Mitch Ahrenstorff

AMSAT News Service

ANS-264
September 21, 2025

In this edition:

* AMSAT 2025 Board of Directors Election Results Announced to Membership
* Special Hotel Rate Deadline is September 24 for AMSAT 43rd Annual Symposium
* AMSAT July/August 2025 AMSAT Journal Now Available for Member Download
* Open Letter from AMSAT-SM Highlights Need for Full Duplex Handheld Radio
* Wow@Home Project Builds Worldwide SDR Telescope Network to Monitor the Sky
* Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus XL Debuts with Record Cargo Delivery to ISS
* Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for September 19, 2025
* ARISS News
* AMSAT Ambassador Activities
* Satellite Shorts From All Over

The AMSAT® News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and information service of AMSAT, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS publishes news related to Amateur Radio in Space including reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building, launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio satellites.

The news feed on https://www.amsat.org publishes news of Amateur Radio in Space as soon as our volunteers can post it.

Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor [at] amsat.org

You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: https://mailman.amsat.org/postorius/lists/ans.amsat.org/

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AMSAT 2025 Board of Directors Election Results Announced to Membership

The 2025 AMSAT Board of Directors Election concluded on September 15, 2025, with a total of 330 votes cast. Four seats were up for election this year, with the four candidates receiving the highest number of votes elected to two-year terms on the Board of Directors, and the candidate receiving the next highest number of votes designated as Alternate Director for a one-year term.

The following have been elected to serve on the AMSAT Board of Directors:
Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA – 261 votes
Jerry Buxton, NØJY – 254 votes
Barry Baines, WD4ASW – 245 votes
Frank Karnauskas, N1UW – 232 votes

Alternate Director:
Douglas Tabor, N6UA – 213 votes

The AMSAT Board of Directors is responsible for setting the organization’s strategic direction, overseeing satellite projects and operations, supporting educational outreach, and fostering collaboration with partners worldwide. The Board ensures that AMSAT continues to fulfill its mission of advancing amateur radio in space for the benefit of members and the broader amateur-radio community.

[ANS thanks Doug Tabor, N6UA, AMSAT Secretary, for the above information]

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Special Hotel Rate Deadline is September 24 for AMSAT 43rd Annual Symposium

The deadline to reserve a hotel room at the AMSAT special rate for the 43rd Annual Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting is Tuesday, September 24. The discounted rate of $129 plus tax is offered at the Holiday Inn & Suites Phoenix Airport North, located minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport.

All rooms are two-room suites with a choice of two Queens or one King, and include breakfast, free parking, a free airport shuttle, outdoor pool, brew pub, courtyard, and fully updated rooms. Reservations must be made directly with the hotel using Group Code: P7C, and discounted rooms are limited.

Reservations can be made by calling 877-424-2449 or online at:
https://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/us/en/phoenix/phxff/hoteldetail
(Select “Group Rate” under Rate Preference and enter P7C before continuing.)

[ANS thanks Frank Karnauskas, N1UW, AMSAT VP – Development, for the above information]

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AMSAT July/August 2025 AMSAT Journal Now Available for Member Download

The July/August 2025 edition of The AMSAT Journal is now available to members. The AMSAT Journal is AMSAT’s bi-monthly digital magazine dedicated to amateur radio in space. Each issue features technical articles, educational initiatives, operating activities, and community news from around the world. Members can access both the latest edition and the full archive through the AMSAT member portal.

Inside the Current Issue: Apogee View – Robert Bankston, KE4AL; Educational Relations Update – Alan Johnston, KU2Y; AMSAT Field Day 2025 Results – Bruce Paige, KK5DO; An Amateur Radio Eye on AI – Joe Kornowski, KB6IGK; Experimental Validation of the Mexican Network of Amateur Satellite Stations (REMEASAT) – Omar Álvarez Cárdenas, XE1AO, et al.

This issue opens with Robert Bankston, KE4AL, delivering his final Apogee View column as AMSAT President. Bankston reflects on five years of leadership, thanking members and volunteers for their dedication while emphasizing the need to continue pushing forward with higher orbits, expanded communications, and vigilance in protecting amateur frequencies. Educational outreach is another key theme, with Alan Johnston, KU2Y, providing updates on the CubeSatSim project, STEM activity guides, and recent demonstrations in the U.S. and Australia. He also previews educational sessions at both the AMSAT Space Symposium and AMSAT-UK Colloquium this October.

Contest enthusiasts will enjoy Bruce Paige’s, KK5DO, detailed report on the 2025 AMSAT Field Day. This year saw seventeen participating stations with highlights including innovative setups, first-time satellite contacts, and several memorable QSOs with the ISS. Other technical features include Joe Kornowski’s article, An Amateur Radio Eye on AI, exploring practical applications of artificial intelligence for weak-signal decoding, propagation forecasting, and antenna optimization, as well as a comprehensive study on the Experimental Validation of the Mexican Network of Amateur Satellite Stations (REMEASAT), showcasing citizen-science collaboration across Mexico and beyond.

Beyond the feature articles, the issue also highlights upcoming events such as the 43rd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium & Annual General Meeting, scheduled for October 16–19 in Phoenix, Arizona. Members will also find announcements on opportunities to support AMSAT through the President’s Club and eBay for Charity initiatives, reflecting the many ways volunteers and donors continue to strengthen AMSAT’s mission of keeping amateur radio in space.

AMSAT members can access the July/August 2025 edition and archived issues at: https://launch.amsat.org/The_AMSAT_Journal

[ANS thanks Joe Kornowski, KB6IGK, Editor-in-Chief of The AMSAT Journal, for the above information]

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Open Letter from AMSAT-SM Highlights Need for Full Duplex Handheld Radio

In August, the AMSAT-SM group in Sweden issued an open letter to several major amateur radio manufacturers calling for the development of a new handheld transceiver with true full duplex capability. The initiative, led by Lars Thunberg, SM0TGU, highlights the strong demand within the satellite operating community for modern equipment that supports simultaneous transmit and receive on different bands without desense.

The letter was sent to a dozen manufacturers, including Icom, Kenwood, Yaesu, Alinco, Baofeng, TYT, Wouxun, Retevis, AnyTone, QYT, Radtel, and Verotelecom. These companies represent both long-established Japanese firms and newer Chinese brands that have introduced a wide variety of handhelds in recent years. While today’s radios often feature APRS, GPS, Bluetooth, and USB-C charging, none currently provide the full duplex FM capability needed for effective satellite operation.

AMSAT-SM emphasized that full duplex operation is vital for amateur satellite use, allowing operators to hear their own downlink while transmitting. This feature was present in older, now-discontinued models such as the Kenwood TH-D72, but is missing from all currently produced handhelds. The group argued that satellite operators would be willing to pay a premium for this capability, and that manufacturers could capture a unique market by stepping into this space.

Among the minimum technical requirements outlined were extended filtering between the VHF and UHF bands, robust desense protection, support for both memory and VFO operation in duplex mode, CTCSS subtone transmission, and a rugged external antenna connector for portable Yagi antenna use. Practical considerations such as USB-C charging, selectable power output up to five watts, and energy-efficient design for longer battery life were also highlighted as priorities.

AMSAT-SM further suggested several “nice to have” features that could broaden the radio’s appeal. These included APRS with GPS, Bluetooth support for wireless headsets, and computer connectivity over Bluetooth for channel programming and Doppler control. The group specifically recommended implementing the CAT protocol over Bluetooth, which would allow operators to use existing satellite tracking and Doppler correction software without proprietary apps.

As of August 30, AMSAT-SM reported that three of the twelve manufacturers contacted had responded to their appeal, with one company moving forward in discussions. While details remain confidential, the group encourages operators to stay tuned for updates. The effort reflects both the continuing innovation within the amateur satellite community and the strong desire for modern, purpose-built equipment to support space-based communication.

Read the full letter at: https://www.amsat.se/2025/08/16/open-letter-from-amsat-sm-regarding-development-of-a-full-duplex-handheld/

[ANS thanks Lars Thunberg, SM0TGU and AMSAT-SM for the above information]

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AMSAT Remove Before Flight Key Tags Now Available
Yes, These are the Real Thing!

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Wow@Home Project Builds Worldwide SDR Telescope Network to Monitor the Sky

The Wow@Home project, inspired by the famous “Wow!” signal detected in 1977, is advancing its effort to establish a global network of small, software defined radio (SDR) telescopes dedicated to searching for transient astrophysical events and potential technosignatures. Testing of hardware and software continues, though progress has been slowed by a shortage of low-noise amplifiers (LNAs), a key component expected back in stock later this month. Project organizers note that the original Wow! signal was strong enough to have been detected by a modest home telescope, underscoring the scientific value of a distributed approach.

A worldwide network of small radio telescopes offers distinct advantages compared to professional observatories. These low-cost systems can operate autonomously around the clock, providing continuous sky monitoring that large instruments cannot sustain. Distributed across different time zones, the network allows global coverage, coincidence detection of events, and rapid response to alerts. The approach is scalable, resilient, and accessible, making it ideal for education, citizen science, and wider participation in radio astronomy.

The prototype Wow@Home telescope is a meridian-style system modeled after the Big Ear telescope used in the Ohio State SETI project. With a fixed elevation and a wide 25-degree beam, the telescope surveys a full 360-degree strip of sky each day as the Earth rotates. Over time, multiple passes yield full-sky coverage. While sensitivity is lower than professional instruments, this design provides valuable data on radio frequency interference (RFI) near the hydrogen line and creates a platform for detecting strong transient events.

Central to the project is the Wow@Home software, now under development. Built initially in IDL (Interactive Data Language) and later to be translated to Python for broader access, the software acquires and analyzes data to identify transient events and reject RFI. Early test results include signal-to-noise plots, hydrogen spectral profiles of the Galactic center, and narrowband event detections. A unique “retro” display option is also being developed to recreate the printout style of the original Ohio SETI experiments, connecting modern work to its historic roots.

