SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-270.01 W0SL ON CNN HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 270.01 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, SEPTEMBER 27, 1998 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-270.01 Russ Tillman, K5NRK, AMSAT-NA Journal editor, tells ANS he is working on a brief, but very interesting story for the AMSAT Journal, entitled 'Sputnik Signals, Cold War, and the Internet'. The Journal story will feature Roy Welch, W0SL. In February 1996, W0SL was contacted by Richard Melman of Jeremy Issacs Productions. Melman had performed an Internet search on Sputnik in hopes of finding additional sources of information for a documentary on the Cold War. During this search, Melman found W0SL's Sputnik audio recordings posted on the AMSAT web site. Melman wanted to interview Roy about these recordings and asked if Roy would give them permission to use the full original tape recordings. W0SL agreed, and in March 1996, they flew him from his home in Missouri to Washington, D.C. where he was interviewed and video taped for the production series. The series, entitled 'Cold War', was commissioned by the BBC and Turner Broadcasting, and consists of twenty-four, 45-minute episodes that will begin airing on the BBC and on CNN's Sunday documentary series, CNN Perspectives. The eighth episode is about Sputnik, and Roy appears in a 60-second segment of the episode. The original taping lasted about an hour and the major inquiry was about what Roy felt on the day Sputnik was launched. Three years in the making and with a budget of nearly $15 million, 'Cold War' was filmed in thirty-one countries, and will feature historic footage that in many cases has never been seen before by an international audience. Look for the K5NRK story about Ray's participation in 'Cold War' -- in the September/October issue of the AMSAT-NA Journal. [ANS congratulates Roy Welch, W0SL, and thanks Russ Tillman, K5NRK, AMSAT-NA Journal editor, for this information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-270.02 W2RS TO ATTEND IARU REGION-2 CONFERENCE HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 270.02 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, SEPTEMBER 27, 1998 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-270.02 Ray Soifer, W2RS, will be representing AMSAT as an observer at the International Amateur Radio Union Region-2 Conference, now underway in Porlamar, Isla Margarita, Venezuela. W2RS will participate in meetings and working group sessions, and, if possible, demonstrate operations on RS-12 and on AO-27 to those in attendance. If able to operate, W2RS will use the callsign YV7AJ on RS-12 and either YV7AJ or YV7/W2RS on AO-27. The conference runs through October 2, 1998. Porlamar is located in grid locator FK80bw. W2RS adds, "I hope to work you!" [ANS thanks Ray Soifer, W2RS, for this information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-270.03 SIXTH ANNUAL JEWELRY CONTEST REMINDER HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 270.03 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, SEPTEMBER 27, 1998 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-270.03 The AMSAT-NA Symposium is right around the corner, and Dave, WB6LLO, reminds everyone the 6th annual Jewelry Contest will be an important part of the happenings in Vicksburg. According to WB6LLO, there is absolutely no charge to enter the contest, anyone can enter and an entry is permitted from each member of a family. The only restriction is one entry per person. In addition, attendance at the Symposium or banquet is not required, but entrants must observe the deadline for entries. If not attending the Symposium, Jewelry Contest participants must submit an entry prior to October 9, 1998. Submit entries to: wb6llo@amsat.org (or) lbguimont@aol.com Symposium attendees are requested to submit their entry by Saturday afternoon. Leanore, KA6UCD, will announce the winner at the Symposium banquet Saturday evening. The winner of the 1998 AMSAT-NA Jewelry Contest will receive a bolo tie. The slider of the tie is a small circuit board removed from a computer part. It has several surface mount devices on the face of the tie. Pictures of the prize, and more information about the contest itself can be found at the following URL: http://users.aol.com/dguimont [ANS thanks Dave Guimont, WB6LLO, for this information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-270.04 CREWS NAMED TO SUPPORT SHUTTLE FLIGHTS HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 270.04 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, SEPTEMBER 27, 1998 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-270.04 