SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-098.01 PHASE 3D / AMSAT OSCAR 40 UPDATE AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 098.01 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, APRIL 08, 2001 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-098.01 April continues with recovery efforts concerning AO-40. The AMSAT-DL web page is reporting the following: Plans have changed recently. We have found that there is a significant effect at perigee caused (we believe) by the satellite encountering an atmospheric induced change. This causes ALON to decrease by about 3-degrees each perigee (when the spin rate is at 2-rpm). In addition, ALON already reduces 0.7-degrees each perigee due to precession of the orbital plane - so we were seeing nearly a 4-degree change each perigee pass, or about 5-degrees each day. Despite eclipses, the magnetorquer is a bit stronger than this effect and we are able to counteract and actually increase ALON by about 1-degree each perigee. Shifting ALON from 170 to 270 (at the 1-degree rate) was clearly going to take a very long time, even given that our assumptions could be extrapolated to different geometry. Meanwhile, perigee height is decreasing steadily due to solar perturbations. Because of these parameters the move from ALON 170 to 270 has been put on hold. Instead, we are going to change ALON the other direction, taking it down to 90 and then through 0 and hopefully to 270 later in the year. There are a number of benefits of this plan: * Firstly we can use the atmospheric effect to augment the magnetorquer and achieve a more rapid change in ALON; * Second, communications will improve rapidly due to the improved ALON numbers; * Third, as we approach ALON = 0, we are in a position to try limited transponder operation, which will surely be appreciated. During this procedure, AO-40 will go into hibernation again. This is the name we've given to the state where the Sun sensor system cannot see the Sun, so the satellite cannot be magnetorqued by normal means. However, if the atmospheric effect continues to work as it evidently did during the previous hibernation, this period of poor Sun angle will be short lived. Also, at this time there is a possibility that the Sun will be nearly coaxial with the spin axis. The bottom of the spacecraft will be illuminated (not the top) reducing the effect of continuous, direct sunlight on the onboard cameras. Expected Timetable --------------------------- The following is our best estimate of the way things will evolve. The Sun angle will reach a point where the sensor will stop seeing the Sun in early April. Then we wait (perhaps) 4-6 weeks for the Sun angle reach a recovery point. By this time the ALON numbers should favor decent beacon communication. Although the Sun sensor will not give data, the temperature profile will provide Sun angle clues, as can be seen using recorded (historic) telemetry. DATE ALON/ALAT SUN AZ/EL SA ILLUM ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------ Apr 05 146/0 280/5 -44 72% (lock loss) Apr 18 110/0 289/11 -79 19% Apr 25 90/0 294/14 -63 45% May 03 70/0 299/17 -39 77% The command team welcomes informed discussion as to why ALON is rapidly decreasing (the attitude vector direction changes clockwise as viewed from the orbit plane). This change only occurs close to perigee. The phenomenon is clearly observed, but is not explained. (end) Moe, AE4JY, has placed an updated version of his popular AO40Rcv telemetry program. The latest version, 1.10, is available at: http://qsl.net/ae4jy/ [ANS thanks AMSAT-DL for this information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-098.02 UNLICENSED OPERATION REPORT AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 098.02 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, APRIL 08, 2001 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-098.02 The ARRL is reporting that the call for reports of apparent unlicensed operation on 10 and 12 meters has been ''overwhelming,'' according to Brennan Price, N4QX, administrator of the ARRL Monitoring System. Problems with interference to several satellite uplinks has been well documented in ANS reports. The survey last October was initiated in response to an increasing number of complaints from the amateur community. Price said that more than 400 separate reports, nearly all from United States amateurs, detailed more than 1000 