Mitch Ahrenstorff

AMSAT News Service

ANS-179
June 28, 2026

In this edition:

* Classic OSCARLOCATOR Returns as Browser-Based Tracking Simulator
* Katalyst Launches Spacecraft to Rescue NASA’s Swift Observatory
* Rocket Lab Launches Spacecraft for Space Force Orbital Exercise
* Researchers Propose StormWall System to Reduce Solar Storm Impacts
* Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for June 26, 2026
* 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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Classic OSCARLOCATOR Returns as Browser-Based Tracking Simulator

A new browser-based recreation of the classic OSCARLOCATOR satellite tracking aid is now online and free for all amateurs to use at: https://oscarlocator.n8hm.radio/

The OSCARLOCATOR Web Simulator is the work of AMSAT Executive Vice President Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, and is modeled on his OrbitDeck desktop application. It runs entirely in a web browser on desktop and mobile devices, with no login, installation, or plug-ins required.

For amateurs who came to satellite operating after the era of paper tracking devices, the original OSCARLOCATOR was a circular, azimuthal-equidistant map of one hemisphere paired with a rotating clear overlay. By aligning the overlay to a satellite’s equator crossing, an operator could determine where the spacecraft would appear in the sky and when it would be in range — all without a computer. N8HM’s web version preserves that look and method while adding the convenience of live, on-demand computation.

The simulator renders the familiar polar azimuthal-equidistant map as well as a QTH-centered version, automatically choosing the North or South polar sheet for the operator’s location. It draws the satellite’s ground track with 10-minute time marks, plots a range circle over the operator’s station, and shows the spacecraft’s instantaneous footprint. A live readout reports the sub-satellite point, azimuth and elevation from the station, slant range, and whether the satellite is above the horizon.

Operators can drive the display live in real time, pin an equator crossing to a chosen longitude and step forward minute by minute, or jump directly to the next visible pass over their location. A QTH-centered view places the operator’s station at the center of the map with azimuth bearings and great-circle distance rings — the same geometry used by a physical OSCARLOCATOR card.

A “Next Passes” panel lists the next ten visible passes over the operator’s QTH, with acquisition-of-signal, peak, and loss-of-signal times, pass duration, and maximum elevation and bearing. A single click seeds any listed pass onto the map. A separate reference-orbit table gives equator-crossing times and longitudes suitable for setting a physical OSCARLOCATOR.

The satellite picker is fed from current AMSAT GP (General Perturbations) orbital element data, with a bundled offline snapshot so the tool remains usable if live data cannot be retrieved. The station can be set by Maidenhead grid square, by latitude and longitude, or automatically through the browser’s geolocation. During live tracking the display follows the satellite across the equator, switching between the North and South polar sheets as appropriate.

Position calculations use a from-scratch SGP4/SDP4 propagator validated against the published Vallado reference vectors, with correct deep-space handling so that high-altitude and geosynchronous satellites such as QO-100 are displayed at their true sub-satellite points.

The OSCARLOCATOR Web Simulator is free to use and available online at https://oscarlocator.n8hm.radio. Amateurs new to satellite work may find its visual, hands-on approach a useful way to build intuition for how amateur satellites move and when they can be worked from a given location.

[ANS thanks Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, AMSAT Executive Vice President, for the above information]

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Katalyst Launches Spacecraft to Rescue NASA’s Swift Observatory

Katalyst Space Technologies is preparing to launch its LINK servicing spacecraft aboard Northrop Grumman’s Pegasus XL rocket no earlier than June 30. The mission will attempt to rendezvous with NASA’s Swift Observatory and raise its orbit, potentially extending the life of the 22-year-old space telescope. The launch is expected to mark one of the first operational attempts to capture and service an unprepared satellite already in orbit.

Swift was launched in 2004 to study gamma-ray bursts, among the most energetic events in the universe. Although the observatory remains scientifically productive, it was built without propulsion capable of maintaining its orbit. Atmospheric drag has gradually reduced Swift’s altitude over the past two decades, and increased solar activity accelerated that decay. NASA determined the spacecraft was at risk of descending too low for safe servicing operations later this year.

To preserve the observatory, NASA selected Katalyst Space Technologies in 2025 to develop a rapid-response rescue mission. The company designed and built the LINK servicing spacecraft in less than one year, an unusually short schedule for a mission of its complexity. LINK carries electric propulsion and a robotic capture system designed to attach itself to satellites that were never intended to be serviced in orbit.

Following launch, LINK will enter orbit and begin initial spacecraft checkout and commissioning activities. In the coming weeks, the spacecraft is expected to perform a series of orbital maneuvers to match Swift’s orbit before attempting a close approach. Once in position, three robotic arms will be used to capture the observatory and establish a secure mechanical connection.

The mission is expected to mark the final flight of Northrop Grumman’s Pegasus XL launch vehicle. First flown in 1990, Pegasus pioneered commercial air-launched access to space and completed dozens of missions during its 36-year career. The launch will utilize the last Pegasus XL rocket remaining in inventory and will be conducted from the L-1011 carrier aircraft Stargazer, believed to be the last operational Lockheed TriStar aircraft still flying.

If successful, the Swift rescue mission could establish a new model for extending the lives of aging spacecraft. Beyond preserving a valuable scientific observatory, the mission will demonstrate technologies that may one day allow commercial operators and government agencies to service satellites rather than replacing them. The mission is being closely watched as a potential milestone in the growing field of commercial on-orbit satellite servicing.

Read the full article at: https://arstechnica.com/space/2026/06/a-bold-satellite-rescue-mission-came-together-in-record-time-but-will-it-work/

[ANS thanks Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, for the above information]

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Buying from DX Engineering?
Add AMSAT’s Getting Started With Amateur Satellites to your order.Available for $30 from DX Engineering (free shipping on most orders over $99)
https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/amt-satellites

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Rocket Lab Launches Spacecraft for Space Force Orbital Exercise

Rocket Lab successfully launched a spacecraft for the U.S. Space Force’s Victus Haze mission on June 19, lifting off aboard an Electron rocket from the company’s Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand. The spacecraft, known as Victus Haze Puma, was placed into a sun-synchronous orbit and will participate in a military demonstration designed to test rapid response capabilities and on-orbit spacecraft operations.

Victus Haze is the fourth mission conducted under the Space Force’s Tactically Responsive Space (TacRS) program. The initiative seeks to demonstrate how commercial launch providers and spacecraft manufacturers can rapidly deploy satellites when needed. Unlike earlier demonstrations that focused primarily on launch readiness, Victus Haze expands the concept by evaluating spacecraft operations after reaching orbit.

Following launch, the Puma spacecraft entered a commissioning phase before beginning rendezvous and proximity operations with another spacecraft already in orbit. The mission will pair Rocket Lab’s vehicle with True Anomaly’s Jackal-004 spacecraft, which launched in May aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rideshare mission. During the exercise, the spacecraft will perform a variety of maneuvers intended to demonstrate space domain awareness and the ability to characterize nearby objects in orbit.

The mission also showcased the responsiveness of Rocket Lab’s launch system. After receiving a formal launch order from the Space Force, the company launched the Electron rocket within 16 hours and 42 minutes, surpassing the program’s 24-hour launch requirement. Rocket Lab reported that mission planners calculated a final trajectory to a previously undisclosed orbit, updated flight software, and coordinated ground station support within only a few hours of receiving the order.

