Mark Johns

AMSAT News Service

ANS-123 May 3, 2026

In this edition:

* Reminder: AMSAT at Hamvention
* FO-29 Update
* FCC Approves Limited Emergency Use of 70cm Band by AST SpaceMobile Satellites Outside the U.S.
* Saudi Amateur Radio Society Sponsors Satthon_2
* Request For Collecting CW Data of ARICA-2
* NASA Completes Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope
* SpaceX Rocket Debris to Impact The Moon
* Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution
* Artemis 2 Moon Astronauts Visit the White House
* 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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Reminder: AMSAT at Hamvention

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 p.m. 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.

Ray Roberge, WA1CYB, will be the speaker at the 17th annual AMSAT/TAPR Banquet. Roberge, a member of AMSAT’s Engineering team, will speak about progress on AMSAT’s SDR Gen2 project, including what it does and where it can be used.

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 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. 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 p.m. to 3:10 p.m. EDT in Forum Room 2.

[ANS thanks the AMSAT Hamvention team for the above information.]

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LIMITED TIME OFFER!!!

AMSAT is offering a limited-time promotion for new and renewing members that includes a free digital copy of Getting Started with Amateur Satellites. The promotion is being offered as AMSAT begins the 2026 membership year.

Anyone who joins or renews their AMSAT membership during the promotional period will receive a download link for the latest edition of Getting Started with Amateur Satellites in their membership confirmation email. JOIN TODAY at https://launch.amsat.org/ (Remember! Students join for FREE!)

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The 2026 President’s Club Coin is Here! Help Support GOLF and FoxPlus.
Annual memberships start at only $120

Join the AMSAT President’s Club today
and help Keep Amateur Radio in Space!
https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/

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FCC Approves Limited Emergency Use of 70cm Band by AST SpaceMobile Satellites Outside the U.S.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has granted AST SpaceMobile limited authorization when not over the United States to use five 50-kHz channels in the 430–440 MHz secondary amateur band for emergency Telemetry, Tracking, and Control (TT&C) operations for its planned satellite constellation (DA-26-391 Docket No. 25-201). The authorization, granted on April 21, 2026, applies only for communication with five specified earth stations, each located well outside of the United States and for which the foreign administration with jurisdiction also must separately authorize the communications.

More than 2,500 comments were filed during the proceeding including filings from ARRL and other member societies of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU), AMSAT, and individual radio amateurs worldwide.

After considering the filed comments, the FCC narrowed the requested authorization to emergency TT&C only and further provided that:

• Use of these frequencies is permitted only in emergencies when no other spectrum is available
• Each emergency event is limited to no more than 24 hours
• Transmissions are restricted to five specific center frequencies (430.5, 432.3, 434.1, 435.9, and 439.5 MHz), each with no more than 50 kHz bandwidth

In an April 29, 2026 statement, the IARU expressed concern with the FCC’s use of Article 4.4 of the ITU Radio Regulations, which allows administrations to authorize non-standard frequency use under certain conditions. The IARU stated that other frequency bands allocated for satellite TT&C should have been used instead of amateur spectrum and encouraged amateurs to report any interference to their national regulators.

ARRL filed comments (see ARRL News) in July (PDF) and August 2025 (PDF) opposing the application, arguing that:

• The request represented an unprecedented use of secondary amateur spectrum for an unallocated use by a large commercial satellite constellation
• Such operations could cause harmful interference, particularly to amateur satellites in the 435–438 MHz subband
• The FCC should avoid authorizing non-allocated uses that could impact primary allocations for amateur services in other countries

While the FCC ultimately granted the authorization, it imposed the above significant limitations in response to these concerns that reduce the likelihood of interference.

In the U.S., reports of suspected interference to amateur spectrum can be shared with the ARRL Regulatory Information Manager, email [email protected].

ARRL will oppose any similar unallocated uses of spectrum used by amateurs that might cause harmful interference to amateur services and in particular will monitor this situation.

[ANS thanks ARRL News for the above information.]

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Saudi Amateur Radio Society Sponsors Satthon_2

The Saudi Amateur Radio Society, in collaboration with AMSAT-HZ, has announced the launch of the second edition of Satthon_2, as part of its national initiatives specialized in satellite communications. The competition aims to develop national talent in satellite communication technologies through hands-on training in receiving, analyzing, and decoding satellite signals across various formats. It also focuses on empowering university students by bridging academic knowledge with real-world application, while fostering innovation and teamwork skills. The competition will take place from May 8 to 10, 2026, in a team-based format, and includes two categories:

• University Students
• Professionals and Amateur Radio Operators

Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three winners in each category, in addition to participation certificates and volunteer hours. Registration: https://lnkd.in/d2PfhbUh [ANS thanks Samir Khayat, HZ1SK, Saudi Amateur Radio Society, for the above information.]

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When you purchase through AMSAT, a portion of the proceeds goes towards
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Request For Collecting CW Data of ARICA-2

ARICA-2, a 2U cubesat developed by Sakamoto Laboratory at Aoyama Gakuin University in Tokyo, was launched on April 23 by Rocket Lab in New Zealand.

The non-amateur mission goal of ARICA-2 is to demonstrate the real-time alert system of transient astronomical sources, such as gamma-ray bursts, using commercial satellite network services and to collect the images of the earth, and hopefully, aurora with a camera utilizing machine learning capability.

The amateur mission is to provide a “store and forward” capability using a 4k8 GMSK in AX25 format transceiver for communication among amateurs. The alert and housekeeping data are also broadcast through the amateur CW transmitter.

ARICA-2 is operating very stably, with no issues in its batteries or onboard equipment. Thanks to reception reports from amateurs worldwide, the Lab has been able to successfully receive CW signals from ARICA-2 every day, as well as GMSK signals triggered by uplinks from the Aoyama Gakuin university’s ground station.

At present, ARICA-2 is still undergoing satellite checkout procedures, and the amateur mission that will allow communication using GMSK has not yet started. Once the timing is appropriate to begin the amateur mission, the ARICA-2 team will announce it through amsat-bb and on X.

Until then, Sakamoto Laboratory would greatly appreciate the continued cooperation of amateurs in receiving the CW data, which contains housekeeping (HK) information from the satellite.

Here is the info about ARICA-2.

1. Preliminary TLE

ARICA-2 1 99999U 27001A 26113.16829861 .00000000 00000-0 00000-0 0
9999 2 99999 97.5133 263.8390 0010953 206.3608 199.1146 15.08588350 03

2. Frequency: 436.830 MHz (20 wpm CW)

3. The contents of the CW data and transmitting time are described at: https://sakamotolab.phys.aoyama.ac.jp/research/future_space/ARICA-2_en/cw_beacon.
Please also report the received CW data on that page.

Collection of the CW data of ARICA-2 is greatly appreciated!.

[ANS thanks Taka Sakamoto, JA6NWC, Sakamoto Laboratory, for the above information.]

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NASA Completes Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope

NASA has completed assembly of the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, a next-generation observatory designed to map the universe on an unprecedented scale. Engineers at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center are finishing prelaunch testing before the spacecraft is shipped to Kennedy Space Center. Launch preparation is underway with a target as early as September, placing the mission ahead of its original schedule. Once deployed, Roman will operate from a distant orbit approximately one million miles from Earth.

The new telescope is designed to complement existing observatories such as the Hubble Space Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope. While those missions focus on detailed observations of individual targets, Roman will conduct wide-field surveys, capturing images with similar resolution across areas roughly 100 times larger. This capability will allow astronomers to transition from isolated observations to large-scale mapping of cosmic structure. The result is expected to provide a broader context for many of the discoveries made by earlier space telescopes.