separate instances of apparent unlicensed operation. An analysis suggests that nearly half of the transmissions originated in the United States. Of the remaining reports, most appeared to document transmissions originating in Latin America. AO-27 and UO-14 satellite operators are very aware of similar transmissions and the problems they cause. The ARRL has shared its data with the FCC. Price points out that before the Commission can take any action, an offending transmission must be documented and its source found. Price said the FCC relies on the Amateur Service to be self-policing and has indicated that it is most likely to act in suspected unlicensed operator situations when amateurs themselves document the cases. Price said active use of the bands by licensees is the best way to discourage unlicensed operation. ''It is not easy or quick work, but it has been successfully done in the past,'' he said. [ANS thanks the ARRL for this information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-098.03 ISS SPECIAL EVENT UPDATE AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 098.03 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, APRIL 08, 2001 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-098.03 As announced last week, the ARISS team has received permission from ISS controllers to declare April 12, 2001 as a special event day for Amateur Radio aboard the International Space Station! The ARISS team is requesting the crew (on a voluntary basis), to attempt as may general ham radio contacts as possible over the major landmasses of the Earth - to help celebrate Cosmonautics Day. This year the April 12th Cosmonautics Day holiday celebrates the 40th anniversary of the first human spaceflight by Yuri Gagarin, UA1LO, the 30th anniversary of the first space station (Salyut-1), and the 20th anniversary of the first launch of the first reusable space vehicle, the American space shuttle. With the help of the ARISS team orbital mechanics expert Gil, WA5NOM, the ARISS team has prepared a list of suggested passes for the April 12th event. Actual pass times may change due to the unusually high level of solar activity. Western U.S. 07:53 - 08:13 UTC Central Russia and Japan 13:43 - 14:13 UTC Western Russia 18:29 - 18:49 UTC Australia 18:58 - 19:18 UTC Europe 19:59 - 20:19 UTC Check to the ARISS web page for the latest details. The URL is: http://ariss.gsfc.nasa.gov/ The following frequencies have been announced for ARISS general QSOs: voice and packet downlink: 145.80 (worldwide) voice uplink: 144.49 Regions 2 and 3 voice uplink: 145.20 Region 1 packet uplink: 145.99 (worldwide) The QSL routes for W/VE stations working NA1SS aboard the International Space Station: U.S stations: Margie Bourgoin KB1DCO Attn: ARISS Expedition-1 (or 2) QSL ARRL, 225 Main Street Newington, Connecticut 06111 Canadian stations: Radio Amateurs of Canada Attn: ARISS Expedition-1 (or 2) QSL 720 Belfast Road, Suite 217 Ottawa, Ontario K1G 0Z5 A self-addressed, stamped envelope is required to get a QSL in return. The ARISS international group has not yet finalized a QSL card design, so it could be a few months before cards become available. As this ANS bulletin set is broadcast, the packet system aboard ISS has been activated! Look for more information in the next edition of ANS and check the AMSAT-NA bulletin board for the latest data! [ANS thanks the ARISS team and the ARRL for this information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-098.04 AMSAT-DC MEETING AND SPACE SEMINAR SUCCESSFUL AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 098.04 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, APRIL 08, 2001 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-098.04 The Maryland-DC area AMSAT Meeting and Space Seminar was held Sunday, April 1, 2001 in the Visitor Center auditorium of the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. The event has proven to be both a popular and successful annual affair. Rick Hambly, W2GPS, gave a fascinating, detailed presentation on AO-40 telemetry. Dick Daniels, W4PUJ, presented "What happened to AO-40" - starting with a slideshow of photos from the Phase 3D launch campaign and followed with a detailed review of what is known, suspected and not known about events on-board AO-40. AMSAT-NA's Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, briefed the crowd on the future plans for ARISS equipment and