AMSAT News Service

AMSAT News Service Bulletin posts. These are meant for the AMSAT News Service section of the website and will not be presented on the homepage.

ANS-232 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins for Aug. 20

by
In this edition:
* Registration Open for 41st Annual AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting
* 2023 AMSAT Symposium Call for Papers
* Amateur Radio Operator Contacts Spacecraft
* Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for August 18, 2023
* ARISS News
* Upcoming Satellite Operations
* Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events
* 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
You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: https://mailman.amsat.org/postorius/lists/ans.amsat.org/
ANS-232 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
To: All RADIO AMATEURS
From: Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation
712 H Street NE, Suite 1653
Washington, DC 20002
DATE 2023 August 20

Registration Open for 41st Annual AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting

The 41st Annual AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting will be held on Friday through Saturday, October 20-21, 2023 at the Sheraton DFW Airport Hotel in Irving, Texas. Highlights of all scheduled events include:
– AMSAT Board of Directors Meeting, October 19-20
– 41st AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting, October 20-21
– Friday Night Social and Auction, October 20
– AMSAT Banquet and Reception, October 21
– AMSAT Member Breakfast, October 22
Prices for the Symposium, the Banquet and the Member Breakfast remain the same as last year:
– Friday and Saturday Symposium and General Meeting $75
– Saturday Evening Banquet $55
– Sunday Morning Member Breakfast $15
EVENT REGISTRATION
You can register online for individual events or all events at: https://launch.amsat.org/event-5363188.
HOTEL ROOM RESERVATIONS
The Sheraton DFW Airport is located adjacent to the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and provides complimentary, scheduled shuttle to and from the airport. Complimentary parking is available for those who drive to the Symposium. The hotel address and phone number is:
Sheraton DFW Airport Hotel
4440 W John Carpenter Fwy.
Irving, TX 75063
972-929-8400
Rooms are available for check-in on Wednesday, October 18 and check out Sunday, October 22.
– Standard room with single King bed is **SOLD OUT** ACT FAST! GET YOUR RESERVATIONS NOW!
– Standard room with two Queen beds is $137.00*
* Rate does not include state and local taxes of 15%
For Phone Hotel Reservations:
Call 972-929-8400. Ask for rate RADIO AMATEUR SATELLITE.
Please send your Symposium questions or comments to info [at] amsat [dot] com.
We, at AMSAT, are excited to be able to host our 41st annual Symposium this year. We hope that you can join us in celebrating Amateur Radio in Space.
[ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information]
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 The 2023 AMSAT President’s Club coins are here now! 
    To commemorate the 40th anniversary of its launch 
on June 16, 1983, this year’s coin features 
an image of AMSAT-OSCAR 10. 
  Join the AMSAT President’s Club today and help 
Keep Amateur Radio in Space! 
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2023 AMSAT Symposium Call for Papers

Papers are now being acceptedfor the 41st annual AMSAT Space Symposium to be held on the weekend of October 20-21, 2023 at the Sheraton DFW Airport in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas
Proposals for Symposium papers and presentations are invited on any topic of interest to the amateur satellite community. We request a tentative title of your presentation as soon as possible, with final copy submitted by October 12 for inclusion in the symposium proceedings. Abstracts and papers should be sent to Dan Schultz, N8FGV at n8fgv at amsat.org
[ANS thanks Dan Schultz, N8FGV, AMSAT Symposium Proceedings Editor, for the above information]
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        Need new satellite antennas? Purchase an M2 LEO-Pack
        from the AMSAT Store. When you purchase through
           AMSAT, a portion of the proceeds goes towards
                  Keeping Amateur Radio in Space.
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Amateur Radio Operator Contacts Spacecraft

The headlines are sensational, although a bit exaggerated: “Ham Radio ‘hacks’ NASA Satellite”. While the phrase is eye-catching for social media, the truth is just as exciting. Amateur radio astronomer Scott Tilley, VE7TIL, has made contact with NASA’s STEREO-A spacecraft, which passed Earth for the first time in 17 years.
The STEREO-A (Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory) spacecraft was launched on October 25, 2006, from Cape Canaveral, Florida, with its twin sister ship, STEREO-B. Both spacecraft were on a mission to circle behind the and send images back to Earth so scientists could make 3D models of solar activity. In 2014, STEREO-B failed and was not heard from again.
“I’m having fun with STEREO-A,” Tilley reported to Spaceweather.com. “The spacecraft is close to Earth this summer, and I can now receive its signal using a small 26-inch dish in my backyard.”
Scott Tilley’s, VE7TIL, dish antenna for receiving NASA STEREO-A spacecraft.
Tilley began hearing rumors that other radio operators were picking up signals from STEREO-A on 8443.580 MHz. He decided to check it out. “The central carrier is very loud, almost 30 dB above the noise,” he said. “I also noticed data sidebands, which are unusual to see on such a distant object for my small antenna.”
Tilley was able to decode and demodulate STEREO-A’s signal using a special program written by Alan Antonie, F4LAU, known as SatDump, and now, he is monitoring almost all of STEREO-A’s science instruments, including its Extreme Ultraviolet Imager (EUVI), two coronagraphs (COR1 and COR2), the heliospheric imager (HI), and a solar radio burst receiver (S/WAVES).
STEREO-A’s closest approach to Earth was scheduled to occur on August 17, 2023.
Amateur radio operators who would like to monitor STEREO-A can check out Tilley’s technical blog for more information.
[Thanks to Spaceweather.com and NASA for updated information in this story]]
[ANS thanks the ARRL 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 Keeping Amateur Radio in Space
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Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for August 18, 2023
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 Thursday evenings around 2300 UTC, or more frequently if new high interest satellites are launched. More information may be found at https://www.amsat.org/keplerian-elements-resources/
This week there are no additions or deletions to the weekly 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.
Quick list of scheduled contacts and events:
STEMforGIRLS, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, telebridge via K6DUE (***)
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS
The downlink frequency is presently scheduled to be 145.800 MHz
The scheduled crewmember is Steve Bowen KI5BKB
The ARISS mentor is VE6JBJ
Contact is go for: Wed 2023-08-23 15:24:59 UTC 47 deg (***)
Australian Air League – South Australia Group,  Salisbury, South Australia, Australia, telebridge via IK1SLD
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS
The scheduled crewmember is Warren Hoburg KB3HTZ
The ARISS mentor is VK4KHZ
Contact is go for: Fri 2023-08-25 09:11:46 UTC 51 deg
Comments on making general contacts
I have been seeing a lot of traffic on Facebook and I suspect on other social media sites with people asking why they are not hearing the crew make general contacts.  First off the crew is very busy on the ISS and they simply may not have the time to just pick up the microphone and talk.  Also, one needs to be aware of their normal daily schedule.  I have listed below the constraints that we at ARISS have to follow in order to schedule the school contacts.  Hopefully this will help you better schedule your opportunities.
Typical daily schedule
Wakeup to Workday start= 1.5 hours
Workday start to Workday end=12 hours
Workday end to Sleep= 2 hours
Sleep to wakeup= 8.5 hours
The crew’s usual waking period is 0730 – 1930 UTC. The most common times to find a crew member making casual periods are about one hour after waking and before sleeping, when they have personal time. They’re usually free most of the weekend, as well.
SSTV events are not that often.  So please check out https://www.ariss.org/ for the latest information or watch for the ARISS announcements.
And don’t forget that the packet system is active.
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 Radio Status
Columbus Module radios:
IORS (Kenwood D710GA) – STATUS – Configured. Default mode is for cross band repeater (145.990 MHz up {PL 67} & 437.800 MHz down).
* SPECIAL SSTV experiment July 26, 2023. Transmissions are scheduled to begin at 20:05 UTC (16:05 ET) and ending at 20:20 UTC (16:20 ET). If necessary, a backup window will be 21:40 UTC (17:40 ET) to 21:55 UTC (17:55 ET). Requesting a clear uplink during this time frame.
* Powering off for Russian EVA on Aug. 09.
* Capable of supporting USOS scheduled voice contacts, packet and voice repeater ops.
Service Module radios:
IORS (Kenwood D710GA) – STATUS – Configured. Default mode is fo packet operations (145.825 MHz up & down)
* Powering off for Russian EVA on Aug. 09. OFF TBD . ON TBD.
* Capable of supporting ROS scheduled voice contacts, packet, SSTV and voice repeater ops.
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]

