

CCSDS is pleased to highlight a longer-term aspiration linked to this initiative. In close cooperation with its partners—particularly ESA, which is proposing a future cislunar amateur radio payload—CCSDS intends to support the preparation of the most successful protocol implementations for potential consideration for flight.

This offers an exceptional opportunity for community-developed CCSDS-compliant software to be demonstrated in a deep-space operational environment.

This prospective mission is subject to funding and programme approval.

Contact and Expressions of Interest

For enquiries or to express interest in participating, please contact: [email protected]

Additional details—including eligibility criteria, protocol specifications, submission requirements, evaluation processes, and timelines—will be released soon.

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

VUCC Satellite Standing December 2025

————————————————————
VUCC Satellite Award/Endorsement Change Summary for
November 01, 2025 to November 30, 2025.
————————————————————

Call	Nov	Dec
E70A	840	901
A65BR	676	701
F6GLJ	609	701
EA3TA	607	681
AD2DD	604	650
HP2VX	527	543
N6PAZ	495	500
PY2HZ	New	427
OH3DP	300	352
BI1QGX	102	350
W6IA	278	302
PY2YJ	210	266
DH0GSU	170	204
N9HF	New	185
KT8O	153	175
WB5TX	151	156
BI1NWO	New	126
DF3VG	New	123

Congratulations to the new VUCC Satellite holders.

PY2HZ
N9HF
BI1NWO
DF3VG

N0HF is first VUCC Satellite holder from EL99
PY2HZ is first VUCC Satellite holder from GG48

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

DXCC Satellite Standings for December, 2025

————————————————————
DXCC Satellite Award/Endorsement Change Summary for
November 01, 2025 to December 01, 2025.
————————————————————

Call	Nov	Dec
HB9RYZ	166	169
IK4CIE	146	157
G8BCG	135	154
PA7RA	148	154
DL9RAN	125	150
IU0LFQ	121	150
IK1GPG	100	144
DL8GAM	125	136
LA0FA	128	133
ON6AA	114	131
W2GDJ	122	123
LA7XK	110	118
JK2XXK	New	106
I1YDT	New	100
YB5QZ	New	100

Congratulations to the new DXCC Satellite holders.
JK2XXK
I1YDT
YB5QZ

YB5QZ is first DXCC Satellite holder from Indonesia and OJ00

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

A Dying Satellite May Photograph Asteroid Apophis in 2029

An Australian company wants to join efforts to study a rare space event, conducting its own flyby of the asteroid Apophis when it makes its close approach to Earth in 2029.

Sydney-based HEO Robotics, a provider of commercial satellite-to-satellite imagery, wants to add to the international missions already planning to get up close to the 1,115-foot-wide (340 meters) asteroid Apophis as it zooms by Earth in April 2029 by buying a satellite near the end of its life up in geostationary orbit and use its remaining fuel.

An illustration of the “God of Destruction” asteroid Apophis as it makes a close approach to Earth in April 2029
(Image credit: Jonathan Männel / with Eyes on the Solar System, NASA/JPL)

Satellites in the geostationary belt (GEO) orbit 22,236 miles (35,786 kilometers) above the equator. Spacecraft nearing the end of their lives use their remaining fuel to head into a so-called graveyard orbit above GEO to take themselves out of the way of the operational satellites. HEO aims to buy a satellite near the end of its mission lifetime and, using a little more fuel than needed for the graveyard trip, make a close approach to Apophis, which will pass within the GEO belt when it makes its close approach to Earth on Friday, April 13, 2029.

[ANS thanks Space.com for the above information. Read the full article at https://www.space.com/astronomy/asteroids/a-dying-satellite-could-use-its-final-moments-to-photograph-the-infamous-asteroid-apophis-in-2029]

Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for December 12, 2025

The following satellite has been removed from this week’s AMSAT TLE Distribution:

Duchifat 3 NORAD Cat ID 44854 Decayed from orbit on or about 08 Dec 2025

The following satellites have been added to this week’s AMSAT TLE Distribution:

SilverSat NORAD Cat ID 66909 Downlink frequency: 437.175 MHz
BEE-1000 NORAD Cat ID 66650 Downlink frequency: 436.5 MHz
SNUGLITE_III DURI NORAD Cat ID 66661 Downlink frequency 436.789 MHz

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

Boeing’s Next Starliner Flight Will Carry Cargo Only

NASA ended months of speculation about the next flight of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, confirming that the vehicle will carry only cargo to the International Space Station.

NASA and Boeing are now targeting no earlier than April 2026 to fly the uncrewed Starliner-1 mission, the space agency said. Launching by next April will require completion of rigorous test, certification, and mission readiness activities, NASA added in a statement.

Starliner’s first flight in December 2019, without crew, had to be truncated after software problems plagued the vehicle. It was nearly lost shortly after launch as well as before atmospheric reentry. It did not make a planned rendezvous with the space station.

Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft is pictured docked to the Harmony module’s forward port at the International Space Station. Photo credit: NASA

The second mission, Orbital Flight Test 2, took place in May 2022. Because of problems on the previous mission, this spacecraft also flew uncrewed. This flight was more successful, reaching the space station despite some thruster issues.

NASA then spent more than two years testing Starliner on the ground before its first crewed flight in 2024, carrying NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, KD5PLB. During its approach to the space station, the Starliner spacecraft once again experienced serious thruster issues. (However, the life-and-death nature of this flight was not revealed until nearly a year later.) Starliner ultimately docked with the station, but after heated deliberations, NASA informed Boeing that the vehicle would return to Earth uncrewed.

As a result, a Dragon mission was launched later in 2024 carrying just two astronauts instead of a full complement of four. This allowed for the safe return of Wilmore and Williams in March 2025.

[ANS thanks Wired for the above information. Read the full article at https://www.wired.com/story/boeings-next-starliner-flight-will-only-be-allowed-to-carry-cargo/.]

