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/
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]
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.
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]
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.
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]
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.
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]
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.
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]
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/
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]
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]
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]
AMSAT Remove Before Flight Key Tags Now Available
Yes, These are the Real Thing!
Your $20 Donation Goes to Help Fly a Fox-Plus Satellite
Includes First Class Postage (Sorry – U.S. Addresses Only)
Order Today at https://www.amsat.org/product/amsat-remove-before-flight-keychain
Satellite Shorts from All Over
+ Roscosmos launched Progress 94 cargo spacecraft at 11:59 UTC (7:59 a.m. EDT) on Sunday, March 22, aboard a Soyuz rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, carrying approximately three tons of food, fuel, and supplies for the Expedition 74 crew aboard the International Space Station. The spacecraft was originally expected to dock autonomously at the space-facing port of the Poisk module on Tuesday, March 24, following a two-day flight. Shortly after reaching orbit, one of its two KURS automated rendezvous antennas failed to deploy as planned, though all other systems continued to operate normally. As a result, cosmonaut Sergey Kud-Sverchkov manually piloted the spacecraft during final approach using the TORU remote control system from inside the Zvezda Service Module. Progress 94 successfully docked at 13:40 UTC (9:40 a.m. EDT) on Tuesday, March 24, completing the resupply mission despite the earlier anomaly. The spacecraft is expected to remain docked for about six months before departing the station for a planned destructive re-entry, disposing of trash loaded by the crew. (ANS thanks NASA for the above information)
+ About a month after an onboard anomaly caused a loss of contact with the Proba-3 Coronagraph spacecraft, mission controllers have successfully re-established communication. The Villafranca ground station in Spain, operated by the European Space Agency (ESA), received telemetry from the spacecraft, confirming it is once again transmitting health and status data. The Coronagraph is currently in a stable safe mode while engineers conduct detailed system checks to assess any potential damage. Its solar panel is properly oriented toward the Sun, allowing essential systems to remain powered and the battery to recharge. After weeks exposed to extreme cold, the spacecraft’s components will require time to warm up before normal operations can resume. Mission officials say the recovery is an encouraging milestone, though careful analysis and gradual recovery steps will be required before the mission can fully return to nominal activities. (ANS thanks the ESA for the above information)
+ NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission has demonstrated that a kinetic impact can alter the motion of an asteroid system, with new analysis confirming effects beyond the initial impact. The 2022 impact into the small asteroid Dimorphos not only shortened its orbit around the larger asteroid Didymos, but also slightly changed the motion of the entire binary system around the Sun. Scientists measured a change in orbital speed of about 11.7 microns per second, a tiny shift that could have significant long-term implications for planetary defense. The impact generated a cloud of ejecta that enhanced the momentum transfer, effectively doubling the push delivered by the spacecraft. Observations from both professional and amateur astronomers, including stellar occultation campaigns, were critical in confirming these results. Researchers note that even such small orbital changes, if applied early enough, could be sufficient to deflect a potentially hazardous asteroid away from Earth. (ANS thanks Space.com for the above information)
+ A unique NASA astronomy satellite may soon undergo an unprecedented rescue attempt as it faces an early end in orbit. The Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, launched in 2004 to study gamma-ray bursts, has been out of operation for more than a month and is gradually losing altitude due to atmospheric drag. NASA has awarded a $30 million contract to Katalyst Space Technologies to develop a robotic servicing spacecraft that will attempt to rendezvous with Swift and raise its orbit, extending the mission’s life. The planned rescue mission, scheduled for launch as early as June, would mark one of the first commercial attempts to dock with and service a satellite not originally designed for in-orbit repair. Engineers face significant challenges, including tight timelines, uncertain spacecraft conditions, and the risks associated with docking two large objects in low-Earth orbit. If successful, the mission could demonstrate a lower-cost approach to satellite servicing while preserving a valuable scientific asset. (ANS thanks Ars Technica for the above information)
Join AMSAT today at https://launch.amsat.org/
In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to:
- Societies (a recognized group, clubs or organization).
- Students enrolled in at least half-time status are eligible for free membership 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,
Mitch Ahrenstorff, ADØHJ
mahrenstorff [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.