Upcoming Satellite Operations

TF/DL2GRC: Got an email from Nina stating that she & the family will be heading to Iceland with operations scheduled to begin on Friday (18th).
From Nina:
We will do a trip around the Island and hope to be active on MEO, LEO and GEO: family, equipment, satellites and weather permitting. Operations can be expected between August 18th to 30th.  Please keep in mind, it will be a family holiday and no DX-pedition.
Look out for TF/DL4BEN, TF/DL8SCU and TF/DL2GRC.
Stay tuned!
[ANS thanks Ian Parsons, K5ZM, AMSAT rover page manager, for the above information]

Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events

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 Mitch Ahrenstorff, AD0HJ will be at the Northern Plains Regional Radio Council (NPRRC) Hamfest in Brewster, Minnesota on Saturday, August 26, 2023. You can expect to find him engaging in discussions about amateur radio satellite operations at the AMSAT table or presenting live satellite demonstrations just across the street at Brewster City Park. Targeted demonstration passes will be on linear satellite RS-44 at 1434Z (fixed uplink 145.945 MHz) and the TEVEL FM satellites between 1630Z and 1700Z. Visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/NPRRC for additional information about the NPRRC Hamfest.
+ Northeast HamXposition and ARRL New England Division Convention
August 25-27, 2023
Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel
Marlboro, MA
+ 41st AMSAT Space Symposium & Annual General Meeting
October 20-21, 2023
Sheraton DFW Airport Hotel
4440 W John Carpenter Fwy, Irving, TX 75063
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.
[ANS thanks Clint Bradford, K6LCS, and AMSAT for the above information]

Satellite Shorts From All Over

+ RS-44 has returned to service after a multi-day outage this past week. There is no definitive word on the cause of the outage.
+ Woody Hoburg, KB3HTZ, was active as NA1SS from the ISS, utilizing the FM repeater, on Monday, August 14th around 1900 UTC and Wednesday, August 16th around 2100 UTC (ANS thanks ARISS for the above information)
+ NASA released its updated Software Catalog for 2023-2024, containing more than 1,000 programs for mission analysis, disaster response, spacecraft testing, data analytics, and more. Access restrictions apply to some software that may be limited to use by U.S. citizens or for U.S. government purposes only. Review the catalog online at: http://software.nasa.gov (ANS thanks The Orbital Index and NASA for the above information)
+ NASA will provide live launch and docking coverage of the Roscosmos Progress 85 cargo spacecraft carrying about three tons of food, fuel, and supplies for the Expedition 69 crew aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The unpiloted spacecraft is scheduled to launch at 01:08 UTC on Wednesday, Aug. 23 on a Soyuz rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Progress spacecraft will be placed into a two-day, 34-orbit journey to the station, leading to an automatic docking to the Zvezda module at 03:50 UTC Friday, Aug. 25. As always, amateur radio operation aboard the ISS is suspended during docking maneuvers. The spacecraft will remain at the orbiting laboratory for approximately six months, then undock for a destructive but safe re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere to dispose of trash loaded by the crew. (ANS thanks NASA for the above information)
+ India’s Chandrayan-3 moon lander completed another lunar-orbit reduction burn and entered a 100 km circular polar lunar orbit ahead of a landing attempt next week. It is projected that the Indian craft will land two days after Russia’s Luna-25 lander. (ANS thanks The Orbital Index for the above information)
———————————————————————-
Join AMSAT today at https://launch.amsat.org/
In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to:
* Societies (a recognized group, clubs or organization).
* Primary and secondary school students are eligible for membership at one-half the standard yearly rate.
* Post-secondary school students enrolled in at least half time status shall be eligible for the student rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status.
* Memberships are available for annual and lifetime terms.
Contact info [at] amsat.org for additional membership information.
73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space!
This week’s ANS Editor, 
Paul Stoetzer, N8HM
n8hm [at] amsat.org

ANS-225 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

by

In this edition:

* AM1SAT Satellite Contest, September 2023
* Registration Open for 41st Annual AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting
* International AMSAT Conferences Taking Place
* Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution
* SpaceX Crew 8 Mission to Include Three U.S. Radio Amateurs
* ARISS News
* Upcoming Satellite Operations
* Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events
* 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

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

ANS-225 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

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

DATE 2023 Aug 13

AM1SAT Satellite Contest, September 2023

AMSAT-EA will be on the air on all available satellites with the callsigns AM1SAT and AM2023SAT from September 4th to 17th, 2023 to celebrate the fourth edition of the AM1SAT trophy contest as part of the URE activities within the IberRadio 2023 event, the largest one in the world of amateur radio in Spain and Portugal (http://www.iberradio.es), and which will open its doors during the weekend of 16-17 in Avila, a city near Madrid, capital of Spain.

The AMSAT-EA operators will activate the aforementioned callsigns from the different states and autonomous cities of Spain during the said period of time and with the objective in this edition to promote contacts with the maximum number of them.