ARISS News

Scheduled Contacts

Due to the holidays, no contacts are scheduled until after the first of the year.

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.]

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.

None currently scheduled.

For more information go to: https://www.amsat.org/ambassador/

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

Satellite Shorts from All Over

+ Earth observation satellite TUBIN of Technical University Berlin, Germany is about to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere in the upcoming days; 16th December +/-1 day. During the orbit decay it is transmitting a telemetry beacon every 10 seconds, including position, attitude, temperatures, etc. via amateur radio UHF band at 435.950 MHz. Researchers would appreciate support of additional radio amateurs listening in and forward the received telemetry data. Further information can be found at https://community.libre.space/t/tubin-tubsat-27-re-entry/13998. As the orbit is decaying quite fast, most recent TLE’s shall be used, which are frequently updated at https://db.satnogs.org/api/tle/?format=3le&norad_cat_id=48900. Any decoded frames, audio recordings or reception reports are very welcome and can be submitted following the instructions in https://community.libre.space/t/tubin-tubsat-27-re-entry/13998. The team at TU Berlin will collect all contributions and can provide specialized TUBIN re-entry QSL cards. Full project overview at https://www.tu.berlin/en/raumfahrttechnik/research/current-projects/tubin. (ANS thanks Steffen Reinert of Technische Universität Berlin for the above information.)

+ SkyRoof, a Windows application for Hams and satellite enthusiasts by Alex Shovkoplyas, VE3NEA, was recently featured on the website of AMSAT-SM, the Swedish amateur radio satellite organization. The article by Lars Thunberg, SMØTGU, may be found at https://www.amsat.se/2025/11/22/skyroof-sdr-satellite-software/. Lars also has an interesting article on setting up a LORA telemetry groundstation at https://www.amsat.se/category/operations/. (ANS thanks AMSAT-SM for the above information.)

+ Similarly, Peter Goodhall, MM9SQL, has developed Zenith, a web-based tracking application. Information at https://zenithtracker.org/. (ANS thanks Peter Goodhall, MM9SQL, for the above information.)

+ AMSAT’s CubeSat Simulator gets excellent reviews, but a budget version is available from the Ukraine for those with access to 3-D printing and a willingness to overcome some bugs and limitations. A YouTube video reviews the project at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvtHcwemfco (ANS thanks @saveitforparts for the above information.)

+ At next year’s World Radiocommunications Conference (WRC-25), governments will face a choice that goes to the heart of how we monitor our warming planet. Some regulators are wondering whether to open part of the X-band — the 8.025–8.4 GHz range used by Earth observation satellites — to 5G and 6G mobile networks. Several major telecom operators have been pushing for this move, arguing that they could use this spectrum more efficiently and pay countries handsomely for the right to do so. Eleven satellite-focused companies have formed the Remote Sensing Collective to resist the change. They’ve done this because the satellites we depend on to understand the environment depend in turn on the X-band. (ANS thanks SpaceNews for the above information. Read the full article at http://bit.ly/44pC8wX.)

+ Last month, Chinese astronauts on board the country’s Tiangong space station discovered cracks in the window of their return vehicle, the Shenzhou-20, which officials suspected were the result of a space debris strike. The spacecraft was deemed not safe enough to return its crew, prompting an orbital game of musical chairs as the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) launched an emergency uncrewed replacement spacecraft, Shenzhou-22, to the station. Two Shenzhou-21 astronauts embarked on the mission’s first spacewalk on December 9, inspecting and photographing a damaged spacecraft window which triggered an earlier emergency launch. CMSA did not publicize results. (ANS thanks Futurism.com for the above information. Read the full article at https://futurism.com/space/chinese-astronauts-spacewalk-station-damaged-spacecraft.)

+ NASA has lost contact with the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution, or MAVEN, a spacecraft that has circled the planet for more than a decade, collecting science data and serving as a key communications relay. (ANS thanks SpaceNews 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).
Students are eligible for FREE membership up to age 25.
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, KØJM
mjohns [at] amsat.org

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

ANS-341 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

December 7, 2025 by Mitch Ahrenstorff

AMSAT News Service

ANS-341
December 7, 2025

In this edition:

* KSLV-II Mission Deploys 13 Satellites, Including New Amateur Radio Payloads
* ISS Deployment Added Five New Education-Focused Amateur Radio Missions
* ARISS Moves Series 30 SSTV Transmissions to RS-38S After Equipment Issue
* GridMasterMap Satellite Top 100 Rovers December 2025 Rankings
* Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for December 5, 2025
* ARISS News
* AMSAT Ambassador Activities
* Satellite Shorts From All Over

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/

KSLV-II Mission Deploys 13 Satellites, Including New Amateur Radio Payloads

South Korea recorded another significant achievement in its growing domestic space program with the successful nighttime launch of the Korea Space Launch Vehicle-II (KSLV-II), also known as Nuri, from the Naro Space Center in Goheung, South Korea. Liftoff occurred at 16:13 UTC on 26 November 2025 after a brief delay caused by an abnormal pressure-sensor signal in the rocket’s umbilical system. After the anomaly was resolved, Nuri ascended smoothly and became South Korea’s first orbital launch conducted during nighttime operations.

The vehicle performed nominally throughout ascent, completing stage separations on schedule and surpassing the 500 km mark roughly seven minutes after liftoff. Orbit insertion occurred approximately twelve minutes into the flight, followed one minute later by the deployment of CAS500-3, a 500-kilogram scientific satellite designed for highly light-sensitive Earth-observation missions. Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA) officials confirmed multiple ground-station contacts with CAS500-3 during its first day on orbit, including passes over the King Sejong Station in Antarctica.