The Wow@Home network is not an interferometer and does not measure polarization at this stage. Its strength lies in continuous, distributed monitoring for signals lasting from seconds to days. Coordinated observations across multiple sites can confirm weak or short-lived events, eliminate local interference, and provide complementary coverage to large observatories. Recent discoveries of Fast Radio Bursts and long-period transients illustrate the types of phenomena that modest instruments may detect if deployed widely.

Looking ahead, organizers estimate that at least 114 telescopes are required for basic sky coverage, with about 342 needed for effective redundancy and RFI rejection. At a cost of roughly $500 per station, the full network could be established for under $200,000—far less than a single professional facility. A public version of the Wow@Home software is expected by late 2025 or early 2026. Volunteers with expertise in RFI mitigation, graphical interfaces, or app development are encouraged to contribute. More information is available from project lead Abel Méndez at the University of Puerto Rico (abel.mendez [at] upr.edu).

Project details and updates are available at: https://phl.upr.edu/wow/outreach

[ANS thanks Abel Mendez, University of Puerto Rico at Arecibo, and RTL-SDR.com for the above information]

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Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus XL Debuts with Record Cargo Delivery to ISS

Northrop Grumman’s newest cargo spacecraft, the Cygnus XL, successfully arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) on September 18 following its debut launch. The capture took place at 7:24 a.m. EDT (1124 UTC) as NASA astronaut Jonny Kim operated the station’s Canadarm2 robotic arm to grapple the freighter while the complex orbited about 260 miles (420 kilometers) above the Democratic Republic of Congo. The arrival came one day later than originally planned after the spacecraft overcame a thruster issue during rendezvous preparations.

The mission, designated NG-23, lifted off on September 14 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. This launch marked the 23rd Cygnus resupply flight for NASA, continuing Northrop Grumman’s role in commercial cargo delivery. The company partnered with SpaceX to provide launch services after previously relying on its Antares rocket.

A thruster anomaly initially delayed Cygnus XL’s approach, requiring mission planners to rework the trajectory for a safe capture. “It’s a very intricate planning exercise that we have to go through to arrive at Space Station and rendezvous in a very specific point in space,” explained Bill Spetch, NASA ISS operations integration manager. Engineers resolved the issue, allowing the spacecraft to complete its final maneuvers and reach the station safely.

Cygnus XL represents the largest and most capable version of the cargo vehicle to date. The freighter delivered approximately 11,000 pounds (4,990 kilograms) of supplies, science experiments, and hardware, compared to about 8,500 pounds (3,855 kilograms) on earlier flights. The debut also ended a year-long gap in Cygnus operations, caused by delays to the NG-22 mission, which was ultimately canceled following transport damage.

The NG-23 vehicle was christened the S.S. William “Willie” McCool, honoring the NASA astronaut who lost his life in the 2003 space shuttle Columbia tragedy. “To see a ship bearing his name safely arrive at the station is a reminder that his courage and kindness are still circling our beautiful planet Earth,” said Kim after completing capture operations.

On board are materials to advance research in multiple disciplines, including semiconductor crystal growth, pharmaceutical manufacturing, cryogenic fuel tank technology, and microbial control systems. NASA highlighted a specialized ultraviolet light unit to improve water system safety and crystal-growth experiments that could lead to new cancer treatments. The S.S. McCool was berthed to the Unity module’s Earth-facing port at 10:10 a.m. EDT (1410 UTC) on September 18 and is scheduled to remain at the ISS until March 2026 before deorbiting to burn up in Earth’s atmosphere.

[ANS thanks Mike Wall, Space.com for the above information]

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The 2025 AMSAT President’s Club Coins Have Just Arrived!
Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Amateur Radio on Human Spaceflight

Help Support GOLF and Fox Plus.
Join the AMSAT President’s Club today!

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Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for September 19, 2025

Two Line Elements or TLEs, often referred to as Keplerian elements or keps in the amateur community, are the inputs to the SGP4 standard mathematical model of spacecraft orbits used by most amateur tracking programs. Weekly updates are completely adequate for most amateur satellites. TLE bulletin files are updated daily in the first hour of the UTC day. New bulletin files will be posted immediately after reliable elements become available for new amateur satellites. More information may be found at https://www.amsat.org/keplerian-elements-resources/.

This week there are no additions or deletions to the AMSAT TLE distribution.

[ANS thanks Joe Fitzgerald, KM1P, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager, for the above information.]

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ARISS News

Amateurs and others around the world may listen in on contacts between amateurs operating in schools and allowing students to interact with astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station. The downlink frequency on which to listen is 145.800 MHz worldwide.

Scheduled Contacts

+ Recently Completed

Taka Town Board of Education Children’s Future Division, Taka Town, Japan, direct via JA3YRL
The ISS callsign was OR4ISS
The scheduled crewmember was Kimiya Yui KG5BPH
The ARISS mentor was 7M3TJZ
Contact was successful: Thu 2025-09-11 09:22:34 UTC
Congratulations to the Taka Town Board of Education Children’s Future Division students, Kimiya KG5BPH, mentor 7M3TJZ, and ground station JA3YRL!

National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Abuja, Nigeria, telebridge via ZS6JON
The ISS callsign was NA1SS
The scheduled crewmember was Zena Cardman KJ5CMN
The ARISS mentor was IN3GHZ
Contact was successful: Sat 2025-09-20 09:37:23 UTC
Congratulations to the NASRDA students, Zena KJ5CMN, mentor IN3GHZ, and ground station ZS6JON!

+ Upcoming Contacts

Amur State University, Blagoveshchensk, Russia, direct via TBD
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS
The scheduled crewmember is Oleg Platonov
The ARISS mentor is RV3DR
Contact is go for: Wed 2025-09-24 10:00 UTC

Many times a school may make a last-minute decision to do a Livestream or run into a last-minute glitch requiring a change of the URL but we at ARISS may not get the URL in time for publication.  You can always check https://live.ariss.org/ to see if a school is Livestreaming.

As always, if there is an EVA, a docking, or an undocking; the ARISS radios are turned off as part of the safety protocol.

The crossband repeater continues to be active (145.990 MHz up {PL 67} & 437.800 MHz down), If any crewmember is so inclined, all they have to do is pick up the microphone, raise the volume up, and talk on the crossband repeater. So give a listen, you just never know.

Note, all times are approximate. It is recommended that you do your own orbital prediction or start listening about 10 minutes before the listed time.

The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html

The latest list of frequencies in use can be found at https://www.ariss.org/contact-the-iss.html

[ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team mentors for the above information.]

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AMSAT Ambassador Activities

AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events.

AMSAT Ambassador Clint Bradford, K6LCS, says,

“Think a 75-minute presentation on “working the easy satellites” would be appropriate for your club or event? Let me know by emailing me at k6lcsclint (at) gmail (dot) com or calling me at 909-999-SATS (7287)!”

Clint has NEVER given the exact same show twice: EACH of the 150+ presentations so far has been customized/tailored to their audiences.

Scheduled Events

Radio Society of Tucson Autumn Hamfest – September 27, 2025
Calvary Lutheran Church
8711 East Speedway Boulevard
Tucson, AZ 85710
https://k7rst.club/2025/08/rst-autumn-hamfest-2025/
N1UW

North Star Radio Convention – October 11, 2025
Hennepin Technical College
9000 Brooklyn Boulevard
Brooklyn Park, MN 55445
https://northstarradio.org/
ADØHJ

43rd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium & Annual General Meeting – October 16 thru 19, 2025
Holiday Inn & Suites Phoenix Airport North
1515 North 44th Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85008
Details at https://www.amsat.org/2025-symposium/

Interested in becoming an AMSAT Ambassador? AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events.

For more information go to: https://www.amsat.org/ambassador/

[ANS thanks Bo Lowrey, W4FCL, Director – AMSAT Ambassador Program, for the above information.]

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In this edition:

* JAMSAT’s Blueberry JAM Project to Develop Open-Source CubeSat Transponders for Amateur Radio
* Amateur Weather Satellite Reception Opportunities Beyond the Retired POES Fleet (NOAA-15/18/19)
* Meteoglider Offers Reusable Radiosonde Alternative for High-Altitude Weather Data Collection
* SpaceX’s Starship Flight 10 to Demonstrate Expanded Booster and Upper Stage Test Objectives
* Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for August 22, 2025
* ARISS News
* AMSAT Ambassador Activities
* Satellite Shorts From All Over

The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and information service of AMSAT, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS publishes news related to Amateur Radio in Space including reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building, launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio satellites.

The news feed on https://www.amsat.org publishes news of Amateur Radio in Space as soon as our volunteers can post it.

Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor [at] amsat.org

You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: https://mailman.amsat.org/postorius/lists/ans.amsat.org/

ANS-236 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

To: All RADIO AMATEURS
From: Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation
712 H Street NE, Suite 1653
Washington, DC 20002

DATE 2025 Aug 24

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JAMSAT’s Blueberry JAM Project to Develop Open-Source CubeSat Transponders for Amateur Radio

The Japan Amateur Satellite Association (JAMSAT) has announced the launch of the “Blueberry JAM” initiative, a new project to design and build an open-source multi-mode transponder for CubeSats. A kickoff meeting was held on May 3 with 15 participants, marking the start of what is envisioned as a flagship development effort for the organization.

The Blueberry JAM project centers on creating a versatile linear transponder that can be integrated into 1U CubeSats, while also being scalable to larger 3U and 6U platforms. The design is intended to support both traditional linear operation and potential digital enhancements, such as delay modes and data handling. The first demonstration unit—an engineering model—is targeted for completion by mid-2026 and will be offered to universities and satellite developers for potential flight opportunities.

Jerry Buxton, N0JY, AMSAT VP-Engineering commented, “AMSAT-NA is excited to see the Japan Amateur Satellite Association’s commitment to open-source development and collaboration with amateur satellite organizations around the world with their Blueberry JAM initiative.