enhancements, including packet, SSTV and ATV. In a related topic, Will Marchant, KC6ROL, gave an update on current and near-future ARISS operations. On display were examples of ARISS VHF/UHF and HF antennas as well as an ARISS packet controller. AMSAT-NA President Robin Haighton, VE3FRH, shared some of his views and Barry Baines, WD4ASW, explained his role in the AMSAT field operations organization and talked about the very flexible roles of AMSAT Area Coordinators. Tom Clark, W3IWI, explained just what is required to get a satellite in orbit as well as other satellite design parameters such as cost, assembly, reliability and complexity. Bob Bruninga, WB4APR, demonstrated his briefcase-sized automated digital satellite station and spoke about the PCSat project. Bob Rose, AA3RR, talked about his efforts in building an organization to make Amateur Radio more accessible to students and young people. ANS congratulates Pat Kilroy, N8PK, and his countless volunteers who did a polished and professional job of organizing and holding the event. A photograph of the event (and those who participated) is available at the following URL: http://simsat.gsfc.nasa.gov/ssamsatdc.html [ANS thanks Maggie Leber, K3XS, for this information.] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-098.05 ANS IN BRIEF AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 098.05 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, APRIL 08, 2001 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-098.05 ANS news in brief this week includes the following: ** ISS is about to get a helping hand, well...arm. Shuttle Endeavor will carry a 7-member crew to deliver a Canadian built robot arm for Alpha. Canadarm2 is longer, and can move about the space station on a track. The arm will have no permanent attachment to the station. With grapple fixtures on each end, the 56-foot arm will move hand over hand along the station's walls, using a series of power and data ports for each step. -NASA ** The RSGB Spring Show and VHF Convention is underway. AMSAT-UK will be represented and AMSATNA President Robin Haighton, VE3FRH will speak at the event. During the award presentation ceremony the Louis Varney, G5RV Trophy will be presented to James Miller, G3RUH. This award is given for advances in space communication and is in recognition of the many efforts James done in the amateur satellite program over the years (congratulations G3RUH from ANS)! -Richard, G3RWL ** The structure of our Universe has been mapped out to a distance of 14 billion light-years (almost as far as we can see) by astronomers who have observed 11,000 quasars with the Anglo-Australian Telescope in eastern Australia. -SpaceDaily ** The most powerful solar flare ever recorded -- an X20-class event -- erupted on April 2nd. The event was even stronger than a well-known flare in March 1989 that led to the collapse of a power grid in Quebec. However, because sunspot 9393 (the source of the explosion) is near the Sun's west limb, the bulk of the explosion was directed away from Earth. -Peter, DB2OS ** Happy birthday to NASA's space shuttle fleet, now 20 years young! Space Shuttle Columbia lifted off on its historic first flight the morning of April 12, 1981 from Kennedy Space Center, Florida. As ANS has noted, April 12th is being celebrated as the Cosmonautics Day holiday, which in addition to the shuttle anniversary celebrates the 40th anniversary of the first human spaceflight by Yuri Gagarin, UA1LO, and the 30th anniversary of the first space station, Salyut-1, named Salyut (equivalent to English salute) as a salute to Gagarin's flight a decade before. -ANS ** ARRL Amateur Radio Direction Finding Coordinator Joe Moell, K0OV, says many radio amateurs and scanner enthusiasts joined the effort to listen for radio tags on endangered Canadian burrowing owls during the fall 2000 southward migration and continued to monitor through the winter. Transmitters have been placed on wintering owls in southeastern Texas, and researchers want to know if these Texas owls go to Canada in the spring or if they stay somewhere in the United States. The owls have begun leaving the Texas study site and will probably be on the move through April. For exact frequencies and more information, visit the following URL: http://www.homingin.com. -Joe, K0OV ** Two images of Pine Island Glacier in Antarctica show the recently discovered 15-mile long crack that scientists