SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-271.01
AMSAT SPECIAL BULLETIN

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 271.01 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD, SEPTEMBER 27, 2000
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-271.01
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-271.01

AMSAT-DL Executive Vice President Peter Guelzow, DB2OS, has
informed AMSAT News Service that an official launch date has now
been assigned to Ariane Flight 507 and the launch of Phase 3D.
"Arianespace and AMSAT-DL are pleased to announce that the official
date of launch for Ariane Flight 507, on which P3D will fly, has been
brought forward to October 31, 2000," said DB2OS, adding, "this is the
start of the launch window and is the first date at which the launch could
take place."

Currently, the RUDAK team, the RF team and members of the
electronics team from AMSAT-NA have returned home after completing
their work. The electronics team members from Europe are preparing to
leave as this aspect of the launch preparation work is also complete.
Five of the six bays around the satellite have had their covers installed
for the final time and the sixth bay has been prepared for loading of the
satellite fuel. That task should be completed shortly.

The thermal blanket additions have also been completed. Final tests
have been made on several detectors (such as the sun sensor) and
Peter reports "all is well in this area." At this time the solar cells are
being mounted on the satellite and will be connected to the battery
chargers.

Guelzow told ANS that satellite operators planning to use Phase 3D
after launch are reminded that it could be a few months after launch
before the bird is ready for standard operation. Several things will
determine this time frame, including orbit parameters (such as the
work that will be needed to nudge P3D into its final elliptical orbit).
DB2OS added, "that satellite operators worldwide can rest assured
that every effort will be made to initiate operations at the first possible
opportunity consistent with flight operations.'

The launch team has established an Internet web site that includes
photographs of the team preparing the satellite. The visit the site, point
your browser to:

http://www.amsat-dl.org/launch/

Stay tuned to ANS for additional bulletins from AMSAT, the
official source for information on the Phase 3D Launch.

[ANS thanks AMSAT-DL, AMSAT-OH and AMSAT-NA for this
information]

/EX