SB NEWS @ AMSAT $SPC0731 * SpaceNews 31-Jul-95 * BID: $SPC0731 ========= SpaceNews ========= MONDAY JULY 31, 1995 SpaceNews originates at KD2BD in Wall Township, New Jersey, USA. It is published every week and is made available for unlimited free distribution. * STRIKE AVERTED * ================== Richard, G3RWL, reports that the underground strike that threatened transportation to and from the annual Satellite Colloquium at the University of Surrey has been cancelled by legal action. All services are expected to operate normally throughout the duration of the Colloquium. * STS-69 MISSION PROFILE * ========================== This file summarizes the nominal mission profile for STS-69. This data is very useful immediately after launch, before the first Keplerian Two-Line Elements (TLEs) are released. This data is also useful when real-time data (vectors and/or TLEs) are not available following an orbit adjust. Each vector is listed with its associated event in the table. Those events involving an orbit adjust are preceded by an asterisk (*). The table lists pertinent information for the nominal Earth-Fixed Greenwich (EFG) vector files included for STS-69. The applicable time for each vector begins with the Mission Elapsed Time (MET) of the vector and ends with the Mission Elapsed Time (MET) of the next vector. These vector files may be read directly by VEC2TLE Version 9435 (see V2L9435.ZIP) to compute the Keplerian Two-Line Elements (TLEs) for the Shuttle. NOTE: The current scheduled launch date and time of STS-69 is: 05-AUG-95 / 14:45 UTC. This file will be updated with any significant variations to the orbit profile. By setting the scheduled launch time in VEC2TLE, you can compute the TLEs corresponding to each vector. If the launch date and/or time changes, the only change that needs to be made is the Launch date and time in VEC2TLE. The vectors are Earth-Fixed (EFGs), so they are time-independent. Thus, once the launch date/time is changed, these same vector files will compute updated TLEs for the mission. Mission Elapsed Time (MET) DDD / HH:MM:SS.SSS Event Rev# Vector File ====================================================================== 000 / 00:44:54.810 * OMS-2 1 STS69N01.VIF 001 / 00:35:00.000 * Spartan Release 17 STS69N02.VIF 002 / 00:00:00.000 Daily Update 32 STS69N03.VIF 002 / 23:15:00.000 Spartan Grapple 47 STS69N04.VIF 003 / 03:01:00.000 * OMS-3 50 STS69N05.VIF 003 / 03:44:45.548 * OMS-4 50 STS69N06.VIF 003 / 18:33:00.000 * WSF Release 60 STS69N07.VIF 005 / 00:00:00.000 Daily Update 79 STS69N08.VIF 006 / 00:07:00.000 * WSF Grapple 95 STS69N09.VIF 007 / 00:10:00.000 * OMS-5 110 STS69N10.VIF 007 / 00:55:11.836 * OMS-6 111 STS69N11.VIF 008 / 12:00:00.000 Daily Update 134 STS69N12.VIF 010 / 00:00:00.000 Daily Update 157 STS69N13.VIF 011 / 00:00:00.000 Daily Update 173 STS69N14.VIF Any questions regarding these files or the usage of VEC2TLE may be directed to Ken Ernandes at: Compuserve: 70511,3107 Internet: n2wwd@amsat.org Packet Radio: N2WWD@KC2FD.#NLI.NY.USA.NOAM * NORTH TEXAS BALLOON PROJECT NEWS * ==================================== The North Texas balloon project will launch its seventh high altitude balloon experiment carrying amateur radio payloads on the 19th of August, 1995. The payload carries a variety of radios and instruments that can be easily used by any Amateur with a Technician's license or above. The launch will be from Clifton, Texas (located 30 miles west of Hillsboro) at approximately 9:30 AM. In the event of inclement whether, the launch will be delayed to the next day, and then to the next Saturday (the 26th). There will be a pre-launch net at 8:30 PM on the Ft. Worth 146.76 repeater the evening before the launch. The morning of launch there will be an HF net on 7.155 MHz +/- QRM. The Net control station will probably be W5IU. Approximately two hours after launch, the balloon is expected to reach an altitude of 95,000 feet before burst. At this altitude the area of visibility will be about 370 miles in any direction for a total 740 mile communications