As part of this activity and to encourage participation, SILVER and GOLD diplomas will be available for the different modalities of satellites according to their footprint and orbital height, LEO, MEO (IO-117 satellite) and GEO (QO-100 satellite), as well as a trophy for the station that works the greatest number of states in the total number of available satellites and another trophy for the one that contacts the greatest number of states on the satellite with the largest footprint and coverage (in this case, IO-117). These trophies will be physically sent at no cost to the winners.

The third edition of the AM1SAT satellite contest, in 2021, finished with 1327 QSOs including GEO and LEO contacts, with 57 different radio-countries, using 20 satellites and with the participation of 419 different competitors (callsigns).

Full rules can be found here:
https://www.amsat-ea.org/app/download/13570625/AM1SAT+CONTEST+2023+-+RULES.pdf

[ANS thanks Félix Páez, EA4GQS, AMSAT-EA President, for the above information]

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The 2023 AMSAT President’s Club coins are here now!


To commemorate the 40th anniversary of its launch
on June 16, 1983, this year’s coin features
an image of AMSAT-OSCAR 10.
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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Registration Open for 41st Annual AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting

The 41st Annual AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting will be held on Friday through Saturday, October 20-21, 2023 at the Sheraton DFW Airport Hotel in Irving, Texas. Highlights of all scheduled events include:

– AMSAT Board of Directors Meeting, October 19-20
– 41st AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting, October 20-21
– Friday Night Social and Auction, October 20
– AMSAT Banquet and Reception, October 21
– AMSAT Member Breakfast, October 22

Prices for the Symposium, the Banquet and the Member Breakfast remain the same as last year:

– Friday and Saturday Symposium and General Meeting $75
– Saturday Evening Banquet $55
– Sunday Morning Member Breakfast $15

EVENT REGISTRATION
You can register online for individual events or all events at: https://launch.amsat.org/event-5363188.

HOTEL ROOM RESERVATIONS
The Sheraton DFW Airport is located adjacent to the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and provides complimentary, scheduled shuttle to and from the airport. Complimentary parking is available for those who drive to the Symposium. The hotel address and phone number is:

Sheraton DFW Airport Hotel
4440 W John Carpenter Fwy.
Irving, TX 75063
972-929-8400

Rooms are available for check-in on Wednesday, October 18 and check out Sunday, October 22.

– Standard room with single King bed is **SOLD OUT** ACT FAST! GET YOUR RESERVATIONS NOW!
– Standard room with two Queen beds is $137.00*

* Rate does not include state and local taxes of 15%

For Phone Hotel Reservations:
Call 972-929-8400. Ask for rate RADIO AMATEUR SATELLITE.

For Online Hotel Reservations click on this link: https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1689956666782&key=GRP&app=resvlink

Please send your Symposium questions or comments to info [at] amsat [dot] com.

We, at AMSAT, are excited to be able to host our 41st annual Symposium this year. We hope that you can join us in celebrating Amateur Radio in Space.

[ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information.]

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Need new satellite antennas? Purchase Arrows, Alaskan Arrows,
and 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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International AMSAT Conferences Taking Place

+ AMSAT-UK is pleased to announce that the 2023 Colloquium will take place alongside the RSGB Convention at Kents Hill Park Conference Centre, Milton Keynes on the weekend of 14/15th October 2023.

Full details of the Colloquium will be made available nearer the time on the AMSAT-UK website at https://amsat-uk.org As in previous years, the AMSAT-UK Colloquium will run as a separate stream within the RSGB Convention and will include presentations on a variety of satellite and space related topics.

Entrance to the RSGB Convention is managed by the RSGB and you will be required to purchase Day Tickets for the Saturday and/or Sunday to attend the AMSAT-UK Colloquium. These can be booked via the RSGB website at https://rsgb.org/main/rsgb-2023-convention/ Early bird discounts are being offered by the RSGB via their website.

+ AMSAT-DL was founded in 1973, so this year we can look back on 50 years of space exploration. We have taken this as an opportunity to put this year’s symposium in a special setting. Ticket sales are now available at https://shop.amsat-dl.org/. The festive conference and symposium will be held Friday, September 15 to Sunday, September 17, 2023.

With a view to the 50-year history of AMSAT-Germany and its mission of promoting amateur radio via satellites, the celebratory conference “From OSCAR 10 to OSCAR 100: 50 years of AMSAT-DL in service to science, research and education” will take place at the Bochum Observatory radome. Accomodations are limited, and the booking of the overnight stays is only possible via the AMSAT-DL store. See https://amsat-dl.org/en/ticket-sales-festive-conference-50-years-amsat-dl/ for more information.

[ANS thanks AMSAT-UK and AMSAT-DL 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 Keeping Amateur Radio in Space
https://www.zazzle.com/amsat_gear

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Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for August 11

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. Elements in the TLE bulletin files are updated daily. TLE bulletin files are updated to add or remove satellites as necessary Thursday evenings around 2300 UTC, or more frequently if new high interest satellites are launched. More information may be found at https://www.amsat.org/keplerian-elements-resources/

The following satellite has decayed from orbit and has been removed from this week’s AMSAT-NA TLE distribution:

ATHENOXAT-1 NORAD Cat ID 41168 decayed from orbit on 8 August 2023

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

SpaceX Crew 8 Mission to Include Three U.S. Radio Amateurs

Four crew members now are assigned to launch on NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 mission for a long-duration stay aboard the International Space Station. NASA made the announcement on August 4.

NASA astronauts Commander Matthew Dominick, KC0TOR; Pilot Michael Barratt, KD5MIJ; and Mission Specialist Jeanette Epps, KF5QNU; along with Roscosmos cosmonaut Mission Specialist Alexander Grebenkin, will join Expedition 70 and 71 crew members aboard the station in early 2024 to conduct a wide-ranging set of operational and research activities.

This will be the first spaceflight for Dominick, who became a NASA astronaut in 2017. He is from Wheat Ridge, Colorado, and earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of San Diego, California, and a master’s in systems engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. He is an active-duty U.S. Navy astronaut. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School in Patuxent River, Maryland, and then served as a test pilot specializing in testing landing on and catapult launches from U.S. Navy aircraft carriers.

This will be Barratt’s third trip to the space station. In 2009, Barratt served as a flight engineer for Expeditions 19 and 20 as the station transitioned its standard crew complement from three to six, and performed two spacewalks. He flew aboard the space shuttle Discovery in 2011 on STS-133, which delivered the Permanent Multipurpose Module and fourth Express Logistics Carrier. He has spent a total of 212 days in space. Born in Vancouver, Washington, he Considers Camas, Washington, to be his hometown. Barratt earned a bachelor’s in zoology from the University of Washington, Seattle, and a doctor of medicine from Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois. He completed residencies in internal medicine at Northwestern and aerospace medicine along with a master’s degree at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. After nine years as a NASA flight surgeon and project physician, Barratt joined the astronaut corps in 2000.