Following the primary payload, Nuri deployed twelve CubeSats, nine of which operate in the amateur UHF bands. Of these, three satellites were fully IARU-coordinated. The twin SNUGLITE-III CubeSats—HANA (436.460 MHz) and DURI (436.788 MHz)—developed by Seoul National University, each carry a 9600-bps GMSK AX.25 digipeater, UHF beacons, and an S-band imaging payload at 2405.000 MHz. These spacecraft support amateur-radio training, GPS-RO technology demonstrations, and formation-flying experiments. The third coordinated payload, SPIRONE (436.650 MHz / 2425.100 MHz) from Sejong University, combines an environmental mission to detect marine plastic with a GMSK beacon and an S-band transponder intended for amateur-radio experimentation.

Student-built SNUGLITE-III HANA and DURI CubeSats are shown before their November 2025 launch. [Credit: Seoul National University]

Six additional CubeSats on the mission also used amateur-band downlinks but were not coordinated through the IARU. These include JACK-003, JACK-004 (both 436.300 MHz), BEE-1000 (436.500 MHz), PERSAT01 (437.125 MHz), K-HERO (437.165 MHz), and INHA-RoSAT (437.665 MHz). While uncoordinated, they remain of interest to amateur-radio satellite observers, particularly during early beacon activity and commissioning efforts as teams work to establish first contact.

This launch also reflects South Korea’s broader strategy of strengthening its commercial aerospace ecosystem. For the first time, primary launch-operation responsibility was handled by Hanwha Aerospace, marking a transition toward greater private-sector involvement in national space access. Despite a two-and-a-half-year gap since the previous Nuri flight, Hanwha and its partners maintained launch readiness and executed the mission successfully—an encouraging sign for Korea’s long-term space-industry development.

KASA plans at least two additional Nuri launches through 2027, with the goal of supporting annual flights thereafter and ultimately developing a next-generation booster capable of heavier payloads and deep-space missions. For the amateur-satellite community worldwide, the KSLV-II program’s demonstrated ability to deploy large numbers of small spacecraft—including coordinated amateur payloads—is a promising development, expanding future rideshare opportunities and adding new signals to monitor across UHF and S-band.

Read the full article at: https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10624440 and Libre Space discussion at: https://community.libre.space/t/kslv-2-cas500-3-mission-2025-11-26-16-13-utc/14043

[ANS thanks Kan Hyeong-woo, The Korea Herald, and the Libre Space community, for the above information]

ISS Deployment Added Five New Education-Focused Amateur Radio Missions

Seven satellites were deployed from the International Space Station on December 2, 2025, with release times spanning 08:10 UTC to 09:50 UTC in three batches using the Voyager Space NanoRacks CubeSat Deployer (NRCSD) system. Five of the deployed spacecraft—SilverSat, RHOK-SAT, Content-Cube, EagleSat-2, and Foras Promineo—operate on amateur radio frequencies and represent a broad collection of university, student-led, and educational missions. SatNOGS stations scheduled more than 700 observations during the first 24 hours as the satellites drifted away from the ISS to form their initial orbits, requiring careful Doppler evaluation and coordinated tracking during the early identification phase.

The first release at 08:10 UTC deployed the 6U DUPLEX satellite, which does not carry an amateur-radio payload. A second deployment window at 08:20 UTC released four 1U spacecraft: SilverSat, RHOK-SAT, Content-Cube, and CU-Alpha. Of these, CU-Alpha operates outside the amateur bands using LoRa at 915 MHz. The final release at 09:50 UTC deployed the two 3U amateur missions, EagleSat-2 and Foras Promineo, completing the NRCSD-29 sequence.

SilverSat, a 1U open-source CubeSat designed to inspire student interest in space science and engineering, was the first amateur satellite from NRCSD-29 to be positively heard on orbit. The spacecraft automatically relays images and telemetry to its ground network, which posts them to social-media platforms whenever a pass is received. European stations reported early carrier traces shortly after deployment, and the first confirmed CW beacon—sent at 16 WPM under the callsign “WP2XGW”—was received at approximately 14:46 UTC. SilverSat uses a UHF turnstile antenna oriented perpendicular to its magnetically stabilized axis, producing LHCP reception for most northern observers.

EagleSat-2, a 3U satellite, was successfully deployed early Tuesday morning from the NRCSD-29 system. [Credit: Voyager Space]

The 08:20 UTC deployment batch also included RHOK-SAT, Content-Cube, and a 1U CubeSat from Cornell University carrying a brief-duration light-sail experiment designed by students at the Space Systems Design Studio. The sail will be released during a later activation sequence following the CubeSat’s deployment and carries several ChipSat flight computers intended to transmit LoRa telemetry in the 70 cm amateur band during a short operational period. Because the timing of the sail’s release depends on mission conditions, additional details about the project and its ChipSat technology are available at alphacubesat.cornell.edu. Telemetry downlinks for this group include 435.425 MHz for RHOK-SAT (9600 FSK), 437.020 MHz for Content-Cube (9600 GMSK), and 437.400 MHz for the ChipSats, which may remain active only for hours to a few days before re-entry.

The two 3U satellites, EagleSat-2 and Foras Promineo, completed the deployments at 09:50 UTC. EagleSat-2, developed by undergraduate students at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, carries two scientific experiments: the Cosmic Ray Payload, designed to track high-energy particle interactions across three observation phases, and the Memory Degradation Experiment, which compares radiation-induced error rates in several CMOS memory technologies. EagleSat-2 transmits on 437.165 MHz using 19k2 2-GFSK. Foras Promineo supports a public-outreach mission based on an interactive robotic-arm game that operates autonomously or under real-time command during ground passes, transmitting LoRa telemetry on 437.400 MHz.

As of the first day of operations, SatNOGS contributors reported active tracking of all five amateur satellites using preliminary TLEs derived from ISS deployment vectors. With the objects initially clustered closely together, early identification required coordinated Doppler measurements and community-supported observation campaigns. As tracking continues to refine and the satellites separate further, operators can expect more reliable beacon reception and additional opportunities for amateur participation as the missions begin their operational phases.

