SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-185.01 PHASE 3D UPDATE AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 185.01 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, JULY 04, 1999 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-185.01 AMSAT Phase 3D Laboratory and Integration Manager Lou McFadin, W5DID, tells ANS that a major Phase 3D milestone was recently reached in two areas; first with the test firing of the system that will deploy the solar panels once the satellite reaches orbit, and second, testing of the control electronics for the 400N propulsion system. Both tests were completely successful. Rick Leon, KA1RHL, who built the Array Release Unit (ARU) and Liquid Ignition Unit (LIU) electronics, and Bob Davis, KF4KSS, who constructed the solar panel deployment mechanism, both observed the performance of the systems as Peter Gulzow, DB2OS, programmed the spacecraft computer using a ground station to send commands. W5DID reports the deployment system worked flawlessly and the solar panels were pushed to full open position. In addition, the 400N thruster and the ATOS Arcjet test firing was also successful - all under the watchful eyes of Dick Daniels, W4PUJ, Karl Meinzer, DJ4ZC, DB2OS and KA1RHL. The spacecraft has also passed a major 'on air' test under full flight configurations. Place outside (and protected) from the Florida environment by a large sealed tent, RF communications manager Werner Haas, DJ5KQ, reports all RF subsystems aboard the satellite worked nominally. Another major event was the successful completion of the SBS (support bearing structure) load testing. The SBS will carry the P3-D satellite inside the launch vehicle during its ride to Earth orbit. W5DID tells ANS that "after a few more close-out items and a spin balance test, Phase 3-D will be ready for its final vibration and shake test." Vibration and shake testing is currently scheduled for later this month at NASA facilities in Washington, D.C. [ANS thanks Lou McFadin, W5DID, AMSAT Phase 3D Laboratory and Integration Manager and the entire Phase 3D team for this information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-185.02 STS-93 MISSION TO TEST DSP HARDWARE AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 185.02 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, JULY 04, 1999 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-185.02 The next Space Amateur Radio EXperiment mission (now set to launch July 20th) will field test a digital signal processing box NASA is looking at to improve the quality of shuttle communications audio. The STS-93 Mission Commander is Eileen Collins, KD5EDS. Other hams on board include Mission Specialists Michel Tognini, KD5EJZ, and Catherine Coleman, KC5ZTH. NASA's SAREX Principal Investigator Matt Bordelon, KC5BTL, says the agency's contractors have been exploring ways to make improvements to the aging shuttle fleet. Among the possibilities was improving the intelligibility of shuttle communications audio by using DSP. Bordelon says "making and testing these kinds of changes on the astronauts' communication system gets expensive and involved, so it was decided to first try out a DSP box on the less-critical SAREX payload aboard STS-93 to see how it performed under actual spaceflight conditions." "They wanted an easy way to determine if this would clean up the audio," Bordelon explained, "and since the SAREX Amateur Radio gear uses standard interfaces, it was an easy match from a hardware standpoint." Bordelon says the two-channel DSP box tailors both the transmit and receive audio. Students at five schools are on the list to talk to the STS-93 crew via Amateur Radio. STS-93 will mark the 25th time that the Space Amateur Radio EXperiment has flown. The SAREX program is a cooperative venture of NASA, AMSAT and the ARRL. [ANS thanks NASA, the ARRL and SAREX for this information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-185.03 ISS UPDATE AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 185.03 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, JULY 04, 1999 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-185.03 The International Space Station is back on its own after the recent visit of the space shuttle Discovery to deliver supplies and logistics in preparation for the arrival of the first crew to live on the station early next year. The station's systems remain in excellent shape. Meanwhile, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the multi-element integrated test (MEIT) continues on components scheduled for launch to the ISS next year. This test connects components on the ground via cabling (as they will be in space) to verify they work together as well as they do individually. Additionally, the station's robotic arm -the Space Station Remote Manipulator System- supplied by the Canadian