This also will be Epps’ first trip to the space station. She is from Syracuse, New York, and earned a bachelor’s in physics from LeMoyne College in Syracuse, New York, and a master’s in science and a doctorate in aerospace engineering from the University of Maryland, College Park. Prior to joining NASA, she worked at Ford Motor Company and the Central Intelligence Agency. She was selected as an astronaut in July 2009, and has served on the Generic Joint Operation Panel working on space station crew efficiency, as a crew support astronaut for two expeditions, and as lead capsule communicator in the Mission Control Center at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. Epps previously was assigned to NASA’s Boeing Starliner-1 mission. NASA reassigned Epps to allow Boeing time to complete development of Starliner while also continuing plans for astronauts to gain spaceflight experience for future mission needs.

Grebenkin, who graduated from Irkutsk High Military Aviation School, Irkutsk, Russia, majoring in engineering, maintenance, and repair of aircraft radio navigation systems, also is flying on his first mission. He graduated from Moscow Technical University of Communications and Informatics with a degree in radio communications, broadcasting, and television.

This is the eighth rotational mission to the space station under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, which works with the American aerospace industry to provide safe, reliable, and cost-effective transportation to and from the orbital outpost on American-made rockets and spacecraft launching from American soil.

[ANS thanks NASA and ARISS 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.

No contacts are currently scheduled due to summer school holidays.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Upcoming Satellite Operations

Lyle, WB7VUF will be in CN73 –and possibly CN83- 12th-13th Aug. Email or DM for skeds.

Phillipe, EA4NF will be QRV as KE4NF from EL94 10th-13th Aug; then EL95 21st-22nd Aug. Pass details as they become available.

Nina, DL2GRC, and family will do a 2 weeks Iceland holiday. Operations can be expected between August 18th to 30th. Please keep in mind, it will be a family holiday and no DX-pedition. Look out for TF/DL4BEN, TF/DL8SCU and TF/DL2GRC.

[ANS thanks Ian Parsons, K5ZM, AMSAT rover page manager, for the above information]

Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events

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

+ Huntsville Hamfest
August 19 & 20, 2023
Von Braun Center South Hall
700 Monroe St SW, Huntsville, AL 35801
More information at: https://hamfest.org/

+ Northeast HamXposition and ARRL New England Division Convention
August 25-27, 2023
Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel
Marlboro, MA
More information at: https://hamxposition.org/

+ 41st AMSAT Space Symposium & Annual General Meeting
October 20-21, 2023
Sheraton DFW Airport Hotel
4440 W John Carpenter Fwy, Irving, TX 75063
More information at: https://launch.amsat.org/event-5363188

[ANS thanks the AMSAT Events page for the above information]

Satellite Shorts From All Over

+ Crew members who will soon fly aboard NASA’s SpaceX Crew-7 mission will enter quarantine Friday in one of the major milestones before they head to the launch site in Florida to start their mission to the International Space Station. The process of flight crew health stabilization is a routine part of final preparations for all missions to the space station. Spending the final two weeks before liftoff in quarantine will help ensure Crew-7 members are healthy, as well as protect the astronauts already on the space station. Commander Jasmin Moghbeli, KI5WSL; Danish ESA pilot Andreas Mogensen, KG5GCZ; JAXA mission specialist Satoshi Furukawa, KE5DAW; and cosmonaut Konstantin Borisov are now scheduled to launch to the International Space Station on August 25. (ANS thanks NASA for the above information)

+ Two Russian Cosmonauts conducted a spacewalk on August 9 Wednesday to to attach three debris shields to the Rassvet module on the International Space Station. Cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin also tested the sturdiness of a work platform that will be affixed to the end of the European robotic arm attached to the Nauka multipurpose laboratory module. NASA livestreamed the seven hour spacewalk on YouTube, its website and on the NASA app. As always, ARISS amateur radio operations were suspended during the EVA. (ANS thanks Space Daily for the above information)

+ Russia reignited its moon exploration program on August 10, sending a lander toward Earth’s nearest neighbor. The Luna-25 mission lifted off at 23:10 GMT after being delayed for nearly two years. The launch picked up where the former Soviet Union left off in 1976, when Luna-24 successfully delivered about 6.2 ounces (170 grams) of moon samples to Earth. But that was then. Luna-25 is the first domestically produced moon probe in modern Russian history. If all goes according to plan, Luna-25 will spend the next five days journeying to the moon, then circle the natural satellite for another five to seven days. The spacecraft will then set down in the moon’s south polar region, near Boguslawsky Crater. Once down safe and sound, Luna-25 will work on the lunar surface for at least one Earth year. (ANS thanks Space.com for the above information)

+ Also in the race to land on the moon, India’s Chandrayaan-3 lunar lander has returned its first images from the moon after entering orbit around our nearest neighbor. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) released the images on Sunday, August 6, showing that the spacecraft had reached its destination ahead of a lunar landing attempt expected on Aug. 23. If it’s successful, India will join the United States, the former Soviet Union and China as the only nations to perform a soft lunar landing. (ANS thanks Space.com for the above information)

+ Virgin Galactic conducted its second-ever commercial mission on August 10, setting a number of spaceflight records in the process. The company launched its “Galactic 02” flight, sending six people to suborbital space and back. Four of them were women, setting a new mark for most women on a single spaceflight, according to Virgin Galactic. They included the first mother-daughter duo (one of whom became the youngest-ever spaceflyer), as well as the first former Olympian, to reach space. (ANS thanks Space.com for the above information)

 

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

In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to:

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

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

73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space!

This week’s ANS Editor, Mark Johns, KØJM
k0jm [at] amsat.org

ANS-218 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

by

In this edition:

* Registration Open for 41st Annual AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting
* AMSAT at Huntsville Hamfest August 19-20, 2023
* IARU Coordinates Two Digipeating Satellites
* VUCC Satellite Standing August 2023
* Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for August 4, 2023
* ARISS News
* Upcoming Satellite Operations
* Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events
* 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

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

ANS-218 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

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

DATE 2023 Aug 06

Registration Open for 41st Annual AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting

The 41st Annual AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting will be held on Friday through Saturday, October 20-21, 2023 at the Sheraton DFW Airport Hotel in Irving, Texas. Highlights of all scheduled events include:

– AMSAT Board of Directors Meeting, October 19-20
– 41st AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting, October 20-21
– Friday Night Social and Auction, October 20
– AMSAT Banquet and Reception, October 21
– AMSAT Member Breakfast, October 22

Prices for the Symposium, the Banquet and the Member Breakfast remain the same as last year:

– Friday and Saturday Symposium and General Meeting $75
– Saturday Evening Banquet $55
– Sunday Morning Member Breakfast $15

EVENT REGISTRATION
You can register online for individual events or all events at: https://launch.amsat.org/event-5363188.

