SB NEWS @ AMSAT $SPC0712 * SpaceNews 12-Jul-99 * BID: $SPC0712 ========= SpaceNews ========= MONDAY JULY 12, 1999 * PHASE 3D NEWS * ================= On behalf of the P3-D Team and the P3-D Integration Manager Lou McFadin W5DID, Peter Guelzow, DB2OS, would like to thank everyone for all the positive mail and reactions the Phase 3-D team received as a result of their recent P3-D status reports. In the meantime, the entire team consisting of Karl Meinzer DJ4ZC, Werner Haas DJ5KQ, Peter Guelzow DB2OS, Wilfried Gladisch, Hermann Guenther, Mirek Kasal OK2AQK, Matjaz Vidmar S53MV, Michael Fletscher OH2AUE and Danny Orban ON4AOD are back in Europe. Over the last three weeks, the team has successfully tested all subsystems, the bus and the electronic modules of P3-D. All receivers and transmitters were tested again with the satellite high-gain and omni antennas during the rollout, including the 10GHz TWT and the 21MHz and 24MHz shortwave receivers. One of the last things was the installation and testing of the YACE camera and the microphone for the experimental IHU-2 (YAHU), performed by Lyle Johnson WA7GXD, Chuck Green N0ADI and Peter Guelzow DB2OS. This will enable controllers to make visual and audible recordings of the separation during launch. The microphone will also pick up the mechanical noise of the wheels and other sources in the spacecraft after launch. In space no one can hear you, but the microphone can still pick up the mechanical noise in the structure. The camera will be later used for other experiments, including earth imaging. James Miller, G3RUH was able to obtain a license from ARM Technologies Ltd. to use their assembler JPEG coding library for P3-D. Compressing of a typical YACE picture will take only 56ms at an IHU-2 speed of 133 MHz using the StrongARM processor. With a compression factor of 25, the original 256 KByte image will be reduced to about 15-20 KByte file size, depending on the image contents. Thus, downloading will be drastically improved without too much loss of image quality. With the 8MB bulk memory of the IHU-2, controllers will be able to take a "movie" of the separation, probably including sound. P3-D will be the first (amateur radio) satellite to use on-board JPEG compression software. Stacey Mills, W4SM was able to almost complete his telemetry decoding software, which is also used for commanding purposes. A general version and detailed specification of the flight telemetry format will be made available soon. Another major event was the successful completion of the SBS (support bearing structure) load testing by Rick Leon KA1RHL, Bob Davis KF4KSS and Jay. The SBS will carry the P3-D satellite inside during the launch and needed to be tested according to the specification of the launcher agency. After a few more close-out items and the spin balance test, P3-D is ready for the vibration and shake test, which is scheduled for later this month at NASA facilities in Washington. The test will be performed according to specifications from the launcher agency. A final check-out of all electronics and a visual inspection will follow when P3-D returns to Orlando, before it will than be shipped to the launch site. 73s, Peter DB2OS * FUJI-OSCAR-29 NEWS * ====================== FO-29 was switched into mode JD (1200 bps PSK mailbox operation) on July 6th. The satellite will remain in that mode until July 12th. The remainder of the operating schedule is as follows: July 12 (Mon) 0500z - July 21 (Wed) 0300z : Mode JA July 21 (Wed) 0300z - July 26 (Mon) 0200z : Mode JD 1200 July 26 (Mon) 0400z - Aug 9 (Mon) : Mode JA [Info via Kazu Sakamoto, JJ1WTK] * AMSAT-UK COLLOQUIUM NEWS * ============================ The 14th AMSAT-UK Colloquium will be held at Surrey University, Guildford, Surrey, U.K., from Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th July 1999. There will also be the usual social events including: Command Station visits, the Annual Dinner and Auction, AMSAT-UK annual meeting, and other light-hearted fun. There will also be beginners' sessions (see below) and the RSGB microwave guys will be bringing test equipment (noise figure measurements 10 MHz to 1500 MHz, and other equipment for tests up to 47 GHz). You do not have to be a member of AMSAT-UK to come to this event. Colloquium Application Forms were sent out recently but, if you're not a member, an SAE to the Secretary, G6ZRU, (snail-mail address below) will get you a form mailed now; it is also now available on Amsat-UK's web pages which are at the following URL: http://www.uk.amsat.org/ Colloquium papers and speakers are trickling in at the usual rate; if there's anyone who wants to talk about something please let G3RWL know SOON. A printed paper for the Proceedings document, whilst desirable, is not mandatory. A current list of speakers and subjects, as well as lots of other info, is on the web page; closer to the event the formal program will be placed on there instead. Beginners Sessions (Same on Saturday and Sunday): General session (60 minutes): G3AAJ orbits bandplans tracking (+ keplers) polarization groundstation equipment doppler modulation types telemetry message content info sources capabilities of different satellites uses of computers Analogue satellites (30 mins): Speaker TBA expectations (dx etc) manned space platforms transponder inversion (live demo if possible) Digital satellites (30 mins): G7UPN modulation types modems/TNCs software (live demo if possible) It's getting near. Anyone who wants to come should book as soon as possible in order to avoid disappointment. AMSAT-UK Mail address: F Southwell G6ZRU 40 Downsview Small Dole W Sussex BN5 9YB United Kingdom 73 Richard W L Limebear G3RWL Program Organizer Communications Officer, Amsat-UK g3rwl@amsat.org FOC # 1188 * FEEDBACK/INPUT WELCOMED * =========================== Comments and input for SpaceNews should be directed to the editor (John, KD2BD) via any of the paths listed below: WWW : http://www.njin.net/~magliaco/ PACKET : KD2BD @ N2SMV.NJ.USA.NA INTERNET : kd2bd@amsat.org, magliaco@email.njin.net SATELLITE : AMSAT-OSCAR-16, KITSAT-OSCAR-25 <<=- SpaceNews: The first amateur newsletter read in space! -=>> <<=- Serving the planet (and beyond) since 1987 -=>> /EX