Artist’s rendering of the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. CREDITS: NASA, GSFC

At the core of the mission is an eight-foot primary mirror paired with a powerful infrared imaging system. Roman’s wide field of view allows it to observe large regions of the sky in far fewer pointings than previous telescopes. For example, imaging the Andromeda Galaxy would require hundreds of individual exposures with Hubble but only a handful with Roman. This efficiency makes the observatory particularly well suited for large survey missions and time-domain astronomy.

One of Roman’s primary science goals is to study dark matter and dark energy, which together make up the majority of the universe. By mapping hundreds of millions of galaxies and measuring subtle distortions in their shapes, scientists can trace how invisible mass influences the structure of the cosmos. Observations of Type Ia supernovae will also help refine measurements of cosmic expansion. These combined datasets are expected to improve our understanding of the universe’s evolution and underlying physical laws.

The telescope will also expand the search for exoplanets using gravitational microlensing techniques. By monitoring dense star fields in the Milky Way’s central region, Roman can detect planets that orbit far from their host stars, including free-floating worlds. This approach complements earlier missions that focused on planets closer to their stars. In addition, Roman will test advanced coronagraph technology capable of blocking starlight to directly observe faint planetary companions.

Roman’s wide-field imaging capability will also support time-domain astronomy by repeatedly scanning large areas of the sky. These observations will capture transient events such as supernovae, black hole activity, and other short-lived phenomena. The resulting datasets will serve as a long-term reference for future discoveries, enabling astronomers to compare “before” and “after” views of dynamic regions of space.

Read the full article at: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/nasas-incredible-new-telescope-will-offer-an-atlas-of-the-universe/ar-AA21skN5

[ANS thanks Elisha Sauers, Mashable.com and NASA for the above information.]

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SpaceX Rocket Debris to Impact The Moon

Earth’s moon is to be on the receiving end of a spent rocket stage in early August – the leftovers from a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch last year.

Firefly’s Blue Ghost Mission 1, named Ghost Riders in the Sky, launched on Jan. 15, 2025 and performed the first fully successful commercial lunar landing on March 2 at the moon’s Mare Crisium. That lander went on to mark the longest commercial operation on the moon to date.

Meanwhile, the Falcon 9’s leftover upper stage, labeled 2025-010D, that lobbed the two private spacecraft into space, is now headed for a run in with the moon. “We’ve been tracking it since launch. The orbit has changed a bit over the last year or so, and is now headed for a lunar impact,” said Bill Gray of Project Pluto.

Project Pluto provides software tools useful for astronomers to identify satellites in their data, and has published a page of data about the Falcon 9 upper stage.

He recalls that NASA’s Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) mission back years ago did something very similar.

“We now have another upper stage due to hit the moon, this one on Aug. 5 and (just barely) on the near side of the moon,” Gray said.

A SpaceX photo of one of the company’s Falcon 9 second stages, taken in 2022. (Image credit: SpaceX)

Gray said he doesn’t expect this particular object to cause any trouble.

“It doesn’t present any danger to anyone,” said Gray, “though it does highlight a certain carelessness about how leftover space hardware is disposed of.”

The chance that rubble kicked up by the impact would hit a moon-circling spacecraft is quite small, said Gray, but he would factor that into any planned maneuvers.

“In a few years, things may be different,” Gray said, given humans tromping about on the lunar surface.

“That raises the stakes considerably. If I were sending an upper stage to high orbit, I would think about where it was going,” said Gray. You might launch an upper stage today, and then years later see a real problem, he said.

[ANS thanks Space.com for the above information. Read the full article at https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/a-stray-spacex-rocket-stage-could-slam-into-the-moon-this-august-amateur-astronomer-says]

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Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for May 1, 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/.

The following satellites have been added to this week’s AMSAT TLE Distribution:

MAGNARO-II-Piscis is object 68798 (2026-088G). Frequency: 436.326 MHz.
ARICA 2 is object 68796 (2026-088E). Frequency: 436.830 MHz.
FSI-SAT 2 is object 68792 (2026-088A). Frequency: 437.176 MHz.
WASEDA-SAT-ZERO-II is object 68797 (2026-088F). Frequency: 437.205 MHz.
OrigamiSat 2 is object 68795 (2026-088D). Frequency: 437.506 MHz.

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

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Artemis 2 Moon Astronauts Visit the White House

President Trump invited the Artemis 2 quartet and NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman to the Oval Office today (April 29), for a livestreamed press event that the White House described as a “greeting.”

“It takes people like this to make our country great,” Trump said of the crew. “We’re very proud of these people. They have unbelievable courage.”

President Donald Trump welcomed the four Artemis 2 astronauts (in blue flight suits) and NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman (in dark suit, in front of American flag) to the Oval Office on April 29, 2026. (Image credit: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Artemis 2 launched on April 1 and returned to Earth on April 10. The mission sent Reid Wiseman, KF5LKT, Victor Glover, KI5BKC, Christina Hammock Koch, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, KF5LKU, on an epic journey around the moon and back. They were the first people to leave Earth orbit since the Apollo 17 astronauts in 1972, and they got farther from their home planet than anyone ever has before, breaking the record set by Apollo 13 in 1970.

[ANS thanks Space.com for the above information. Read the full article at https://www.space.com/space-exploration/artemis/trump-invited-the-artemis-2-moon-astronauts-to-the-oval-office-heres-what-happened]

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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

Scouts Australia, Victorian Branch, Wodonga Scouts Groups – Wireless Institute of Australia AGM and Technical Expo event 2026, The Albury Wodonga ARC, NSW, Australia and Wireless Institute of Australia, Thurgoona, New South Wales, Australia, telebridge via VK6MJ
The ISS callsign was NA1SS
The scheduled crewmember was Chris Williams, KJ5GEW
The ARISS mentor was VK4KHZ
Contact was successful: Sat 2026-05-02 10:43:04 UTC 73 degrees maximum elevation.

UPCOMING

Universidad Tecnologica Nacional Facultad Regional San Rafael, San Rafael, Argentina, direct via LU9MAB
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: Tue 2026-05-05 14:12:15 UTC 50 degrees maximum elevation.

NANO-Potsdam NANO Wissenschaft begreifen, Potsdam, Germany, telebridge via ZS6JON
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS
The scheduled crewmember is Chris Williams, KJ5GEW
The ARISS mentor is IN3GHZ
Contact is go for: Thu 2026-05-07 14:36:13 UTC 50 degrees maximum elevation.

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; all 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.

APRS is currently active on 145.825 MHz. Please note that ARISS is still in the process of troubleshooting and testing the Kenwood D710GA radio in the Zvezda Service Module – Call sign RSØISS. Feel free to check out status reports here.

Ham TV in the Columbus European Laboratory is currently transmitting a test signal at 2395.00 MHz. For more information, visit the ARISS Ham TV Live site here.

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.

May 15-17, 2026
Dayton Hamvention
Greene County Fair and Expo Center
210 Fairground Road Xenia 45385
https://hamvention.org/

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

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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Satellite Shorts from All Over

+ The Iowa State University Campus Amateur Radio Club (WØISU) will be launching a 10 kHz wide non-inverting linear transponder on May 2nd at 1300z on a high altitude balloon. All info for this flight can be found at this website: https://stuorgs.engineering.iastate.edu/carc/balloon-lauch/. The transponder will have a 10m uplink and a 2m downlink. NOTE: There is always a chance that the balloon launch may be cancelled due to weather. The backup launch day will be Sunday, May 3rd. Please see the linked website for updates regarding cancellation of the launch. Please contact me if you have any questions. (ANS thanks Kees Van Oosbree, WØAAE, for the above information.)