expect will turn into a large iceberg within the next 18 months. The views from NASA's Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer on the Terra satellite also reveal differences in the ice sheet's surface texture, highlighting surface fractures and enabling distinction of rough crevasses from smooth blue ice. -SpaceDaily --ANS BULLETIN END--- /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-098.06 WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PART 1 AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 098.06 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, APRIL 08, 2001 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-098.06 Phase 3D / AMSAT OSCAR 40 / AO-40 Launched: November 16, 2000 aboard an Ariane 5 launcher from Kourou, French Guiana. Status: S-Band transmitter is active, recovery efforts continue. The V-band, U-band and the L-band (L1) receivers are working on the the high-gain antennas. The omni-directional antennas appear to be non-functional. The attitude control system is functional. [ANS thanks AMSAT-NA and AMSAT-DL for this information] INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION/ARISS Worldwide packet uplink: 145.990 MHz Region 1 voice uplink: 145.200 MHz Region 2/3 voice uplink: 144.490 MHz Worldwide downlink: 145.800 MHz TNC callsign RZ3DZR-1 ARISS initial station launched September 2000 aboard shuttle Atlantis Status: Operational As this ANS bulletin set is broadcast, the packet system aboard ISS has been activated! Look for more information in the next edition of ANS and check the AMSAT-NA bulletin board for the latest information! The ARISS team has received permission from the ISS controllers to declare April 12, 2001 as a special event day for Amateur Radio aboard the International Space Station! Specific operating times and modes will be announced. ARISS is made up of delegates from major national Amateur Radio organizations, including AMSAT. U.S. callsign: NA1SS Russian callsign: R0ISS, RZ3DZR German call sign: DL0ISS More information about the project can be found on the ARISS web site at http://ariss.gsfc.nasa.gov. [ANS thanks ARISS team member Will Marchant, KC6ROL, for this information] RADIO SPORT RS-12 Uplink 145.910 to 145.950 MHz CW/SSB Downlink 29.410 to 29.450 MHz CW/SSB Beacon 29.408 MHz Launched: February 5, 1991 aboard a Russian Cosmos C launcher Status: RS-12 was re-activated in mode A on January 1, 2001 The latest information on RS-12 and RS-13 can be found on the AC5DK RS-12/13 Satellite Operators page at: http://www.qsl.net/ac5dk/rs1213/rs1213.html [ANS thanks Kevin Manzer, AC5DK, for this information] 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) Launched: December 26, 1994 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome Status: Semi-operational, mode-A, using a 2-meter uplink and a 10-meter downlink K5OE reports an attempt to work KK5DO during a very high RS-15 pass for both stations. Although frequencies and times were prearranged, downlink signals were almost non-existent. Dave, WB6LLO, has operating information for both RS-15 on his web site. In addition to satellite data, antenna information for mode-A operation is also featured. The WB6LLO web site URL is: http://home.san.rr.com/doguimont/uploads [ANS thanks Dave Guimont, WB6LLO, for this information] 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) Launched: June 16, 1983 by an Ariane launcher from Kourou, French Guiana. Status: Semi-operational, mode-B. AO-10 has been locked into a 70-cm uplink and a 2-meter downlink for several years. DX continues to be heard and worked on AO-10. ZY0SAT and S79RN have both been active on the satellite. 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 Launched: September 26, 1993 by an Ariane launcher from Kourou, French Guiana. Status: Operational, mode J. Periodically, AO-27's analog repeater will be turned off for a few days at a time to enable ground controllers to gather Whole Orbital Data (WOD), to verify the health of the satellite. An AO-27 question-and-answer page is available on the AMSAT-NA web site. The URL is: http://www.amsat.org/amsat/intro/ao27faq.html. AO-27 uses a method called Timed Eclipse Power Regulation (TEPR) to regulate the on-board batteries. In simple terms, TEPR times how long the satellite has been in an eclipse (or in the sun) and decides what subsystems to turn on or off. TEPR states on AO-27 were reset on March 