NASA has announced that thirteen astronauts have been named to support upcoming Shuttle missions STS-96, STS-97 and STS-98, slated for launch next year and dedicated to continuing the on-orbit construction of the International Space Station. Three-time Shuttle astronaut Kent Rominger will lead the crew of STS-96, a logistics and resupply mission for the ISS targeting a mid-May 1999 launch. STS-96 will follow the launch of the Zarya control module on a Russian vehicle in November 1998. The STS-96 crew will be the first crew to visit the station following the arrival of the Service Module. Brent Jett will command the crew of Endeavor for STS-97 in August 1999, continuing construction of the International Space Station. The fourth American mission to build and enhance the capabilities of the ISS, STS-97 will deliver the first set of U.S. provided solar arrays and batteries as well as radiators to provide cooling. In October 1999, Discovery will continue expansion of the ISS when astronaut Kenneth Cockrell commands STS-98. This flight will mark the arrival of the U.S. laboratory module, which will become the centerpiece of scientific research on the station. This mission take place while the first station crew is aboard the ISS. For additional information on these astronauts, or any astronaut, see the NASA Internet biography home page at the following URL: http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/ For additional information on the International Space Station, visit the space station home page by pointing your browser to: http://station.nasa.gov [ANS thanks NASA for this information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-270.05 CSA TO BUILD SPACE TELESCOPE HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 270.05 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, SEPTEMBER 27, 1998 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-270.05 The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) has formally announced that Dynacon Enterprises Limited of Toronto has been selected as the lead contractor to develop and build the world's smallest astronomical space telescope. The project -- called the Microvariability and Oscillations of Stars project, or MOST -- will bring together teams from Canada and the United States to design a low-cost, 50-kilogram satellite. The purpose of the project will be to measure small variations in the brightness of certain stars using the telescope. In addition to Dynacon, a key member of the MOST team will be the University of British Columbia, who will design and build the actual telescope itself. Other MOST partners include the Center for Research in Earth and Space Technology of Toronto; the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, (including both Canadian and U.S. Chapters); AeroAstro Corporation of Herndon, Virginia; the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada; and a team of consulting scientists from across Canada and the United States. AMSAT has agreed to help by offering education and mentoring to University of Toronto students, mainly in the fundamental disciplines involved with spacecraft design and testing. The satellite's telescope, no bigger than a pie plate in diameter, will be secured to a suitcase-sized platform. The ability to use such a small satellite for a space telescope is made possible using a new, lightweight gyroscope technology that corrects the wobbling motion of the satellite, and controls accurately where the satellite is pointing The CSA is providing $4 million of the total project cost with an additional $1.2 million provided from the Ontario Government Challenge Fund. The University of British Columbia and the University of Toronto are financing the balance. [ANS thanks the CSA for this information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-270.06 ANS IN BRIEF HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 270.06 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, SEPTEMBER 27, 1998 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-270.06 ANS news in brief this week includes the following: ** ESA reports that the Ariane 503 launch is now scheduled for October 20th. ESA and CNES recently held a Launcher Qualification Review, with the review concluding that the Ariane 503 launcher design justification files were progressing correctly. The next major step is a transfer of the vehicle from the launcher integration building to the final assembly building. Flight 503 is the final qualification flight, carried out under ESA responsibility. The launcher is the first unit of a production batch of launchers ordered by Arianespace. --ESA ** Russ, K5NRK, reports the Battlefield Inn, location of the