Victus Haze builds on lessons learned from the Victus Nox mission conducted in 2023. That earlier demonstration proved that commercial providers could rapidly launch a satellite following a short-notice tasking. Victus Haze extends the concept by demonstrating that responsive space operations can continue after launch, including the ability to maneuver spacecraft, inspect nearby objects, and gather information about activities occurring in orbit.

Space Force officials view these capabilities as increasingly important as Earth orbit becomes more crowded and strategically significant. Future military and civil missions may require the rapid deployment of spacecraft to replace damaged satellites, investigate unusual activity, or provide additional sensing capabilities. Through partnerships with commercial companies such as Rocket Lab and True Anomaly, the Victus Haze mission aims to demonstrate that these capabilities can be delivered on operational timelines measured in hours and days rather than months.

Read the full article at: https://spacenews.com/rocket-lab-launches-satellite-for-u-s-space-force-victus-haze-responsive-space-exercise/

[ANS thanks Sandra Erwin, SpaceNews, for the above information]

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Researchers Propose StormWall System to Reduce Solar Storm Impacts

Scientists have proposed a new concept called StormWall that could one day help protect satellites, communications systems, and power infrastructure from severe solar storms. The idea, described in a recent paper published in the journal Space Weather, would use a fleet of spacecraft to temporarily strengthen Earth’s natural magnetic defenses when dangerous space weather is approaching.

Earth is normally protected by its magnetosphere, a magnetic field that deflects much of the charged particle radiation emitted by the Sun. During powerful solar eruptions, however, interactions between the solar wind and Earth’s magnetic field can allow large amounts of energy to enter near-Earth space. These events can disrupt satellite operations, radio communications, navigation systems, and electric power grids.

The proposed StormWall system would deploy six spacecraft in geosynchronous orbit. Each spacecraft would carry stores of material such as barium, lithium, sodium, or calcium. When a major solar storm is detected, the spacecraft would release the material into space, where sunlight would ionize it and create an artificial cloud of plasma.

Researchers believe this plasma cloud could increase the mass density along the sunward boundary of the magnetosphere. Computer simulations suggest that the added material would reduce the efficiency of magnetic reconnection, the process that allows solar storm energy to penetrate Earth’s magnetic shield. By slowing this process, StormWall could lessen the severity of geomagnetic storms reaching Earth.

To evaluate the concept, the research team simulated the effects of the May 2024 “Mother’s Day” geomagnetic storm. Their results indicated that StormWall would not eliminate the storm entirely but could reduce key measures of storm intensity by more than 50 percent. The researchers also concluded that the amount of material required and the launch capabilities needed for the system are within the reach of current technology.

The concept remains a theoretical proposal and no StormWall mission has been approved or funded. Nevertheless, the study represents an unusual approach to space weather mitigation, shifting the focus from forecasting solar storms to actively reducing their impact. As satellite constellations and other orbital infrastructure continue to expand, researchers suggest that large-scale protective systems may become increasingly attractive in the future.

Read the full article at: https://www.space.com/astronomy/earth/scientists-propose-spraying-chemicals-into-earths-magnetic-field-to-protect-us-from-powerful-solar-storms

[ANS thanks Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, for the above information]

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Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for June 26, 2026

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.

General Perturbations Data Support

AMSAT is pleased to announce that modern forms of what are called General Perturbations data are being disseminated via modern formats including JSON, XML and KVN at https://newark192.amsat.org/gpdata/current/. The reason this change is being made is that we are running out of 5-digit catalog numbers and the TLE format is not viable for satellites launched after July of this year. See https://celestrak.org/NORAD/documentation/gp-data-formats.php for details.

These data are presently considered in beta test for the next two months while hosted on the test server newark192.amsat.org, and we are very open to community feedback at [email protected]. Testers may experience outages and errors while we make improvements. We intend to put this into production on our main web server in July as we expect that satellites launched after this summer will require one of the new formats to accommodate longer object numbers. AMSAT will continue to publish TLE bulletins for satellites launched before July 2026 indefinitely.

[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

National STEM Festival, Washington, DC, telebridge via VK6MJ
The ISS callsign was NA1SS
The scheduled crewmember was Chris Williams, KJ5GEW
The ARISS mentor was W4NTR/ KM4YHZ
Contact was successful: Thu 2026-06-25 13:31:42 UTC
Congratulations to the National STEM Festival students, Chris, mentor W4NTR/KM4YHZ, and ground station VK6MJ!

+ Upcoming Contacts

None currently scheduled

Many times, a school makes a last-minute decision to do a Livestream or runs 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 remains configured in the Columbus Module (145.990 MHz up {PL 67} & 437.800 MHz down). If a crewmember decides to pick up the microphone and turn up the volume, you may hear them on the air—so keep listening, as you never know when activity might occur. In support of an upcoming EVA: Power Down June 29 15:15 UTC | Power Up July 1 10:15 UTC

Kenwood D710GA in the Zvezda Service Module – Call sign RS0ISS. Please note we’re still in the process of troubleshooting and testing this radio. APRS is currently active on 437.825 MHz. Feel free to check out status reports at https://ariss-usa.org/ARISS_APRS/. In support of an upcoming EVA: Power Down June 29 15:20 UTC | Power Up July 1 10:20 UTC

​HamTV in the Columbus Module (2395.00 MHz) is currently transmitting a test signal. The color bar test generator portion of the system is experiencing technical issues, and troubleshooting is underway. For more information, visit the ARISS Ham TV Live site at https://live.ariss.org/hamtv/.

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

Moon Day – July 11, 2026
Frontiers of Flight Museum
6911 Lemmon Avenue
Dallas, TX 75209
https://flightmuseum.com/events/moonday/
N5HYP

44th AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual Membership Meeting – October 8 thru 11, 2026
Crowne Plaza JAX Airport
14670 Duval Road
Jacksonville, FL 32218
https://www.amsat.org/2026-amsat-symposium/

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 News Service

ANS-144
May 24, 2026

In this edition:

* OrigamiSat-2 Receives Fuji-OSCAR 126 (FO-126) Designation from AMSAT
* AMSAT Opens Candidate Nominations for 2026 Board of Directors Election
* AMSAT Forum Covers Education, Operations, and Future Satellite Projects
* Bird Chaser Bingo Summer 2026 Adds New Twist to Satellite Operating
* Hamvention 2026 Brings Estimated $35 Million Impact to Xenia Region
* Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for May 22, 2026
* 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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OrigamiSat-2 Receives Fuji-OSCAR 126 (FO-126) Designation from AMSAT

OrigamiSat-2, one of eight satellites launched aboard Rocket Lab’s Kakushin Rising mission for JAXA on April 23, 2026, has now received an official OSCAR designation from AMSAT. Developed by the Institute of Science Tokyo, the satellite has been assigned the designation Fuji-OSCAR 126 (FO-126) following a request submitted through the Japan Amateur Satellite Association (JAMSAT). The announcement came after satellite teams confirmed successful deployment and initial on-orbit operations.