24, 2001 as follows: TEPR 4 is 38 / TEPR 5 is 78 (TEPR 5 is now 20 minutes long) The AO-27 pages on the AMSAT-NA web site include an explanation of TEPR AO-27 operations (at): http://www.amsat.org/amsat/sats/n7hpr/ao27.html [ANS thanks AMRAD for AO-27 information] UO-14 Uplink 145.975 MHz FM Downlink 435.070 MHz FM Launched: January 22, 1990 by an Ariane launcher from Kourou, French Guiana. Status: Operational, mode J Tim, KG8OC, features UO-14 information on the Michigan AMSAT web site -- point your web browser to the following URL: http://www.qsl.net/kg8oc [ANS thanks Chris Jackson, G7UPN/ZL2TPO, for UO-14 information] JAS-1b FO-20 Uplink 145.90 to 146.00 MHz CW/LSB Downlink 435.80 to 435.90 MHz CW/USB Launched: February 07, 1990 by an H1 launcher from the Tanegashima Space Center in Japan. Status: Operational. FO-20 is in mode JA continuously Tak, JA2PKI, reported the FO-20 control station operators believe that the UVC (Under Voltage Controller) now is regulating the transponder. The UVC monitors battery voltage and tries to protect the batteries from over discharge. [ANS thanks Kazu Sakamoto, JJ1WTK, for the FO-20 status reports] JAS-2 FO-29 Launched: August 17, 1996, by an H-2 launcher from the Tanegashima Space Center in Japan. Status: Operational Voice/CW Mode JA Uplink 145.90 to 146.00 MHz CW/LSB Downlink 435.80 to 435.90 MHz CW/USB Digital Mode JD Uplink 145.850 145.870 145.910 MHz FM Downlink 435.910 MHz 1200 baud BPSK or 9600 baud FSK Callsign 8J1JCS Digitalker 435.910 MHz The JARL FO-29 command station has announced the following operation schedule of FO-29: through July 2, 2001 - mode JA Mike, KF4FDJ, has put together a very informative document on FO-29, addressing the analog, digital and digi-talker modes. To obtain a copy e-mail Mike at: kf4fdj@amsat.org. Mineo, JE9PEL, has a FO-29 satellite telemetry analysis program that will automatically analyze all digital telemetry from the satellite (such as current, voltage and temperature). The JE9PEL FO-29/shareware is available at the following URL: http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/ [ANS thanks Kazu Sakamoto, JJ1WTK, for the FO-29 status reports] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-098.07 WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PART 2 AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 098.07 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, APRIL 08, 2001 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-098.07 TIUNGSAT-1 Uplink 145.850 or 145.925 MHz 9600 baud FSK Downlink 437.325 MHz Broadcast callsign MYSAT3-11 BBS MYSAT3-12 Launched: September 26, 2000 aboard a converted Soviet ballistic missile from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Status: Operational at 38k4 baud FSK Chris, G7UPN, tells ANS that TiungSat-1 has been operating at a data rate of 38k4. Data recovery at 38k4 is reported to be extremely good with efficiencies near 100%. The output power is at 8-watts "which should provide a very good downlink," said Chris, adding "the downside is that with the high power transmitter operating, the power budget is negative so we can't support continuous operation." According to G7UPN, TiungSat-1 now requires the Amateur Radio station to switch the downlink 'on' when the satellite comes into range. The way this works is for the ground station software to send a request to the spacecraft to switch the downlink on. The spacecraft receives this request and checks the battery voltage to see if it can support the operation, and if it can it will activate the downlink. TiungSat-1 is Malaysia's first micro-satellite and in addition to commercial land and weather imaging payloads offers FM and FSK Amateur Radio communication. TiungSat-1, named after the mynah bird of Malaysia, was developed as a collaborative effort between the Malaysian government and Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. For more information on TiungSat-1, visit the following URL: http://www.yellowpages.com.my/tiungsat/tiung_main.htm [ANS thanks Chris Jackson, G7UPN/ZL2TPO, for this information] KITSAT KO-25 Uplink 145.980 MHz FM (9600 baud FSK) Downlink 436.500 MHz FM Broadcast Callsign HL02-11 BBS HL02-12 Launched: September 26, 1993 by an Ariane launcher from Kourou, French Guiana. Status: Operational Jim, AA7KC, reports KO-25 is operational with moderate traffic. [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 Broadcast Callsign