Space Agency has arrived at KSC for flight processing. The first piece of truss segment has also arrived at KSC for pre-flight checkouts. The next shuttle flight to visit the ISS is scheduled for December following the launch, docking and checkout of the Zvezda Service Module living quarters this November. ISS flight controllers in the United States and Russia began the first scheduled full charge and discharge of the six batteries on the Zarya module as part of a twice-yearly procedure to maintain as long a life on the electrical storage units as possible. This procedure is performed on each battery every six months and is the first time to be done on Zarya's batteries. The International Space Station is in an orbit with a high point of 256 statute miles and a low point of 237 statute miles, circling the Earth once approximately every 92 minutes. The Station has completed more than 3,379 orbits of Earth since its launch. As it passes overhead at dawn or dusk, the station is easily visible from the ground. Space station viewing opportunities for locations worldwide are available on the Internet at: http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/ [ANS thanks NASA for this information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-185.04 ANS IN BRIEF HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 185.04 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, JULY 04, 1999 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-185.04 ANS news in brief this week includes the following: ** The booking form for the AMSAT-UK Space'99 Colloquium to be held at the University of Surrey this month has been distributed with AMSAT-UK Oscar News # 137. More information can also be found at the AMSAT-UK web site at: www.uk.amsat.org. -Fred, G6ZRU ** ANS congratulates Al, XE2YVW, who recently received satellite VUCC number 90! ** Need the latest Keps? AMSAT's N2WWD usually updates his web site with fresh orbital data daily. Check it out at the following URL: http:www.mindspring.com/~n2wwd. -ANS ** Many stations were active on several of the current satellites over the recent ARRL sponsored Field Day. K4RS, KP4ES, W2LV, W1MOO, W9LO, K4BFT, K9BAR, N9WJJ, AC5PC, WA0VTU and N4XU were just some of the stations operating. -ANS ** Recently, ground control stations at the Surrey Mission Control Center successfully achieved the 3-axis, zero-momentum bias reaction control system aboard UO-36. The system allows precise pointing of the on-board imaging cameras. Pointing data is also gained from UO-36 sun sensors and star-field cameras. In addition, testing of the S-band downlink has also resumed. The S-band transponder output power is about 1.5 watts. -Chris, G7UPN ** The 1999 ARRL and TAPR Digital Communications Conference will be held September 24-26, 1999 in Phoenix, Arizona. This year's conference location is just minutes away from the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. More information is available at the following web site: http://www.tapr.org/~wd5ivd. -Greg, WD5IVD ** The FCC says the United States Amateur Service is the next in line to be converted to the Universal Licensing System. Amateur Radio is scheduled for ULS deployment in August. ULS will replace the venerable Form 610 series with a new, inclusive electronic document known as Form 605 and will permit amateurs to file applications, modifications or renewals via the Internet. -ARRL ** Need an easy to build satellite antenna? Jerry, K5OE, has put some information on his web page describing an easy-to-build mode-J LEO antenna, based on a "new and improved" (higher gain) version of the popular eggbeater series. You can find the information at this URL: http://members.aol.com/k5oejerry/eggbeater2.htm. -Jerry, K5OE /EX --ANS BULLETIN END--- SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-185.05 WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PART 1 AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 185.05 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, JULY 04, 1999 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT BID: $ANS-185.05 MIR SAFEX II 70-cm Repeater Uplink 435.750 MHz FM w/subaudible tone 141.3 Hz Downlink 437.950 MHz FM Seldom-operational. No operation in 1999 has been observed. MIR SAFEX II 70-cm QSO Mode Uplink 435.725 MHz FM w/subaudible tone 151.4 Hz Downlink 437.925 MHz FM Seldom-operational. No operation in 1999 has been observed. MIR PERSONAL MESSAGE SYSTEM (PMS) Uplink/Downlink 145.985 MHz FM 1200 baud AFSK Semi-operational. The PBBS is running a Kantronics KPC-9612+ V 8.1 TNC. The commands are similar to most PBBS and BBS systems. AMSAT-France announced that Air Force General Jean-Pierre Haignere has been given a personal amateur radio callsign to use aboard the Mir space station - FX0STB. The QSL manager for FX0STB is: Radio Club F5KAM QSL manager MIR 22 rue Bansac 63000 Clermont Ferrand France WB5FBS, KB0VBZ, W2RS, W2KQ, VE6EGN and AA4KN all report FX0STB voice activity. Several French amateurs recently held a special scientific event in commemoration of the city of Marseille. A scheduled contact with Jean-Pierre by F1OKN was the highlight of the day. Scott, WA6LIE, has a set of instructions on how to work the Mir space station. Copies are available from Scott by e-mail at: wa6lie@juno.com (or by packet) wa6lie@wa6lie.