The 3U CubeSat was designed to demonstrate lightweight deployable membrane antenna technology and promote amateur use of the 5.8 GHz band. Mission goals include testing a high-gain deployable reflector array antenna, demonstrating its performance in orbit, and helping establish methods for future advanced satellite systems. OrigamiSat-2 carries both UHF and C-band transmitters and aims to expand amateur radio experimentation beyond traditional VHF and UHF operations.

IARU coordination lists downlinks on 437.505 MHz and 5840.000 MHz. The satellite supports CW and digital modes, including higher-speed data experiments over its 5.8 GHz link. Project information released by the team indicates a desire to openly share reception techniques and operational status with amateur operators, encouraging wider participation in receiving and decoding signals from the spacecraft.

Reports from the satellite team indicate the 5.8 GHz downlink has already been confirmed operational. Amateur satellite observers have expressed interest in monitoring activity from outside Japan as additional operational details become available. OrigamiSat-2 now joins the long-running OSCAR satellite tradition under its new designation, Fuji-OSCAR 126, continuing the international partnership between satellite developers and the amateur radio community.

[ANS thanks Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, AMSAT President / OSCAR Number Administrator, and Shiro Sakai, JH4PHW, JAMSAT President, for the above information]

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AMSAT Opens Candidate Nominations for 2026 Board of Directors Election

AMSAT has officially opened the nomination period for its 2026 Board of Directors election, which will take place during the third quarter of the year.

Three director positions are set to expire in 2026. The current board members whose seats are up for election are:

• Mark Hammond, N8MH
• Bruce Paige, KK5DO
• Paul Stoetzer, N8HM

In addition to these three full Director roles, up to two Alternate Directors may also be elected to serve one-year terms.

To nominate a candidate, a written submission is required. Nominations must include the nominee’s name, call sign, and contact information, along with the same details for either five AMSAT members in good standing or one Member Society endorsing the candidate.

Nominations should be directed to the AMSAT Secretary:

Douglas Tabor, N6UA
1133 Verlan Way
Cheyenne, WY 82009

Per AMSAT’s bylaws, all nominations must follow the format specified by the Secretary. Doug Tabor has indicated that nominations will be accepted in both hard copy (via postal mail) and digital formats (including email or scanned documents). However, fax submissions are not permitted.

Email nominations should be sent to: dtabor [at] amsat [dot] org

All nomination petitions must be received by the Secretary no later than June 15. After the submission deadline, the Secretary will confirm the eligibility of each candidate and the supporting members or societies, with final notification to candidates provided by the end of June.

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

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AMSAT Forum Covers Education, Operations, and Future Satellite Projects

AMSAT presented its annual Hamvention forum on Saturday afternoon at Dayton Hamvention 2026, providing attendees with updates on educational outreach efforts, satellite operations, ongoing engineering projects, and future spacecraft development. AMSAT Executive Vice President Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, opened the session and noted a packed program schedule covering topics ranging from youth initiatives and CubeSat education tools to next-generation satellite hardware and the GOLF-TEE mission.

AMSAT Vice President for Development Frank Karnauskas, N1UW, highlighted AMSAT’s BuzzSat youth initiative, a community-based outreach program designed to introduce younger audiences to satellites and space technology through accessible educational materials. Rather than focusing initially on amateur radio itself, BuzzSat uses topics such as weather satellites, agriculture, climate monitoring, and space exploration to engage students before introducing amateur radio concepts. The initiative includes a downloadable coloring book and a growing collection of interactive educational courses for middle and high school students.

AMSAT Vice President for Educational Relations Alan Johnston, KU2Y, provided updates on the AMSAT CubeSat Simulator project, a low-cost educational satellite emulator designed for STEM instruction and amateur radio training. The CubeSatSim transmits actual telemetry and can emulate several on-orbit satellites while removing complexities such as Doppler shift and satellite tracking. Johnston demonstrated command and control functions including telemetry mode changes and crossband repeater operation and noted that complete systems, classroom loaner kits, and simplified CubeSatSim Lite versions are now available.

AMSAT Vice President for Operations Mark Hammond, N8MH, reviewed currently active amateur satellites and encouraged operators to use AMSAT’s satellite status resources to determine operational modes and activity. Hammond also promoted the new Students on the Air (StOTA) activity created by Carsten Glasbrenner, KQ4SJM, intended to encourage student participation on amateur satellites. He also discussed renewed development of PACSAT store-and-forward communications payloads, which revisit packet satellite concepts first popularized during the late 1980s and early 1990s.

AMSAT Flight Software Team Lead Burns Fisher, WB1FJ, and AMSAT Engineering Team member Ray Roberge, WA1CYB, outlined several engineering efforts including AMSAT’s Linear Transponder Module (LTM), FoxPlus satellites, and SDR Gen 2 development. The LTM project continues AMSAT partnerships with universities by providing communications hardware in exchange for future amateur radio access after mission completion. SDR Gen 2 development expands microwave capabilities and is designed to support multiple modes while preparing operators for future high-bandwidth satellite communications.

AMSAT Vice President of Engineering Jerry Buxton, N0JY, concluded the session with a status update on the GOLF-TEE mission. Engineering work remains underway using a full system engineering model while a newly arrived metal space frame advances development toward a planned critical design review currently targeted for May 2027. Additional discussion included AMSAT participation in the FutureGEO proposal and announcements regarding the 2026 AMSAT Symposium scheduled for October in Jacksonville, Florida.

The full AMSAT Forum presentation can be viewed on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRDAQx-VgCc&t=19341s

[ANS thanks AMSAT and the Dayton Amateur Radio Association for the above information]

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Buying from DX Engineering?
Add AMSAT’s Getting Started With Amateur Satellites to your order.Available for $30 from DX Engineering (free shipping on most orders over $99)
https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/amt-satellites

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Bird Chaser Bingo Summer 2026 Adds New Twist to Satellite Operating

A new community challenge called Bird Chaser Bingo Summer 2026 is inviting amateur radio satellite operators to add a playful twist to their on-air activities. Organized by Sean Borgerson, KK7OVF, the event is now underway and invites operators to participate throughout the summer. Operators can participate from anywhere and compete by completing satellite-themed bingo objectives based on contacts, locations, satellites, and operating challenges.

Bird Chaser Bingo draws inspiration from other lighthearted amateur radio satellite activities such as WMPLOTA (Walmart Parking Lots on the Air) and ADØ Squared. Organizers describe it as a friendly competition intended to encourage operating activity and create opportunities for satellite operators to connect while pursuing unusual goals. There are no entry fees, sponsors, or geographic limitations, and participation is open to satellite operators worldwide.

Players receive a bingo card filled with summer-themed operating tasks and satellite-related objectives. Participants can earn a traditional bingo by completing a row, column, or diagonal. Those seeking an additional challenge can attempt a “Full Eclipse,” the event’s term for completing every square on the card. Organizers say a single contact may count for multiple squares if it satisfies more than one requirement, creating opportunities for memorable “one QSO bingo wonder” moments when several conditions align at once.

Operators submitting completed cards will receive recognition, and printable certificates will be emailed for completed bingo achievements. Participants who complete a Full Eclipse card are also expected to receive commemorative QSL cards. Event organizers note that QSL distribution outside the United States may be limited by mailing costs and available resources.