+ The hatches are open between the International Space Station and the new Progress 95 cargo spacecraft following the delivery of about three tons of food, fuel, and supplies on Monday. Expedition 74 commander Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and flight engineer Sergei Mikaev, both from Roscosmos, finalized leak and pressure checks between Progress 95 and the Zvezda service module’s rear port on Tuesday. Afterward, the duo installed air ducts and began unpacking the spacecraft beginning seven months of cargo activities in the resupply ship. (ANS thanks NASA for the above information.)

+ AST SpaceMobile has received the green light to operate satellite-to-phone services in the US, setting the stage for the company to compete against SpaceX’s Starlink Mobile. On April 21, AST secured FCC approval to operate the entirety of its 248-satellite constellation and offer “supplemental coverage from space,” including outside the U.S. (ANS thanks PC Magazine for the above information. Read the full article at https://www.pcmag.com/news/ast-spacemobile-secures-fcc-nod-to-compete-with-starlink-mobile)

+ SpaceX’s most powerful operational rocket, the Falcon Heavy, lifted off Wednesday carrying a massive communications satellite on its 12th flight since 2018. The 27 Merlin engines of the three Falcon boosters roared to life at 1413 UTC and the 70-meter-tall (229.6 ft) rocket thundered away from Launch Complex 39A propelled by 5 million pounds of thrust. Deployment of the satellite came at nearly five hours after liftoff. The upper stage featured an additional thermal protection layer to ensure the fuel, a rocket-grade kerosene, does not freeze during the roughly four-hour coasting phase between the second and third engine ignitions. The ViaSat-3 F3 satellite is the second in the series to be launched onboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket and the third and final member of this constellation. The first satellite, ViaSat-3 Americas, launched on a Falcon Heavy rocket in 2023. (ANS thanks Spaceflight Now for the above information. Read the full article at https://spaceflightnow.com/2026/04/29/spacex-launches-6-ton-viasat-3-f3-satellite-on-falcon-heavy-rocket/)  

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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).
• Students are eligible for FREE membership up to age 25.
• 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, Mark Johns, KØJM
mjohns [at] amsat.org

ANS is a service of AMSAT, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, 712 H Street NE, Suite 1653, Washington, DC 20002

AMSAT is a registered trademark of the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation.

AMSAT News Service

ANS-081 March 22, 2026

In this edition:

* Digital Modes on FO-29 Not Permitted per Licensing Restrictions
* Ten-Koh 2 Satellite With Linear Transponder Update
* Catsat Request for Activation
* SpaceX Plan For 1 Million Centers Poses Dangerous Risk
* Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution
* Astronauts Complete Prep For New ISS Solar Array
* 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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Digital Modes on FO-29 Not Permitted per Licensing Restrictions

Fuji-OSCAR 29 (FO-29 / JAS-2), the Japanese amateur radio satellite launched in August 1996, has entered a period of full sunlight, resulting in renewed and more frequent transponder activity. The inverting analog transponder operates with an uplink passband of 145.900–146.000 MHz (LSB) and a downlink of 435.800–435.900 MHz (USB), along with a CW beacon at 435.795 MHz. The satellite’s 1-watt PEP output is shared across the 100 kHz bandwidth, making careful power management essential for all users.

Although the FO-29 linear transponder is technically capable of passing narrowband digital signals such as FT8, FT4, PSK31, or Olivia, such operations are not permitted under the satellite’s original licensing from Japanese authorities. The transponder is explicitly licensed for SSB and CW modes only. This restriction stems from the satellite’s operational permit issued by Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), which does not authorize digital emissions on the linear transponder frequencies.

Japanese license information indicating emission modes A1A (CW) and J3E (SSB)
are the only modulations permitted in the linear transponder downlink.

Operators attempting digital modes risk non-compliance with international amateur radio etiquette and could contribute to transponder overload, distortion, or temporary shutdowns—issues exacerbated by the high-duty-cycle nature of many digital signals.

AMSAT urges all users to limit their operations on FO-29 to SSB and CW and to practice good satellite etiquette:

• Use the minimum power necessary to produce a readable downlink signal.
• Ensure your downlink signal strength does not exceed the CW beacon level.
• Monitor the transponder before and during your transmission; if the beacon weakens or the passband becomes noisy, reduce power immediately.
• Keep signals clean and within the passband.

Share the limited resource responsibly so that the maximum number of amateurs worldwide can enjoy FO-29 while it remains active.

With the satellite now enjoying extended full-sunlight operation in 2026, this is an excellent time to explore its capabilities through permitted modes. Experimentation with unauthorized modes is discouraged to preserve the satellite’s health and comply with licensing.

[ANS thanks AMSAT, JARL, and JK2XXK for the above information.]

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LIMITED TIME OFFER!!!

AMSAT is offering a limited-time promotion for new and renewing members
that includes a free digital copy of Getting Started with Amateur Satellites.
The promotion is being offered as AMSAT begins the 2026 membership year.

Anyone who joins or renews their AMSAT membership
during the promotional period will receive a download link
for the latest edition of Getting Started with Amateur Satellites
in their membership confirmation email. JOIN TODAY at
https://launch.amsat.org/
(Remember! Students join for FREE!)

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

Join the AMSAT President’s Club today and help Keep Amateur Radio in Space!
https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/

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CatSat Request for Activation

For those who might be getting ready to try and track the Catsats’ 10 GHz beacon, be advised that it is not always on.

The University of Arizona team has a web page setup to allow requests for activation of either the beacon (10.47 GHz) or linear transponder (C/x 5.663/10.47 GHz). The link is here:

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=BVXjXo7rKUmTfWRd9QEyiOQw4K6AJHFOolv4Eb8VNu1UQVdaS1VFS1o3RkJSSVE0T1lKMFdTU0xXWS4u&route=shorturl

Once you have submitted your request, if it’s possible, you can see it scheduled on their calendar page located here:

https://catsat.arizona.edu/calendar

[ANS thanks Mike Seguin, N1JEZ, for the above information.]

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Purchase M2 LEO-Packs from the AMSAT Store.

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SpaceX Plan For 1 Million Centers Poses Dangerous Risk

A SpaceX plan for 1 million orbital data centers proposes a massive constellation of sunlit objects that could severely impair ground-based astronomy and increase atmospheric pollution through frequent reentries in the upper atmosphere.

Astronomers warn that these 100-meter-long structures will remain illuminated even at midnight. This constant visibility threatens observations at ground-based observatories, such as the Vera Rubin Observatory and the Extremely Large Telescope currently under construction in Chile.

These orbital data centers, potentially 100 meters long, create persistent light streaks that obstruct astronomical research. Positioned in high-inclination orbits at 500-2,000 km, they remain illuminated by sunlight even at midnight, significantly outshining traditional broadband satellites.

Comparison of Starlink satellite visibility and that of SpaceX’s proposed data center constellation. (Credit: nasaspacenews)

Astronomers have filed formal objections with the FCC regarding the January 30 application. This new constellation poses a challenge unlike any encountered in the commercial space era, undermining years of progress.

Further, this much hardware results in one spacecraft burning up in the atmosphere every three minutes. This mass incineration releases dangerous concentrations of aluminum oxide and lithium, potentially depleting the protective ozone layer and altering global temperatures.

Environmental experts highlight risks, but the FCC’s fast-track approval process bypasses standard environmental reviews, placing the burden of proof on the scientific community to prevent damage.