range. In past missions, there have been QSO's between Corpus Christi, TX and Salina, Kansas. The following is a list of the available experiments onboard: Two Crossband FM Voice Repeaters: There will be two crossband FM repeaters open to all. Uplink #1 147.450 MHz Downlink #1 445.850 MHz Uplink #2 147.570 MHz Downlink #2 445.970 MHz Packet Telemetry on 144.290 MHz: This GPS and telemetry information will be the data downlink (downlink ONLY) of the mission. The packet format is the common 1200 baud AFSK found in all TNCs. The data will be presented in an easy to read format with no conversions required and is NOT in APRS format. Packet digipeating and packet connects to the package will NOT be possible. GPS: Precise longitude, latitude and altitude data will be provided by a donated Rockwell NavCore V GPS receiver. The following data will be measured and can be seen on the 144.290 MHz downlink. Six of the eight channels are used to measure the following: * Inside Temperature * Outside Temperature * Barometric Altitude * Main Battery Voltage * ATV Battery Voltage * Summed Battery Voltage Amateur Television (ATV) There will be a live, full motion, Amateur Television camera and 10 Watt transmitter onboard. The downlink frequency will be 439.250 MHz VERTICALLY Polarized. This frequency was chosen to exactly correspond to Cable channel # 60. With a 440 MHz beam and reasonable Low Noise Amplifier, a cable ready TV tuned to Cable channel 60 should be able to receive an acceptable signal. The camera will be remotely pointed via ground command to any of 256 possible positions. Other Innovations On NTBP #7 Active package stabilization: .....Remotely controlled air foils to cancel package spin. Power distribution: .....Non essential equipment turned off after touchdown and batteries summed to provide power to essential DF'ing beacons. Audio Distribution .....Ground commands allow audio from crossband repeaters, packet downlink, or command uplink to be piped through ATV audio. Improved Parachute/Tow line .....New spreader ring design, swivels and woven tow line should help ensure that parachute does not tangle. QSLs can be had through KG5OA via the Callbook address. [Info via Doug Howard, KG5OA] * LO-19 NEWS * ============== Rudy Benner, VE3BDR, in Timmins, Ontario reports that the fileserver on LUSAT-OSCAR-19 appears to be back in service. * AO-27 NEWS * ============== The AO-27 Amateur communications transponder schedule as of 25-Jul-95 is as follows: AO-27 Enters Sunlight, Transmitter is OFF 18 Minutes after Entering Sunlight, Transmitter is ON at 600 mW 20 Minutes Later, Transmitter Turns OFF AO-27 is OFF for the entire Eclipse For thoses who know about the TEPR states: TEPR 1 Duration 15 Minutes, OFF TEPR 2 Duration 15 Minutes, OFF TEPR 3 Duration 3 Minutes, OFF TEPR 4 Duration 18 Minutes, OFF TEPR 5 Duration 20 Minutes, ON, Power 2 (Aprox 600 mW) TEPR 6 Duration 28 Minutes, OFF This gives coverage on the daylight passes from when the Satellite subsat-point is between about North 74 degrees and North 5 Degrees. Comments about changing the schedule can be sent to N4USI@amsat.org [Info via Michael Wyrick, N4USI - AO-27 control operator] * AO-13 OPERATING SCHEDULE * ============================ The following is the current AO-13 transponder schedule effective 31-Jul-95 through 30-Oct-95: Mode-B : MA 0 to MA 140 | Mode-BS : MA 140 to MA 240 | Mode-B : MA 240 to MA 256 | Alon/Alat 225/0 Omnis : MA 250 to MA 140 | Move to attitude 180/0, Oct 30 [Info via James Miller, G3RUH] * FEEDBACK/INPUT WELCOMED * =========================== Comments and input for SpaceNews should be directed to the editor (John, KD2BD) via any of the paths listed below: FAX : 1-908-747-7107 PACKET : KD2BD @ KS4HR.NJ.USA.NA INTERNET : kd2bd@amsat.org -or- magliaco@pilot.njin.net SATELLITE : AMSAT-OSCAR-16 MAIL : John A. Magliacane, KD2BD Department of Engineering and Technology Advanced Technology Center Brookdale Community College Lincroft, New Jersey 07738 U.S.A. <<=- SpaceNews: The first amateur newsletter read in space! -=>> /EX