Activity for Bird Chaser Bingo runs from May 15 through August 31, 2026, using UTC dates. Completed card submissions are requested by September 15, 2026. Participants are encouraged to use online tools such as hams.at to identify portable operators and satellite activations. Organizers suggest rovers include notes such as “Bingo Campground” or “Bingo Festival” in activation announcements to help other participants locate qualifying activity.

Bird Chaser Bingo organizers say the event is intended as a relaxed summer operating activity rather than a race. Participants are encouraged to enjoy portable operations, unusual activation locations, and the occasional unexpected contact that checks multiple boxes at once. Organizers also encourage operators to share activation details through online tools and social media to help other participants locate activity. The event runs on the honor system and jokingly warns that any funny business may result in “QRM.”

Additional information, sign-up details, and Bird Chaser Bingo cards are available at: http://borgersons.com

[ANS thanks Sean Borgerson, KK7OVF, and the Bird Chaser Bingo organizers for the above information]

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Hamvention 2026 Brings Estimated $35 Million Impact to Xenia Region

Hamvention 2026 recently concluded in Xenia, Ohio, after once again drawing amateur radio operators and enthusiasts from around the world. Held at the Greene County Fairgrounds since 2017, Hamvention remains the world’s largest gathering devoted to amateur radio. Participants ranged from newcomers entering the hobby to experienced operators, technical experts, and international visitors. The annual event wrapped up on May 17 following three days of activities, exhibits, demonstrations, and presentations.

Local television coverage highlighted the event’s significance beyond the amateur radio community itself. Hamvention spokesperson Michael Kalter, W8CI, said the gathering generates an estimated economic impact of more than $35 million for southwest Ohio. Kalter noted that Xenia has a population of approximately 26,000 residents, while Hamvention attendance rivals and often exceeds that number. Hotels, restaurants, and businesses throughout the region benefit from the annual influx of visitors.

Kalter also emphasized amateur radio’s worldwide reach and continuing growth. He noted that amateur radio operators are licensed in approximately 160 countries around the globe and that the United States alone now has more than 750,000 licensed operators. Hamvention continues serving as a central meeting place where operators can discover new technology, exchange ideas, and connect with the broader amateur radio community. Kalter described the event as a “living, breathing community” rather than simply a trade show.

The television report also included several views of AMSAT activities during Hamvention 2026, including amateur satellite operating demonstrations outside the AMSAT exhibit area. Video coverage showed AMSAT volunteers demonstrating handheld satellite communications and interacting with visitors attending the event. Additional scenes highlighted the AMSAT booth inside the exhibition area, where attendees explored satellite operating equipment, antennas, and educational displays. The demonstrations offered visitors a practical introduction to amateur satellite operations and AMSAT’s continuing outreach efforts at Hamvention.

Beyond technology and equipment, Kalter highlighted the international friendships and cultural connections amateur radio can create. He reflected on opportunities to travel and meet amateur radio operators around the world through the shared interests of communication and experimentation. Organizers also noted continuing growth in interest from both new and experienced operators. Hamvention 2026 concluded after another year celebrating amateur radio’s technical, educational, and global community spirit.

The complete Dayton 24/7 Now report, including the original article and video coverage, is available at: https://dayton247now.com/news/local/worlds-largest-amateur-radio-gathering-returns-to-xenia-bringing-35m-plus-impact

[ANS thanks Jeff Schrock and Dayton 24/7 Now for the above information]

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The 2026 Coins Are Here! Help Support GOLF-TEE and Fox-Plus.
Annual memberships start at only $120.

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Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for May 22, 2026

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.

General Perturbations Data Support

AMSAT is pleased to announce that modern forms of what are called General Perturbations data are being disseminated via modern formats including JSON, XML and KVN at https://newark192.amsat.org/gpdata/current/. The reason this change is being made is that we are running out of 5-digit catalog numbers and the TLE format is not viable for satellites launched after July of this year. See https://celestrak.org/NORAD/documentation/gp-data-formats.php for details.

These data are presently considered in beta test for the next two months while hosted on the test server newark192.amsat.org, and we are very open to community feedback at [email protected]. Testers may experience outages and errors while we make improvements. We intend to put this into production on our main web server in July as we expect that satellites launched after this summer will require one of the new formats to accommodate longer object numbers. AMSAT will continue to publish TLE bulletins for satellites launched before July 2026 indefinitely.

[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

D.V. Skobeltsyn Research Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia, direct via R4UAB
The ISS callsign was RSØISS
The scheduled crewmember was Sergey Kud-Sverchkov
The ARISS mentor was RV3DR
Contact was successful: Mon 2026-05-18 17:27 UTC
Congratulations to the Moscow State University students, Sergey, mentor RV3DR, and ground station R4UAB

N.I. Lobachevsky Lyceum and School No. 132, Kazan, Russia, direct via TBD
The ISS callsign was RSØISS
The scheduled crewmember was Sergey Kud-Sverchkov
The ARISS mentor was RV3DR
Contact was successful: Wed 2026-05-20 15:50 UTC
Congratulations to the N.I. Lobachevsky Lyceum and School No. 132 students, Sergey, and mentor RV3DR

Pedagogical Lyceum of Blagoveshchensk State Pedagogical University, Blagoveshchensk, Russia, direct via TBD
The ISS callsign was RSØISS
The scheduled crewmember was Andrey Fedyaev
The ARISS mentor was RV3DR
Contact was successful: Thu 2026-05-21 08:50 UTC
Congratulations to the Pedagogical Lyceum of Blagoveshchensk State Pedagogical University students, Andrey, and mentor RV3DR

Colegio San Lucas, Tigre, Buenos Aires, Argentina, telebridge via ON4ISS
The ISS callsign was OR4ISS
The scheduled crewmember was Sophie Adenot KJ5LTN
The ARISS mentor was VE6JBJ
Contact was successful: Fri 2026-05-22 17:19 UTC
Congratulations to the Colegio San Lucas students, Sophie, mentor VE6JBJ, and ground station ON4ISS

+ Upcoming Contacts

Siksika High School, Siksika, Alberta, Canada telebridge via AB1OC
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS
The scheduled crewmember is Sophie Adenot KJ5LTN
The ARISS mentor is VE6JBJ
Contact is go for: Mon 2026-05-25 17:58 UTC

Minamigaoka Elementary School, Tsu, Japan, direct via JJ2YJC
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS
The scheduled crewmember is Jack Hathaway KJ5NIV
The ARISS mentor is 7M3TJZ/ JA1CJP/ MØXTD
Contact is go for: Thu 2026-05-28 11:22 UTC

Many times, a school makes a last-minute decision to do a Livestream or runs 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 remains configured in the Columbus Module (145.990 MHz up {PL 67} & 437.800 MHz down). If a crewmember decides to pick up the microphone and turn up the volume, you may hear them on the air—so keep listening, as you never know when activity might occur. In support of Russian EVA: Power Down May 27 07:45 UTC | Power Up May 28 11:10 UTC

​Kenwood D710GA in the Zvezda Service Module – Call sign RSØISS. Please note we’re still in the process of troubleshooting and testing this radio. APRS is currently active on 437.825 MHz. Feel free to check out status reports at https://ariss-usa.org/ARISS_APRS/. In support of Russian EVA: Power Down May 27 07:50 UTC | Power Up May 28 11:05 UTC

HamTV in the Columbus Module (2395.00 MHz) is powered down in support of payload operations. The power up is scheduled for May 25 at 13:40 UTC.