HOTEL ROOM RESERVATIONS
The Sheraton DFW Airport is located adjacent to the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and provides complimentary, scheduled shuttle to and from the airport. Complimentary parking is available for those who drive to the Symposium. The hotel address and phone number is:

Sheraton DFW Airport Hotel
4440 W John Carpenter Fwy.
Irving, TX 75063
972-929-8400

Rooms are available for check-in on Wednesday, October 18 and check out Sunday, October 22.

– Standard room with single King bed is $137.00*
– Standard room with two Queen beds is $137.00*

* Rate does not include state and local taxes of 15%

For Phone Hotel Reservations:
Call 972-929-8400. Ask for rate RADIO AMATEUR SATELLITE.

For Online Hotel Reservations click on this link: https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1689956666782&key=GRP&app=resvlink

Please send your Symposium questions or comments to info [at] amsat [dot] com.

We, at AMSAT, are excited to be able to host our 41st annual Symposium this year. We hope that you can join us in celebrating Amateur Radio in Space.

[ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information.]

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The 2023 AMSAT President’s Club coins are here now!


To commemorate the 40th anniversary of its launch
on June 16, 1983, this year’s coin features
an image of AMSAT-OSCAR 10.
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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AMSAT at Huntsville Hamfest August 19-20, 2023

Planning to attend the Huntsville Hamfest later this month? Be sure to find the AMSAT folks and say “Hello!” Attending the Hamfest will be AMSAT President Robert Bankston, KE4AL. Robert will be pleased to share the latest news about the progress on major programs such as the Fox-Plus series of LEO satellites and the GOLF series of HEO satellites.

Robert should have an assortment of antennas and AMSAT bling available. Thinking of joining AMSAT or do you need to renew your membership? You can take care of that at Huntsville, too.

The Huntsville Hamvention will be held August 19-20, 2023 at the Von Braun Center South Hall, 700 Monroe St SW, Huntsville, AL 35801.

[ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT President for the above information.]

IARU Coordinates Two Digipeating Satellites

The IARU has recently coordinated frequencies for two European digipeating satellites scheduled for launch later in 2023.

+ Veronika
From the Technical University of Kosice, Veronika is a 1U CubeSat scheduled for launch on a Falcon 9 launcher on the Transporter 9 mission in October 2023. The satellite will be equipped with a 24/7 digipeater on two different bands, as well as experimental SSDV transmissions.

The satellite also has an education and outreach mission in that it is planned to involve Slovak grammar and high schools and to transmit special CW and AX.25 messages on several special occasions. From a platform perspective, the satellite will be equipped with a novel ADCS subsystem, including electromagnetic actuators and a GNSS receiver. This will also help to identify the satellite during the first days and weeks. The satellite will communicate o using Spacemanic’s well-known Murgas transceivers (BDSat-1, BDSat-2, Planetum-1).

Altogether, Veronika will provide: AX.25 telemetry; a CW beacon; a digipeater; AX.25 & CW messages on special occasions for community engagement; Experimental SSDV transmissions; and SATNOGS integration, decoder and dashboard. A downlink on 436.680 MHz has been coordinated and will use 9k6 G3RUH AX.25 and a CW beacon. Planning a SpaceX launch on Transporter 9 mission in Q4 2023 to a 500/600km polar orbit . More info at https://om3ksi.tuke.sk/en/home/.

+ ROM-3
From the Romanian Radioamateur Federation, ROM-3 is a 50 x 50 x100mm picosat with three missions and objectives. Its primary mission is to act as a digital amateur radio repeater. Its secondary mission is to transmit low-resolution SSDV images in a GFSK Mode. The tertiary mission is to transmit a CW beacon that will help amateur radio operators detect the presence of the satellite and measure basic properties of the signals such as its strength, fading due to spin, Doppler to measure speed, etc. A downlink on 436.235 MHz has been coordinated for 20 wpm CW, 500bps GFSK telemetry and 5kbps GFSK SSDV. Planning a SpaceX launch in October or November 2023 into a 500km polar orbit. More info at https://rom-space.ro/.

[ANS thanks the IARU for the above information.]

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Need new satellite antennas? Purchase Arrows, Alaskan Arrows,
and 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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VUCC Satellite Standing August 2023

VUCC Satellite Award/Endorsement Change Summary for July 01, 2023 to August 01, 2023.

CallsignJulyAugust
AA5PK13241350
N8RO13171323
N0JE950975
PS8ET726925
F4BKV800900
DF2ET752862
KN2K750804
EA2AA756778
KQ4DO710750
WD9EWK (DM43)727734
AF5CC644646
FG8OJ600635
XE1MYO525575
N8MR528557
VE4MM508536
A65BR436455
IK7FMQ304426
AB1OC371400
K8BL297300
PA7RA299300
N3CAL247270
N6PAZ241247
W7BMD100208
ZS2BK176186
JE2UFF158185
KB9DAK164171
AG4WNew161
N9XGNew151
JI1SIENew107

Congratulations to the new VUCC holders.
AG4W is first VUCC Satellite holder from EM64

[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 Keeping Amateur Radio in Space
https://www.zazzle.com/amsat_gear

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Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for August 4, 2023

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. Elements in the TLE bulletin files are updated daily. TLE bulletin files are updated to add or remove satellites as necessary Thursday evenings around 2300 UTC, or more frequently if new high interest satellites are launched. More information may be found at https://www.amsat.org/keplerian-elements-resources/

The following satellites have decayed from orbit and have been removed from this week’s AMSAT-NA TLE distribution:

Shaonian Xing NORAD Cat ID 43199 decayed from orbit on 30 July 2023
FIREBIRD FU3 NORAD Cat ID 40377 decayed from orbit on 31 July 2023
FIREBIRD FU4 NORAD Cat ID 40378 decayed from orbit on 01 August 2023

[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.

+ Completed Contacts
Baltasi airfield school in the Baltasinsky district of the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, direct via RC4P.
The ISS callsign was RSØISS.
The crewmember was Andrei Fedyaev .
The ARISS mentor was RV3DR.
Contact was successful on Sunday, July 30, 2023 at 14:02 UTC.

Mohammad Bin Rashid Space Centre, Dubai, UAE, direct via A68MBR.
The ISS callsign was OR4ISS.
The crewmember was Al Neyadi, KI5VTV.
The ARISS mentor was ON6TI.
Contact was successful on Monday, July 31, 2023 at 08:16 UTC.