UOSAT5-11 BBS UOSAT5-12 Launched: July 17, 1991 by an Ariane launcher from Kourou, French Guiana. Status: Operational Jim, AA7KC, reports UO-22 operational with heavy individual and Satgate traffic. More information on the satellite is available at the following URL: http://www.sstl.co.uk/ [ANS thanks Chris Jackson, G7UPN/ZL2TPO, for UO-22 information and Jim Weisenberger, AA7KC, for status information] OSCAR-11 Downlink 145.825 MHz FM (1200 baud AFSK) Mode-S Beacon 2401.500 MHz Launched: March 1, 1984 by a Delta-Thor rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Status: Operational During the period 14-February through 14-March 2001 good signals have been received from the 145 MHz beacon. The battery voltage observed during daylight passes is slightly lower. The average value observed was 13.8 volts, with a range of 13.4 to 14.1 volts. The internal temperatures have decreased by about one degree C. They are now 3.2C and 1.6C for battery and telemetry electronics respectively. A WOD survey (dated 06-January), has been transmitted. The array voltage shows the effect of the solar eclipses. The array voltage also shows the decrease of battery voltage during dark periods, the constant voltage during charge, and the over-voltage condition when the battery is fully charged. The spin period has varied between 280 and 329 seconds. In mid-January the Z-axis magnetorquer counter reached 1,024. The operating schedule is as follows: ASCII status (210 seconds) ASCII bulletin (60 seconds) BINARY SEU (30 seconds) ASCII TLM (90 seconds) ASCII WOD (120 seconds) ASCII bulletin (60 seconds) BINARY ENG (30 seconds) The ASCII bulletin is currently a static message, detailing modes and frequencies of all active amateur radio satellites. More information on OSCAR-11 is available at the following URL: http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/clivew/ [ANS thanks Clive Wallis, G3CWV, for OSCAR-11 status information] PACSAT AO-16 Uplink 145.90 145.92 145.94 145.96 MHz FM (using 1200 baud Manchester FSK) Downlink 437.025 MHz SSB (RC-BPSK 1200 baud PSK) Mode-S Beacon 2401.1428 MHz Broadcast Callsign: PACSAT-11 BBS PACSAT-12 Launched: January 22, 1990 by an Ariane launcher from Kourou, French Guiana. Status: Semi-operational, the digipeater command is on. Telemetry is as follows: uptime is 412/07:44:09. Time is Sat Mar 31 11:21:13 2001 +X (RX) Temp 9.680 D RX Temp -1.817 D BCR Load Cur 0.397 A BCR Input Cur 0.385 A BCR Output Cur 0.348 A Bat 1 Temp 3.629 D Bat 2 Temp 4.839 D Baseplt Temp 4.839 D PSK TX RF Out 1.805 W RC PSK BP Temp 1.814 D RC PSK HPA Tmp 0.603 D +Y Array Temp -0.002 D PSK TX HPA Tmp 5.444 D +Z Array Temp 21.177 D Total Array C= 0.342 Bat Ch Cur=-0.049 Ifb= 0.043 I+10V= 0.354 TX:1009 BCR:7F PWRC:36D BT:1E WC:25 EDAC:48 A new WOD collection of current graphics along with general information and telemetry samples can be found at: www.telecable.es/personales/ea1bcu [ANS thanks Miguel Menendez, EA1BCU, for AO-16 status information] UoSAT-12 UO-36 Uplink 145.960 MHz (9600 baud FSK) Downlink 437.025 MHz 437.400 MHz Broadcast Callsign UO121-11 BBS UO121-12 Launched: April 21, 1999 by a Russian launcher from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Status: Operational Happy birthday UO-36, two years in space this month! UO-36 carries a number of imaging payloads, digital store-and-forward communications and mode L/S transponders. NASA has demonstrated on UO-36 the ability to use standard Internet protocols to communicate with an orbiting spacecraft (just like any node on the Internet). NASA has been developing this project by working with the commercial payload aboard UoSAT-12. The BBS is open, although uploading and downloading may be disabled at times. The VK5HI viewer shareware for UO-36 is available on the AMSAT-NA web 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] ITAMSAT IO-26 Uplink 145.875 145.900 145.925 145.950 MHz FM (1200 baud) Downlink 435.822 MHz SSB Broadcast Callsign ITMSAT-11 BBS ITMSAT-12 Launched: September 26, 1993 by an Ariane launcher from Kourou, French Guiana. Status: Semi-operational, the digipeater function is on and open for APRS users. [ANS thanks ITAMSAT Project Manager Alberto E. Zagni, I2KBD, for IO-26 information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-098.08 WEEKLY SATELLITE REPORT PART 3 AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 098.08 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD, APRIL 