#wcca.ca.usa.noam [ANS thanks Scott Avery, WA6LIE, and the MIREX team for Mir status information] RADIO SPORT RS-12 Uplink 21.210 to 21.250 MHz CW/SSB Uplink 145.910 to 145.950 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 Robot Downlink 29.454 MHz Last reported to be semi-operational, beacon only. RADIO SPORT RS-13 Uplink 21.260 to 21.300 MHz CW/SSB Uplink 145.960 to 146.000 MHz CW/SSB Downlink 29.460 to 29.500 MHz CW/SSB Downlink 145.960 to 146.000 MHz CW/SSB Beacon 29.458 MHz Robot Uplink 145.840 MHz Robot Downlink 29.504 MHz Operational. Last reported in mode KA with a 10-meter downlink and a 15-meter and 2-meter uplink. RS-13's Robot CW auto-transponder is active. For confirmation of an RS-13 Robot contact, send your QSL card along with the Robot QSL number to: Radio Sport Federation Box 88 Moscow Kevin, AC5DK, has information about RS-12/13 that contains a simple explanation on how to operate on the satellite, including a forum for operators to exchange information, pose questions or even set up skeds via RS-12/13. AC5DK's RS-12/13 Satellite Operators Page: http://www.qsl.net/ac5dk/rs1213/rs1213.html AC5DK's RS-12/13 Satellite Forum: http://www.hotboards.com/powerforum/pwrforum.exe?who=rs1213 RS-12/13 command is now in the hands of Alex Papkov, in Kaluga City, Russia. [ANS thanks Tony, AB2CJ for RS-13 Robot QSL info] RADIO SPORT 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) SSB meeting frequency 29.380 MHz (unofficial) Semi-operational, mode A, using a 2-meter uplink and a 10-meter downlink. Dave, WB6LLO, has operating information for both RS-15 and RS-13 on his personal web site. In addition to satellite data, antenna information and AMSAT-NA Jewelry Contest information is also featured. The WB6LLO web site URL is: http://home.san.rr.com/doguimont/uploads 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. AO-10 has been locked into a 70-cm uplink and a 2-meter downlink for several years. 9A1CAL has been very active from Croatia. Reports of AO-10 beginning to FM have been received from F6AGR, DC8TS, OZ1MY and Mike, N1JEZ. Mike notes this could signal the beginning of another sleep phase, however AO-10 is still workable at this time. Masa, JN1GKZ, reports his web page shows the current AO-10 spin period and spin rate (by measuring the beacon with FFTDSP software). The JN1GKZ web site can be found at the following URL: http://www.din.or.jp/~m-arai/ao10/beacone.htm 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] AMRAD AO-27 Uplink 145.850 MHz FM Downlink 436.795 MHz FM Operational, mode J. The TEPR (Timed Eclipse Power Regulation) states were reset on 20-June-99 as follows: TEPR 4 is 42 and TEPR 5 is 78. Jerry, K5OE, reports that with the current TEPR states on AO-27, the bird is staying on well south of its U.S. pass, with coverage within reach of all of Central America as well as Venezuela, Columbia, Ecuador, and northern Brazil (not to mention the entire Caribbean). Ken, N2SMT, reports working AO-27 with his HT. [ANS thanks Chuck Wyrick, KM4NZ, and Michael Wyrick, N4USI, for AO-27 information] JAS-1b FO-20 Uplink 145.900 to 146.000 MHz CW/LSB Downlink 435.800 to 435.900 MHz CW/USB Operational. FO-20 is 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 146.000 MHz CW/LSB Downlink 435.800 to 435.900 MHz CW/USB Semi-operational, rotated with digital mode and digi-talker. Digital Mode JD Uplink 145.850 145.870 145.910 MHz FM Downlink 435.910 MHz FM 9600 baud BPSK Digitalker 435.910 MHz Semi-operational, rotated with analog mode and digi-talker. Kazu, JJ1WTK, tells ANS that the FO-29 operational schedule (announced by the JARL) is as follows: Through July 5th mode JA July 06 - July 12 JD1200 July 12 - July 21 JA July 21 - July 26 JD1200 July 26 - Aug 09 JA Mineo, JE9PEL, has updated his FO-29 satellite telemetry analysis Program. The software will automatically analyze all digital telemetry from the satellite such as current, voltage and temperature. The JE9PEL FO-29/software update is available at: http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/ [ANS thanks Kazu Sakamoto, JJ1WTK, for the FO-29 status reports] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-185.06 WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PART 2 AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 185.06 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, JULY 04, 1999 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT BID: $ANS-185.06 KITSAT KO-25 Uplink 145.980 MHz FM 9600 baud FSK Downlink 436.500 MHz FM Operational. Jim, AA7KC, reports KO-25 is performing well with good downlink efficiency. [ANS thanks Jim Weisenberger, AA7KC, for KO-25 status information] UOSAT UO-22 Uplink 145.900 or 145.975 MHz FM 9600 baud FSK Downlink 435.120 MHz FM Operational. Carol, W9HGI, reports UO-22 is performing within acceptable limits. W9HGI operates the West Coast Packet Satellite Gateway (WSPG) for the Worldwide Packet Network (WPN). More information on the satellite is available at the following URL: http://www.ee.surrey.ac.uk/EE/CSER/UOSAT/ [ANS thanks Carol Byers, W9HGI and Chris Jackson, G7UPN/ZL2TPO, for UO-22 status information] OSCAR-11 Downlink 145.825 MHz FM, 1200 baud AFSK Mode-S Beacon 2401.500 MHz Operational. During the period 15 May to 15 June 1999 consistent signals have been received from the 145.826 MHz. beacon. The battery voltage during daylight passes has continued to decrease slightly, the average value observed was 13.4, with a range of 13.2 to 13.7 volts. The internal temperatures have continued to fall during this period. The ASCII bulletin is currently a static message, detailing modes and frequencies of all the current amateur radio satellites. Listeners to OSCAR-11 may be interested in visiting the G3CWV/OSCAR 11 web site. The site contains details of hardware required and some software for capturing OSCAR 11 data. The URL is: http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/clivew/ [ANS thanks Clive Wallis, G3CWV, for OSCAR-11 status information] PACSAT AO-16 Uplink 145.90 145.92 145.94 145.86 MHz FM using 1200 baud Manchester FSK Downlink 437.0513 MHz SSB RC-BPSK 1200 baud PSK Mode-S Beacon 2401.1428 MHz Operating normally (with the exception of the mode-S beacon, which is currently off). Telemetry is as follows: Time is Sun Jul 04 10:44:26 1999 uptime is 1750/05:04:03 +X (RX) Temp 5.444 D RX Temp -4.842 D Baseplt Temp 1.209 D +Z Array Temp 16.336 D RC PSK BP Temp 3.024 D RC PSK HPA Tmp 4.234 D +Y Array Temp -3.632 D PSK TX HPA Tmp 2.419 D RC PSK TX Out 0.442 W Total Array C= 0.332 Bat Ch Cur= 0.000 Ifb= 0.039 I+10V= 0.297 TX:010B BCR:8D PWRC:59E BT: A WC:25 EDAC:8B General information and telemetry WOD files can be found at: http://www.ctv.es/USERS/ea1bcu A complete collection of WOD graphics corresponding to the year of 1998 can be found at: http://www.ctv.es/USERS/ea1bcu/wod1998.zip [ANS thanks Miguel Menendez, EA1BCU, for AO-16 status information] LUSAT LO-19 Uplink 145.84 145.86 145.88 145.90 MHz FM using 1200 baud Manchester FSK Downlink 437.125 MHz SSB RC-BPSK 1200 baud PSK Currently semi-operational. No BBS service - EA1BCU and ANS have not received any updated information for several months. The digipeater is active. Telemetry is as follows: Time is Sun Jul 04 11:32:29 1999 uptime is 337/21:57:51 +X (RX) Temp 0.692 D RX Temp -0.991 D RC PSK TX Out 0.659 W RC PSK BP Temp 0.131 D Total Array C= 0.147 Bat Ch Cur= 0.032 Ifb= 0.042 I+10V= 0.122 TX:017 BCR:87 PWRC:62D BT:3C WC: 0 General information and telemetry samples can be found at: http://www.ctv.es/USERS/ea1bcu/lo19.htm [ANS thanks Miguel Menendez, EA1BCU, for LO-19 status information] TMSAT-1 TO-31 Uplink 145.925 MHz 9600 baud FSK Downlink 436.925 MHz 9600 baud FSK Operational. ProcMail V2.00G has been released by G7UPN. This software permits the processing of image files from TO-31. It has been posted to the AMSAT-NA FTP site at the following URL: http://www.amsat.org/amsat/software/win32/wisp [ANS thanks Chris Jackson, G7UPN/ZL2TPO, for TO-31 status information] PANSAT PO-34 Uplink/downlink frequencies have not been established. The satellite is not currently available for general uplink transmissions. PanSat, developed by the Naval Postgraduate School, was launched from the shuttle Discovery during STS-95. PanSat spread-spectrum digital transponders will be available to amateur radio operators in the near future along with software to utilize this technology. Dan Sakoda, KD6DRA, PanSat Project Manager recommends 'The ARRL Spread Spectrum Sourcebook' as a good place to start in understanding the spread-spectrum scheme. For more information, visit the official PanSat web site at: http://www.sp.nps.navy.mil/pansat/ [ANS thanks Dan Sakoda, KD6DRA, for this information] SUNSAT SO-35 SunSat was launched February 23, 1999 aboard a Delta II rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. SunSat stands for Stellenbosch University Satellite and takes it name from the South African university whose students constructed the payload. The 'test' of SunSat in FM repeater mode this weekend over the U.S. and Europe at first failed because of an on-board computer crash. The following statement was released by Garth, ZR1AFH: SunSat was programmed to support 'FM repeater' style operations over South