“We are pleased to offer our help in this collective effort by providing JAMSAT with any schematics and documentation from AMSAT’s open-source/open-access projects developed to date as well as those being introduced this year.

“This includes our flight-proven LTM-2 Linear Transponder Module that has flown successfully on satellites deployed by two world-class universities and currently still operating on MO-122 and MESAT1. LTM provides telemetry downlink support for the host science missions and satellite health, as well as direct control of the LTM amateur radio usage. A third university is set to carry the latest version of LTM, which will fly on GOLF-TEE and Fox-Plus, on their upcoming mission that is currently under construction.”

A core philosophy of the project is openness. JAMSAT has pledged to make the development process, design documents, and results available to the amateur community. Hardware costs are expected to be covered by JAMSAT, while individual participants will bear their own incidental expenses. By sharing the design broadly, the group hopes to encourage adoption by multiple satellite missions, with a goal of eventually deploying the transponder on as many as 10 spacecraft.

Technical discussions during the kickoff highlighted the demand for new linear transponder capability in amateur satellites, as well as recognition that digital features will be important for future operations. Considerations include dual-channel command and data handling, efficient microcontroller use, and antenna and power system constraints inherent to CubeSats. The team also noted the potential to establish a ground-based test station to exercise the transponder under realistic conditions before flight.

Buxton also said, “We are also very happy to share AMSAT’s work on its upcoming SDR GEN-2, an SDR that provides all-mode functionality and continuous coverage from 144 MHz to 6 GHz providing “Five & Dime” capability in a format to fit 1U or larger CubeSats.

“We look forward to supporting JAMSAT in promoting more international collaborations that continue to Keep Amateur Radio in Space!”

Coordination for the project will be managed initially through mailing lists, with Slack and other online tools supporting more detailed technical exchanges. Meetings will be held on an ad-hoc basis until a regular schedule is established. Participants also suggested supplementary seminars to review background information and prior work for the benefit of newer contributors.

By positioning Blueberry JAM as a fully open-source design, JAMSAT hopes to strengthen international collaboration and demonstrate Japan’s continued leadership in the amateur satellite community. With a development horizon stretching into 2026 and beyond, the project has the potential to become a cornerstone payload for future CubeSat missions and to provide valuable new communication opportunities for amateur operators worldwide.

[ANS thanks JAMSAT and Jerry Buxton, NØJY, AMSAT VP-Engineering for the above information]

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Amateur Weather Satellite Reception Opportunities Beyond the Retired POES Fleet (NOAA-15/18/19)

With the retirement of NOAA-15, NOAA-18, and NOAA-19, the long-running POES (Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellites) series has officially ended service. Some in the community worry this marks the end of easily accessible weather imagery, but the outlook for amateur reception remains bright.

Russia’s Meteor-M satellites are now the mainstay for 137 MHz reception. Their LRPT signals are strong and reliable, and with additional Meteor-M launches planned, service is expected to continue well into the 2040s. Higher-resolution imagery is also available on the 1.7 GHz band for those with modest upgrades in equipment.

Europe’s Metop series continues to transmit on L-band, with Metop-B and -C expected to operate until 2027 and 2030. The newly launched Metop-SG satellites will extend coverage for another decade, ensuring continuity for hobbyists. In addition, the Arctic Weather Satellite and its planned successors (the STERNA series) will provide valuable radiometric data for weather monitoring.

Geostationary satellites also provide opportunities. Russia’s Elektro-L constellation broadcasts HRIT/LRIT on 1691 MHz, with a new spacecraft (N°5) scheduled for launch this October. For those in the Americas, the GOES series will remain active through the 2030s, continuing HRIT and GRB service. The U.S. Space Force’s EWS-G program further adds to the options, re-tasking former GOES satellites for continued imagery.

China’s FengYun-3 satellites and Korea’s GK-2A also contribute, while future developments in X-band reception are lowering the barrier for amateurs interested in higher-resolution Earth observation. Advances in software such as SatDump are making it easier than ever to decode and process these signals on affordable hardware.

The decommissioning of the POES fleet marks the end of an era, but not the end of the hobby. With a diverse mix of active and planned satellites across multiple bands, amateur weather satellite reception will remain an active part of the hobby, supported by a mix of current satellites and future missions. For those interested in exploring these opportunities, the open-source SatDump software can be used to decode imagery from many of the satellites mentioned above. SatDump is available for download at https://www.satdump.org.

Read the full article at: https://www.satdump.org/posts/beyond-poes-amateur-satellite-reception/

[ANS thanks lego11, SatDump.com, and the SatDump community for the above information]

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Meteoglider Offers Reusable Radiosonde Alternative for High-Altitude Weather Data Collection

Swiss weather intelligence company Meteomatics has unveiled the Meteoglider, a reusable glider platform designed to improve the way atmospheric data is gathered. Introduced in the spring of 2025, the Meteoglider advances the familiar radiosonde concept with a sustainable, GPS-guided recovery capability that promises significant operational and environmental benefits.

Radiosondes carried aloft by weather balloons have long provided vital measurements of temperature, humidity, pressure, and wind conditions. These instruments supply essential input for forecasts, climate models, and atmospheric studies. However, conventional radiosondes are almost always lost after deployment. Out of approximately 600,000 units launched worldwide each year, an estimated 80 percent are never recovered, leaving most as non-reusable debris.

The Meteoglider overcomes this challenge by gliding back under control after its flight. Constructed of lightweight foam and weighing only 250 grams, the vehicle ascends to heights of about 110,000 feet before release. Guided by GPS, the Meteoglider can return to its launch point or a designated location, typically completing the descent in around 25 minutes while reaching speeds of nearly 460 feet per second.

Performance remains on par with traditional systems. Meteogliders collect the same high-quality meteorological data as radiosondes, but with the added benefit of multiple reuses. Each unit can be recovered and redeployed as many as 50 times, extending the service life of its lithium batteries and electronics. This significantly reduces the recurring expense of atmospheric soundings while also addressing sustainability goals.

Another advantage is the practicality of operation. Meteogliders do not require special flight permissions and can be deployed as readily as conventional balloon-borne instruments. Their recoverability reduces waste, lowers operating costs, and minimizes the environmental footprint associated with routine meteorological monitoring.

The technology originated with Swiss startup R2Home, which Meteomatics acquired in late 2024 following a $22 million funding round. Together with the company’s established Meteodrone system, Meteogliders represent a new chapter in scalable, sustainable atmospheric sensing. By combining innovation with proven methods, Meteomatics aims to reshape global weather intelligence practices with tools that are both economical and environmentally responsible.

Read the full article at: https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/meteomatics-unveils-the-meteoglider-a-high-altitude-weather-data-revolution

[ANS thanks Miquel Ros, AeroTime.com, and Meteomatics for the above information]

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SpaceX’s Starship Flight 10 to Demonstrate Expanded Booster and Upper Stage Test Objectives

SpaceX is preparing for the tenth integrated test flight of its Starship Super Heavy launch system from Starbase, Texas. Liftoff is targeted for Sunday, August 24, 2025, with a launch window from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Central Time. A live webcast will begin approximately 30 minutes before liftoff and will be available on the SpaceX website and X (formerly Twitter) @SpaceX. As with all developmental testing, schedules remain dynamic and subject to change.

This mission follows the completion of investigations into the loss of Starship on Flight 9 and the Ship 36 static fire anomaly. SpaceX reports that both hardware and operational changes have been implemented to improve reliability, with technical summaries of the investigations available online.

The Super Heavy booster will attempt multiple flight experiments on a trajectory toward an offshore landing point in the Gulf of Mexico. Objectives include a controlled flip and boostback maneuver, first demonstrated on Flight 9, designed to conserve propellant and increase payload capacity. These trials are aimed at expanding the operational envelope and validating booster recovery techniques for future missions.

The booster’s landing burn experiments are a primary focus of Flight 10. SpaceX plans to intentionally disable one of the three center engines during the landing sequence, relying on a backup engine from the middle ring to complete the burn. The booster will then transition to a two-engine hover maneuver above the ocean surface before shutdown and splashdown, providing data on redundancy and landing performance.

The Starship upper stage will attempt several in-space demonstrations, including the deployment of eight Starlink mass simulators, a Raptor engine relight, and multiple reentry experiments. To stress-test the thermal protection system, a significant number of heat shield tiles have been removed, while metallic tile alternatives and active cooling systems will be evaluated. These measures are intended to expose vulnerabilities and refine reentry survivability.

Additional objectives include testing functional catch fittings and assessing rear flap performance during maximum entry dynamic pressure. According to SpaceX, these experiments are vital steps toward the development of a rapidly reusable launch system. With manufacturing ramping up at Starfactory in Texas and new launch infrastructure under construction in both Texas and Florida, Starship continues to progress toward operational readiness for future missions.

See the official SpaceX update page at: https://www.spacex.com/launches/starship-flight-10 …and maybe check out the SpaceX Shop for a new T-shirt while you’re at it.

[ANS thanks SpaceX for the above information]

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The 2025 AMSAT President’s Club Coins Have Just Arrived!
Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Amateur Radio on Human Spaceflight

Help Support GOLF and Fox Plus.
Join the AMSAT President’s Club today!

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Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for August 22, 2025

Two Line Elements or TLEs, often referred to as Keplerian elements or keps in the amateur community, are the inputs to the SGP4 standard mathematical model of spacecraft orbits used by most amateur tracking programs. Weekly updates are completely adequate for most amateur satellites. TLE bulletin files are updated daily in the first hour of the UTC day. New bulletin files will be posted immediately after reliable elements become available for new amateur satellites. More information may be found at https://www.amsat.org/keplerian-elements-resources/.