08, 2001 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-098.08 THE FOLLOWING ARE IN ORBIT BUT ARE NON-OPERATIONAL AT THIS TIME: TMSAT-1 TO-31 Uplink 145.925 MHz (9600 baud FSK) Downlink 436.925 MHz (9600 baud FSK) Broadcast Callsign: TMSAT1-11 BBS TMSAT1-12 Launched: July 10, 1998 by a Zenit rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Status: Non-operational, no data downlinked since December 18, 2000. Jim, AA7KC, reports TO-31 has been non-operational over North America for the past several months. Chris G7UPN, (UoSAT operations manager) reports the following to ANS: The TO-31 downlink will be off over most areas, with the exception of Europe and Thailand. This is required to allow control stations to recondition the battery with minimum power drain. 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 Many of the high-resolution color images transmitted by TMSAT are compressed using a UoSAT compression format. This format is supported by the VK5HI CCD display program. [ANS thanks Chris Jackson, G7UPN/ZL2TPO, for TO-31 status information] LUSAT LO-19 Uplink 145.84 145.86 145.88 145.90 MHz FM (using 1200 baud Manchester FSK) CW downlink 437.125 MHz Digital downlink 437.150 MHz SSB (RC-BPSK 1200 baud PSK) Broadcast Callsign LUSAT-11 BBS LUSAT-12 Launched: January 22, 1990 by an Ariane launcher from Kourou, French Guiana. Status: Beacon only. The CW beacon is sending eight telemetry channels and one status channel on 437.126 MHz. No BBS service is available. The digipeater is not active. Telemetry (limited) is as follows: Sat Mar 17 at 11:45 2001 UTC LUSAT HIHI 60 AUN ABN AVA AD4 AU4 A6U AEV AE6 LUSAT HIHI 60 AUN ABN AVT ADV AU4 A6U AE4 AE6 Mineo, JE9PEL, has recorded LO-19 CW and PSK telemetry and placed the information on his Internet homepage site at: http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/ General information and telemetry samples can be found at: www.telecable.es/personales/ea1bcu [ANS thanks Miguel Menendez, EA1BCU, for LO-19 status information] SO-41 SAUDISAT-1A Uplink to be released Downlink 437.075 MHz Broadcast Callsign SASAT1-11 BBS SASAT1-12 Launched: September 26, 2000 aboard a converted Soviet ballistic missile from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Status: Unknown, this satellite has been in orbit over six months. ANS has received no additional information. SaudiSat-1A will operate as 9600 baud digital store-and-forward systems as well analog FM repeater mode capability. One of two new ham satellites from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia built by the Space Research Institute at the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology. SO-42 SAUDISAT-1B Uplink to be released Downlink 436.775 MHz Broadcast Callsign SASAT2-11 BBS SASAT2-12 Launched: September 26, 2000 aboard a converted Soviet ballistic missile from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Status: Unknown, this satellite has been in orbit over six months. ANS has received no additional information. SaudiSat-1B will operate as 9600 baud digital store-and-forward systems as well analog FM repeater mode capability. One of two new ham satellites from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia built by the Space Research Institute at the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology. SUNSAT SO-35 Mode J Uplink: 145.825 MHz FM Mode J Downlink: 436.250 MHz FM Mode B Uplink: 436.291 MHz FM Mode B Downlink: 145.825 MHz FM Launched: February 23, 1999 by a Delta II rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Status: Non-operational The SunSat team released the following statement, dated February 1, 2001: We regret to announce that the last communication with SunSat from our ground station at the Electronic Systems Laboratory at Stellenbosch University took place recently. We are certain, after having performed several tests since the last contact, that an irreversible, physical failure has occurred on the satellite. It is therefore unlikely that we will have any further contact with SunSat, apart from the occasional visual sighting by telescope! When it was operational the SunSat package included 1200 and 9600 baud digital store-and-forward capability and a voice 'parrot' repeater system in addition to Mode B/J operation with 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] RADIO SPORT RS-13 Uplink 21.260 to 21.300 MHz CW/SSB Downlink 