Satgen 144    Space Shuttle Programme 1992    by GM4IHJ        30th Dec 91

The following is the provisional programme for 1992 :-
Flight  Name    Duration  Launch   Height  Inc Over UK      Remarks
STS 42 Discovery   7     22 Jan    304kms  28.5  No      Microgravity
STS 45 Atlantis    8     Mar/Apr   291     57    Yes   Inspire+ Atmos Lab
STS 49 Endeavour   9      May      331     28.5  No  Spacewalk for IntelVI
STS 50 Columbia   13      June     291     28.5  No      Microgravity
STS 46 Atlantis    7      Sept     420     28.5  No    Eureca + Tether sat
STS 47 Endeavour   7      Sept     291     57    Yes   Japanese NASDA
STS 52 Columbia    8      Nov      291     28.5  No    Lageos Laser sat
STS 53 Discovery   4      Dec      364     57    Yes   Military sat launch

RM1 continues to send telemetry on 145.945 MHz, but there is reported to
be a problem involving the (non radio amateur ) controllers of the primary
payload. They are reported to be on strike. Which seems to mean that there
will be no change in RM1 status until their problems are settled.

Mir activities have not been seriously affected so far, by the major
changes occuring in the former Soviet Union. The two cosmonauts scheduled
to take over from Volkov and Krykaliev when the latter return to earth,
are presently discussing continuing Mir amateur radio operation with UA3CR

Lots of queries about Dove. Regret have not had a report of N4HY Digi
voice uploading ,since Nov report of serious difficulties caused by Bob's
professional workload, and, the problem of loading a satellite which does
not have a 100% downlink to acknowledge successful loading

Lightsats are a US military group of very low "follow my leader" orbiters.
Their downlink is on 310 MHz FM and further tests are scheduled on Light
Sat No.4 on Jan 4th and 11th. These tests are meant for US MARS ( Military
Amateur Radio Service ) personnel. These sats are a copy/mixture of the
familiar Russian follow my leader sets of low earth orbit comsats, and
Amsats own Pacsats. They will not stay up for very long. Their orbits are
decaying quite quickly. THESE SATS ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR NORMAL 2 WAY
RADIO AMATEUR COMMUNICATIONS.

Many thanks indeed to all the Commodore 64 users and others who helped
with advice and assistance to get LZ1DP and the LZ1KWT (Club Vassil
Terziev) on the air on packet and Oscar 13. The late Vassil Terziev LZ1AB
was a staunch friend to amateur satellite users in the 70s and 80s ,when
we needed help to coordinate activities with satellite builders in Eastern
Europe. 
           Best Wishes for 1992 from John GM4IHJ @ GB7SAN