With HamTV becoming active on ISS, orbital elements are now updated twice daily in www.amsat.org/tle/ at 00:18 and 12:18 UTC. The intention is to have high quality TLE available to accurately calculate doppler shift for the 2.935 GHz downlink. Observations comparing these TLE to those that were calculated based ephemerides and TLE produced by Johnson Space Center the last time HAMTV was active are desired, write jfitzgerald [at] amsat.org

The following satellite has been removed from this week’s distribution:

VERONIKA NORAD Cat ID 58261 Decayed from orbit on or about 15 August 2025

[ANS thanks AMSAT Orbital Elements page for the above information]

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ARISS NEWS

Amateurs and others around the world may listen in on contacts between amateurs operating in schools and allowing students to interact with astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station. The downlink frequency on which to listen is 145.800 MHz worldwide.

+ Recently Completed

Youngsters On The Air, Jambville, France, Direct via FX5YOTA
The ISS callsign was OR4ISS
The scheduled crewmember was Mike Fincke KE5AIT
The ARISS mentor was F6ICS
Contact was successful: Tue 2025-08-19 09:18:30 UTC
Congratulations to the YOTA students, Mike, mentor F6ICS, and ground station FX5YOTA!
Watch the Livestream at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MARkTcR6Njo

NixderStelar (formerly Gemini-1), Lima, Peru, telebridge via VK4KHZ
The ISS callsign was NA1SS
The scheduled crewmember was Zena Cardman KJ5CMN
The ARISS mentor was VE6JBJ
Contact was successful: Wed 2025-08-20 14:07:47 UTC
Congratulations to the NixderStelar students, Zena, and mentor VE6JBJ!

+ Upcoming Contacts

Orion Primary School, Alberton, South Africa, direct via ZS9LSO
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS
The scheduled crewmember is Mike Fincke KE5AIT
The ARISS mentor is IN3GHZ
Contact is go for: Fri 2025-08-29 09:35:44 UTC

Many times a school may make a last minute decision to do a Livestream or run into a last minute glitch requiring a change of the URL but we at ARISS may not get the URL in time for publication. You can always check https://live.ariss.org/ to see if a school is Livestreaming.

The crossband repeater continues to be active (145.990 MHz up {PL 67} & 437.800 MHz down). If any crewmember is so inclined, all they have to do is pick up the microphone, raise the volume up, and talk on the crossband repeater. So give a listen, you just never know.

The packet system is also active (145.825 MHz up & down).

As always, if there is an EVA, a docking, or an undocking; the ARISS radios are turned off as part of the safety protocol.

Note, all times are approximate. It is recommended that you do your own orbital prediction or start listening about 10 minutes before the listed time.

The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html

The latest list of frequencies in use can be found at https://www.ariss.org/contact-the-iss.html

[ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team mentors for the above information]

---

AMSAT Ambassador Activities

AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events.

AMSAT Ambassador Clint Bradford, K6LCS, says,

“Think a 75-minute presentation on “working the easy satellites” would be appropriate for your club or event? Let me know by emailing me at k6lcsclint (at) gmail (dot) com or calling me at 909-999-SATS (7287)!”

Clint has NEVER given the exact same show twice: EACH of the 150+ presentations so far has been customized/tailored to their audiences.

Scheduled Events

Northeast HamXposition (HamX) & New England ARRL Convention – August 21st thru 24th, 2025
Best Western Royal Plaza & Trade Center
181 Boston Post Road West
Marlborough, MA 01752
http://www.HamX.org
W1EME, WD4ASW, WB1FJ

Greater Louisville Hamfest – September 6th, 2025
Paroquet Springs Conference Centre
395 Paroquet Springs Drive
Shepherdsville, KY 40165
https://louisvillehamfest.wixsite.com/louisvillehamfest
W4FCL

North Star Radio Convention – October 11th, 2025
Hennepin Technical College
9000 Brooklyn Boulevard
Brooklyn Park, MN 55445
https://northstarradio.org/
ADØHJ

43rd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium & Annual General Meeting – October 16th thru 19th, 2025
Holiday Inn & Suites Phoenix Airport North
1515 North 44th Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85008
Details at https://www.amsat.org/2025-symposium/

Interested in becoming an AMSAT Ambassador? AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events.

For more information go to: https://www.amsat.org/ambassador/

[ANS thanks Bo Lowrey, W4FCL, Director – AMSAT Ambassador Program, for the above information]

---

AMSAT Remove Before Flight Key Tags Now Available
Yes, These are the Real Thing!

Satellite Shorts From All Over

+ The United States is racing to be the first nation to deploy a nuclear reactor on the lunar surface, following new orders from Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy. His directive, issued July 31, calls for fast-tracking lunar nuclear power to stay ahead of China and Russia, who have announced joint plans to build a reactor by the mid-2030s. Duffy warned that if rivals succeed first, they could impose “keep-out zones” that would threaten U.S. access and undermine the Artemis program, which aims to return astronauts to the moon in 2027. The order requires NASA to appoint a program leader within 30 days and expands on previous work with the Department of Energy to develop fission surface power producing at least 40 kilowatts of power. Since long-term lunar operations are estimated to require at least 100 kWe (100 kilowatts of electrical power, or about the consumption of 80–100 U.S. homes), nuclear power is seen as critical for sustaining life on the moon and enabling future Mars missions. In addition, Duffy issued a separate directive to speed up commercial space station development as the International Space Station nears retirement by 2030. (ANS thanks CNN for the above information)

+ SpaceX successfully launched the U.S. Space Force’s X-37B spaceplane aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Kennedy Space Center on August 21, 2025, marking the start of its eighth mission. The booster, making its sixth flight, landed at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station just over eight minutes after liftoff. The Boeing-built X-37B, part of a two-vehicle fleet, has previously flown missions lasting between 224 and 909 days, though the duration of this new mission is undisclosed. This flight will test advanced technologies, including high-bandwidth laser communications with commercial satellite networks in low Earth orbit, offering faster and more secure data transfer than radio frequencies. It will also demonstrate a quantum inertial sensor, enabling spacecraft navigation in GPS-denied or deep-space environments. Space Force leaders emphasized that these experiments are key to improving the resilience, adaptability, and operational capabilities of U.S. space systems. (ANS thanks Spaceflight Now for the above information)

+ The newly launched NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite has successfully deployed a record-breaking 39-foot-wide radar antenna in orbit, unfolding it like a blooming umbrella after weeks of careful preparation. Launched on July 30, 2025, from India’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre, the satellite carries two powerful radar systems—L-band from NASA and S-band from ISRO—capable of penetrating clouds, vegetation, and snow to track changes on Earth’s surface. The massive gold-plated wire mesh reflector, weighing 142 pounds, was released through a carefully staged process involving joint-by-joint boom extension and the firing of explosive bolts. It took four days for the structure to fully extend before motors and cables pulled it into its final drum-like shape. NISAR will provide three-dimensional, high-resolution images of Earth’s land and ice, detecting surface shifts as small as fractions of an inch. By late fall, scientists expect the satellite to begin delivering transformative data, including 3D “movies” of environmental changes across the globe. (ANS thanks Gizmodo for the above information)

SpaceX has partnered with American radio astronomers to develop an automated system that reduces satellite interference with sensitive radio telescopes. The collaboration, led by the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO), created the Operational Data Sharing system and a Starlink algorithm that redirects satellite beams or mutes electronics during scheduled observations. This system, tested at the Very Large Array in New Mexico, allows telescopes to continue detecting faint cosmic signals despite thousands of satellites crossing overhead daily. Radio astronomers warn that interference from low Earth orbit constellations like Starlink could obscure signals from distant galaxies or even evidence of extraterrestrial life. With satellite numbers expected to rise above 100,000 by 2030, the need for protective measures is urgent. Researchers hope the system will be adopted worldwide and by other satellite operators, enabling astronomy and satellite internet to coexist. If successful, this approach could set a precedent for balancing technological progress with preservation of humanity’s window into the universe (ANS thanks Space.com for the above information)

---

Join AMSAT today at https://launch.amsat.org/

In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to:

* Societies (a recognized group, clubs or organization).
* Primary and secondary school students are eligible for membership at one-half the standard yearly rate.
* Post-secondary school students enrolled in at least half-time status shall be eligible for the student rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status.
* Memberships are available for annual and lifetime terms.

Contact info [at] amsat.org for additional membership information.

73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space!

This week’s ANS Editor, Mitch Ahrenstorff, ADØHJ
mahrenstorff [at] amsat.org

In this edition:

* AMSAT Submits Formal Objection to AST SpaceMobile Plan, FCC Records 2,283 Comments
* Amateur Radio Enthusiasts Decode SSMIS After DoD Ends Public Hurricane Data Stream
* SpaceX Launches NASA’s TRACERS Mission to Study Solar Wind and Magnetic Reconnection
* NASA, ISRO Set to Launch NISAR Satellite to Map Earth and Monitor Glaciers, Faults, and Crops
* Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for July 25, 2025
* ARISS News
* AMSAT Ambassador Activities
* Satellite Shorts From All Over

The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and information service of AMSAT, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS publishes news related to Amateur Radio in Space including reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building, launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio satellites.

The news feed on https://www.amsat.org publishes news of Amateur Radio in Space as soon as our volunteers can post it.

Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor [at] amsat.org

You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: https://mailman.amsat.org/postorius/lists/ans.amsat.org/

ANS-208 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

To: All RADIO AMATEURS
From: Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation
712 H Street NE, Suite 1653
Washington, DC 20002

DATE 2025 Jul 27

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AMSAT Submits Formal Objection to AST SpaceMobile Plan, FCC Records 2,220 Comments

The public comment period has officially closed for FCC Space Bureau Docket 25-201, which reviewed a request by AST & Science, LLC (AST SpaceMobile) to use the 430–440 MHz band for telemetry, tracking, and command (TT&C) operations. This spectrum includes 435–438 MHz, a critical allocation for the amateur satellite service. The filing window ended at midnight Eastern Time on July 21.