[ANS thanks nasaspacenews for the above information. Read the full article at https://nasaspacenews.com/2026/03/spacex-plan-for-1-million/.]

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Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for March 20, 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/.

Ten-Koh 2 has been added under its own NORAD Cat ID 68261

[ANS thanks Joe Fitzgerald, KM1P, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager, 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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Astronauts Complete Prep For New ISS Solar Array

Two NASA astronauts prepared the International Space Station (ISS) for the addition of a new solar array on the first U.S. spacewalk in almost a year.

Expedition 74 crewmates Jessica Meir and Chris Williams, KJ5GEW, ventured outside of the space station’s Quest airlock at 1252 UTC on Wednesday, March 18 to install a mount for an advanced power-producing solar panel. The pair worked on the left (or port) side of the space station’s backbone truss, where they first assembled and then attached the bracket structure that will support an ISS Roll-Out Array (iROSA), to be installed on a future spacewalk.

NASA astronauts Jessica Meir (at left) and Chris Williams prepare the
International Space Station for the addition a new solar array during
a spacewalk on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. (Image credit: NASA)

NASA had scheduled for the iROSA kit to be installed during a spacewalk in January, but one of the then-assigned spacewalkers, Mike Fincke, KE5AIT, had an undisclosed medical issue that required the excursion to be canceled and he and his crewmates to return to Earth a month early.

The space station’s original solar arrays have degraded, having exceeded their 15-year service life. When all of them are in place, the new iROSAs will increase the orbiting lab’s electricity supply by 20% to 30%. The additional power on the ISS will help support expanded commercial activities and the upcoming transition from the ISS to commercially operated space stations.

Wednesday’s spacewalk ended at 19:54 UTC, 7 hours and 2 minutes after it began.

[ANS thanks Space.com for the above information. Read the full article at https://www.space.com/space-exploration/international-space-station/astronauts-complete-prep-for-new-iss-solar-array-on-1st-nasa-spacewalk-in-10-months.]

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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
Lewis Center for Educational Research, Apple Valley, CA, telebridge via IK1SLD
The ISS callsign was OR4ISS
The scheduled crewmember was Sophie Adenot KJ5LTN
The ARISS mentor was AA6TB
Contact was successful: Thu 2026-03-19 17:15:13 UTC 48 degrees max. elevation
Congratulations to the Lewis Center for Educational Research students, Sophie, mentor AA6TB, and telebridge station IK1SLD!
Watch for Livestream at https://live.ariss.org/

UPCOMING
Vauban, Ecole et Lycée français de Luxembourg, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg, direct via LX26LV
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS
The scheduled crewmember is Sophie Adenot KJ5LTN
The ARISS mentor is ON6TI
Contact is go for: Wed 2026-03-25 15:47:34 UTC 73 degrees max. elevation

Amur State University, Blagoveshchensk, 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 Thu 2026-03-26 08:50 UTC

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

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

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 2026-03-30 11:55 UTC

POIC at Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL, telebridge via IK1SLD
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS
The scheduled crewmember is Chris Williams KJ5GEW
The ARISS mentor is KI5SDP
Contact is go for: Fri 2026-03-27 19:05:04 UTC 40 degrees max. elevation

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 still in the process of troubleshooting and testing (145.825 MHz up & down).

Ham TV is currently transmitting a test signal at 2395.00 MHz.

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

Supporting Progress vehicle activities:
Powering down March 24 at 08:45 UTC
Powering back up March 24 at 18:30 UTC
*times subject to shift or change.

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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Get an AMSAT car flag and other neat stuff from our Zazzle store!

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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.

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

Interested in becoming an AMSAT Ambassador? 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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Satellite Shorts from All Over

+ SilverSat’s SSDV schedule can be found at http://operations.silversat.org/ssdv (ANS thanks the SilverSat team for the information.)

+ NASA’s Moon rocket returned to the launch pad after repairs inside the Vehicle Assembly Building at the Kennedy Space Center. The rocket’s rollout to pad 39B was completed at noon local time on March 20 and sets up a launch attempt for the Artemis 2 mission no earlier than April 1. (ANS thanks Spaceflight Now for the above informatin. Read the full article at https://spaceflightnow.com/2026/03/19/live-coverage-nasa-to-roll-its-sls-rocket-back-to-the-launch-pad-ahead-of-planned-april-flight-of-artemis-2/.)

+ Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced that the Canadian government is investing $200 million towards Canada’s first launch pad. The site is owned by Maritime Launch Services, a Canadian commercial space company founded in 2016 and headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The funds will be put toward a 10-year lease on the launch pad, located near Canso, N.S., which is expected to finish construction by 2028. (ANS thanks Universe Today for the above information. Read the full article at https://www.universetoday.com/articles/canada-allocates-200-million-towards-the-creation-of-nations-first-spaceport.)

+ The Germany-wide Space Day will take place on Saturday, March 28, 2026. AMSAT-DL and the Bochum Observatory will participate with a varied program of interesting short talks and presentations on the topics of space travel, astronomy, STEM education and amateur radio. At the same time, an ESERO family day will take place on this day from 11 am to 5 pm in and around the radome of Bochum Observatory under the motto “Adventure Space”: Fun & interesting facts for young and old await visitors; they can embark on a journey of discovery and immerse themselves in the world of astronomy and space travel. For a complete schedule see https://amsat-dl.org/en/bochum-space-day-march-28-2026-space-day/ (ANS thanks AMSAT-DL for the above information.)

+ The JAMSAT Symposium is being held this weekend, March 21-22, at the Japan Museum of the Future Science and Technology in Tokyo. The program began with a hands-on activity for children and continues with technical presentations and demonstrations. (ANS thanks JAMSAT 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).
• Students are eligible for FREE membership up to age 25.
• 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, Mark Johns, KØJM 
mjohns [at] amsat.org

ANS is a service of AMSAT, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, 712 H Street NE, Suite 1653, Washington, DC 20002

AMSAT is a registered trademark of the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation.

AMSAT News Service

ANS-067 — March 8, 2026

In this edition:

* Kairos No. 3 Launch Failure Destroys NUTSAT-3
* Ten-Koh 2 to be Deployed Soon
* GridMasterMap Satellite Top 100 Rovers March 2026 Rankings
* VUCC Satellite Standing March 2026
* Cambodian Students Blast Off With Satellite Training
* Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution
* NASA Reveals Astronaut Who Required Evacuation From ISS
* 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 http://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

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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Kairos No. 3 Launch Failure Destroys NUTSAT-3

The third time was not the charm for Space One’s Kairos rocket.

Kairos launched for the third time ever on Thursday, March 5, lifting off from Space One’s Spaceport Kii in Wakayama Prefecture at 02:10 UTC (11:10 a.m. local time in Japan). But it was all over about two minutes later.

Space One’s Kairos rocket launches on its third-ever mission on March 4, 2026 from Spaceport Kii.
Space One terminated the flight about two minutes after liftoff. (Image credit: Space One)

“Kairos No. 3 was launched on March 5, 2026, at 11:10:00 a.m., but we determined that mission success was difficult and implemented flight termination measures,” Tokyo-based Space One said via X on Wednesday evening (in Japanese; translation by X).

Among the Kairos No. 3 payloads was NUTSAT-3, a 3U CubeSat created with support from National Formosa University and dedicated to amateur radio service. The satellite, was designed to provide FM voice repeater, APRS, and telemetry services to the global amateur satellite community.

In addition to the amateur radio mission, the NUTSAT-3 project was to have actively engaged students in mission data analysis, RF design performance of satellite radio communications, and community participation by encouraging public engagement through open telemetry data.