Karasuyama Residents Center, Setagaya, Japan, direct via JA1ZSH.
The ISS callsign was OR4ISS.
The crewmember was Sultan Al Neyadi, KI5VTV.
The ARISS mentor was 7M3TJZ.
Contact was successful on Thursday, August 3, 2023 at 09:26 UTC.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Upcoming Satellite Operations

EN67 & EN56; August 4-12, 2023
N8MR will be in EN57 roving to EN67 and EN56 August 4–12. Mike says to listening for DX. He prefers linear satellites. Skeds posted via
@GridMasterHeat Sked depends on wx, etc. All QSOs to LoTW using N8MR (no /p, /r).

FK87 & FK88; August 6, 2023
FG8OJ, Burt will begin his Caribbean rove of FJ/PJ6/FS and PJ7 on August 6. Additional info will be available on hams.at.

[ANS thanks Ian Parsons, K5ZM, AMSAT Rover Page Manager, for the above information.]

Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events

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

+ Small Satellite Conference
August 5-10, 2023
Utah State University, Logan, UT
More information at: https://smallsat.org/

+ Huntsville Hamfest
August 19 & 20, 2023
Von Braun Center South Hall
700 Monroe St SW, Huntsville, AL 35801
More information at: https://hamfest.org/

+ Northeast HamXposition and ARRL New England Division Convention
August 25-27, 2023
Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel
Marlboro, MA
More information at: https://hamxposition.org/

+ 41st AMSAT Space Symposium & Annual General Meeting
October 20-21, 2023
Sheraton DFW Airport Hotel
4440 W John Carpenter Fwy, Irving, TX 75063
More information at: https://launch.amsat.org/event-5363188

Satellite Shorts From All Over

+ Scott Tilley, VE7TIL, is tracking Chandrayan 3, India’s lunar lander in its highly eccentric orbit. Follow him live at https://www.youtube.com/live/UYJ1x9NUYTU?feature=share [ANS thanks Ashhar Farhan, VU2ESE, for the above information.]

+ SpaceX launched the world’s heaviest commercial communications satellite atop a Falcon Heavy rocket on Friday. The triple-core rocket lifted off from Kennedy Space Center’s pad 39A with the Jupiter 3/EchoStar 24 satellite at 11:04 p.m. EDT. The booster carried EchoStar’s Jupiter-3 (EchoStar-24) communications satellite, which weighs in at over 9,000 kg (198,416 lb.). It is the largest communication satellite ever launched to geostationary orbit. Jupiter-3, which was built by Maxar Technologies, will support Internet connectivity across North and South America, in-flight Wi-Fi, community Wi-Fi services, maritime connections, enterprise networks, and backhaul for mobile network operators. [ANS thanks parabolicarc.com for the above information.]

+ Voyager 2 has reestablished communication with Earth and is operating normally. NASA’s long-running Voyager 2 mission, which launched from Earth in 1977 and is currently about 12.4 billion miles from Earth, lost contact with our planet after a set of commands accidentally moved Voyager 2’s antenna two degrees away from Earth on July 28. A “heartbeat” signal was picked up on Tuesday, August 1. according to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), letting mission controllers know the probe was still healthy despite being unable to communicate fully with it. Voyager 2 is programmed to automatically reset its orientation a few times a year in case of troubles like this, but the next window would have been in October. On Friday, August 4, JPL announced in a mission update that NASA’s Deep Space Network facility in Canberra, Australia was able to send a command into interstellar space that reoriented the spacecraft and pointed its antenna back towards Earth. Mission controllers had to wait 37 hours to learn if the command was successful. And it was. “The spacecraft began returning science and telemetry data, indicating it is operating normally and that it remains on its expected trajectory,” JPL said in the statement. [ANS thanks space.com for the above information.]

+ The ISS briefly lost communication with ground control due to a power outage at Johnson Space Center and had to use its backup control systems for the first time. A power outage at NASA’s building in Houston disrupted communication between mission control and the International Space Station (ISS) on Tuesday, July 25. Space station program manager Joel Montalbano said neither the astronauts nor station were ever in any danger and that backup control systems took over to restore normal communications within 90 minutes. “It wasn’t an issue on board. That was purely a ground problem,” he said. “At no time was the crew or the vehicle in any danger.” [ANS thanks The Orbital Index and The Guardian for the above information.]

+ The U.S. House of Representatives rejected a satellite spectrum licensing reform bill after House Science Committee leadership did not want to grant the FCC authority to regulate space debris/traffic management, since, in their opinion, doing so would divert from its primary responsibility of spectrum allocation. [ANS thanks The Orbital Index for the above information.]

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

In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to:

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

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

73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space!

This week’s ANS Editor, Frank Karnauskas, N1UW
n1uw [at] amsat [dot] org

ANS-211 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

by

In this edition:

* 2023 AMSAT-UK Colloquium Set for Weekend of October 14th
* CubeSat: Celebrating 20 Years of Transforming Space Access
* ARRL Releases LoTW Configuration 11.25 with LEDSAT Support
* FO-29 Operation Schedule for August 2023
* Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for July 28, 2023
* ARISS News
* Upcoming Satellite Operations
* Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events
* Satellite Shorts From All Over

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

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

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

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

ANS-211 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

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

DATE 2023 July 30

2023 AMSAT-UK Colloquium Set for Weekend of October 14th

AMSAT-UK is pleased to announce the 2023 AMSAT-UK Colloquium, scheduled to run alongside the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) Convention at Kents Hill Park Conference Centre in Milton Keynes, United Kingdom on October 14th and 15th, 2023.

The 2023 AMSAT-UK Colloquium will be part of the RSGB Convention and will feature presentations on satellite and space-related topics, continuing the tradition from previous years. Full details of the Colloquium will be made available nearer the time on the AMSAT-UK website (https://amsat-uk.org).

During the 2023 AMSAT-UK Colloquium, the Annual General Meeting of AMSAT-UK will take place, with the calling notice to be issued once the event’s program is finalized.

AMSAT-UK will host an AMSAT Gala Dinner at the Marriott Delta Hotel on Trimbold Drive, Kents Hill, Milton Keynes on the evening of Saturday, October 14th. Tickets for the dinner can be purchased online at the AMSAT-UK Online Shop (https://shop.amsat-uk.org) and include a three-course meal with tea and coffee at its conclusion.

AMSAT-UK has reserved a limited number of rooms at the Marriott Delta for the night of October 14th, 2023, including breakfast on Sunday, October 15th. The rooms are available for single occupancy at £84 or double occupancy at £95. Bookings for the Hotel and Gala Dinner can be made through the AMSAT-UK Online Shop.