AMSAT submitted formal comments opposing the proposal, citing the extensive non-commercial use of 435–438 MHz by amateur satellites, including OSCAR-class spacecraft, educational CubeSats, and the ARISS station aboard the International Space Station. AMSAT also highlighted ongoing interference caused by AST’s BlueWalker-3 satellite on 437.500 MHz, which has disrupted InspireSAT-1. The filing urges the Commission to deny AST’s request and preserve the integrity of the amateur satellite service.

The international amateur satellite community also responded forcefully. AMSAT-DL (Germany) provided direct evidence of BlueWalker-3 interference received at the Bochum Observatory. AMSAT-SM (Sweden) filed in opposition as well, and the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) pointed out that AST’s use of 430–440 MHz under ITU Radio Regulation Article 4.4 lacks required sharing studies and would pose significant interference risks to amateur operations worldwide.

As of the close of the comment period, the FCC docket recorded 2,283 total filings, a remarkable outpouring of concern from the amateur community. While not all filings were express comments in opposition, the overwhelming majority appear to be from individual amateur radio operators urging the FCC to reject AST’s request. The ARRL encouraged its members to participate. The result is one of the most heavily commented amateur-spectrum proceedings in recent FCC history.

AST has maintained that its use of the band would be limited to early-orbit phases and emergencies, but commenters—including AMSAT—argue that such “limited use” does not mitigate the real potential for interference. AMSAT emphasized that many amateur satellites rely on IARU-coordinated use of 435–438 MHz, and that commercial systems should operate in bands explicitly allocated for space operations—not shared amateur satellite spectrum.

The FCC’s reply comment window remains open through August 5, 2025. During this period, individuals and organizations may respond directly to previously filed comments, clarify technical concerns, and reinforce the case for preserving amateur access to 435–438 MHz. AMSAT encourages reply commenters to cite interference data, highlight educational and non-commercial uses, and support the formal filings made by AMSAT and IARU.

After the reply deadline, the FCC Space Bureau will review the entire docket record. This process may take weeks or months and may culminate in a proposed order or public notice. While there is no petition-to-deny window in this particular docket, stakeholders may still file additional comments or seek reconsideration if the Commission issues a preliminary decision.

AMSAT will continue to monitor the proceeding and work in coordination with the IARU and international partners to protect amateur satellite spectrum. The 435–438 MHz allocation remains a cornerstone of AMSAT’s mission to promote education, experimentation, and global collaboration in space communications. AMSAT thanks all who filed comments and urges continued engagement as the proceeding advances.

[ANS thanks AMSAT and the FCC Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) for the above information]

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Amateur Radio Enthusiasts Decode SSMIS After DoD Ends Public Hurricane Data Stream

Amateur radio enthusiasts have developed a method to access critical hurricane monitoring data following a decision by the U.S. government to end online distribution. The data originates from the Special Sensor Microwave Imager Sounder (SSMIS) aboard the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP), long used by meteorologists to monitor storm development.

In June, the Department of Defense announced it would discontinue public access to real-time SSMIS data, citing cybersecurity concerns. Although the cutoff was postponed until August, forecasters warned that losing this source of microwave imagery would hinder their ability to analyze tropical cyclone structure, particularly under cloud cover or at night.

In response, amateur radio enthusiasts developed a workaround led by the SatDump project’s creator. The SatDump software project has released a new decoder that allows users to receive SSMIS transmissions directly from the satellite. Although official distribution is scheduled to stop soon, the satellite continues to broadcast unencrypted signals over the United States and polar regions.

With the right radio hardware—details of which are available online—users can intercept the satellite’s signal independently. The decoder software was built using a combination of reverse engineering and publicly available documentation to replicate some of the functionality NOAA had previously provided.

Not all data channels are accessible using this method. Thermal data in particular remains unavailable due to the absence of reference materials needed for decoding. Still, the tool provides valuable insight for those monitoring storms during hurricane season.

The decoder is still under active development and is available in the “verywip” branch of the SatDump GitHub repository at https://github.com/SatDump/SatDump. Interested users can download the tool and find setup instructions and ongoing updates through the project page.

Read the full article at: https://www.theregister.com/2025/07/21/ssmis_satellite_decoder/

[ANS thanks Lindsay Clark, The Register, for the above information]

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The 2025 AMSAT President’s Club Coins Have Just Arrived!
Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Amateur Radio on Human Spaceflight

Help Support GOLF and Fox Plus.
Join the AMSAT President’s Club today!

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SpaceX Launches NASA’s TRACERS Mission to Study Solar Wind and Magnetic Reconnection

NASA’s TRACERS mission successfully launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Wednesday, July 23, following a one-day delay caused by airspace concerns. The mission, carried into orbit aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, aims to improve scientific understanding of space weather by studying how solar wind affects Earth’s magnetic field.

TRACERS, short for Tandem Reconnection and Cusp Electrodynamics Reconnaissance Satellites, consists of two identical spacecraft designed to fly in close formation. Their mission is to monitor magnetic reconnection events, where Earth’s magnetic field lines snap and reconnect due to surges in solar wind. These reconnection events are responsible for geomagnetic storms and auroras, and can potentially disrupt satellites and electrical grids on Earth.

The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 2:13 p.m. EDT (1813 UTC) and successfully returned its first stage to a landing at Vandenberg less than eight minutes after launch. This marked the 16th flight for the booster. The rocket’s upper stage continued carrying TRACERS to its target altitude of 367 miles (590 kilometers) in low Earth orbit.

In addition to TRACERS, the launch also carried five secondary payloads, including two private spacecraft named LIDE and Skykraft 4. Three additional NASA-affiliated missions were also aboard the flight, each focused on testing new technologies and studying space environments.

Among the ride-along NASA missions was Athena EPIC, a SmallSat aimed at improving cost-effective integration of Earth-observing instruments into orbit. Also included was the Polylingual Experimental Terminal, which will test spacecraft communication across different satellite networks, and the REAL mission, a cubesat designed to study and eventually mitigate harmful high-energy particles in the Van Allen radiation belts.

All six payloads — TRACERS and its fellow spacecraft — were successfully deployed during a 50-minute window beginning roughly 55 minutes after launch. The TRACERS mission is managed in collaboration with the University of Iowa, with the goal of enhancing models of space weather and protecting infrastructure from solar activity.

Read the full article at: https://www.space.com/science/nasa-launching-tracers-mission-to-protect-earth-from-space-weather-today-how-to-watch-live

[ANS thanks Keith Cooper, Space.com, for the above information]

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NASA, ISRO Set to Launch NISAR Satellite to Map Earth and Monitor Glaciers, Faults, and Crops

A new Earth-observing satellite developed jointly by NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to enhance global monitoring of land and ice. The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar mission, known as NISAR, will track surface changes with unprecedented accuracy, helping scientists and decision-makers address challenges ranging from natural disasters to food security. The satellite is scheduled to launch on July 30, 2025, at 8:10 a.m. EDT (12:10 UTC) from India’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre aboard ISRO’s GSLV-F16 launch vehicle.

NISAR is the first collaborative satellite mission of its kind between the two space agencies. It combines NASA’s L-band radar with ISRO’s S-band radar to produce high-resolution measurements of Earth’s surface, regardless of weather or lighting conditions. This dual-radar approach will allow scientists to detect subtle shifts in glaciers, faults, wetlands, and farmland, and to develop a deeper understanding of how these systems evolve over time.

The satellite’s radar reflector antenna spans 39 feet and will scan Earth’s surface every 12 days. The system is capable of detecting ground movement as small as fractions of an inch, providing critical insight into potential earthquakes, landslides, and volcanic activity. NISAR will also monitor infrastructure like dams and levees, alerting engineers to changes in surrounding land that may affect structural stability.

Data collected by NISAR will be processed and distributed via cloud platforms, with open access for researchers and governments around the world. Over its primary mission, NISAR is expected to generate about 80 terabytes of data products per day—making it the most data-intensive Earth science satellite ever launched by NASA or ISRO. These data will support everything from climate studies to emergency response planning.

The mission also plays a vital role in monitoring ecosystems and agricultural resources. With its ability to penetrate forest canopies and monitor moisture levels in soil and vegetation, NISAR will contribute to studies of forest health, crop yields, and carbon cycling. Its global coverage will be especially valuable in regions that lack consistent satellite monitoring.

The NISAR project is managed jointly by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and multiple ISRO centers, with key hardware contributions from both nations. Engineers from California and India collaborated to integrate and test the satellite, which represents a new chapter in U.S.-India civil space cooperation. NISAR continues the legacy of synthetic aperture radar missions while expanding their reach and resolution on a global scale.

Read the full article at: https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/5-things-to-know-about-powerful-new-us-india-satellite-nisar/

[ANS thanks the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, for the above information]

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Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for July 25, 2025

Two Line Elements or TLEs, often referred to as Keplerian elements or keps in the amateur community, are the inputs to the SGP4 standard mathematical model of spacecraft orbits used by most amateur tracking programs. Weekly updates are completely adequate for most amateur satellites. TLE bulletin files are updated daily in the first hour of the UTC day. New bulletin files will be posted immediately after reliable elements become available for new amateur satellites. More information may be found at https://www.amsat.org/keplerian-elements-resources/.

NOTICE: In an effort to minimize confusion between sources of two line element sets, AMSAT is adopting the convention of listing the USSF/NORAD Satellite Catalog name first, followed by any secondary name or names in parentheses. For example, “POEM 4 (BGS ARPIT)” was added recently where “POEM 4” is the name that appears in the US Space Force Satellite Catalog, and “BGS ARPIT” is the name best known within the amateur satellite community. Expect name changes for affected satellites in the coming weeks as this change is fully implemented.

This week there are no additions or deletions to the AMSAT TLE distribution.

[ANS thanks AMSAT Orbital Elements page for the above information]

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ARISS NEWS

Amateurs and others around the world may listen in on contacts between amateurs operating in schools and allowing students to interact with astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station. The downlink frequency on which to listen is 145.800 MHz worldwide.