Read the NRCSD29 ISS Satellites Deployment Libre Space discussion at: https://community.libre.space/t/nrcsd29-iss-satellites-deployment-2025-12-02-08-28-utc/14045

[ANS thanks AMSAT-Francophone and the Libre Space community for the above information]

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ARISS Moves Series 30 SSTV Transmissions to RS-38S After Equipment Issue

Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) has released final scheduling details for the Series 30 Slow-Scan Television retransmission event, which will take place using the RS-38S satellite rather than the ISS. Transmissions are scheduled to begin on 5 December at 00:01 UTC (4 December at 7:01 PM ET) and continue through 13 December at 23:59 UTC. The images will be broadcast from RS-38S, also known as VIZARD-meteo and listed under NORAD 57189, on a downlink of 437.825 MHz with normal Doppler adjustments. Each image will be sent in Robot 36 mode for approximately 36 seconds, followed by a silence period of two to three minutes. Operators may upload their received images to the ARISS SSTV gallery to obtain a new Series 30-1 certificate tailored for the RS-38S event. The satellite can be monitored on amsat.org/status under its VIZARD-meteo entry, and pass-prediction tools are available at amsat.org/pass-prediction for those planning reception attempts.

The RS-38S retransmission provides amateurs an opportunity to receive all 12 Series 30 images after the ISS-based event in November was interrupted by a hardware issue. ARISS announced on 29 November that the RS-38S spacecraft would transmit the same Series 30 imagery during the period of 5–13 December, offering a complete replacement opportunity. This announcement was well received by participants who were unable to capture images during the short ISS transmission window on 12 November. As with previous SSTV events, stations may submit their best frames to the ARISS gallery and request corresponding certificates. The retransmission preserves the commemorative nature of Series 30 while operating entirely independent of ISS hardware. ARISS encourages operators worldwide to monitor its official channels for updates throughout the event period.

The satellite-based activity follows a series of technical difficulties that prevented completion of the original Series 30 event aboard the International Space Station. The ISS transmissions began on 12 November with approximately two hours of successful downlink activity, during which several stations worldwide decoded and uploaded clean images. Soon afterward, SSTV activity on 145.800 MHz FM abruptly stopped, prompting ARISS to acknowledge the outage and begin checking the system status with operations teams on the ground. Crew schedules and limited immediate access to the Service Module hardware initially slowed the troubleshooting process. Operators monitored the downlink throughout the day, but no additional frames were received. ARISS provided real-time updates confirming the outage and advising listeners that further checks were underway.

SSTV Series 30 images will be transmitted from the RS-38S satellite beginning December 5 throughout the event. [Credit: ARISS]

By 15 November, ARISS reported that the SSTV system had remained offline since the initial interruption and that ongoing solar activity added complexity to assessments of the Service Module equipment. U.S. teams awaited additional information, and only the early decodes from the opening hours of the event appeared in the official SSTV gallery. ARISS thanked operators for their continued patience and reminded them that certificates would still be issued for the initial images. Amateur radio stations worldwide continued to submit signal reports and monitor each ISS pass in hopes of renewed activity. Despite broad interest, no additional transmissions were detected. ARISS stated it would continue providing updates as new information became available.

On 16 November, after three days of analysis, ARISS confirmed that the ISS-based Series 30 event could not continue. The Kenwood D710GA transceiver in the Zvezda Service Module, which supports SSTV operations, appeared to have failed and was taken offline for further review. ARISS reported that the radio functioned normally for approximately two hours before the issue occurred, ending downlink activity for the remainder of the planned 12–20 November window. Operators who received images early in the event were encouraged to upload their frames before the submission deadline to qualify for Series 30 certificates. ARISS emphasized that those certificates would still be honored despite the shortened schedule. No additional transmissions were expected until testing of the affected hardware could be completed.

A follow-on update on 21 November clarified the status of the Service Module radio system. ARISS reported that the faulty Kenwood D710GA had been replaced with the onboard spare Kenwood D710E, which is now supporting scheduled Russian school contacts and required backup communications. Additional in-orbit testing of the original D710GA is planned to determine the cause of the failure and evaluate when APRS or SSTV capabilities might be restored. ARISS also confirmed that the Columbus module radio systems, including the cross-band FM repeater and HamTV equipment, continue to operate normally. Restoration of SSTV service from the ISS will depend on the results of continued hardware assessments. Until those evaluations are complete, ISS-based SSTV remains offline, and the RS-38S retransmission provides the primary means for operators to receive the full Series 30 imagery.

[ANS thanks Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) for the above information]

GridMasterMap Satellite Top 100 Rovers December 2025 Rankings

The December 2025 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: 2025-12-02

1	ND9M	26	KX9X	51	KE0PBR	76	SP5XSD
2	NJ7H	27	KG5CCI	52	WD5GRW	77	DL4EA
3	UT1FG	28	DJ8MS	53	XE3DX	78	N6UTC
4	JA9KRO	29	N5BO	54	W7WGC	79	N4UFO
5	N5UC	30	ON4AUC	55	LU4JVE	80	VE7PTN
6	F5VMJ	31	K8BL	56	JK2XXK	81	PT2AP
7	DL6AP	32	KE4AL	57	PR8KW	82	VE1VOX
8	WI7P	33	KB5FHK	58	EB1AO	83	AA8CH
9	K5ZM	34	AC0RA	59	XE1ET	84	KB2YSI
10	DP0POL	35	PA3GAN	60	EA4NF	85	KI7UXT
11	OE3SEU	36	KI0KB	61	N6DNM	86	AF5CC
12	WY7AA	37	F4BKV	62	W8LR	87	KJ7NDY
13	N6UA	38	KI7UNJ	63	W1AW	88	BI1MHK
14	HA3FOK	39	VA3VGR	64	KI7QEK	89	PT9BM
15	LU5ILA	40	JO2ASQ	65	SM3NRY	90	FG8OJ
16	W5PFG	41	VE3HLS	66	KE9AJ	91	YU0W
17	AK8CW	42	BG7QIW	67	F4DXV	92	BG5CZD
18	N9IP	43	HJ5LVR	68	VE1CWJ	93	PU4CEB
19	AD0DX	44	LA9XGA	69	AA5PK	94	W8MTB
20	AD0HJ	45	VK5DG	70	AD7DB	95	N4DCW
21	DL2GRC	46	N7AGF	71	KM4LAO	96	WA9JBQ
22	N4AKV	47	K7TAB	72	M1DDD	97	BA8AFK
23	ND0C	48	DF2ET	73	HB9GWJ	98	VE3GOP
24	WD9EWK	49	JL3RNZ	74	VA7LM	99	JM1CAX
25	BA1PK	50	KE0WPA	75	N8RO	100	PS8BR