Interested participants are advised to book early, as the Hotel and Gala Dinner bookings will close on October 1st, 2023, or when sold out.

For access to the AMSAT-UK Colloquium, attendees are required to purchase Day Tickets for the RSGB Convention’s Saturday and/or Sunday events. Early bird discounts are available through the RSGB website (https://rsgb.org/main/rsgb-2023-convention/).

The 2023 AMSAT-UK Colloquium will be a gathering of satellite and space enthusiasts, providing an opportunity to learn, network, and explore the latest developments in satellite technology.

[ANS thanks Barry Sankey G7RWY and Dave Johnson G4DPZ, AMSAT-UK Joint Secretaries for the above information]

CubeSat: Celebrating 20 Years of Transforming Space Access

Twenty years ago, an invention emerged from the labs of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo that would change the face of space exploration forever. The CubeSat, a tiny satellite with the dimensions of a square tissue box, revolutionized access to space, making it more affordable and achievable for researchers and students alike.

The brainchild of professors Jordi Puig-Suari and Bob Twiggs, the CubeSat was born out of the need to solve a crucial problem. While universities aimed to train students through hands-on experience, getting their satellites into space was a daunting challenge due to the limited access to rockets and the high costs associated with launches.

The innovative solution was simple yet effective, the CubeSat. They designed a standardized, risk-containment mechanism where all the risk of potential failure would be confined within the small box. This not only addressed the rocket providers’ concerns about carrying student-built satellites but also reduced the cost and time required to send satellites into orbit.

The CubeSat’s impact was profound and far-reaching. Almost every rocket launched into space today carries CubeSats on board. The small satellite became an open standard, meaning anyone could use it without any charges, promoting uniformity and standardization across the industry.

Unlike traditional satellites that could take years and cost hundreds of millions of dollars to build, CubeSats presented a cost-effective alternative. Building a CubeSat was a fraction of the expense, and the standard’s versatility allowed various scientific missions, ranging from Earth observation and mapping to space exploration. The CubeSat opened the doors to space for many countries that launched their first-ever satellites, including Colombia, Switzerland, Hungary, Vietnam, and more.

Private companies also capitalized on the CubeSat revolution, stepping in as intermediaries between satellite creators and rocket providers. Companies like Maverick Space Systems acted as “Uber for satellites,” arranging rides for satellites of various sizes, including CubeSats, on rockets for commercial and government clients.

The CubeSat’s impact also extended to educational institutions. Cal Poly’s CubeSat Lab provided students with hands-on experience, allowing them to design, build, and even launch CubeSats. The educational aspect of CubeSats became so popular that high school students at Grace Brethren High School in Simi Valley also had a class on spacecraft engineering, learning about CubeSats and building AMSAT CubeSat Simulators (CubeSatSim).

The CubeSatSim Project, led by Dr. Alan Johnston, KU2Y, AMSAT Vice President Educational Relations, is an initiative sponsored by AMSAT. It involves the development of a low-cost satellite emulator called CubeSatSim, designed with solar panels, rechargeable batteries, and UHF radio telemetry transmission capabilities. The CubeSatSim features a 3D printed frame and can be expanded with additional sensors and modules. The project aims to provide an accessible platform for educational purposes. Detailed documentation and installation instructions are available on the project’s Wiki at https://github.com/alanbjohnston/CubeSatSim.

As the CubeSat celebrates its 20th anniversary, it stands as a testament to the power of innovation and the impact of an open standard in transforming an entire industry. What began as a solution to a niche problem has now become an integral part of space exploration, enabling researchers, students, and commercial ventures to access space like never before. The CubeSat’s legacy is imprinted in space, as these tiny satellites continue to leave their mark on missions, both in orbit and beyond.

[ANS thanks Michelle Loxton, writing for KCLU, and Dr. Alan Johnston, KU2Y, AMSAT Vice President Educational Relations for the above information]

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The 2023 AMSAT President’s Club coins are here now!


To commemorate the 40th anniversary of its launch
on June 16, 1983, this year’s coin features
an image of AMSAT-OSCAR 10.
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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ARRL Releases LoTW Configuration 11.25 with LEDSAT Support

The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) has recently unveiled the latest version of the Logbook of The World (LoTW) configuration file, version 11.25, which includes support for LEDSAT, an educational 1U CubeSat developed by students from Sapienza University in Rome’s S5Lab research team, with backing from AMSAT Italia.

LEDSAT’s primary objective is to demonstrate a LED-based payload for ground-based optical tracking. One of the notable features of LEDSAT is its digipeater capability, which allows it to store and retransmit digital messages sent to the satellite, effectively acting as a transponder for long-distance communication.

When opening ARRL’s TQSL (Trusted QSL) application, an “Update Available” dialog box will display if a newer configuration file is available. Simply click the ‘OK’ button to install the latest configuration file. You can easily determine whether a new version of TQSL or its Configuration Data is available by selecting the “Help” menu and clicking on “Check for Updates…”. The latest version of TQSL (version 2.6.5) can be downloaded from https://www.arrl.org/tqsl/tqsl-2.6.5.msi.

Additionally, the GreenCube Terminal program developed by Carsten Groen, OZ9AAR, now includes support for communications with the LEDSAT digipeater by utilizing the “Soundmodem for GreenCube” TNC application created by Andy Kopanchuk, UZ7HO. The latest release of the GreenCube Terminal program version 1.0.0.62 was provided on July 22, 2023. More information can be found at https://moonbounce.dk/hamradio/greencube-terminal-program.html.

[ANS thanks the American Radio Relay League and Carsten Groen, OZ9AAR for the above information]

FO-29 Operation Schedule for August 2023

Regarding Fuji No. 3 (FO-29), the period of continuous operation in full sunshine has ended, and continuous operation is not possible. After being switched on, the satellite will remain in operation until the onboard low-voltage trigger turns it off again when the satellite is no longer in sunlight.

In addition, regarding the recent situation of Fuji No. 3, it will continue to be difficult to receive commands in the morning laps in Japan, so please be aware that it may take some time before it is turned on.

Scheduled time to turn on the Fuji-3 analog transmitter (UTC) (posted on July 24, 2023)

August 2023
5th 05:12-20:00-
6th 06:00~
11th 04:55-06:40-
12th 05:45-07:35-20:30-
13th 04:50-06:35-
19th 06:20~
20th 05:25-07:17-
26th 05:10-06:55-20:00-
27th 06:00-07:50-

* Estimated time indicates the time to start sending commands. Please be aware that it may take some time for the repeater to turn on due to antenna pointing due to the attitude of the satellite, disturbances in the ionosphere, interference, power supply conditions of the satellite, etc.