Africa, Europe, and America on Sunday, 4-July. SunSat was silent during the South African passes suggesting that the OBC-1 computer had crashed. When this occurs, its watchdog timer resets the computer and satellite into a safe condition, which presently does not include executing the uploaded diary commands that would have activated the FM transponder. ANS learned the satellite was (apparently) successfully reprogrammed as the central U.S. pass Sunday afternoon yielded multiple contacts on the FM transponder. Many stations commented on how strong the downlink signal from SO-35 actually was. A full story on this successful operation will be carried in ANS-192. ANS congratulates the SunSat team on this achievement! Bruce, KK5DO, captured the first 'FM' pass of SunSat in Real Audio and has posted the file at: http://www.amsatnet.com The SunSat package includes 1200 and 9600 baud digital store-and-forward capability and a voice 'parrot' repeater system that will be used primarily for educational demonstrations. The satellite has two VHF and two UHF transmit-receive systems. For more information on SunSat, visit the following URL: http://sunsat.ee.sun.ac.za [ANS thanks Garth Milne ZR1AFH, for this information] UoSAT-12 UO-36 Downlink 437.025 MHz 437.400 MHz UoSAT-12 was successfully launched on April 21, 1999 from the Russian Baikonur Cosmodrome. UO-36 carries a number of imaging payloads, digital store-and-forward communications and mode L/S transponders. The satellite is not currently available for general uplink transmissions. UO-36 has been transmitting 9600-baud FSK telemetry framed in a VLSI format using a downlink frequency of 437.400 MHz. Chris, G7UPN, reports UO-36 is also transmitting on 437.025 MHz at 38,400 (38k4) baud. Presently the BBS is still closed. S-band high speed downlink commissioning continues at rates between 128kb/s and 1Mb/s. VK5HI TMSAT viewer software is available on the AMSAT web/ftp site at the following URL: ftp://ftp.amsat.org/amsat/software/win32/display/ccddsp97-119.zip Further information on UO-36 is available from: http://www.sstl.co.uk/ [ANS thanks Chris G7UPN/ZL2TPO, and the University of Surrey, for this information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-185.07 WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PART 3 AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 185.07 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, JULY 04, 1999 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT BID: $ANS-185.07 THE FOLLOWING SATELLITES ARE IN ORBIT BUT ARE NON-OPERATIONAL AT THIS TIME: RS-16 The 435 MHz beacon (only) is operational. Attempts to command the mode A transponder 'on' have been unsuccessful to date. No additional information is available at this time. DOVE DO-17 Downlink 145.825 MHz FM 1200 baud AFSK 2401.220 MHz Non-operational. DOVE stopped transmitting in March 1998. The 145.825 MHz and 2401.220 MHz downlinks are off the air and the satellite has not responded to ground station control. 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. ITAMSAT IO-26 Uplink 145.875 145.900 145.925 145.950 MHz FM 1200 baud Downlink 435.822 MHz SSB Unknown status. ANS has not received any recent updates concerning the status of IO-26. No additional information is available at this time. TECHSAT-1B GO-32 Downlink 435.225 MHz using HDLC telemetry framed so that a TNC in KISS mode will decode it Unknown status. ANS has not received any recent updates concerning the current status of GO-32. The TechSat-1B micro-satellite was successfully launched from the Russian Baikonur Cosmodrome on July 10, 1998. Last reported, the satellite does not have a continuos beacon, but does transmit a 9600-baud burst every 30 seconds (for a continuous 3 seconds in length), on 435.225 MHz. The TechSat team has constructed a home page about TechSat. To view the site, point your web browser to: http://techsat.internet-zahav.net/ No additional information is available at this time. SEDSAT-1 SO-33 Downlink 437.910 MHz FM 9600 baud FSK The satellite is not currently available for uplink transmissions. Recovery efforts have been unsuccessful. SedSat-1, signifying Students for the Exploration and Development of Space Satellite number one, was successfully launched and placed in orbit on Saturday, October 24, 1998. For more information on SedSat-1 visit the satellite web site at the following URL: http://www.seds.org/sedsat No additional information is available at this time. KITSAT KO-23 Uplink 145.900 MHz FM 9600 baud FSK Downlink 435.175 MHz FM Not operational. The downlink transmitter has not been operational for any normal communication for several months. ANS has learned (from HL0ENJ) that satellite downlink telemetry shows one of KO-23's battery cells to be very unstable. [ANS thanks Jim Weisenberger, AA7KC, and KyungHee Kim, HL0ENJ, for KO-23 status information] /EX