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

44th AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual Membership Meeting – October 8 thru 11, 2026
Crowne Plaza JAX Airport
14670 Duval Road
Jacksonville, FL 32218

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 News Service

ANS-116
April 26, 2026

In this edition:

* AMSAT Update from 2026 CubeSat Developers Workshop Available Online
* AMSAT-HB Announces Results of 2026 HB9RG Trophy Distance Competition
* Rocket Lab Launches Eight JAXA Satellites on Kakushin Rising Mission
* KrakenRF Discovery Drive Rotator Campaign Exceeds $314k Funding Goal
* Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for April 24, 2026
* 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 Update Presented at 2026 CubeSat Developers Workshop Available Online

An update presented by AMSAT President Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, at the 2026 CubeSat Developers Workshop is now available for viewing on YouTube. The presentation provides an overview of AMSAT’s current satellite development programs and future mission plans, along with its ongoing efforts to support amateur radio in space. The recorded session offers those unable to attend the workshop an opportunity to review AMSAT’s activities within the broader small satellite community.

The CubeSat Developers Workshop, held April 14–16, 2026, at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California, is an annual three-day conference focused on small satellite development. Now in its 23rd year, the workshop brings together participants from academia, industry, and government to share knowledge, research, and practical experience in CubeSat missions, with an emphasis on hands-on learning and collaboration.

During his presentation, Glasbrenner provided an overview of AMSAT’s mission as a volunteer, educational organization dedicated to building and operating amateur radio satellites. He noted the organization’s long history dating back to 1969 and highlighted the continued operation of early satellites such as AO-7, which remains functional more than five decades after launch when illuminated by the sun.

Glasbrenner then outlined AMSAT’s current satellite development efforts, focusing on the GOLF-TEE mission, a 3U CubeSat expected to be completed later this year or early next year. The satellite is designed to carry a 30 kHz linear transponder for amateur communications, along with a 10 GHz high-speed experimental downlink and improved three-axis attitude control. He also described the follow-on Fox-Plus series of CubeSats, which incorporate a mix of commercial hardware and AMSAT-developed radio payloads.

Additional work includes AMSAT’s development of linear transponder modules and other payloads designed for integration into university CubeSat missions. These systems allow partner institutions to use the hardware for mission communications while also providing access to amateur radio operators when not in use. Glasbrenner also highlighted educational initiatives such as the CubeSat Simulator and youth outreach programs aimed at expanding student participation in amateur satellite operations.

The full presentation can be viewed on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/live/p5GHRMOr8tk

[ANS thanks Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, AMSAT President, and the CubeSat Developers Workshop for the above information]

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AMSAT-HB Announces Results of 2026 HB9RG Trophy Distance Competition

AMSAT-HB has released the results of the 2026 HB9RG Trophy Distance competition, held during the first two weeks of March to honor the legacy of Hans Rudolf Lauber, HB9RG, a pioneer in VHF and UHF communications and early satellite experimentation. The event challenges operators to achieve the greatest possible distances using amateur satellites in Earth orbit. Unlike traditional contests, scoring is based on the sum of each participant’s ten longest satellite QSOs rather than the total number of contacts. This format emphasizes technical skill, station optimization, and operating strategy. The results shown in the table reflect the combined distance of those ten longest contacts for each operator. The 2026 competition drew participants from multiple countries across three operating categories.

Category 1, designed for portable handheld stations using whip or telescopic antennas, had a single participant, DF2ET, who achieved a total distance of 8,920.65 kilometers (5,542.43 miles). The operator recorded a maximum single contact of 1,843.41 kilometers (1,145.19 miles) between grid JO31 and KN56. In Category 2, which includes portable and more capable stations, KE9AJ placed first with a total distance of 71,581.90 kilometers (44,472.62 miles), followed by VU3YFD and VA3VGR. The longest single contact in this category measured 7,480.98 kilometers (4,648.52 miles) between KE9AJ in EL99 and F4AZF in JN39 via AO-7. KE9AJ also recorded the highest average distance at 7,158 kilometers (4,447.30 miles). Category 2 drew ten participants from seven countries.

Category	Rank	Call	Distance (kilometers)	Distance (miles)
Portable Whip/Telescope	1	DF2ET	8920.65	5542.43
Portable Stations	1	KE9AJ	71581.90	44472.62
	2	VU3YFD	42783.01	26584.98
	3	VA3VGR	39565.91	24584.35
	4	M5JFS	33729.30	20957.59
	5	ER1KW	24384.47	15152.51
	6	YC8RPK	20475.35	12722.06
	7	YD9IPB	17098.10	10624.07
	8	DG7RO	13330.27	8282.03
	9	DF2ET	11818.67	7343.52
	10	R2SCN	3562.93	2213.98
Fixed Stations	1	PA3GAN	66405.74	41262.68
	2	DL4KCA	38062.50	23650.48
	3	F0GOW	35609.15	22126.03
	4	F6KRK	28737.33	17856.45
	5	F1EFW	28356.55	17619.88

In Category 3 for fixed stations, PA3GAN placed first with a total distance of 66,405.74 kilometers (41,262.68 miles), followed by DL4KCA and F0GOW. The longest single contact reached 7,177.64 kilometers (4,459.41 miles) between PA3GAN in JO21 and KE9AJ in EL99 via AO-7. Five participants from three countries competed in this category. Results demonstrate the performance advantage of fixed stations while still requiring strong operating skill. The category showed consistent long-distance capability across multiple operators. Results highlight that both portable and fixed stations can achieve strong performance when combined with effective operating strategy.

Across all categories, the results highlight the continued importance of linear transponder satellites such as AO-7, FO-29, and RS-44 for long-distance QSOs. These platforms enabled many of the longest contacts recorded during the event. Operators demonstrated strong understanding of satellite passes, polarization effects, and station configuration. The competition also reinforced the value of portable operation in achieving unique grid combinations. Overall participation reflects a technically engaged satellite community. The HB9RG Trophy remains a meaningful tribute to early satellite communication achievements while encouraging continued innovation and participation in amateur satellite operations.

Official 2026 HB9RG Trophy Results: https://www.amsat-hb.org/hb9rg_trophy/hb9rg_trophy_2026/result_2026

[ANS thanks AMSAT-HB for the above information]

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Written by experienced AMSAT satellite operators, Getting Started With Amateur Satellites is a complete guide to working amateur satellites, covering tracking, antennas, radio selection, and step-by-step operation for FM, SSB, and digital modes.

Join or renew your AMSAT membership and download a free PDF copy for a limited time
https://www.amsat.org/membership-specials/

Or purchase the digital download or printed copy from the AMSAT Store
https://www.amsat.org/product-category/amsat-books-and-dvds/

---

Rocket Lab Launches Eight JAXA Satellites on Kakushin Rising Mission

Rocket Lab successfully launched eight satellites for Japan late Wednesday night as part of its Kakushin Rising mission, supporting the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration Program. Liftoff occurred at 11:09 PM EDT Wednesday, April 22 (0309 UTC Thursday, April 23) from Rocket Lab’s Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand. The mission carried a diverse set of small satellites designed to test new technologies and expand capabilities in low Earth orbit. The launch continues Rocket Lab’s steady cadence of dedicated smallsat missions.