Fuji 3 has been in an unstable situation for more than a quarter of a century since its launch, as we have already reported. Please use Fuji No. 3 after understanding when using it.

[ANS thanks JARL, the Japan Amateur Radio League, for the above information]

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Need new satellite antennas? Purchase Arrows, Alaskan Arrows,
and M2 LEO-Packs from the AMSAT Store. When you purchase through
AMSAT, a portion of the proceeds goes towards
Keeping Amateur Radio in Space.
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Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for July 28, 2023

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. Elements in the TLE bulletin files are updated daily. TLE bulletin files are updated to add or remove satellites as necessary Thursday evenings around 2300 UTC, or more frequently if new high interest satellites are launched. More information may be found at https://www.amsat.org/keplerian-elements-resources/.

The following satellite has been added to this week’s AMSAT-NA TLE distribution:

MRC-100 NORAD Cat ID 56993 IARU Coordinated Frequency: 436.720 MHz.
(Thanks to Nico Janssen, PA0DLO for identification).

The following satellite has decayed from orbit and has been removed from this week’s AMSAT-NA TLE distribution:

DO-111 (ARDUIQUBE/DIY-1) NORAD Cat ID 47963 decayed from orbit on 21 July 2023 per Space-Track.org

[ANS thanks AMSAT Orbital Elements page 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.

+ Upcoming Contacts

School in the Baltasinsky district of the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, direct via TBD
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS
The scheduled crewmember is Andrei Fedyaev
The ARISS mentor is RV3DR
Contact is go for: Sun 2023-07-30 14:05:00 UTC

Mohammad Bin Rashid Space Centre, Dubai, UAE, direct via A68MBR
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS
The scheduled crewmember is Sultan Al Neyadi KI5VTV
The ARISS mentor is ON6TI
Contact is go for: Mon 2023-07-31 08:16:45 UTC

Karasuyama Residents Center, Setagaya, Japan, direct via JA1ZSH
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS
The scheduled crewmember is Sultan Al Neyadi KI5VTV
The ARISS mentor is 7M3TJZ
Contact is go for: Thu 2023-08-03 09:26:18 UTC

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Upcoming Satellite Operations

From Wayne, W7WGC:
POTA K-2816 activation in grid square CN73 on Sunday, July 30
AO-91 @ 16:15Z & 17:50Z
JO-97 @ 17:36Z & 19:11Z
RS-44 @ 19:03Z & 20:56Z
SO-50 @ 21:34Z
ARISS @ 21:37Z
AO-7 @ 21:54Z (Mode B)
Several good low Eastern passes!

From John, KC7JPC:
I will be back in DN19 on August 9th and 10th. Will get on fm/linear while there. Evenings for sure but maybe some early morning passes as well. Will also be in dn29,dn39, dn36 and dn19 again the next week. August 14-18. Fm only and more than likely just the evening Tevel passes. Still need to do a pack up of gear on the motorcycle to make sure radio fits in with gear.

From Mike, N8MR – I will be in EN57 roving to EN56 and EN67 Aug 4 – 12. On Aug 4, will activate EN66 on RS-44 during the 1713z pass, and may be on other adjacent sat passes. Prefer linear sats, but will be on FM sats. Skeds posted mainly via Twitter @MikeN8MR. Sked depends on wx, etc. All QSOs will be posted LoTW, using N8MR (no /p, /r).

[ANS thanks Ian Parsons, K5ZM, AMSAT rover page manager, for the above information]

Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events

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

+ Small Satellite Conference
August 5-10, 2023
Utah State University, Logan, UT
More information at: https://smallsat.org/

+ Northeast HamXposition and ARRL New England Division Convention
August 25-27, 2023
Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel
Marlboro, MA
https://hamxposition.org/

+ 41st AMSAT Space Symposium & Annual General Meeting
October 20-21, 2023
Sheraton DFW Airport Hotel
4440 W John Carpenter Fwy, Irving, TX 75063

[ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information]

Satellite Shorts From All Over

+ The AMSAT 41st Annual Symposium & Annual Meeting will take place in Dallas/Ft. Worth on October 20-21. Attendees can book rooms at the Sheraton DFW Airport Hotel at a discounted group rate of $137.00 per night for a standard room with a single King bed or two Queen beds. State and local taxes of 15% are not included in the rate. Rooms are available for check-in from October 18 and check-out until October 22. Phone and online reservations are available, and attendees should mention “RADIO AMATEUR SATELLITE” when booking. The hotel is conveniently located at DFW International Airport and offers free parking for attendees. For any inquiries, email [email protected]. [ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information]

+ The Moonlighter CubeSat has successfully reached its planned low earth orbit in preparation for the upcoming in-space hacking competition, known as the Space Security Challenge: Hack-A-Sat 4. This competition, run by the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, aims to enhance security researcher knowledge and skills in securing space systems. The finals of the Hack-A-Sat event will take place in Las Vegas in August, with the winner having a chance to win a cash prize of $50,000. The competition provides an opportunity for hackers, researchers, and space enthusiasts to tackle space systems cyber security challenges. [ANS thanks Alun Williams, writing for ElectronicsWeekly.com, for the above information]

+ On July 23, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station with 22 additional satellites for the Starlink communications constellation. During the launch, the rocket created a temporary hole in the ionosphere, also known as a rocket exhaust depletion (RED), by releasing exhaust that interacts with charged oxygen atoms, creating a reddish patch. Although the damage is not permanent and mainly affects amateur radio signals, the increasing frequency of such occurrences due to the growing number of satellite launches has raised concerns among scientists about the potential impact on the ozone layer, as rocket exhaust releases various toxic chemicals into the atmosphere. Stricter controls for the launch services industry have been called for to address this issue. [ANS thanks Aditya Madanapalle, writing for News9 Live, for the above information]

+ The preparation for Ariane 6’s inaugural flight is going well, as the teams completed a launcher preparation and countdown sequence successfully at Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana on 18th July. The test included various critical tasks such as removing the mobile gantry, chilling down fluidic systems, and filling the tanks with liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. The launch chronology was also completed up to the ignition of the Vulcain 2.1 engine. During the 26-hour exercise, degraded and contingency modes were tested, demonstrating the launcher and launch base’s proper functioning. Although the ignition of the Vulcain 2.1 engine had to be postponed to a later session, the overall performance of the full launch system was excellent. The teams are confident about the progress of the test campaign and are preparing for a long duration hot firing test in the summer. [ANS thanks the European Space Agency for the above information]

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

In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to:

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

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

73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space!

This week’s ANS Editor, Mitch Ahrenstorff, ADØHJ
ad0hj [at] amsat.org