+ Upcoming Contacts

Youth Camp “Cosmos” of Elabuga district, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, direct via TBD
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS
The scheduled crewmember is TBD
The ARISS mentor is RV3DR
Contact is go for Mon 2025-07-28 TBD UTC

Osaka-Kansai Japan Expo, Osaka, Japan, direct via 8K3EXPO
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS
The scheduled crewmember is Takaya Onishi KF5LKS
The ARISS mentor is 7M3TJZ
Contact is go for: Fri 2025-08-01 09:45:06 UTC

Many times a school may make a last minute decision to do a Livestream or run into a last minute glitch requiring a change of the URL but we at ARISS may not get the URL in time for publication. You can always check https://live.ariss.org/ to see if a school is Livestreaming.

The crossband repeater continues to be active (145.990 MHz up {PL 67} & 437.800 MHz down). If any crewmember is so inclined, all they have to do is pick up the microphone, raise the volume up, and talk on the crossband repeater. So give a listen, you just never know.

The packet system is also active (145.825 MHz up & down).

As always, if there is an EVA, a docking, or an undocking; the ARISS radios are turned off as part of the safety protocol.

Note, all times are approximate. It is recommended that you do your own orbital prediction or start listening about 10 minutes before the listed time.

The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html

The latest list of frequencies in use can be found at https://www.ariss.org/contact-the-iss.html

[ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team mentors for the above information]

---

AMSAT Ambassador Activities

AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events.

AMSAT Ambassador Clint Bradford, K6LCS, says,

“Think a 75-minute presentation on “working the easy satellites” would be appropriate for your club or event? Let me know by emailing me at k6lcsclint (at) gmail (dot) com or calling me at 909-999-SATS (7287)!”

Clint has NEVER given the exact same show twice: EACH of the 150+ presentations so far has been customized/tailored to their audiences.

Scheduled Events

Northeast HamXposition (HamX) & New England ARRL Convention – August 21st thru 24th, 2025
Best Western Royal Plaza & Trade Center
181 Boston Post Road West
Marlborough, MA 01752
http://www.HamX.org
W1EME, WD4ASW, WB1FJ

Greater Louisville Hamfest – September 6th, 2025
Paroquet Springs Conference Centre
395 Paroquet Springs Drive
Shepherdsville, KY 40165
https://louisvillehamfest.wixsite.com/louisvillehamfest
W4FCL

43rd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium & Annual General Meeting – October 16th thru 19th, 2025
Holiday Inn & Suites Phoenix Airport North
1515 North 44th Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85008
https://www.amsat.org/2025-symposium/

Interested in becoming an AMSAT Ambassador? AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events.

For more information go to: https://www.amsat.org/ambassador/

[ANS thanks Bo Lowrey, W4FCL, Director – AMSAT Ambassador Program, for the above information]

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AMSAT Remove Before Flight Key Tags Now Available
Yes, These are the Real Thing!

Satellite Shorts From All Over

+ ARISS SSTV Series 28 ran from July 14–20, 2025, transmitting 12 commemorative images from the International Space Station to honor the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project and STS-51F, which helped pioneer SSTV from space. The event drew strong global interest, with more than 8,650 images submitted to the ARISS gallery—an increase from Series 27. Over 3,300 individuals uploaded decodes, and nearly half of all participants were educators or students, highlighting SSTV’s appeal in STEM education. Europe led with 42% of submissions, followed by Asia (23%), North America (12%), South America (8%), Oceania (4%), Africa (1.3%), and Antarctica (0.01%). All seven continents were represented, demonstrating SSTV’s remarkable accessibility with modest equipment. ARISS thanks everyone who participated and helped make Series 28 a resounding worldwide success. (ANS thanks ARISS for the above information)

+ On July 22, 2025, Earth completed its rotation 1.34 milliseconds faster than the standard 24-hour day, making it the second-shortest day on record since precise atomic clock measurements began in 1973. This continues a puzzling trend observed since 2020, during which Earth has repeatedly broken its own speed records — the shortest day to date was July 5, 2024, at 1.66 milliseconds short. While day length variations are not new over geologic time, the recent acceleration defies easy explanation and may point to changes deep within the planet. One leading theory attributes the shift to interactions in Earth’s liquid core, which could be redistributing angular momentum and subtly speeding up the mantle and crust. Other scientists suggest melting polar ice and rising sea levels may be influencing Earth’s rotation, though likely as a moderating factor rather than the main cause. Experts believe the acceleration may be temporary, and Earth’s long-term trend toward slower rotation and longer days could soon resume. (ANS thanks Space.com for the above information)

+ The long-anticipated reinstallation of HamTV is scheduled to take place on the ISS on Tuesday, July 29. Work on the system will occur between 3:55 AM EDT and 5:55 AM EDT (07:55 UTC to 09:55 UTC), and successful completion could lead to test transmissions beginning the same day. HamTV is a digital amateur television system developed for educational outreach, allowing students to see live video from space during school contacts with the ISS. The system transmits MPEG-2 video using the DVB-S protocol, with a downlink frequency of 2395 MHz (2.395 GHz), and relies on modest ground station equipment for reception. Originally launched in 2014, HamTV is housed in the Columbus module but has been offline since 2018 pending equipment refurbishment and crew time for reinstallation. More information is available on the BATC Wiki at wiki.batc.org.uk/HAMTV_from_the_ISS and in the ARISS discussion channel on Discord at discord.gg/JrmXw58U8T. (ANS thanks ARISS for the above information)

+ KrakenRF Inc has announced the upcoming launch of the Discovery Drive, an affordable automatic antenna rotator designed for the Discovery Dish and similar antennas like Wi-Fi grid and Yagi types. A pre-launch page is now live at crowdsupply.com/krakenrf/discovery-drive, where users can sign up to receive notifications and secure early-bird pricing with at least $100 off during the crowdfunding campaign. The motorized rotator enables tracking of fast-moving polar orbiting satellites such as NOAA POES, METEOR-M2, METOP, and FENGYUN, and allows quick switching between geostationary satellites. It also supports amateur radio satellite tracking using rotctl-compatible software like SatDump, GPredict, and Look4Sat. Discovery Drive features a built-in ESP32 controller with Wi-Fi and USB connectivity, ±1.5° accuracy, and a waterproof enclosure—no external controller required. With open-source firmware, low power consumption, and robust gear-locked output drives, it offers an accessible and user-friendly solution for satellite and directional antenna users. (ANS thanks KrakenRF for the above information)

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Join AMSAT today at https://launch.amsat.org/

In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to:

* Societies (a recognized group, clubs or organization).
* Primary and secondary school students are eligible for membership at one-half the standard yearly rate.
* Post-secondary school students enrolled in at least half-time status shall be eligible for the student rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status.
* Memberships are available for annual and lifetime terms.

Contact info [at] amsat.org for additional membership information.

73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space!

This week’s ANS Editor, Mitch Ahrenstorff, ADØHJ
mahrenstorff [at] amsat.org

In this edition:

* AMSAT Shares Update on Fox-Plus CubeSat Design, Adapter Issues, and Integration Work
* AMSAT South Africa to Host 2025 Virtual Symposium on 68 Years of Amateur Radio Progress
* AMSAT Seeks Additional Volunteers for Moon Day at Dallas Frontiers of Flight Museum
* SpaceX Transporter-14 Rideshare Delivers Small Sats, Reentry Tech, and Memorial Ashes
* Axiom-4 Reaches Orbit After Delays With Multinational Crew Bound for Space Station
* Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for June 27, 2025
* ARISS News
* AMSAT Ambassador Activities
* Satellite Shorts From All Over

The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and information service of AMSAT, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS publishes news related to Amateur Radio in Space including reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building, launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio satellites.

The news feed on https://www.amsat.org publishes news of Amateur Radio in Space as soon as our volunteers can post it.

Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor [at] amsat.org

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ANS-180 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

To: All RADIO AMATEURS
From: Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation
712 H Street NE, Suite 1653
Washington, DC 20002

DATE 2025 Jun 29

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AMSAT Shares Update on Fox-Plus CubeSat Design, Adapter Issues, and Integration Work

During Hamvention 2025, AMSAT’s Mike Moore presented the latest developments in the Fox-Plus program. Mike Moore, K4MVM, AMSAT Systems Engineer/Project Lead began his status review by saying, “I’ve been involved with the AMSAT Fox CubeSat program for the last year and a half. It’s a continuation of the Fox series of satellites. We’re improving on the series with the Fox-Plus CubeSat, modernizing it and, where we can do so, reducing costs.”

AMSAT’s Fox Plus project is proceeding towards being ready for a launch of a 1U CubeSat (Fox-Plus-A) with a V/u linear transponder. The term “1U” refers to the standard size CubeSat, also known as a nanosat, measuring 10x10x10 centimeters, weighing up to 2 kilograms.

The Fox-Plus Amateur Radio CubeSat series will add to the success of the original Fox series of AMSAT 1U CubeSats. The big push is to have Fox-Plus units ready to fly experimental payloads on short notice.

AMSAT is purchasing components from ISIS (Innovative Solutions In Space), formed in 2006, with offices in The Netherlands. They provide components, particularly for CubeSats and small satellites. The company offers “building blocks” such as spacecraft structures, solar panels, antennas, transceivers, attitude control systems, and on-board computers as well as satellite launcher units and services.

Mike continued, “To expedite development of Fox-Plus, AMSAT has selected Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) components. This includes the ISIS CubeSat spacecraft frame, electrical power system, solar panels. We’re integrating those components with our AMSAT Linear Transponder Module (LTM).

“AMSAT’s LTM is a composed of the Legacy Internal Housekeeping Unit (LIHU), the Improved Command Receiver (ICR), receiver/transmitter (RXTX). The AMSAT Fox-Plus LTM module is shown within the dotted line rectangle, upper right in the system overview,” He said.

Moore explained, “We’ve been tasked to fit the COTS modules from ISIS, spacecraft frame, Electrical Power System (EPS) and solar panels with our AMSAT boards into the ISIS frame. That’s mechanical challenge. The ISIS frame and PCBs are not the same dimensions as AMSAT’s standard ME-113 PCB. The AMSAT ME-113 is used in legacy units as well as GOLF and other LTM applications.” The AMSAT-Fox Documentation, referenced below, provides details on Fox components.