[ANS thanks Space.com and The International Amateur Radio Union for the above information. Read the full Space.com story at https://www.space.com/space-exploration/private-spaceflight/japan-startup-space-one-kairos-third-launch.]

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Ten-Koh 2 to be Deployed Soon

A Japanese amateur radio satellite, launched to the International Space Station (ISS) last October, will soon be deployed in a higher orbit.

After delivering about 12,000 pounds of supplies, scientific investigations, hardware, and other cargo to the ISS for NASA and its international partners, JAXA’s (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s) uncrewed HTV-X1 cargo spacecraft departed the ISS on Friday, March 6. The spacecraft arrived at the space station on Oct. 29, 2025, after launching Oct. 25 on an H3 rocket from Japan’s Tanegashima Space Center.

The HTV-X1 spacecraft will boost itself to a 500km circular orbit where it will remain for more than three months acting as a scientific platform for JAXA’s experiments.

After attaining this higher orbit, HTV-X1 will deploy Ten-Koh 2, a 6U cubesat constructed by Nihon University carrying a variety of amateur radio experiments. These will include:

• A linear transponder, developed by JAMSAT, that will operate two days each week (schedule to be announced). Transponder frequencies that have been coordinated with the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) feature an uplink in the range 145.895-145.935 MHz with downlink 435.875-435.915 MHz.
• Digitalker with pre-loaded audio to be transmitted at 435.895 MHz.
• Transmission of pre-loaded digital images created in cooperation with students from the Faculty of Arts, also at 435.895 MHz.
• Demonstration of microwave band communication technology at 5.8 GHz in the microwave band.
• Tests of high-speed data transmission at 38.4 kbps in 4FSK.

Following the deorbit command, HTV-X1 will dispose of several thousand pounds of trash from the ISS during re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere, where it will burn up harmlessly. However, Ten-Koh 2 is expected to remain in orbit and active for approximately one year to 18 months.

[ANS thanks NASA and IARU for the above information.]

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GridMasterMap Satellite Top 100 Rovers March 2026 Rankings

The March 2026 rankings for the Top 100 Rovers (Mixed LEO/MEO/GEO) in satellite operations, as determined by @GridMasterMap on X (formerly Twitter), have been released. The ranking is determined by the number of grids and DXCC entities activated, taking into account only those grids where a minimum number of QSOs logged on the gridmaster.fr website have been validated by a third party. Grid numbers do not directly reflect the exact number of activations. Satellite operators are encouraged to upload their LoTW satellite contacts to https://gridmaster.fr in order to provide more accurate data.

Gridmaster Top Rovers for March 2026 (Updated: 2026-02-06)

1	ND9M	26	WD9EWK	51	KE0WPA	76	HB9GWJ
2	NJ7H	27	KX9X	52	WD5GRW	77	VA7LM
3	UT1FG	28	KG5CCI	53	KE0PBR	78	DL4EA
4	JA9KRO	29	DJ8MS	54	XE3DX	79	N8RO
5	N5UC	30	N5BO	55	BA8AFK	80	SP5XSD
6	F5VMJ	31	ON4AUC	56	LU4JVE	81	N6UTC
7	DL6AP	32	K8BL	57	W7WGC	82	N4UFO
8	DP0POL	33	KE4AL	58	PR8KW	83	VE7PTN
9	WI7P	34	KB5FHK	59	JK2XXK	84	PT2AP
10	K5ZM	35	AC0RA	60	EA4NF	85	VE1VOX
11	OE3SEU	36	PA3GAN	61	EB1AO	86	AA8CH
12	WY7AA	37	F4BKV	62	XE1ET	87	KB2YSI
13	LU5ILA	38	KI0KB	63	N6DNM	88	KI7UXT
14	N6UA	39	JO2ASQ	64	W8LR	89	AF5CC
15	HA3FOK	40	KI7UNJ	65	W1AW	90	KJ7NDY
16	OH2UDS	41	VA3VGR	66	KI7QEK	91	BI1MHK
17	W5PFG	42	VE3HLS	67	SM3NRY	92	PT9BM
18	AK8CW	43	BG7QIW	68	KE9AJ	93	FG8OJ
19	N9IP	44	LA9XGA	69	F4DXV	94	BG5CZD
20	AD0DX	45	HJ5LVR	70	VE1CWJ	95	YU0W
21	AD0HJ	46	VK5DG	71	AA5PK	96	PU4CEB
22	DL2GRC	47	N7AGF	72	AD7DB	97	W8MTB
23	N4AKV	48	DF2ET	73	PU6JBN	98	N4DCW
24	ND0C	49	K7TAB	74	KM4LAO	99	PS8BR
25	BA1PK	50	JL3RNZ	75	M1DDD	100	WA9JBQ

[ANS thanks @GridMasterMap for the above information.]

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VUCC Satellite Standing March 2026

VUCC Satellite Award/Endorsement Change Summary for February 01, 2026 to February 28, 2026.

Callsign	Feb	Mar
PY2PIM	1200	1250
MI6GTY	1201	1202
JN2QCV	1159	1180
IK1IYU	508	900
WD9EWK(DM43)	779	781
WA3YDZ	353	401
IN3EQZ	268	316
DH0GSU	204	250
IW3SSA	New	217
N6UTC(DM14)	128	150
PT2VM	126	150
LU4FW	New	147
WB9PNU	115	121
WD9EWK(DM13)	116	119
AD7OV	New	100
BI8SSW	New	100
KE5JXC	New	100

Congratulations to the new VUCC Satellite holders.

IW3SSA
LU4FW
AD7OV
BI8SSW
KE5JXC

IW3SSA is first VUCC Satellite holder from JN66
AD7OV is first VUCC Satellite holder from DN50
BI8SSW is first VUCC Satellite holder from OL15
KE5JXC is first VUCC Satellite holder from EL39

No DXCC Standings this month, ARRL hasn’t updated it to March yet.

[ANS thanks Jon Goering, N7AZ, for the above information.]

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Want to fly the colors on your own grid expedition?
Get your AMSAT car flag and other neat stuff from our Zazzle store!

25% of the purchase price of each product goes towards
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Cambodian Students Blast Off With Satellite Training

Although space technology may have not been officially introduced into the Kingdom’s standard curriculum, the topic is taking center stage at the National Polytechnic Institute of Cambodia (NPIC), at the 2nd Session of the NPIC SCT Event: QO-100 and LEO Satellite Training, igniting a passion for space communication among students.

The training, from February 26 to March 3, is transforming the campus into a hub of innovation.

Building on their past success of a 12,076-kilometre transmission to Antarctica via the QO-100 satellite, this year’s training elevates the challenge by focusing on Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites.

Students are actively engaged in hands-on learning, constructing and utilizing homemade antenna systems to track these fast-moving satellites across the sky, according to organizers.

International specialists from Japan, France and Australia are providing mentorship, guiding students through the complexities of installing ground stations and communicating with a variety of satellites, including the geostationary QO-100 and LEO satellites like RS-44 and SO-50.

Space and satellite training during the first session at NPIC, held last year. Credit: NPIC and The Phnom Penh Post.

“I wanted to show Cambodian students that space technology is accessible. Watching them successfully track an LEO satellite today proves that our youth are ready for the future,” said Jorge Paulo, a French Marine Electronics and Telecommunications System expert.

Mori Mikio, an amateur radio satellite technician from Japan, emphasized the event’s impact, highlighting how the real success is not just in the technical milestones, but in witnessing the passion of the participants.