[ANS thanks @GridMasterMap for the above information]

AMSAT Remove Before Flight Key Tags Now Available
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Your $20 Donation Goes to Help Fly a Fox-Plus Satellite
Includes First Class Postage (Sorry – U.S. Addresses Only)
Order Today at https://www.amsat.org/product/amsat-remove-before-flight-keychain

Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for December 5, 2025

The following satellites have been added to this week’s AMSAT TLE Bulletin:
SPIRONE NORAD Cat ID 66657
K-HERO NORAD Cat ID 66660

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

ARISS News

Scheduled Contacts

+ Recently Completed

Istituto Di Istruzione Superiore “Il Tagliamento” Di Spilimbergo / Istituto Comprensivo “G. Mazzini”, Spilimbergo, Italy, telebridge via IK1SLD
The ISS callsign was OR4ISS
The scheduled crewmember was Zena Cardman KJ5CMN
The ARISS mentors were IZ2GOJ and IKØWGF
Contact was successful: Fri 2025-11-28 11:40:17 UTC
Congratulations to the Istituto Di Istruzione Superiore “Il Tagliamento” Di Spilimbergo (Pn) and Istituto Comprensivo “G. Mazzini” students, Zena, mentors IZ2GOJ and IKØWGF, and telebridge via IK1SLD!
Watch the Livestream at https://www.ariotti.com/ and https://www.youtube.com/live/MgG7kcYvxWM

Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Agricultural Academy named after K.A. Timiryazev, Moscow, Russia, direct via TBD
The ISS callsign was RSØISS
The scheduled crewmember was Sergey Kud-Sverchkov
The ARISS mentor was RV3DR
Contact was successful: Fri 2025-12-05 11:00 UTC
Congratulations to the students of the Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Agricultural Academy, Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, and mentor RV3DR on a successful contact!

Lincoln Magnet School, Springfield, Illinois, direct via K9OK
The ISS callsign was NA1SS
The scheduled crewmember was Jonathan (Jonny) Kim KJ5HKP
The ARISS mentor was AJ9N
Contact was successful: Fri 2025-12-05 15:29:41 UTC
Congratulations to the students of Lincoln Magnet School, Jonathan (Jonny) Kim KJ5HKP, and mentor AJ9N on a successful contact!

+ Upcoming Contacts

None currently scheduled

Many times a school may make a last-minute decision to do a Livestream or run into a last-minute glitch requiring a change of the URL but we at ARISS may not get the URL in time for publication. You can always check https://live.ariss.org/ to see if a school is Livestreaming.

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 remains configured in the Columbus Module (145.990 MHz up {PL 67} & 437.800 MHz down). If a crewmember decides to pick up the microphone and turn up the volume, you may hear them on the air—so keep listening, as you never know when activity might occur.

The service module IORS is not currently in APRS configuration and is being used only for voice contacts at this time. HamTV in the Columbus Module is configured for scheduled digital amateur television operations on 2395.00 MHz.

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.]

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,

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

None currently scheduled.

For more information go to: https://www.amsat.org/ambassador/

[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

Satellite Shorts from All Over

+ For the first time in its 25-year history, the International Space Station had all eight docking ports occupied following the reinstallation of Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus XL cargo spacecraft on the Unity module. The visiting spacecraft complement included two SpaceX Dragons, JAXA’s HTV-X1, Cygnus XL, two Soyuz crew vehicles, and the Progress 92 and 93 cargo ships. The Cygnus relocation was coordinated by NASA, Northrop Grumman, and Roscosmos to provide proper clearance for the Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft, which arrived last week. Cygnus XL will remain attached until no earlier than March 2026, when it is scheduled to depart with approximately 11,000 pounds of trash for a destructive re-entry. Meanwhile, the Expedition 73 crew continued a full schedule of research activities as the newly arrived Soyuz MS-28 crew members began long-duration studies focused on human physiology in microgravity. The station is expected to transition to Expedition 74 on December 8 when three MS-27 crew members—NASA astronaut Jonny Kim and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritsky—undock for their return to Earth. (ANS thanks NASA for the above information)

+ Ham Satting, a new multi-platform satellite-tracking and logging application developed by Yousuf Al Balushi, A46UNX, has officially launched on the Apple App Store, bringing a consolidated suite of real-time visualization, pass-prediction, and operating tools to amateur satellite enthusiasts. The app tracks the ISS and more than 20 amateur satellites using an interactive live map with dynamic icons, integrated N2YO data, and improved reliability features introduced in recent updates. Pass-prediction capabilities include precise AOS/LOS times, duration, azimuth, elevation, and quality indicators, complemented by a timeline view that organizes multiple satellite passes into clear, easy-to-read tables for mission planning. Operators can log QSOs locally, filter and export entries, map both home and mobile QTH locations, and track grid squares for VUCC award progress through built-in location-mapping tools. Additional utilities include smart notifications for upcoming passes, calendar integration, customizable satellite lists, and interface refinements aimed at streamlining portable operating and roving. While iOS marks the first full public release, beta versions are already available for Android, Windows, and macOS, with a Linux edition planned soon via unixeer.com. (ANS thanks Yousuf AL Balushi, A46UNX, for the above information)