“The diagram above shows the ISIS hole pattern and board dimensions compared to the ME-113 holes and dimensions. The Fox ME-113 board dimensions are offset just enough to make it a real problem. If they were offset by a bit more the problem might be simpler. It’s possible we could just offset our PCB connectors. That’s not possible, making this a mechanical engineering design challenge.

“We have adapters to do this; one design is in the photo above. Our Mechanical & Structural Engineer is Andrew Robinson, KA3WDW.

Mike continued, “The electrical adapter, is above on the right. The photo shows the PCBs while on my work bench. They’re half cards. It’s the ME-113 cut in half. I have the PC104 or in ISIS terms, the CubeSat Kit Bus (CSKB) on the left.

“That’s on the board on the left-hand side of the photo. The Power Integrated Unit (PIU) board from ISIS is connected to it. The photo shows just wires right now, but later there will be a ribbon cable over to our stacking bus which is our QXH electrical bus, a very small 60-pin connector. It connects all cards together.

The diagram above shows the Fox-Plus CubeSat and the mechanical adapters. The LTM is in the middle. On the bottom is the Power Battery Pack (PBP) and the top board is the CubeSat Power Integrated Unit (PIU). It consists of three subsystems which derive electrical energy from the solar panels and the energy stored in the PBP.

“We’re also considering using spacers instead of using the entire card area dimensions for mechanical adapters. Spacers are small units with two side by side holes. One hole would go to the ISIS board, the other would to the ME-113 board.

“I’ve now got preliminary schematics of the adapter card done. We’re about ready to go to production on that to get PCBs made. That has the power and signal components on it, all the power for the satellite and two I2C buses, (Inter-Integrated Circuit, a two-wire, serial communication protocol that allows multiple devices to communicate with each other on a single bus).

“There’s a problem on the ICR card version 1.2 and we’re taking care of that. Also, there’s Universal Asynchronous Receive/Transmit (UART) interconnect problem as well as some other odds and ends on which we’re working,” Moore added.

There are innumerable details encountered during CubeSat research, development, test, and evaluation (RDTE).

Jerry Buxton, N0JY, Vice President of Engineering for AMSAT is a key member of the Fox Engineering Team dating back to the beginning of the program in 2011. In his “AMSAT Fox-1 Systems Engineering Documentation” June, 2018 paper, The Fox program introduced this engineering process for AMSAT. See references at end of document.

“Engineering documentation is provided at each stage of development. An archive of this documentation is online, backed-up and version controlled. When an AMSAT satellite has been completed this archive of traceable documentation serves as the basis for planning and executing future satellite programs. It is updated to apply the lessons learned about what went well and what did not.”

Documentation is part of organizational memory (OM), also known as institutional memory or corporate memory. OM is the accumulated body of data, information, and knowledge created in the course of an organization’s existence, excellent proof of internal learning and education and potentially a reference tool for use by external organizations.

Concluding his portion of the AMSAT Forum Mike said, “Burns Fisher is AMSAT’s software guru. Burns is working with Patrick Thomas, KB8DGC, AMSAT System Engineer and PACSAT Liaison, getting Patrick up to speed to do Fox-Plus flight software.”

Other dedicated volunteers on the Fox-Plus Engineering Team include Andrew Robinson, KA3WDW, Mechanical & Structural Engineer, and Leandra MacLennan, AF1R, Electrical Engineer, Hardware Development. Contributions from various universities and other organizations were essential too.

[ANS thanks Mike Moore, K4MVM, AMSAT Systems Engineer/Project Lead for the above information]

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AMSAT South Africa to Host 2025 Virtual Symposium on 68 Years of Amateur Radio Progress

AMSAT South Africa has announced that the 2025 Space Symposium will take place on Saturday, 2 August 2025, from 08:00 UTC to 14:00 UTC, and has issued a call for papers. The theme of this year’s event is “Embracing 68 Years of Space Science and Innovation in Amateur Radio.”

Papers are invited on all aspects of space science and communication that impact or enhance the amateur radio experience — from technical developments to operational practices. Presentations will be approximately 30 minutes, followed by a 10-minute Q&A session. Proposal submissions in Microsoft Word format should be emailed to admin [at] amsatsa [dot] org [dot] za by 7 July 2025.

To maximize global participation, the symposium will be held online via the Webex platform. Attendance is free for members of all AMSAT organisations and national societies, with registration opening on 9 July 2025.

[ANS thanks AMSAT South Africa, for the above information]

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AMSAT Seeks Additional Volunteers for Moon Day at Dallas Frontiers of Flight Museum

The 2025 Moon Day, a space-themed public STEM event, will take place on Saturday, July 19 at the Frontiers of Flight Museum at Love Field in Dallas. Held each year close to the date of the Apollo 11 moon landing, the event features hands-on science exhibits and activities for all ages. Moon Day runs from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. CDT, with setup beginning at 8:00 a.m. CDT.

AMSAT will once again be represented at the event by AMSAT Ambassador Thomas Schuessler, N5HYP, along with several North Texas satellite enthusiasts. They will engage with the public — including many young people — on topics such as satellite orbits, the International Space Station, and amateur radio in space. Exhibits will include the AMSAT Fox CubeSat engineering model and the CubeSat Simulator, and the team hopes to demonstrate a few live satellite passes during the day.

Tom is seeking additional AMSAT volunteers from the North Texas area to help staff the exhibit table. The AMSAT booth will be located next to the Dallas Amateur Radio Club exhibit, providing opportunities for great conversations with fellow hams as well as curious families. Volunteers receive free museum admission and lunch. Anyone interested in helping for part or the entire day is encouraged to email Tom at n5hyp [at] arrl [dot] net.

More information about the event is available at: https://flightmuseum.com/events/moonday

[ANS thanks Tom Schuessler, N5HYP, AMSAT Ambassador, for the above information]

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The 2025 AMSAT President’s Club Coins Have Just Arrived!
Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Amateur Radio on Human Spaceflight

Help Support GOLF and Fox Plus.
Join the AMSAT President’s Club today!

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SpaceX Transporter-14 Rideshare Delivers Small Sats, Reentry Tech, and Memorial Ashes

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on June 23 at 5:25 p.m. EDT (2125 UTC), carrying 70 payloads for a diverse range of customers. The mission, known as Transporter 14, is the latest in SpaceX’s dedicated rideshare program, which provides cost-effective launch services for small satellites and experimental spacecraft.

Among the payloads was a special memorial capsule containing cremated human remains and DNA samples. The Exploration Company’s new Nyx reusable spacecraft is flying this commemorative mission in cooperation with Celestis, a company specializing in space burials. If all goes according to plan, Nyx will circle Earth two or three times before being recovered, carrying remains and DNA from about 150 people.

The launch also delivered an array of microsats, cubesats, and reentry capsules. One notable payload is Varda Space’s fourth reentry capsule, which aims to support the company’s effort to manufacture pharmaceuticals and other high-value goods in microgravity and return them to Earth for commercial use. Transporter 14 continues SpaceX’s trend of supporting in-space manufacturing demonstrations and technology development.

Two amateur radio satellites also hitched a ride. PARUS-T2, a 3U CubeSat developed by the Taiwan Space Agency with support from National Formosa University, carries a cross-band voice repeater and APRS digipeater. It provides voice communications on uplink 145.980 MHz (67 Hz tone) and downlink 435.250 MHz, along with APRS packet services on 145.825 MHz. Students and amateur operators worldwide will have access to the satellite’s unencrypted telemetry and educational outreach tools.

Indonesia’s RIDU-Sat 1 also joined the manifest. This 1U CubeSat, managed by the Republic of Indonesia Defense University, uses amateur radio frequencies for educational training and communications. It features a VHF APRS payload on 145.825 MHz and a telemetry beacon on 145.925 MHz, designed to support student learning and community engagement in satellite operations.

As with many previous Falcon 9 flights, reusability was on display. The rocket’s first stage landed successfully on the drone ship Of Course I Still Love You in the Pacific Ocean about 8.5 minutes after liftoff. It marked the 26th flight and landing for this booster, edging closer to SpaceX’s reuse record of 28 flights. Meanwhile, the upper stage will spend nearly two hours deploying the payloads into precise orbits, continuing a mission series that began with Transporter 1’s record-setting 143-satellite launch in 2021.

Read the full article at: https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/spacex-launches-human-remains-reentry-capsule-and-more-on-transporter-14-rideshare-mission

[ANS thanks Mike Wall, Space.com, and the IARU, for the above information]

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Axiom-4 Reaches Orbit After Delays with Multinational Crew Bound for Space Station

SpaceX successfully launched Axiom Space’s fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS) early June 25, following a series of technical and scheduling delays. The mission, known as Ax-4, lifted off aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 2:31 a.m. Eastern (0631 UTC). Nearly 10 minutes later, the Crew Dragon capsule separated from the rocket’s second stage in low Earth orbit.

The rocket’s reusable first stage completed a precise landing at Cape Canaveral’s Landing Zone 1. After a particularly long orbital chase — 28 hours between launch and rendezvous — the crew’s Dragon spacecraft docked with the space station Thursday morning at 6:31 a.m. Eastern (1031 UTC), where it will remain for approximately two weeks. The mission adds to SpaceX’s growing resume of crewed flights to the orbital outpost, further expanding the role of commercial providers in human spaceflight.

Commanding Ax-4 is Peggy Whitson, a veteran NASA astronaut making her fifth journey to space. She previously flew on three long-duration NASA missions and commanded Axiom’s Ax-2 mission in 2023. The rest of the crew includes Shubhanshu Shukla of India as pilot, and mission specialists Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary. All three are only the second individuals from their respective countries to reach orbit. Uznański-Wiśniewski’s flight is supported by the European Space Agency.