“Seeing students successfully track LEO satellites with homemade antennas is a powerful reminder of why this event exists,” he said.

Reth Sengvisoth, one of the organising committee members, shared his satisfaction with their efforts. He said the months of planning and coordination went into bringing this international training to life.

[ANS thanks The Phnom Penh Post for the above information. Read the full article at https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/cambodian-students-blast-off-with-satellite-training-programme-at-npic.]

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

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Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for March 6

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/.

URGENT MESSAGE: From TS Kelso of CelesTrak “[The US Space Force 18th Space Defense Squadron] will run out of 5-digit catalog numbers at 69999 not 99999, which is estimated to occur around 2026‑07‑20 (we’re currently at 68014). At that point, newly cataloged objects will have 6-digit catalog numbers of 100000+ and GP data will not be available for them using the TLE format. CelesTrak developed new formats that removed this limitation (and finally fixed the Y2K problem) in May 2020 and immediately began providing GP data in those formats for software developers. The same limitations apply to the legacy fixed-field SATCAT. Follow @TSKelso on Bluesky for the latest updates, tutorials, and changes as we approach this transition. Spread the word!”

AMSAT is presently alpha testing dissemination of orbital data aka “General Perturbations Data” or “GP Data” in formats that do not have the 5 digit object number limitation and will solicit public help for beta testing in April 2026. Many software packages used by hams already accept at least one of the new formats, and we would like to work through any issues before new satellites arrive without TLE sets. AMSAT will continue to disseminate TLE data for all satellites cataloged below 69999 indefinitely.

NOAA Cat ID 67291 has been renamed “RS95S (QMR-KWT-2)”

The following satellites have been removed from this week’s AMSAT TLE Distribution:

RSP-03 NORAD Cat ID 65732 Decayed from orbit on or about 16 February 2026
BOTAN NORAD Cat ID 65942 Decayed from orbit on or about 03 March 2026
MO-122 NORAD Cat ID 60209 End of mission, last telemetry 25 August 2025
CEVROSAT1 NORAD Cat ID 66309 End of mission, last telemetry 09 November 2025
CO-57 NORAD Cat ID 27848 End of mission, date unknown
CO-58 NORAD Cat ID 28895 End of mission, date unknown
EO-80 NORAD Cat ID 40032 End of mission, date unknown
FloripaSat 1 NORAD Cat ID 44885 End of mission, date unknown

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

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NASA Reveals Astronaut Who Required Evacuation From ISS

NASA astronaut Mike Fincke, KE5AIT, Crew-11 pilot and commander of the International Space Station’s (ISS) Expedition 74, has revealed that it was his medical issue that prompted the evacuation of the four Crew-11 astronauts from the space station in January.

NASA astronaut Mike Fincke, KE5AIT (Credit: NASA)

The exact nature of his ailment remains undisclosed, but Fincke’s statement clarified that the issue, while not considered an emergency, required “advanced medical imaging not available on the space station.” As a result, Fincke and his crewmates — NASA astronaut Zena Cardman, KJ5CMN, Japanese space agency astronaut Kimiya Yui, KG5BPH, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov — returned to Earth aboard the Crew Dragon “Endeavour” on Jan. 15, about a month earlier than originally planned.

The issue arose on Jan. 7, while Fincke and Cardman were preparing for an upcoming spacewalk. “The agency is monitoring a medical concern with a crew member that arose Wednesday afternoon aboard the orbital complex,” NASA officials said in an emailed statement on Jan. 7, declining to elaborate on the nature of that concern or the astronaut it affected. Then, on Jan. 8, the agency announced that Crew-11 would end early so the issue could be addressed here on Earth.

Crew-11 splashed down aboard Endeavour in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of San Diego, on Jan. 15, leaving a skeleton crew of three aboard the ISS.

SpaceX’s Crew-12 mission was originally slated to launch in mid-February, with a typical handover period between them and Crew-11 expected after their arrival in low Earth orbit, allowing the newcomers time to acclimate to microgravity and life aboard the station. Efforts by SpaceX and NASA allowed for an earlier target date of their Falcon 9 launch aboard Crew Dragon “Freedom,” which lifted off Feb. 13 and returned the ISS to its regular crew complement of seven.

[ANS thanks Space.com for the above information. See the full article at https://www.space.com/space-exploration/human-spaceflight/nasa-reveals-the-astronaut-who-required-1st-medical-evacuation-from-the-international-space-station.]

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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
Escola Naval (Brazilian Navy Academy), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, direct via PY1AA
The ISS callsign was NA1SS
The scheduled crewmember was Sophie Adenot, KJ5LTN
The ARISS mentor was VE3TBD
Contact was successful: Mon 2026-03-02 12:17:25 UTC 49 degrees maximum elevation
Congratulations to the Escola Naval students, Sophie (her first ever ARISS contact), mentor VE3TBD, and ground station PY1AA!
Watch for Livestream at https://www.youtube.com/live/5mA2OppSV5w?si=EwosjCk9Ckv0qcvs

St Joseph’s Primary School, Bombala, NSW, Australia, telebridge via VK6MJ
The ISS callsign was TBD
The scheduled crewmember was Jack Hathaway, KJ5NIV
The ARISS mentor was VK4KHZ
Contact was successful: Thu 2026-03-05 08:53:18 UTC 32 degrees maximum elevation
Congratulations to the St Joseph’s Primary School students, Jack (his first ever ARISS contact), mentor VK4KHZ, and telebridge VK6MJ!

UPCOMING
TBD

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.

Currently running​​​ packet operations at 437.825 MHz. Please note we’re still in the process of troubleshooting and testing this radio. Feel free to check out status reports at https://ariss-usa.org/ARISS_APRS/.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Ham TV is currently transmitting a test signal at 2395.00 MHz. For more information, visit the ARISS Ham TV Live site at https://live.ariss.org/hamtv/.

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.

March 21, 2026
Midwinter Madness Hamfest 2026
Maple Grove Radio Club
Buffalo Civic Center
1306 County Rd 134
Buffalo, Minnesota 55313
https://k0ltc.org/midwinter-madness/
KØJM, ADØHJ, KEØPBR

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

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

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Satellite Shorts From All Over

+ In a statement on March 3, the Russian space agency Roscosmos said that its engineers have repaired a badly damaged launch pad at the Baikonur cosmodrome ahead of schedule, averting a potentially longer-term problem for supplying the International Space Station (ISS). The agency said a Progress cargo capsule is now scheduled to blast off to the ISS on March 22. The facility suffered a still unexplained mishap last November during the launch of a Soyuz capsule carrying two Russians and one American to the orbiting station. The pad is the only location where Russia can launch its manned Soyuz capsules, which are a mainstay transport and cargo vehicle for the station. (ANS thanks Radio Free Europe for the above information.)

+ SpaceX launched the 600th Starlink satellite of 2026 during predawn Falcon 9 rocket flight from Cape Canaveral on March 4. The Starlink 10-40 mission added another 29 broadband internet satellites into low Earth orbit. (ANS thanks SpaceflightNow for the above information. See the full article at https://spaceflightnow.com/2026/03/03/live-coverage-spacex-to-launch-29-starlink-satellites-on-falcon-9-rocket-from-cape-canaveral-10/.)