The Electron rocket deployed all eight spacecraft into low Earth orbit at an altitude of approximately 336 miles (540 kilometers). Deployment occurred less than one hour after liftoff, in line with mission expectations. Rocket Lab confirmed successful separation of all payloads shortly after the event. The mission marked the 79th launch of the Electron launch vehicle.

Kakushin Rising represents the second of two contracted launches for JAXA’s technology demonstration program. The first mission, RAISE and Shine, launched in December 2025 and carried the RAISE-4 satellite to orbit. Together, the missions highlight Japan’s continued investment in rapid, cost-effective access to space for experimental payloads. These efforts support the development of new satellite technologies and operational concepts.

The eight satellites on this mission include MAGNARO-II, KOSEN-2R, WASEDA-SAT-ZERO-II, FSI-SAT2, OrigamiSat-2, ARICA-2, Mono-Nikko, and PRELUDE. The payloads range from educational CubeSats to advanced technology demonstrators, including systems for remote sensing, communications, and deployable structures. One satellite features an antenna that can expand to many times its stowed size using origami-inspired techniques. These missions provide valuable on-orbit validation for emerging technologies.

Several of the satellites are IARU-coordinated, including MAGNARO-II, KOSEN-2R, WASEDA-SAT-ZERO-II, and ARICA-2, with amateur radio downlinks in the VHF and UHF bands. Early reports from the SatNOGS network indicate that multiple satellites are already transmitting, with CW beacon signals received from MAGNARO-II, ARICA-2, WASEDA-SAT-ZERO-II, FSI-SAT2, and OrigamiSat-2 within hours of launch. These initial receptions confirm successful early operations and provide immediate opportunities for amateur radio operators to monitor and decode signals.

Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket, a 59 foot tall (18 meters) launch vehicle, is designed to provide responsive and dedicated access to space for small payloads. The company continues to support commercial, government, and research missions with frequent launches. Rocket Lab also operates a suborbital variant known as HASTE for hypersonic testing applications. The Kakushin Rising mission further demonstrates the growing role of small launch providers in enabling international space missions.

Read the full Space.com article at: https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/rocket-lab-launch-eight-japanese-satellites-kakushin-rising-mission

Follow satellite observations and tracking reports for the Kakushin Rising mission on the Libre Space Community: https://community.libre.space/t/kakushin-rising-mission-jaxa-rideshare-electron-2026-04-23-03-09-utc/14593

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

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KrakenRF Discovery Drive Rotator Campaign Exceeds $314k Funding Goal

KrakenRF’s Discovery Drive motorized azimuth/elevation antenna rotator crowdfunding campaign has concluded successfully on Crowd Supply. The project raised $334,282, exceeding its $314,550 goal and reaching 106 percent funding with support from 254 backers.

Discovery Drive is designed as a turnkey solution for satellite tracking using directional antennas such as dishes and Yagis. The unit arrives fully assembled and weatherproof, eliminating the need for mechanical assembly or custom controller integration. Setup consists of mounting the rotator to a mast or tripod, applying 12 V power, connecting via Wi-Fi or USB, and aligning the system to true north.

The rotator supports a range of satellite operations, including polar-orbiting weather satellites such as METEOR-M2, MetOp, and FengYun, as well as CubeSat and amateur radio satellite tracking. KrakenRF also highlighted additional experimental applications, including hydrogen line radio astronomy using compatible dish systems and software such as Stellarium.

During the campaign, KrakenRF shared multiple updates detailing development progress, software compatibility, and community testing, including video demonstrations of the system tracking weather satellites and operating with directional antennas such as handheld Yagis.

Discovery Drive integrates with commonly used satellite tracking software through a rotctl-compatible network interface, allowing automatic control from applications such as SatDump, GPredict, and Look4Sat. It also supports USB serial control using the EasyComm II protocol via Hamlib, while a browser-based web interface provides direct manual control and system configuration.

Following the conclusion of the campaign, Discovery Drive is available for pre-order through Crowd Supply at a post-campaign price of $799. KrakenRF has indicated a manufacturing timeline of approximately two months, followed by an additional one to two months for fulfillment and delivery.

Additional information is available at https://www.crowdsupply.com/krakenrf/discovery-drive.

[ANS thanks KrakenRF for the above information]

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The 2026 Coins Are Here! Help Support GOLF-TEE and Fox-Plus.
Annual memberships start at only $120.

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Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for April 24, 2026

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

University of Bordeaux (IUT de Bordeaux), GEII department, Gradignan, France, direct via F5KBW
The ISS callsign was scheduled to be OR4ISS
The scheduled crewmember was Sophie Adenot KJ5LTN
The ARISS mentor was F6ICS
Contact was successful: Mon 2026-04-20 08:12:45 UTC
Congratulations to the University of Bordeaux students, Sophie, mentor F6ICS, and ground station F5KBW!
Watch HamTV and Livestream at http://live.ariss.org/hamtv http://live.ariss.org

Diamond Harbour School, Christchurch, New Zealand, telebridge via IK1SLD
The ISS callsign was scheduled to be OR4ISS
The scheduled crewmember was Jack Hathaway KJ5NIV
The ARISS mentor was VK4KHZ
Contact was successful: Mon 2026-04-20 09:51:10 UTC
Congratulations to the Diamond Harbour School students, Jack, mentor VK4KHZ, and telebridge IK1SLD!

ASU Preparatory STEM Academy, Mesa, AZ, direct via WB7TJD
The ISS callsign was scheduled to be NA1ISS
The scheduled crewmember was Chris Williams KJ5GE
The ARISS mentor was K4RGK and KM4YHZ
Contact was successful: Thu 2026-04-23 16:52:04 UTC
Congratulations to the ASU Preparatory STEM Academy students, Chris, and mentors K4RGK and KM4YHZ!
Watch the Livestream at https://live.ariss.org/

+ Upcoming Contacts

None currently scheduled.

Many times, a school makes a last-minute decision to do a Livestream or runs 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 remains configured in the Columbus Module (145.990 MHz up {PL 67} & 437.800 MHz down). If a crewmember decides to pick up the microphone and turn up the volume, you may hear them on the air—so keep listening, as you never know when activity might occur.

​Kenwood D710GA in the Zvezda Service Module – Call sign RS0ISS. Please note we’re still in the process of troubleshooting and testing this radio. HamTV in the Columbus Module is configured for scheduled digital amateur television operations on 2395.00 MHz.

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

Dayton Hamvention – May 15 thru May 17, 2026
Greene County Fair and Expo Center
120 Fairground Road
Xenia, OH 45385
https://hamvention.org/

44th AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual Membership Meeting – October 8 thru 11, 2026
Crowne Plaza JAX Airport
14670 Duval Road
Jacksonville, FL 32218

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 News Service

ANS-088
March 29, 2026

In this edition:

* AMSAT Announces Full Lineup of Events and Activities for Hamvention 2026
* AMSAT CubeSatSim Lite Available Again for Purchase Through AMSAT Store
* New “Ground Station” Software Streamlines Satellite Tracking and Decoding
* KrakenRF Announces Discovery Drive Az/El Rotator for Satellite Operations
* Artemis II to Deploy International CubeSats into High Earth Orbit
* Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for March 27, 2026
* 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 Announces Full Lineup of Events and Activities for Hamvention 2026

The 2026 Dayton Hamvention will be held Friday through Sunday, May 15–17, 2026, at the Greene County Fairgrounds in Xenia, Ohio. AMSAT will once again have a strong presence throughout the event, including booth activities, social gatherings, and the annual AMSAT Forum.