145.860 to 145.900 MHz CW/SSB Beacon 145.860 MHz Launched: February 5, 1991 aboard a Russian Cosmos C launcher Status: non-operational (last operational in mode-T) RS-12 was re-activated in January 2001. Prior to this switch RS-13 was operational (mode T), but was apparently turned off following the recent RS-12 switch. The latest information on RS-12 and RS-13 can be found on the AC5DK RS-12/13 Satellite Operators page at: http://www.qsl.net/ac5dk/rs1213/rs1213.html [ANS thanks Kevin Manzer, AC5DK, for this information] KITSAT KO-23 Uplink 145.900 MHz FM (9600 baud FSK) Downlink 435.170 MHz FM Broadcast Callsign HLO1-11 BBS HLO1-12 Launched: August 10, 1992 by an Ariane launcher from Kourou, French Guiana. Status: Intermittent operation with the downlink transmitter operating at unpredictable intervals. Jim, AA7KC, reports that KO-23's downlink transmitter continues in non-operational status. Jim says that KO-23 shows some signs of trying to recover, but no useful data has been downlinked. The duration of this status is unpredictable. No data has been received since October 28, 2000. KyungHee Kim, HL0ENJ, reports (from the KO-23 control team) that part of the problem with non-operation has been the power budget aboard the satellite. "We are not sure when the bird might turn off again due to insufficient power. The capability of the onboard power system has been less and less," said Kim. HL0ENJ also noted that as of October 30, 2000 the onboard computer was reset and a reboot of operational software is was underway. [ANS thanks Jim Weisenberger, AA7KC, and KyungHee Kim, HL0ENJ, for KO-23 status information] TECHSAT-1B GO-32 Downlink 435.225 MHz using HDLC telemetry Launched: July 10, 1998 by a Russian Zenit rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Status: Semi-operational. Efforts were reported to be underway to bring GO-32 on line, however, no information has been received by ANS (the last report was dated November 1999). Last reported, the satellite does transmit a 9600-baud burst every 30 seconds (the GO-32 beacon sends one short telemetry status transmission of 44 bytes) and upon request the complete telemetry buffer. [ANS has no further information] PANSAT PO-34 Uplink/downlink frequency (listed on the PanSat web site) 436.500 MHz Launched: October 30, 1998 by the Shuttle Discovery Status: Unknown The satellite is not available for general uplink transmissions. PanSat was developed by the Naval Postgraduate School. At the time of launch, PanSat spread-spectrum digital transponders were promised to be available to Amateur Radio operators along with software to utilize this technology. To date, this has not happened. For more information, visit the official PanSat web site at: http://www.sp.nps.navy.mil/pansat/ PanSat was the featured cover article on the July/August 1999 issue of the AMSAT-NA Journal (the story written by KD6DRA and N7HPR). [ANS has no further information] DOVE DO-17 Downlink 145.825 MHz FM (1200 baud AFSK) 2401.220 MHz Launched: January 22, 1990 by an Ariane launcher from Kourou, French Guiana. Status: 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. [ANS has no further information] WEBERSAT WO-18 Downlink 437.104 MHz SSB (1200 baud PSK AX.25) Launched: January 22, 1990 by an Ariane launcher from Kourou, French Guiana. Status: Non-operational. WO-18 was last reported to be in MBL mode after a software crash. [ANS has no further information] SEDSAT-1 SO-33 Downlink 437.910 MHz FM (9600 baud FSK) Launched: October 24, 1998 by a Delta 2 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Status: Semi-operational. The satellite is not currently available for uplink transmissions and the image and transponder recovery efforts have been unsuccessful. SedSat-1 signifies Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (satellite number one). SedSat-1 has downlinked months worth of telemetry data on the performance of its electrical power system parameters. The Nickel Metal Hydride batteries on the spacecraft were experimental and experienced some abuse due to a power negative situation. This information has provided NASA with useful information. With the exception of the imaging system and the use of the transponders, SedSat-1 has been judged a success. For more information on SedSat-1 visit the satellite web site at the following URL: http://seds.uah.edu/projects/sedsat/sedsat.htm [ANS has no further information] /EX