+ NASA is once again offering the public a chance to “fly” around the Moon by submitting their names for inclusion on a digital boarding pass that will travel aboard Artemis II. The names will be stored on an SD card inside the Orion spacecraft when four astronauts—Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canada’s Jeremy Hansen—undertake the first crewed flight of the Artemis program in 2026. Participants can sign up by providing a first name, last name, and a 4- to 7-digit PIN, which is needed later to retrieve the boarding pass. Artemis II will be a roughly 10-day mission launching from Kennedy Space Center, first performing system checkouts before sending the crew on a looping figure-eight trajectory around the far side of the Moon. The flight will evaluate Orion’s performance, carry research payloads on radiation and human health, and help prepare for future lunar surface missions. Sign-ups and details are available at https://www3.nasa.gov/send-your-name-with-artemis/. (ANS thanks NASA for the above information)

+ Time on Mars runs slightly faster than on Earth, according to new calculations by NIST researchers Neil Ashby and Bijunath Patla, who found that clocks on the Martian surface gain about 477 microseconds per day relative to terrestrial time. The difference arises from Mars’ weaker surface gravity, highly elliptical orbit, and changing distance from the Sun and the Earth–Moon system, all of which alter the rate at which clocks tick under general relativity. Although the offset amounts to less than a millisecond per day, modern navigation and communication systems—such as GPS and future Mars-based networks—require timing precision far tighter than a microsecond. The effect is also not constant: depending on Mars’ orbital position, the daily time gain can vary by as much as 226 microseconds. As planning advances for autonomous rover operations, relay satellites, and eventual crewed missions, engineers will need to incorporate these relativistic corrections to prevent timing drift and data inconsistencies. Ashby and Patla’s work, published December 1 in The Astronomical Journal, represents an early step toward establishing accurate and stable time standards for interplanetary operations. (ANS thanks Space.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).
Students enrolled in at least half-time status are eligible for free membership to age 25.
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
mahrenstorff [at] amsat.org

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

ANS-334 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

November 30, 2025 by Frank Karnauskas

AMSAT News Service
ANS-334
November 30, 2025

In this edition:

Registration is open for the 2025–2026 European Astro Pi Challenge
Optical Communications Systems Test the Limits of FCC Authority
A Protocol Extension for GOLF Operations
REALOP CubeSat to Test Hard Drives for ADC System
Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for [date]
ARISS News
AMSAT Ambassador Activities
Satellite Shorts

The AMSAT(R) 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 .

Sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List. Join this list at: https://mailman.amsat.org/postorius/lists/ans.amsat.org/ .

Registration is open for the 2025–2026 European Astro Pi Challenge

Educators: Do you want to send your students’ computer programs to space with the European Astro Pi Challenge? Astro Pi Mission Zero and Mission Space Lab are now officially open for the 2025–2026 challenge.

Astro Pi is an ESA Education project run in collaboration with the Raspberry Pi Foundation and delivered nationally by the European Space Education Resource Offices (ESERO).

The project offers different levels of complexity:

Mission Zero – for beginners (up to 19 years old) to learn to write a simple program that will run in space. Mission Zero, well suited for beginners, offers a chance for young people to create a piece of pixel art and have it displayed for astronauts to see on two special Raspberry Pi computers, called Astro Pis, aboard the ISS. The deadline for Mission Zero submissions is 23 March 2026.

Mission Space Lab – for more experienced coders (up to 19 years old) to carry out a scientific task using a program that will run in space. For more experienced coders, Mission Space Lab returns with a real-world scientific task: calculate the speed of the ISS as accurately as possible using the Astro Pi’s sensors or camera. Teams of two to six young people need to write a Python program that collects data from the Astro Pi computers on the ISS to perform this calculation.

Every team that submits a program that complies with the official guidelines will be awarded a participation certificate.The submission deadline for Mission Space Lab is 16 February 2026.

What is Astro Pi?

The European Astro Pi Challenge, or Astro Pi for short, is a free educational project. It has two missions that young people up to 19 years old can participate in, depending on their programming abilities. Both missions use Python programming to create short computer programs that will be run on the International Space Station (ISS).

The Astro Pi school project platform offers educators a comprehensive suite of resources to engage students in space science and coding activities, as well as support and community engagement activities.

Read the complete story at https://astro-pi.org/?utm_source=rpf&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=homepage .

[ANS thanks RaspberryPi.org for the above information.]

Only 4 Weeks Left to Get Your 2025 Coin!
Celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Amateur Radio on Human Spaceflight
Help Support GOLF and FoxPlus.

Annual memberships start at only $120
Join the AMSAT President’s Club today and help
Keep Amateur Radio in Space!
https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/

Optical Communications Systems Test the Limits of FCC Authority

As the U.S. regulator of non-Federal radio spectrum, the FCC has become one of the most important overseers of commercial space activity. No satellite system can realistically gain access to the U.S. market without prior FCC approval and oversight: the agency licenses space and Earth stations and coordinates U.S. filings with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

But optical communications systems—particularly optical ground stations—do not fit neatly within the FCC’s statutory authority to regulate communications by “wire or radio.” Optical transmissions are not “radio.” Rather, free-space optical communications, or “lasercoms,” use optical wavelengths—generally in the near-infrared portion of the spectrum—to transmit data between user terminals.

Traditionally, satellite communication systems have relied on radio frequency (RF) transmissions within designated spectrum bands to relay signals either between satellites or from satellites to Earth. While these systems remain reliable and widely used, RF spectrum has inherent limitations – most notably finite bandwidth, increasing congestion, and atmospheric attenuation.