The 17th annual TAPR/AMSAT Banquet will be held Friday, May 15 at 6:30 PM EDT (18:30 EDT) at the Kohler Presidential Banquet Center, 4548 Presidential Way, Kettering, Ohio 45429, located approximately 20 minutes from the Greene County Fairgrounds. This dinner is a highlight of the TAPR (Tucson Amateur Packet Radio) and AMSAT (Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation) activities during Hamvention. The banquet speaker will be announced at a later date.

Tickets are $75 each and may be purchased through the AMSAT store. The deadline to purchase banquet tickets is Monday, May 11 at 17:00 EDT (21:00 UTC). Tickets must be purchased in advance and will not be sold at the AMSAT booth or at the door. There will be no tickets available for pickup at the AMSAT booth. Tickets purchased online will be maintained on a list, with check-in at the door at the banquet center. Seating is limited to the number of meals reserved with the Kohler caterers based on ticket sales by the deadline.

The annual AMSAT “Dinner at Tickets” gathering will take place Thursday, May 14 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT at Tickets Pub & Eatery, 7 W. Main Street, Fairborn, Ohio 45324. Telephone (937) 878-9022. This informal event features no program or speaker, offering an opportunity for conversation and camaraderie. All are welcome, regardless of participation in booth setup or operations. Food may be ordered from the menu, and drinks, including beer, wine, sodas, and iced tea, are available at the bar. No reservations are required.

AMSAT is seeking volunteers to assist at the AMSAT booth, located in Building 1, booths 1007–1010 and 1107–1110. Volunteers are encouraged to contribute as much time as they are able, whether for a few hours or the entire weekend. In 2025, approximately 20 volunteers supported AMSAT’s activities and engagement with attendees.

Those interested in volunteering or requesting additional information may contact Phil Smith, W1EME, AMSAT Hamvention Team Leader, via email at w1eme [at] astrocom.net. Volunteer participation plays an important role in supporting AMSAT’s presence and outreach within the amateur radio community.

The AMSAT Forum will be held Saturday, May 16 from 1:50 PM to 3:10 PM EDT in Forum Room 2.

Additional details, including the banquet speaker announcement, will be provided as they become available.

[ANS thanks Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, Executive Vice President for the above information]

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AMSAT CubeSatSim Lite Available Again for Purchase Through AMSAT Store

The AMSAT CubeSatSim Lite, a low-cost, fully assembled satellite simulator, is once again available for purchase through the AMSAT Store. The device is designed to help users learn about satellite communications by transmitting simulated telemetry signals that can be received with common amateur radio equipment.

Operating on the 70 cm amateur band at 434.900 MHz, the CubeSatSim Lite allows users to receive and decode signals using a wide range of radios and software-defined radio (SDR) setups. Digital telemetry and images can be decoded using software such as FoxTelem, APRS decoders, or SSTV applications.

Once powered, the unit immediately begins transmitting simulated telemetry in seven different modes, including FUNcube and a cross-band repeater mode.

The CubeSatSim Lite comes fully assembled and includes:

• Raspberry Pi Zero 2W with preloaded microSD card
• SMA antennas
• USB sound card
• Pi Camera
• USB power cable and power supply

The unit includes a pushbutton and LED indicators for control and status. Users can also connect the CubeSatSim Lite to a network via the built-in Wi-Fi capability of the Raspberry Pi, allowing for configuration changes, mode selection, and further customization.

The CubeSatSim Lite is priced at $150, including shipping to U.S. addresses. Additional information, including documentation and operating details, is available through the CubeSatSim Wiki and README resources.

For more information or to purchase the CubeSatSim Lite, visit:
https://www.amsat.org/product/cubesatsim-lite-complete/

Additional documentation is available at:
https://github.com/alanbjohnston/CubeSatSim/wiki/CubeSatSim-Lite
https://cubesatsim.org/download/cubesatsim-lite-readme.pdf

[ANS thanks Alan Johnston, KU2Y, for the above information]

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New “Ground Station” Software Streamlines Satellite Tracking and Decoding

A new open-source software project called “Ground Station” is gaining attention among amateur satellite operators as a unified platform for tracking, receiving, and decoding satellite signals. The software combines multiple functions typically handled by separate tools into a single system, offering a more streamlined approach to satellite operations.

Tracking programs, SDR control software, recording tools, and decoding utilities are often used together, sometimes requiring manual setup for each pass. “Ground Station” aims to simplify this process by automating the workflow from pass prediction through signal reception and decoding.

At its core, the software provides real-time satellite tracking using orbital data, along with automatic updates of satellite elements. It supports a variety of software-defined radios, allowing users to monitor and record signals from multiple satellites. The system also includes automated antenna rotator control and Doppler correction, helping keep signals centered during a pass.

The platform is capable of scheduling and executing satellite observations automatically, reducing the need for operator intervention. During a pass, it can record IQ or audio data and process common digital modes, including telemetry formats used by many amateur satellites. This is useful for operators interested in telemetry collection, CubeSat monitoring, and general satellite experimentation.

In addition to amateur radio satellites, the software integrates with tools such as SatDump to decode weather satellite transmissions, including NOAA APT and other imaging formats. This expands its usefulness beyond traditional amateur satellites to include weather satellite reception and other downlink services commonly monitored by the amateur community.

“Ground Station” is an early-stage, actively developed open-source project available on GitHub at https://github.com/sgoudelis/ground-station. Users can learn more about the software and access installation instructions there. As development continues, it offers a path toward more fully integrated ground stations, lowering the barrier to entry for satellite reception while providing experienced operators with a flexible new tool to explore.

[ANS thanks RTL-SDR.com, Efstratios Goudelis, and Jacob Seman for the above information]

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KrakenRF Announces Discovery Drive Az/El Rotator for Satellite Operations

KrakenRF has announced its Discovery Drive, a motorized azimuth/elevation antenna rotator now in a crowdfunding campaign on Crowd Supply. As of late March, the project has raised more than $117,000 toward its $314,550 goal, reaching approximately 37 percent of its funding goal with several weeks remaining in the campaign.

Discovery Drive is designed as a turnkey solution for satellite tracking using directional antennas such as dishes and Yagis. The unit arrives fully assembled and weatherproof, eliminating the need for mechanical assembly or custom controller integration. Setup consists of mounting the rotator to a mast or tripod, applying 12 V power, connecting via Wi-Fi or USB, and aligning the system to true north.

The rotator is intended to support a range of satellite operations, including polar-orbiting weather satellites such as METEOR-M2 and MetOp, as well as CubeSat and amateur radio satellite tracking. KrakenRF also highlights additional experimental applications, including hydrogen line radio astronomy using compatible dish systems and software such as Stellarium.