upcoming AMSAT Symposium, has sold out of the block of rooms that were committed to the event. Incoming calls for rooms are now being referred to the Hampton Inn and Super 8 Motel; both are located within walking distance of the Battlefield Inn. --AMSAT BB ** ANS congratulates Gould Smith, WA4SXM, winner of the early bird registration prize drawing for a night free stay at Harrah's Hotel and Casino located in downtown Vicksburg. Gould's name was drawn from 104 early bird Symposium registrations during a meeting of the Symposium Planning Committee. --Russ, K5NRK ** Matt, WV1K, reminds all satellite operators that the Satellite Standings web site is still posting totals and is open for more information. Matt has also added new information, links and pictures. Visit the web at http://www.capecod.net/~mcassari. In addition, N2NMA also reminds North American operators that September 30th is the last date for submitting DX QSL to the ARRL for verification in this year's DX totals. Dates run from October 1-September 30 for the DXCC year. --AMSAT BB ** The names of more than a million people will be sent into outer space next February via NASA's Stardust spacecraft. Stardust will be carrying microchips bearing the electronically engraved names of private citizens who want to have some contact with the cosmos. --Newsline ** Wayne, K9SLQ, is looking for more photos for his Satellite Operator web site. Submit a digital photo via e-mail to k9slq@amsat.org, and check out the photographs listed on the page at the following URL: http://www.parlorcity.com/k9slq. --AMSAT BB ** Jeff, KB2WQM, thanks everyone who contacted the K2BR special event station during the Miss America pageant. Jeff found the intermod and noise floor in Atlantic City to be his biggest problem, but still managed 32 contacts via AO-27 using a Yaesu 51R HT. QSL via K2BR with SASE. --AMSAT BB /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-270.07 WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PT 1 HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 270.07 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, SEPTEMBER 27, 1998 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT BID: $ANS-270.07 MIR/SAFEX SAFEX II 70 cm Repeater Uplink 435.750 MHz FM w/subaudible tone 141.3 Hz Downlink 437.950 MHz FM Semi-operational. SAFEX II 70 cm QSO Mode Uplink 435.725 MHz FM w/subaudible tone 151.4 Hz Downlink 437.925 MHz FM Semi-operational. PMS Uplink/Downlink 145.985 MHz FM 1200 Baud AFSK Operational. The PBBS is running a Kantronics KPC-9612 + V.8.1 TNC. The commands are similar to most PBBS and BBS systems. MIREX has announced an on going APRS School Days Test. MIREX is allowing schools to use APRS for position and status reports via R0MIR. Non-school stations are asked to refrain from using APRS type transmissions or beacons via R0MIR. [ANS thanks Scott Avery, WA6LIE, and the MIREX team for Mir status information] RS-12 Uplink 145.910 to 145.950 MHz CW/SSB Uplink 21.210 to 21.250 MHz CW/SSB Downlink 29.410 to 29.450 MHz CW/SSB Downlink 145.910 to 145.950 MHz CW/SSB Beacon 29.408 MHz Robot Uplink 21.129 MHz Downlink 29.454 MHz Last reported in mode T. RS-13 Uplink 21.260 MHz to 21.300 MHz CW/SSB Uplink 145.960 MHz to 146.000 MHz CW/SSB Downlink 29.460 MHz to 29.500 MHz CW/SSB Downlink 145.960 to 146.000 MHz CW/SSB Beacon 29.504 MHz Robot Uplink 21.140 MHz Downlink 29.458 MHz Last reported in mode K. The RS-12 satellite has seen many recent changes in operation over the past week. Modes K, T, KT and simultaneous RS-13 operation have all been reported by a number of stations including AC5DK, F5RRS, K6YK, KD7MW, WB5RUE, K1MKF, G8ATE, G7HIA, F6ACC, WA6ARA, NH6YK, WA4ILO and AL7JK. No official word from the satellite controllers has been received. ANS recommends monitoring each satellite carefully to determine the transponder in operation and which mode it is operating in. Both Jim, KK3K, and AL, WC9C, report the RS-13 CW beacon is currently tr ansmitting the following information: CQ CQ CQ DE RS-13 TEST RX 21 RX 145 MHz TX 29 TX 145 MHz RS-12 RX 21 TX 145 MHz RS-12/13 command is now in the hands of Alex Papkov, in Kaluga City, Russia. RS-15 Uplink 145.858 to 145.898 MHz CW/SSB Downlink 29.354 to 29.394 MHz CW/SSB Beacon 29.352 MHz (intermittent) Semi-operational, mode A, using a 2-meter uplink and a 10-meter downlink. Dave, WB6LLO, reports he has prepared a "quick and dirty" set of operating instructions for RS-15 at the following URL: http://users.aol.com/dguimont OSCAR 10 AO-10 Uplink 435.030 to 435.180 MHz CW/LSB Downlink 145.975 to 145.825 MHz CW/USB Beacon 145.810 MHz (unmodulated carrier) Semi-operational, mode B, currently in 'sleep' mode. AO-10 is locked into a 70-cm uplink