Optical communications offer a different path. By transmitting optical wavelengths, typically in the near-infrared range, free-space optical links can provide much higher data rates than RF.

One key component is the optical ground station. Unlike a traditional RF ground station with a dish antenna, an optical ground station uses a telescope and optoelectronic components to transmit and receive laser signals.

Still, lasercom poses unique technical challenges. The same narrow beam that enhances security also imposes constraints: RF signals can blanket wide areas.

Atmosphere attenuation also remains a major challenge to lasercom: atmospheric attenuators such as dust, smoke, fog, haze, and inclement weather impair the technology’s ability to transmit information.

The FCC has long indicated that it does not have jurisdiction over optical inter-satellite links because they do not involve RF spectrum. If the FCC lacks authority over lasercom, it might be unable to apply licensing requirements, enforce technical standards, or impose other space access conditions such as orbital debris mitigation plans and post-mission disposal requirements.

Uncertainty also carries real risks – operators do not know whether FCC licensing will eventually be required, what conditions might apply, or whether or how the U.S. might ultimately coordinate internationally. Lack of clarity could also complicate global harmonization: other jurisdictions may set their own rules, creating inconsistent standards.

Read the complete story at http://satmagazine.com/story.php?number=2088275968 .

[ANS thanks SatMagazine.com 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/

A Protocol Extension for GOLF Operations

At the recent AMSAT Space Symposium held in Phoenix, Arizona, AMSAT Software Engineer Heimir Thor Sverrisson, W1ANT/TF3ANT, presented on the protocol extension he has been developing for satellite command and control systems, focusing specifically on improvements needed for the GOLF satellite project. The existing setup, utilizing the AMCOM program, has been successfully operational since 2015, primarily employing straightforward commands such as those for transitioning the spacecraft into safe or health modes. However, the GOLF project necessitates a more complex command structure to handle longer payloads, especially those involving Automated Thermal Controls (ATCs), which require orbital parameters to be sent as a cohesive unit.

The discussion underlined the importance of maintaining the proven AMCOM infrastructure, proposing to leverage existing telemetry tools like FoxTelem. The proposal includes utilizing five bits of telemetry data to provide feedback on command status, thus ensuring that commands are transmitted successfully and effectively, addressing the limitations of the current system.

A pivotal part of the discussion revolved around the concept of “multipart commands.” Heimir illustrated a plan to modify the AMCOM command structure to allow the transmission of multiple segments in a single command, using a sequential numbering system to keep track of these packets. The extension would also involve designating specific bits to indicate whether a command is multipart and which piece of the command is being acknowledged or is missing.

Heimir elaborated on the technical elements of the transmission protocol, detailing how to manage packet loss and potential sequence issues via a robust acknowledgment system. The system would require two threads of execution at the ground station — one for sending commands and another for handling incoming telemetry. This dual threading is crucial as it allows for more efficient communications and processing, maintaining system integrity in the event of packet loss or transmission delays.

A key component of the protocol will be adjusting how command data is structured and transferred, with new formats proposed for command definitions. The transition from a CSV format to a more flexible and human-readable JSON format was suggested to accommodate the new capabilities, making it easier for engineering teams to integrate the changes into their workflows.

The presentation included a demonstration of a simulator designed to visually represent the command transmission process, showcasing how the protocol would function under various conditions, including different rates of packet loss. The simulator was created in Python and is hosted on Heimir’s GitHub repository, making it accessible for further exploration.

During the question and answer section, audience members raised concerns related to the security of satellite communications, particularly regarding potential cyber threats. Heimir reassured participants that encryption and digital signature protocols are already in place for uplink communications, although downlink encryption remains restricted by FCC regulations against obscured transmissions.

The meeting concluded with a reflection on the practicality and challenges of implementing these proposed changes, emphasizing the continuous need for advancements in satellite communication protocols to cater to growing operational complexities and security requirements. Follow-up actions were identified, including finalizing the simulation details and incorporating feedback from the engineering team into the command structure proposal. Thankful remarks were exchanged, acknowledging the collaborative efforts required for successful implementation.

You can read Heimer’s complete paper at https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/SS-43_Sverrisson.pdf .

[ANS thanks AMSAT Software Engineer Heimir Thor Sverrisson, W1ANT/TF3ANT, for the above information.]

REALOP CubeSat to Test Hard Drives for ADC System

The University of California, Davis will fly its REALOP 2U CubeSat mission with two goals in mind.

The primary goal of the mission will be to provide students with the educational opportunity to design, build, and test a satellite. Students will gain hands-on knowledge of the different subsystems of the satellite and they will learn about the use of amateur radio and how to use RF in order to communicate with spacecraft.

The secondary goal of the mission is to demonstrate the feasibility of using hard disk drives as a low cost alternative to reaction wheels for CubeSat attitude detection and control. This has the potential to reduce the financial barrier of entry into CubeSat development.

A UHF GMSK downlink with a 96 kHz symbol rate on 437.400 is proposed. Telemetry packets will use HDLC framing and a rate 1/2 convolutional forward error correction. Deployment from the ISS is planned for June 2026.

[ANS thanks the IARU for the above information.]

Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for November 28, 2025

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

[ANS thanks Joe Fitzgerald, KM1P, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager 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

ARISS NEWS

Successful Contacts

South-West State University, Kursk, Russia, direct via UB3WCL.
The ISS callsign was RSØISS.
The crewmember was Sergey Ryzhikov.
The ARISS mentor was A.R.C. ENERGIA, RV3DR.
Contact was successful on Saturday, November 22, 2025 at 14:54 UTC.

Moscow Aviation Institute, Moscow, Russia direct via R2AS.
The ISS callsign was RSØISS.
The crewmember was Oleg Platonov
The ARISS mentor was A.R.C. ENERGIA, RV3DR.
Contact was successful on Mon 2025-11-24 14:56 UTC.