A recent video review from the SaveItForParts YouTube channel demonstrates a prototype unit in operation, including setup with a Discovery Dish and reception of multiple weather satellites. The video also shows use with a handheld Yagi antenna, with future testing of amateur radio satellites anticipated. The review is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7FiVWaXuXE.

Discovery Drive integrates with commonly used satellite tracking software through a rotctl-compatible network interface, allowing automatic control from applications such as SatDump, GPredict, and Look4Sat. It also supports USB serial control using the EasyComm II protocol via Hamlib. A browser-based web interface provides direct manual control and system configuration.

According to published specifications, the unit provides approximately ±1.5 degrees of pointing accuracy, with an azimuth range of ±360 degrees and elevation from 0 to 90 degrees. The system delivers up to 108 lb-in (12.25 N·m) of torque, supporting antennas up to approximately 11 pounds (5 kilograms). During the campaign, Discovery Drive is priced at $699, with a planned increase to at least $799 following the funding period. KrakenRF estimates a manufacturing timeline of approximately two months, followed by one to two months for fulfillment and delivery to backers.

Additional information is available at https://www.crowdsupply.com/krakenrf/discovery-drive.

[ANS thanks RTL-SDR.com, KrakenRF, and SaveItForParts for the above information]

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Artemis II to Deploy International CubeSats into High Earth Orbit

When Artemis II lifts off on NASA’s Space Launch System in early April, four international CubeSats will be carried into space inside the Orion stage adapter. The satellites will be deployed into High Earth Orbit approximately five hours after launch, following separation from the upper stage and the Orion spacecraft.

The CubeSats will ride within a ring-shaped adapter structure that connects NASA’s Orion spacecraft to the SLS interim cryogenic propulsion stage. After Orion separates and establishes a safe distance, an onboard avionics unit inside the adapter will control deployment, releasing each CubeSat at one-minute intervals. This system ensures the satellites are deployed safely and without interference as the stage continues on its trajectory.

Although Artemis II’s primary objective is to send four astronauts on a crewed lunar flyby, the CubeSats will carry out independent scientific and technology demonstration missions. By flying as secondary payloads, these satellites provide additional research opportunities without affecting the main objectives of the mission.

Participating space agencies include the German Aerospace Center, the Korea Aerospace Administration, the Saudi Space Agency, and Argentina’s National Commission on Space Activities. The four CubeSats are named TACHELES from Germany, K-RadCube from South Korea, Space Weather CubeSat-1 from Saudi Arabia, and ATENEA from Argentina.

Each satellite is designed to carry out a unique mission. Germany’s TACHELES will study the effects of the space environment on electrical components, helping inform future deep-space systems. Other payloads will focus on radiation measurements, space weather monitoring, and validation of new technologies in a High Earth Orbit environment.

NASA officials note that CubeSats offer a relatively low-cost method for testing new technologies, though their small size presents challenges for long-duration missions. The Artemis II CubeSat program highlights the growing role of international cooperation under the Artemis Accords, while expanding access to space and enabling new scientific investigations beyond Earth orbit.

[ANS thanks NASA for the above information]

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Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for March 27, 2026

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

Vauban, Ecole et Lycée français de Luxembourg, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg, direct via LX26LV
The ISS callsign was scheduled to be OR4ISS
The scheduled crewmember was Sophie Adenot KJ5LTN
The ARISS mentor was ON6TI
Contact was successful: Wed 2026-03-25 15:47:34 UTC

Amur State University, Blagoveshchensk, Russia, direct via TBD
The ISS callsign was scheduled to be RSØISS
The scheduled crewmember was Andrey Fedyaev
The ARISS mentor was RV3DR
Contact was successful: Thu 2026-03-26 08:50 UTC

MOBU, Ufa, Republic of Bashkortostan, Russia, direct via TBD
The ISS callsign was scheduled to be RSØISS
The scheduled crewmember was Sergey Kud-Sverchkov
The ARISS mentor was RV3DR
Contact was successful: Thu 2026-03-26 13:30 UTC

Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University, Kaliningrad, Russia, direct via TBD
The ISS callsign was scheduled to be RSØISS
The scheduled crewmember was Sergey Mikaev
The ARISS mentor was RV3DR
Contact was successful: Fri 2026-03-27 15:50 UTC

+ Upcoming Contacts

Aznakaevsky District, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, direct via TBD
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS
The scheduled crewmember is Andrey Fedyaev
The ARISS mentor is RV3DR
Contact is go for: Mon 2026-03-30 11:55 UTC

Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys The Langton, Canterbury, United Kingdom, direct via GB4SLS
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS
The scheduled crewmember is Jack Hathaway KJ5NIV
The ARISS mentor is MØXTD
Contact is go for: Mon 2026-03-30 13:28:38 UTC
Watch for Livestream at https://live.ariss.org/ AND watch HamTV at https://live.ariss.org/hamtv/

Istituto Comprensivo “Gabriele D’Annunzio” Lanciano, Chieti, Italy, direct via IQ6LN
Istituto Comprensivo “Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi”, Pontedera, Italy, telebridge via IQ6LN
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS
The scheduled crewmember is Sophie Adenot KJ5LTN
The ARISS mentor is IKØWGF
Contact is go for: Wed 2026-04-01 11:55:45 UTC
Watch for Livestream at:
Lanciano: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUtvnVa2NBo
Pontedera: http://www.youtube.com/live/KrEtbdTEAfA

Walnut Grove Elementary School, Suwanee, GA, direct via KR4HPC
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS
The scheduled crewmember is Chris Williams KJ5GEW
The ARISS mentor is K4RGK
Contact is go for: Thu 2026-04-02 15:40:55 UTC
Watch for Livestream at https://youtube.com/live/J1XJHvr4UlU? and/or https://live.ariss.org/

Many times, a school makes a last-minute decision to do a Livestream or runs 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.

ARISS has announced that SSTV Series 31 is being planned for April 10–14, 2026, on 437.55 MHz (± Doppler shift). Transmissions are expected to use Robot 36 mode with approximately 10 watts of transmit power, operating on a schedule of 36 seconds on and 2 minutes off. The SSTV Series 31 images are expected to include tributes to Cosmonautics Day, the 100th anniversary of liquid-fueled rockets, the inaugural Space Shuttle launch, and SuitSat. Additional details and confirmation of the event schedule are expected as planning continues.

The crossband repeater remains configured in the Columbus Module (145.990 MHz up {PL 67} & 437.800 MHz down). If a crewmember decides to pick up the microphone and turn up the volume, you may hear them on the air—so keep listening, as you never know when activity might occur.

​Kenwood D710GA in the Zvezda Service Module – Call sign RS0ISS. Please note we’re still in the process of troubleshooting and testing this radio. HamTV in the Columbus Module is configured for scheduled digital amateur television operations on 2395.00 MHz.

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

Tucson Area Spring Hamfest – April 11, 2026
Radio Society of Tucson
Calvary Tucson Church
8711 East Speedway
Tucson, AZ 85710
https://k7rst.club/
N1UW

Southeastern VHF Society Conference – April 17-19, 2026
Holiday Inn Macon North
3953 River Place Drive
Macon, Georgia 31201
https://svhfs.org/wp/2026-2/
W4FCL

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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