and a 2-meter downlink. Stacey Mills, W4SM, reports another sleep phase appears to be underway. "I suspect that the rotational speed is so slow as to be incapable of holding a stable attitude heading. Hence, we may be entering a time of chaotic useful periods and sleep periods which cannot be predicted." Mike, N1JEZ, reports AO-10 seems to have made a little more progress since last week. Recently, with AO-10 at 26,500 km, N1JEZ was able to copy the beacon almost full time. Mike reports the signal peaked at S-2 with significant frequency shift to the beacon. W4SM has more information about the satellite at the following URL: http://www.cstone.net/~w4sm/AO-10.html [ANS thanks Stacey Mills, W4SM, for his AO-10 status information and web site] AO-27 Uplink 145.850 MHz FM Downlink 436.792 MHz FM Operational, mode J. AO-27 TEPR States are currently: 4 = 36 = 18 Minutes 5 = 72 = 36 Minutes This means AO-27's transmitter turns on 18 minutes after entering the Sun and stays on for 18 minutes. AO-27's transmitter is turned off at all other times during the orbit. N4USI reminds stations that this happens on every orbit, approximately 14.2 times a day. The current TEPR settings will cause the satellite to be on during the daytime at northern latitudes. Mike, N1JEZ, and John, KB8TJX, both report working Ray, W2RS, as YV7/W2RS -- on a recent pass of AO-27. Mike reports Ray "had a great signal." [ANS thanks Michael Wyrick, N4USI, AO-27 Control-op for this update] JAS-1b FO-20 Uplink 145.900 to 146.00 MHz CW/LSB Downlink 435.80 to 435.90 MHz CW/USB Operational. FO-20 in mode JA continuously. [ANS thanks Kazu Sakamoto, JJ1WTK, for the FO-20 status reports] JAS-2 FO-29 Voice/CW Mode JA Uplink 145.900 to 146.00 MHz CW/LSB Downlink 435.80 to 435.90 MHz CW/USB Operational. Digital Mode JD Uplink 145.850 145.870 145.910 MHz FM Downlink 435.910 MHz FM 9600 baud BPSK Not operational, the satellite is in JA (voice) mode. Kazu, JJ1WTK, tells ANS that OBC bit error investigation continues and the satellite will remain in voice mode. FO-29 has entered a period of 'full illumination' by the Sun. This illumination period will extend through the end of December. [ANS thanks Kazu Sakamoto, JJ1WTK, for this report] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-270.08 WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PT 2 HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 270.08 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, SEPTEMBER 27, 1998 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT BID: $ANS-270.08 KITSAT KO-23 Uplink 145.900 MHz FM 9600 Baud FSK Downlink 435.175 MHz FM Semi-operational. Jim, AA7KC, reports KO-23 is semi-operational with downlink efficiencies below 50%. Reports indicate the transmitter deviation characteristics are abnormal. This occurs when the satellite is not eclipsed, resulting in over heating. Normal operation should return in late September. W4SM concurs, adding that the satellite is fully in sunlight and will not experience periods of darkness on each orbit until late September/early October. [ANS thanks Jim Weisenberger, AA7KC, for this report] KITSAT KO-25 Uplink 145.980 MHz FM 9600 Baud FSK Downlink 436.50 MHz FM Operational. The telemetry is nominal. [ANS thanks Jim Weisenberger, AA7KC, for this report] UO-22 Uplink 145.900 or 145.975 MHz FM 9600 Baud FSK Downlink 435.120 MHz FM Operational. More information on the satellite is available at the following URL: http://www.ee.surrey.ac.uk/EE/CSER/UOSAT/ [ANS thanks Chris Jackson, G7UPN/ZL2TPO, Operations Manager of UO-22 for this report] OSCAR-11 Downlink 145.825 MHz FM, 1200 Baud AFSK Beacon 2401.500 MHz Operational. Users of OSCAR-11 may be interested in two new WOD software packages have recently added to the Oscar 11 web site. The first package enables various WOD channels to be compared with the solar eclipse status of the satellite. The second package compares measured and calculated magnetic fields encountered by Oscar 11. Both packages are of an advanced nature, users will need experience using the other WOD packages on the web site and a spread sheet program. The URL is http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/clivew/ Beacon reception reports should be sent to g3cwv@amsat.org. [ANS thanks Clive Wallis, G3CWV, for this information] PACSAT AO-16 Uplink 145.90 145.92 145.94 145.86 MHz FM 1200 bps Manchester FSK Downlink 437.0513 MHz SSB, 1200 bps RC-BPSK 1200 Baud PSK Beacon 2401.1428 MHz Operating normally. The AO-16 command team has authorized an APRS experiment on AO-16 to explore the use of the 1200-baud PACSAT for APRS position/status reporting. The test periods will run each Tuesday from 0000 to 2359 UTC. The telemetry is nominal. The satellite is indicating that voltage levels of the internal batteries are down to limit values. Time is Sat Sep 26 22:46:53 1998 uptime is 1469/17:12:09 Bat 1 V 1.248 V Bat 2 V 1.248 V Bat 3 V 1.266 V Bat 4 V 1.264 V Bat 5 V 1.246 V Bat 6 V 1.248 V Bat 7 V 1.235 V Bat 8 V 1.279 V +5V Bus 4.749 V +8.5V Bus 7.782 V +10V Bus 10.175 V Bat 1 Temp 3.024 D Bat 2 Temp 3.024 D Baseplt Temp 3.629 D +X (RX) Temp -9.078 D RX Temp 4.839 D RC PSK BP Temp -5.448 D RC PSK HPA Tmp -3.027 D +Y Array Temp -24.811 D PSK TX HPA Tmp -6.053 D +Z Array Temp -15.129 D RC PSK TX Out 0.616 W Total Array C= 0.000 Bat Ch Cur=-0.384 Ifb= 0.182 I+10V= 0.222 TX:010B BCR:1E PWRC:59E BT: A WC:25 EDAC:81 General information and telemetry WOD files can be found at: http://www.ctv.es/USERS/ea1bcu [ANS thanks Miguel Menendez, EA1BCU, for this report] LUSAT LO-19 Uplink 145.84 145.86 145.88 145.90 MHz FM 1200 bps Manchester FSK Downlink 437.125 MHz SSB 1200 bps RC-BPSK Currently semi-operational. Miguel Menendez, EA1BCU, reports LUSAT/Oscar-19 ground control station LU8DYF has succeeded in regaining control of the satellite. Downlink signals show good modulation with an ASCII message containing the following text: July 31 - 1998. No BBS service. On Board Computer reload in progress. Digipeater active. Thank you - Norberto - LU8DYF. EA1BCU reminds operators the digipeater mode is "a very interesting option to make contacts with other stations, or to be connected with your own station to evaluate the on-line the state of your installation." The telemetry is as follows: Time is Sat Sep 26 21:28:07 1998 uptime is 057/07:50:31 Bat 1 V 1.342 V Bat 2 V 1.347 V Bat 3 V 1.354 V Bat 4 V 1.338 V Bat 5 V 1.357 V Bat 6 V 1.365 V Bat 7 V 1.340 V Bat 8 V 1.334 V RC PSK TX Out 0.630 W +X (RX) Temp -9.966 D RX Temp 1.252 D +Y Array Temp -18.940 D +Z Array Temp -13.892 D Total Array C= 0.010 Bat Ch Cur=-0.270 Ifb= 0.117 I+10V= 0.160 TX:017 BCR:1E PWRC:62D BT:3C WC: 0 General information and telemetry samples can find at: http://www.ctv.es/USERS/ea1bcu/lo19.htm [ANS thanks Miguel Menendez, EA1BCU, for this report] ITAMSAT IO-26 Uplink 145.875 145.900 145.925 145.950 MHz FM 1200 Baud PSK Downlink 435.822 MHz SSB Semi-operational. Telemetry is reported as being received on 435.822 MHz at 1200 baud PSK. No additional information is available at this time. TMSAT-1 TO-31 Downlink 436.923 MHz The TMSAT-1 micro-satellite was successfully launched from the Russian Baikonur Cosmodrome on July 10, 1998. Chris Jackson, G7UPN, says TMSAT-1 commissioning has largely been completed and the satellite is in very good shape. Jackson and his team are presently concentrating on testing and calibration of TMSAT-1's multispectral imaging system, reporting a number of very good image sets have been downloaded from the satellite. The satellite is expected to be available for general amateur use shortly. [ANS thanks Chris Jackson, G7UPN/ZL2TPO, for this report] TechSat-1B GO-32 Downlink 435.325 435.225 MHz HDLC telemetry framed so a TNC in KISS mode will decode it The TechSat-1B micro-satellite was successfully launched from the Russian Baikonur Cosmodrome on July 10, 1998. The satellite is expected to be available for general amateur use shortly. The satellite does not have a continuos beacon, but does transmit a 9600-baud burst every 30 seconds (for about 3 seconds in length), currently on 435.225 MHz. The TechSat team has also constructed a home page about TechSat. To view the site, point your web browser to: http://techsat.internet-zahav.net/ [ANS thanks Shlomo Menuhin, 4X1AS, for this information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-270.09 WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PT 3 HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 270.09 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, SEPTEMBER 27, 1998 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT BID: $ANS-270.09 THE FOLLOWING SATELLITES ARE NON-OPERATIONAL AT THIS TIME: RS-16 Attempts to command the Mode A transponder have been unsuccessful. The 435 MHz beacon (only) is operational. The RS-16 transponder is non-operational. No additional information is available at this time. DOVE DO-17 Downlink 145.825 MHz FM 1200 Baud AFSK Beacon 2401.220 MHz Non-operational. The 145.825 MHz and 2401.220 MHz downlinks are off the air. No additional information is available at this time. WEBERSAT WO-18 Downlink 437.104 MHz SSB 1200 Baud PSK AX.25 Non-operational. WO-18 is reported to be in MBL mode after a software crash. No additional information is available at this time. --ANS END--- Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to ans-editor@amsat.org, (or to) ANS Editor, Dan James, NN0DJ, at nn0dj@amsat.org. /EX