+ NASA announced on February 19 that it has reclassified Starliner’s Crew Flight Test (CFT) as a “Type A mishap” — the most serious kind, in the same category as the space shuttle Challenger and Columbia tragedies. CFT launched on June 5, 2024, sending NASA astronauts Suni Williams, KD5PLB, and Butch Wilmore to the International Space Station (ISS) for a planned 10-day stay. Starliner reached the orbiting lab safely. On the way, however, the spacecraft suffered multiple thruster failures and temporarily lost “six degree of freedom” control — the ability to precisely maintain its desired orientation and trajectory. NASA prolonged the orbital stay of Williams and Wilmore multiple times to study Starliner’s thruster issues. In the end, the agency decided to bring the capsule home uncrewed, which occurred on Sept. 6. Williams and Wilmore, meanwhile, stayed aboard the ISS. They came home on a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule in March 2025, having spent about nine months in space instead of the originally planned 10 days. Both have since retired from the agency. (ANS thanks Space.com for the above information. Read the full article at https://www.space.com/space-exploration/human-spaceflight/we-almost-did-have-a-really-terrible-day-nasa-now-says-boeings-1st-starliner-astronaut-flight-was-a-type-a-mishap.)

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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).
• Students are eligible for FREE membership up to age 25.
• 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, Mark Johns, KØJM
mjohns [at] amsat.org

ANS is a service of AMSAT, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, 712 H Street NE, Suite 1653, Washington, DC 20002

AMSAT News Service

ANS-039
February 8, 2026

In this edition:

* FO-29 Approaches Full Sunlight
* Gridmaster Top 100 Rovers for February 2026
* VUCC Satellite Standing February 2026
* DXCC Satellite Standing for February 2026
* SpaceX Grounds its Falcon 9 Rocket
* Declassifying JUMPSEAT: An American Pioneer in Space
* Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution
* Kenya to Represent Africa in ARISS Program 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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FO-29 Approaches Full Sunlight

Fuji-OSCAR 29 (JAS 2) will soon enter a season of orbits in full sunlight, making it once again available for worldwide use.

JAS-2 was successfully launched on August 17, 1996. It orbits the Earth in a polar orbit at 1300 km altitude in a time of 112 minutes. The inclination is 98°. The transmission power of the beacon is 100 mW, the transponder 1 watt. The linear transponder downlink is from 435.800 MHz – 435.900 MHz (USB, CW), with uplink from 145.900 MHz – 146.00 MHz (LSB, CW). CW beacon frequency is 435.795 MHz.

Fuji-OSCAR 29 (JAS 2) Credit: JAMSAT

Designated as Fuji-OSCAR 29 after achieving orbit, JAS 2 has long been one of the most popular and most useful linear satellites available to amateurs. However, as the satellite approaches 30 years of age, its batteries have long-since failed. It only continues to operate while the sun is illuminating its solar panels.

On March 9, FO-29 will begin orbiting in full sunlight, without periodic eclipses.

In mid-February, the duration of the shadow decreases from about 20 minutes to about 1 minute per day. Therefore, FO-29’s transmitter may suddenly come to life unexpectedly. Amateurs are encouraged to monitor the satellite and to update its activity on the AMSAT OSCAR Satellite Status page, https://www.amsat.org/status/.

Please enjoy using FO-29 while it remains available!

[ANS thanks Akira Kaneko, JA1OGZ, of JAMSAT for the above information.]

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The 2026 President’s Club Coin is Now Available!
Help Support GOLF and FoxPlus.

Annual memberships start at only $120
Join the AMSAT President’s Club today and help
Keep Amateur Radio in Space!
https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/

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VUCC Satellite Standing February 2026

VUCC Satellite Award/Endorsement Change Summary for January 01, 2026 to February 01, 2026.

Call	Jan	Feb
DF2ET	1700	1801
DG7RO	1504	1600
PS8ET	1000	1216
EA2AA	1135	1170
JL1SAM	905	1008
JS1LQI	808	825
PA7RA	534	604
XE2YWH	595	600
HB9BIN	356	460
WO3T	437	450
OH3DP	352	401
IK8YTA	300	332
PU5DDC	254	258
EA4DEI	200	250
XE1R	105	237
G4BWP	200	220
I2OIM	155	206
WB5TX	160	165
W1AW	103	134
PU4FAR	New	100
YB0OSU	New	100

Congratulations to the new VUCC Satellite holders.

PU4FAR
YB0OSU

PU4FAR is first VUCC Satellite holder from GH83

[ANS thanks Jon Goering, N7AZ, for the above information.]

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Need new satellite antennas?
Purchase M2 LEO-Packs from the AMSAT Store.

When you purchase through AMSAT, a portion of the proceeds goes towards
Keeping Amateur Radio in Space.
https://amsat.org/product-category/hardware/

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DXCC Satellite Standing for February 2026

DXCC Satellite Award/Endorsement Change Summary for January 01, 2026 to February 01, 2026.

Call	Jan	Feb
HB9BZA	196	204
PY2RN	166	192
YO2CMI	185	186
VU2LBW	166	174
ON4AOI	156	167
HB9GWJ	150	154
EA3GP	103	153
LA7XK	118	119
IK8YTA	107	118
K6FW	102	104

[ANS thanks Jon Goering, N7AZ, for the above information.]

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SpaceX Grounds its Falcon 9 Rocket

SpaceX has temporarily grounded its workhorse Falcon 9 rocket, which is slated to launch four astronauts next week.

A Falcon 9 delivered 25 of SpaceX’s Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO) as planned on Monday (Feb. 2). But, after deploying the payloads, the rocket’s upper stage failed to perform its deorbit burn, which was designed to bring it down for controlled destruction in Earth’s atmosphere.

Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus XL cargo craft lifts off atop SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Florida’s Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
to the International Space Station in September, 2025. Credit: NASA+

The Falcon 9 is the world’s busiest rocket by far. It launched a record-breaking 165 times in 2025 and already has 14 liftoffs until its belt this year.

The rocket is incredibly reliable, too. All of last year’s missions were successful, and just a single one — a Starlink launch on March 3 — experienced a significant anomaly.

It’s unclear how long this new launch hiatus will last. But both SpaceX and NASA doubtless hope the issue is resolved soon, for a very high-profile Falcon 9 launch is coming up — that of the Crew-12 astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

Crew-12 is scheduled to include NASA astronauts Jack Hathaway, KJ5NIV, and Jessica Meir, as well as French astronaut Sophie Adenot, KJ5LTN, and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Artemyev. Their SpaceX Dragon capsule has been scheduled for launch atop a Falcon 9 rocket on February 11.

[ANS thanks Space.com for the above information. See the full article at https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/spacex-grounds-its-falcon-9-rocket-after-a-problem-with-its-upper-stage-will-the-crew-12-astronaut-mission-be-affected]

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Declassifying JUMPSEAT: An American Pioneer in Space

The director of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) recently declassified the existence of JUMPSEAT: the United States’ first-generation, highly elliptical orbit (HEO) signals-collection satellite.

Launched from 1971 to 1987 under mission numbers 7701 to 7708, JUMPSEAT was the product of the United States Air Force’s (USAF) program at the NRO. Developed under a program called “Project EARPOP,” JUMPSEAT offered the U.S. a way of collecting intelligence during unprecedented geopolitical change and Cold War tensions that lasted until the early 1990s.

JUMPSEAT Model_2_1 Credit: NRO

The NRO and USAF, collaborating as a part of NRO’s “Program A,” were tasked with developing a foundational HEO signals collection satellite to bolster the U.S. government’s space intelligence portfolio. Named JUMPSEAT, the new satellite would be capable of operating in a highly ellipical, or Molniya, orbit. [Editor’s Note: These orbits are very similar to those that were used by amateur radio satellites AO-10, AO-13, and AO-40 in the 1980s and -90s.]