The mission experienced multiple delays since its original spring schedule. In February, NASA and SpaceX swapped the originally assigned Crew Dragon capsule, Endurance, for a newer vehicle to keep the Crew-10 launch on track. That decision pushed Ax-4 into late May, with further postponements in early June due to weather and a liquid oxygen leak in the Falcon 9 booster. Additional delays followed after NASA detected a potential air leak in the ISS’s Russian-built Zvezda module, prompting further investigation before approving the launch.

With clearance granted on June 23, the mission moved forward. The Ax-4 crew will conduct about 60 scientific experiments during their stay—the most of any Axiom mission to date. This includes joint research efforts between NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), with Shukla collaborating alongside NASA astronauts aboard the station.

Ax-4 also marks the first flight of the fifth and final Crew Dragon spacecraft built by SpaceX. In line with tradition, the crew named the new spacecraft upon reaching orbit. Commander Whitson revealed its name—Grace—as it separated from the rocket. “Grace is more than a name,” she said. “It reflects the elegance with which we move through space against the backdrop of Earth… an act of goodwill for the benefit of every human everywhere.”

Read the full article at: https://spacenews.com/fourth-axiom-space-private-astronaut-mission-launched-to-iss

[ANS thanks Jeff Foust, SpaceNews.com, for the above information]

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Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for June 27, 2025

Two Line Elements or TLEs, often referred to as Keplerian elements or keps in the amateur community, are the inputs to the SGP4 standard mathematical model of spacecraft orbits used by most amateur tracking programs. Weekly updates are completely adequate for most amateur satellites. TLE bulletin files are updated daily in the first hour of the UTC day. New bulletin files will be posted immediately after reliable elements become available for new amateur satellites. More information may be found at https://www.amsat.org/keplerian-elements-resources/.

NOTICE: In an effort to minimize confusion between sources of two line element sets, AMSAT is adopting the convention of listing the USSF/NORAD Satellite Catalog name first, followed by any secondary name or names in parentheses. For example, “POEM 4 (BGS ARPIT)” was added recently where “POEM 4” is the name that appears in the US Space Force Satellite Catalog, and “BGS ARPIT” is the name best known within the amateur satellite community. Expect name changes for affected satellites in the coming weeks as this change is fully implemented.

This week there are no additions or deletions to the AMSAT TLE distribution.

[ANS thanks AMSAT Orbital Elements page for the above information]

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ARISS NEWS

Amateurs and others around the world may listen in on contacts between amateurs operating in schools and allowing students to interact with astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station. The downlink frequency on which to listen is 145.800 MHz worldwide.

There are no upcoming ARISS contacts to report while schools are on summer recess. Scheduling is expected to resume as educational institutions return to session.

Many times a school may make a last minute decision to do a Livestream or run into a last minute glitch requiring a change of the URL but we at ARISS may not get the URL in time for publication. You can always check https://live.ariss.org/ to see if a school is Livestreaming.

The crossband repeater continues to be active (145.990 MHz up {PL 67} & 437.800 MHz down). If any crewmember is so inclined, all they have to do is pick up the microphone, raise the volume up, and talk on the crossband repeater. So give a listen, you just never know.

The packet system is also active (145.825 MHz up & down).

As always, if there is an EVA, a docking, or an undocking; the ARISS radios are turned off as part of the safety protocol.

Note, all times are approximate. It is recommended that you do your own orbital prediction or start listening about 10 minutes before the listed time.

The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html

The latest list of frequencies in use can be found at https://www.ariss.org/contact-the-iss.html

[ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team mentors for the above information]

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AMSAT Ambassador Activities

AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events.

AMSAT Ambassador Clint Bradford, K6LCS, says,

“Think a 75-minute presentation on “working the easy satellites” would be appropriate for your club or event? Let me know by emailing me at k6lcsclint (at) gmail (dot) com or calling me at 909-999-SATS (7287)!”

Clint has NEVER given the exact same show twice: EACH of the 150+ presentations so far has been customized/tailored to their audiences.

Scheduled Events

Olmos Preschool Mid-Year Space Camp – July 3rd, 2025
TI3IES Ignacio, AMSAT and AMSAT-TI Ambassador, will be giving a presentation and demonstration of amateur satellite communications at Olmos Preschool in Curridabat, San José, Costa Rica, on Thursday, July 3rd. The event is part of the school’s mid-year camp, which runs for two weeks with a space-themed focus. The presentation is specially designed for preschool-aged children, who have been learning about planets, stars, and spacecraft. This engaging session will introduce them to satellite communications in a fun and age-appropriate way. Ignacio will be representing AMSAT and AMSAT-TI as part of their ongoing outreach to inspire young learners through space and amateur radio.

Rochester Amateur Radio Association Hamfest 2025 – June 21st, 2025
Barnard Fire Department Park
410 Maiden Lane
Rochester, NY 14616
https://rochesterham.org/hamfest.htm
KB2YSI

Northeast HamXposition (HamX) & New England ARRL Convention – August 21st thru 24th, 2025
Best Western Royal Plaza & Trade Center
181 Boston Post Road West
Marlborough, MA 01752
http://www.HamX.org
W1EME, WD4ASW, WB1FJ

Greater Louisville Hamfest – September 6th, 2025
Paroquet Springs Conference Centre
395 Paroquet Springs Drive
Shepherdsville, KY 40165
https://louisvillehamfest.wixsite.com/louisvillehamfest
W4FCL

43rd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium & Annual General Meeting – October 16th thru 19th, 2025
Holiday Inn & Suites Phoenix Airport North
1515 North 44th Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85008
https://www.amsat.org/2025-symposium/

Interested in becoming an AMSAT Ambassador? AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events.

For more information go to: https://www.amsat.org/ambassador/

[ANS thanks Bo Lowrey, W4FCL, Director – AMSAT Ambassador Program, for the above information]

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AMSAT Remove Before Flight Key Tags Now Available
Yes, These are the Real Thing!

Satellite Shorts From All Over

+ On June 23, 2025, United Launch Alliance (ULA) successfully launched its Atlas V rocket carrying Amazon’s second batch of 27 Project Kuiper satellites into low Earth orbit from Cape Canaveral. This mission, dubbed Kuiper 2, was the second production batch toward Amazon’s plan for a 3,200+ satellite constellation providing global internet service. The launch followed a previous scrub due to a nitrogen purge issue and lifted off at 6:54 a.m. EDT (1054 UTC) after a smooth countdown and favorable weather. Amazon faces an FCC deadline to have half its first-generation constellation operational by July 2026 and has secured launches with multiple providers including ULA, SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Arianespace. With six more Atlas V launches booked and many Vulcan, Ariane 6, New Glenn, and Falcon 9 flights planned, Amazon aims to accelerate deployment to meet regulatory requirements. This second successful launch brings the total number of Kuiper satellites on orbit to 54, underscoring Amazon’s push to establish a steady launch cadence. (ANS thanks Spaceflight Now for the above information)

+ A new study has revealed that the May 2024 Gannon Solar Storm caused GPS signals to be off by up to 230 feet (70 meters), severely impacting farmers who lost over $500 million USD due to malfunctioning GPS-guided machinery during peak planting season. The storm, the most powerful in 20 years, created widespread ionospheric turbulence that distorted GPS signals for up to two days and produced stunning auroras visible as far south as Mexico and Spain. Boston University researchers used a network of fixed GPS receivers originally intended for tectonic studies to measure the disturbances, uncovering a massive “wall of ionospheric plasma” that threw off positioning data across North America. This GPS disruption affected not only agriculture but also aviation, exceeding the safety margin for altitude precision during landings. Experts warn that this storm was mild compared to a potential Carrington-level event, which could cause even more severe global consequences. Scientists suggest that real-time ionospheric monitoring and AI-based signal correction could help mitigate such risks in future storms. (ANS thanks Space.com for the above information)

+ NASA’s ESCAPADE mission, originally set to launch on the first flight of Blue Origin’s New Glenn, is now tentatively scheduled for the rocket’s second flight sometime between summer 2025 and spring 2026. The change was prompted by delays in New Glenn’s development, which caused ESCAPADE to miss its original October 2024 launch window. NASA’s FY 2026 budget proposal confirmed the revised plan, citing a new launch readiness date in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2025. ESCAPADE, a pair of Mars-bound smallsats, remains committed to New Glenn, despite no recent updates from Blue Origin on the rocket’s second launch timeline. NASA continues to work with Blue Origin to finalize a date, while still targeting arrival at Mars by September 2027 using a revised flight path. Though Blue Origin previously suggested a spring launch and hinted at possible alternate payloads, no firm details have been released as of yet. (ANS thanks SpaceNews for the above information)

+ Mexico’s president has threatened legal action over debris from a recent SpaceX rocket explosion near the U.S.-Mexico border. President Sheinbaum said the government is investigating potential violations of international law due to environmental contamination. The explosion occurred during a ground test of a SpaceX Starship at its Starbase facility in Texas, sending a large fireball into the sky. Mexican officials are now conducting a comprehensive environmental review focused on the nearby state of Tamaulipas. This comes after the U.S. FAA approved an increase in annual Starship launches from five to 25, despite warnings from conservation groups about threats to wildlife. Sheinbaum emphasized that any resulting lawsuit would be based on scientific findings and legal analysis. If filed, the lawsuit would follow another recent case in which Mexico sued Google over the labeling of the Gulf of Mexico. (ANS thanks Phys.org for the above information)

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Join AMSAT today at https://launch.amsat.org/

In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to:

* Societies (a recognized group, clubs or organization).
* Primary and secondary school students are eligible for membership at one-half the standard yearly rate.
* Post-secondary school students enrolled in at least half-time status shall be eligible for the student rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status.
* Memberships are available for annual and lifetime terms.

Contact info [at] amsat.org for additional membership information.

73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space!

This week’s ANS Editor, Mitch Ahrenstorff, ADØHJ
mahrenstorff [at] amsat.org