Upcoming Contacts

Lincoln Magnet School, Springfield, Illinois, direct via K9OK.
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS.
The scheduled crewmember is Jonathan (Jonny) Kim, KJ5HKP.
The ARISS mentor is Charlie Sufana.AJ9N.
Contact is go for Friday, December 5, 2025 at 15:29 UTC.

Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Agricultural Academy named after K.A. Timiryazev, Moscow, Russia, direct via TBD.
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS.
The scheduled crewmember is Sergey Kud-Sverchkov.
The ARISS mentor is A.R.C. ENERGIA, RV3DR.
Contact is go for Friday, December 5, 2025 at 11:00 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.]

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.

None currently scheduled.

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

Satellite Shorts From All Over

ARISS is excited to premier a new video all about Amateur Radio on the International Space Station! Thanks to Nichole Ayers KJ5GWI (@Astro_Ayers on X) who recorded this during her time on the International Space Station. Join them on Tuesday, December 2 at 1800 UTC (1:00 PM EST) for the big reveal! Watch it on https://YouTube.com/ARISSlive . [ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information.]
Looking to kick back over the holidays and build and fly your own rockets? Well reviewed spaceflight simulators are available for your Android and iOS phones. A free app named Spaceflight Simulator by Team Curiosity can be found at the Google Play and the Apple Apps stores. You can build any rocket you like from available parts and explore the planets in our solar system as you wish.

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 no charge.
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.
f.karnauskas [at] amsat [dot] org

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

AMSAT News Service

ANS-355 December 21, 2025

W2RS Memorial AMSAT CW Activity Day to be Held January 1, 2026

New Satellite Tracking Application Released

How University Space Clubs Prepare for Their First Satellite Project

From Idea to Kickoff: Forming the Team And Setting Goals

The Importance of Design, Simulation, And Prototyping

Building Support Networks: Mentors, Funding, Partnerships

Ground-Station Planning And Mission Operations Prep

Preparing for Launch: Testing, Regulatory Paperwork, And Final Review

The First Launch, And What Comes Next

AMSAT Remove Before Flight Key Tags Now Available Yes, These are the Real Thing!

Your $20 Donation Goes to Help Fly a Fox-Plus Satellite Includes First Class Postage (Sorry – U.S. Addresses Only) Order Today at https://www.amsat.org/product/amsat-remove-before-flight-keychain

Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for December 19, 2025

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

Scheduled Contacts

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

Scheduled Events

Satellite Shorts from All Over

AMSAT News Service

ANS-348 December 14, 2025

Soyuz Crew Lands Ending Eight-Month Space Research Journey

Satellites Experience “Orbital Summer” And “Orbital Winter”

CCSDS Development Competition Open to European Hams

VUCC Satellite Standing December 2025

DXCC Satellite Standings for December, 2025

A Dying Satellite May Photograph Asteroid Apophis in 2029

Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for December 12, 2025

Boeing’s Next Starliner Flight Will Carry Cargo Only

ARISS News

Scheduled Contacts

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

Satellite Shorts from All Over

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

AMSAT News Service

ANS-341 December 7, 2025

KSLV-II Mission Deploys 13 Satellites, Including New Amateur Radio Payloads

ISS Deployment Added Five New Education-Focused Amateur Radio Missions

Only 3 Weeks Left to Get Your Coin! Celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Amateur Radio on Human Spaceflight Help Support GOLF and FoxPlus.

Annual memberships start at only $120 Join the AMSAT President’s Club today and help Keep Amateur Radio in Space! https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/

ARISS Moves Series 30 SSTV Transmissions to RS-38S After Equipment Issue

GridMasterMap Satellite Top 100 Rovers December 2025 Rankings

AMSAT Remove Before Flight Key Tags Now Available Yes, These are the Real Thing!

Your $20 Donation Goes to Help Fly a Fox-Plus Satellite Includes First Class Postage (Sorry – U.S. Addresses Only) Order Today at https://www.amsat.org/product/amsat-remove-before-flight-keychain

Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for December 5, 2025

ARISS News

Scheduled Contacts

AMSAT Ambassador Activities

Scheduled Events

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

Satellite Shorts from All Over

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

Registration is open for the 2025–2026 European Astro Pi Challenge

Optical Communications Systems Test the Limits of FCC Authority

A Protocol Extension for GOLF Operations

REALOP CubeSat to Test Hard Drives for ADC System

Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for November 28, 2025

ARISS NEWS

AMSAT Ambassador Activities

Satellite Shorts From All Over

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

ANS-355
December 21, 2025

AMSAT Remove Before Flight Key Tags Now Available
Yes, These are the Real Thing!

Your $20 Donation Goes to Help Fly a Fox-Plus Satellite
Includes First Class Postage (Sorry – U.S. Addresses Only)
Order Today at https://www.amsat.org/product/amsat-remove-before-flight-keychain

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

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

ANS-348
December 14, 2025

Want to fly the colors on your own grid expedition?
Get an AMSAT car flag and other neat stuff from our Zazzle store!

ANS-341
December 7, 2025

Only 3 Weeks Left to Get Your Coin!
Celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Amateur Radio on Human Spaceflight
Help Support GOLF and FoxPlus.

Annual memberships start at only $120
Join the AMSAT President’s Club today and help
Keep Amateur Radio in Space!
https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/

AMSAT Remove Before Flight Key Tags Now Available
Yes, These are the Real Thing!

Your $20 Donation Goes to Help Fly a Fox-Plus Satellite
Includes First Class Postage (Sorry – U.S. Addresses Only)
Order Today at https://www.amsat.org/product/amsat-remove-before-flight-keychain

Want to fly the colors on your own grid expedition?
Get an AMSAT car flag and other neat stuff from our Zazzle store!