Together, the NRO and the USAF launched the first JUMPSEAT mission in 1971 from Vandenberg Air Force Base (now Vandenberg Space Force Base) in California. Once in orbit, JUMPSEAT successfully collected electronic emissions and signals, communication intelligence, and foreign instrumentation intelligence: invaluable information that was downlinked to ground processing facilities within the U.S. From there, the data was provided to the Department of Defense, the National Security Agency, and other national security elements.

Over the decades, JUMPSEAT satellites continued to prove their worth to signals intelligence, finally operating in transponder mode until they were taken out of service in 2006.

[ANS thanks the National Reconnaissance Office for the above information. Read the full article at https://www.nro.gov/news-media-featured-stories/news-media-archive/News-Article/Article/4392223/declassifying-jumpseat-an-american-pioneer-in-space/]

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Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for February 6

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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Kenya to Represent Africa in ARISS Program 2026

Kenya is set to make history in 2026 after being selected to host the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program, a global initiative that enables the public to communicate live with astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

The Kenya Space Agency announced the selection, positioning the country at the heart of an international effort to advance space education and public engagement in science. Kenya is the only African nation chosen for the 2026 ARISS cycle, a milestone expected to spark interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and inspire innovation across the country.

According to the agency, the hosting window will run between July and December 2026. During this period, Kenyan students, professionals and members of the public will take part in live radio sessions with astronauts on the ISS. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and receive real-time answers about daily life in orbit, scientific research conducted on board and the realities of living and working in space.

The Kenya Space Agency will oversee preparations for the event in collaboration with Pan-African Citizen Science e-Laboratory mentor and agency liaison Harold Safary. Planning efforts will include technical coordination, public outreach and the selection of participants, with an open call to be issued for interested individuals and institutions wishing to take part in the live ISS contacts.

The 2026 ARISS program will offer Kenyans a rare opportunity to speak directly with astronauts aboard the ISS, marking a significant step in the country’s engagement with global space initiatives and space education.

[ANS thanks Satellite Pro Middle East for the above information. Read the full article at https://satelliteprome.com/news/kenya-to-represent-africa-in-iss-ariss-programme-2026/]

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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
School No. 4, Semenov, Nizhny Novgorod Region, Russia, direct via UB3TBX
The ISS callsign was scheduled to be RSØISS
The scheduled crewmember was Sergey Kud-Sverchkov
The ARISS mentor was RV3DR
Contact was successful for Thu 2026-02-05 09:14 UTC
Congratulations to the School No. 4 students, Sergey, mentor RV3DR, and ground station UB3TBX!

FBU Im. I. Kant, Kaliningrad, Russia, direct via R2FDB
The ISS callsign was scheduled to be RSØISS
The scheduled crewmember was Sergey Mikaev
The ARISS mentor was RV3DR
Contact was successful for Thu 2026-02-05 10:49 UTC
Congratulations to the FBU Im. I. Kant students, Sergey, mentor RV3DR, and ground station R2FDB!

Klimop Tongeren, Tongeren-Borgloon, Belgium, telebridge via ON4ISS
The ISS callsign was scheduled to be OR4ISS
The scheduled crewmember was Chris Williams, KJ5GEW
The ARISS mentor was ON6TI
Contact was successful for: Thu 2026-02-05 12:21:51 UTC 82 degrees maximum elevation
Congratulations to the Klimop Tongeren students, Chris, mentor ON6TI, and telebridge station ON4ISS!

UPCOMING
Hilltop Elementary, Canfield, OH, telebridge via K6DUE
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS
The scheduled crewmember is Chris Williams, KJ5GEW
The ARISS mentor is KD8COJ
Contact is go for Mon 2026-02-09 18:44:58 UTC 57 deg
Watch for Livestream at https://www.youtube.com/@ARISSlive/videos and https://live.ariss.org/

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.

The packet system (145.825 MHz up & down) was scheduled for repair on February 5.

Ham TV (2395.00 MHz) is configured for scheduled digital amateur television operations.

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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Want to fly the colors on your own grid expedition?
Get an AMSAT car flag and other neat stuff from our Zazzle store!

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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.

February 13-15, 2026
Hamcation 2026
Central Florida Fairgrounds and Expo Park
Colonial Drive
Orlando, Florida
AMSAT will have a table and many items available for purchase
Contact Dave Jordan, AA4KN to volunteer n4csitwo [at] bellsouth.net

March 21, 2026
Midwinter Madness Hamfest 2026
Maple Grove Radio Club
Buffalo Civic Center
1306 County Rd 134
Buffalo, Minnesota 55313
https://k0ltc.org/midwinter-madness/
KØJM, ADØHJ, KEØPBR

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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Satellite Shorts from All Over

+ In September 2025, AMSAT-DL and the Bochum Observatory jointly organized the “Bochum Space Days 2025” conference in the radome under the 20-metre antenna. The Radom was all about satellite and space research. A varied and informative program was offered, aimed at AMSAT members as well as all space enthusiasts and makers. The presentations are now available on the AMSAT-DL YouTube channel. The language of the presentation is mixed German/English and subtitles can also be optionally activated in the respective translation. Begin at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IW384KY6lBo&list=PLbIhjH2wj12GfMJGRwbYPFEjU7ECtjzzO (ANS thanks AMSAT-DL for the above information.)

+ The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Space Weather Follow On – Lagrange 1 (SWFO-L1) satellite has reached its final destination—nearly one million miles away from Earth toward the sun and has been renamed SOLAR-1. The observatory is expected to begin space weather operations in Spring 2026. Read more at http://bit.ly/4bUIY1K. (ANS thanks NOAA for the above information.)

+ Edge of Space Sciences, a ham radio club in Englewood, Colorado, has been monitoring three amateur radio pico balloons as they continue to circumnavigate the globe. Two balloons were released at HamCon Colorado on October 25, 2025. EOSSP-3 has completed 5 circumnavigations and is currently lost somewhere “up north.” No signal has been heard for 4 days. EOSSP-4 has completed 7 circumnavigations and is currently approaching India. Meanwhile, EOSSP-2, launched September 18, completed its 10th circumnavigation at 19:05 UTC on February 4. The balloons can be tracked on aprs.fi at https://aprs.fi/#!call=a%2FEOSSP-2%2Ca%2FEOSSP-4%2Ca%2FEOSSP-3&timerange=259200&tail=86400. More information can be found on the club’s website, www.eoss.org. (ANS thanks ARRL for the above information.)

+ NASA is no longer planning a February launch of the Artemis 2 mission after encountering hydrogen leaks during a fueling test of the Space Launch System. In a statement early Feb. 3, NASA said it completed a wet dress rehearsal for Artemis 2 but determined the vehicle will not be ready to launch during the February window, which closes Feb. 11. Several other issues occurred during the test. A valve in Orion’s hatch pressurization system was accidentally vented during closeout work, requiring additional time to repressurize the system. Unseasonably cold temperatures, which had already delayed the rehearsal by two days, caused further issues, including delays in tanking operations and problems with cameras and other pad equipment. NASA also reported intermittent audio dropouts in communications among ground teams. The next launch period for Artemis 2 runs from March 6 to 11, with five two-hour windows available. Another launch opportunity extends from April 1 to 6. (ANS thanks SpaceNews for the above information. Read the full article at https://spacenews.com/artemis-2-slips-to-march/)

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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).
• Students are eligible for FREE membership up to age 25.
• 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,

Mark Johns, KØJM
mjohns [at] amsat.org

ANS is a service of AMSAT, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, 712 H Street NE, Suite 1653, Washington, DC 20002
AMSAT is a registered trademark of the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation.