SB NEWS @ AMSAT $SPC0731 * SpaceNews 31-Jul-00 * BID: $SPC0731 ========= SpaceNews ========= MONDAY JULY 31, 2000 * ZVEZDA DOCKS WITH ISS * ========================= Two weeks after being successfully launched, the Russian-built Zvezda module took its place as a part of the International Space Station after executing a flawless, completely automated docking. Zvezda becomes the third piece of the station following the automated linkup. With three modules now joined together, the orbiting outpost has grown to nearly 120 feet in length. Zvezda adds sleeping quarters, a galley, toilet and working space for future resident astronauts and cosmonauts. In addition to its life-support systems, the new module also brings more capable guidance, propulsion and computer systems. It will also be the initial home of Amateur Radio operation from ISS. The addition of Zvezda to the two elements already in orbit - Zarya and Unity - sets the stage for the start of human habitation and scientific research aboard the orbiting outpost. A Russian Progress resupply mission planned for August and two Shuttle flights scheduled for September and October will ready the Space Station for the arrival of the first crew who will begin living and working on board. Over the coming days, flight engineers will test the mechanisms holding the elements together and ensure that all seals are tight. In addition, the ESA built 'Data Management System' computer aboard Zvezda will be connected to the on-line Space Station systems and Zvezda will be commanded to assume control of the Space Station. With Zvezda in place the United States is now ready to begin a series of flights to ISS, including: * A September resupply mission (STS-106) * An October mission attaching the first segment of the 300 foot long metal truss that will support massive solar arrays * A November flight to erect a power tower of solar panels * A January 2001 mission to connect a research laboratory * An April 2001 mission to attach a 55-foot robot arm * An August 2001 mission carrying experiments to the station * An October 2001 mission to attach the central truss section For more information about the three modules now in orbit, visit the following URL: http://www.shuttlepresskit.com/ISS_OVR/assembly2_overview.htm [Info via the AMSAT-NA News Service] * NEW SATELLITES ON THE HORIZON * ================================= The first Amateur Radio Satellites from The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are presently being built by the Space Research Institute at the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology in Riyadh. Tentatively set for launch August 25, 2000, these satellites will be capable of 9k6 digital store and forward operation (Pacsat Broadcast Protocol compatible) as well as FM bent pipe mode. These satellites will use the following downlink frequencies. Uplinks are in the VHF band and will be announced after commissioning. SAUDISAT-1A SAUDISAT-1B Downlink 437.075 MHz 436.775 MHz Amateur Radio is in its infancy in Saudi Arabia. With these satellites, designers hope that not only to add addtional communication satellites to the space resources available to hams world wide, but also to increase the awareness of the value of Amateur Radio in the Kingdom. The first Malaysian Amateur Satellite, TIUNGSAT-1, is also to be launched on the same vehicle DNEPR-1 as SAUDISAT-1A and SAUDISAT-1B on 25th August, 2000. The launch wll occur from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Khazakstan. The details of Tiungsat-1 (Named by PM after the Malaysian bird 'Myna') are as follows: 1) Dimension 690 x 390 x 360 mm Mass 50 kg. (platform: 35 kg; payload 15 kg.) Solar Array Power: 35 W (max) GaAs solar cells 2) Payload Multi-Spectral Earth Imaging System (MSEIS) Meteorological Earth Imaging system (MEIS) Digital Store and Forward 3) Orbit Altitude: 645.1 km (apogee) / 639.7 km (perigee) Inclination: 65 - 67 degrees Eccentricity: 0.004 4) Data Transmission Characteristics: Data Transmission: FM and FSK Data Rate: 9.6 kbps, 38.4 kbps and 76.8 kbps 5) RF Communications: Uplinks Freqs: 144.46, 145.85, 145.86 MHz. Downlink Freqs: 437.300, 437.325, 437.350, 437.375 MHz. Antennas: 4 monopoles, gain 0dBi Radiation pattern omni-directional This spacecraft is the result of a technology transfer collaboration between the Astronautic Technology (M) Sdn. Bhd. (ATSB) and Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. (SSTL) [Info via Dr. Turki Al Saud, and Sangat Singh, 9M2SS] * MIR NEWS * ============ MirCorp's board of directors recently approved the permanently manned operation of Mir beginning next year, marking a major milestone in the company's plan to use this unique facility as the world's first true commercial orbital space station. The schedule of privately-financed MirCorp flights begins with the launch of an unmanned resupply spacecraft to Mir this fall, followed by two long-duration missions with cosmonauts in 2001. It is unknown what this may mean for possible Amateur Radio operation from the station. [Info via the AMSAT-NA News Service] * NOAA-15 FAILURE * =================== As of Friday 21-July-2000, the NOAA-15 AVHRR/3 failed. It was put into a "safe mode" so that the synchronization of this instrument would not interfere with the HIRS/3, AMSU-A, and AMSU-B data being processed by the onboard MIRP processor. On Monday 24-July-2000, engineers tried to loosen the HIRS/3 filter wheel shaft lubricant by heating up the filter wheel shaft. Unfortunately, a strange set of circumstances created a situation where some of the HIRS/3 channels were calibrated (incorrectly) and others had zero value calibration coefficients appended (correctly). As it turns out the warming of the filter wheel shaft increased the temperature of the filter wheel itself causing incorrect earth, blackbody and space channel measurements. In addition, the gross limits which are applied to the calibration measurements were left wide open (a situation which should only happen for one month after launch). This combination of factors resulted in the generation of bad calibration coefficients and the global distribution of the data and its archival for eternity. Currently the HIRS/3 is returning to nominal temperatures, however, the internal synchronization is only providing groundstations with 60% of the data coverage. The basic problem is that the cooling louvers on board NOAA-15 were not wired prior to launch so the cooling of the AVHRR/3 and HIRS/3 could not be done properly by opening these louvers. The result is that these instruments have not lasted six years as they have for NOAA-14 and several other spacecraft, but only two years plus. [Info via Mike Chalfant and Mike Kendzierski, N8UAD] * AO-27 NEWS * ============== AO-27 control stations Chuck Wyrick, KM4NZ, reset the TEPR states on AO-27 on 26-Jul-2000 as follows: TEPR 4 46 TEPR 5 82 [Info via Chuck, KM4NZ] * SpaceNews FOR THE PALM * ========================== Jeff Davis, N9AVG, will soon be making SpaceNews, and other satellite news of interest to Amateur Radio operators, available in a format suitable for reading on the PALM handheld computer. Satellite news for the Palm will be available through Jeff's web site: http://n9avg.org/ [Info via Jeff Davis, N9AVG] * THANKS! * =========== Thanks to those who recently sent messages of appreciation for SpaceNews, especially: AA4MD WB6HGW * 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/ MAIL: John A. Magliacane, KD2BD Department of Engineering and Technology Brookdale Community College 765 Newman Springs Road Lincroft, New Jersey 07738 U.S.A. PACKET: KD2BD @ N2TDU.NJ.USA.NA INTERNET: kd2bd@amsat.org, magliaco@email.njin.net SATELLITE: KITSAT-OSCAR-25 <<=- SpaceNews: The first amateur newsletter read in space! -=>> <<=- Serving the planet (and beyond) since 1987 -=>> /EX