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ANS-005 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

by

AMSAT News Service

ANS-005
January 5, 2025

In this edition:

  • AMSAT Student Members Win QCWA Scholarships
  • Fort Worth Cowtown Hamfest Asking for Volunteers for AMSAT
  • VUCC & DXCC Satellite Standings January 2025
  • Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for January 3, 2025
  • ARISS News
  • Upcoming Satellite Operations
  • 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 Student Members Win QCWA Scholarships

The Quarter Century Wireless Association has announced AMSAT student members Ruth Willet, KM4LAO and Grace Papay, K8LG as two of its 2024-25 Scholarship winners.

Ruth Willet, KM4LAO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ruth was first licensed in 2015 and passed her Extra in May 2016. She was the first Carole Perry Young Professional Award winner in 2023 and named the ARRL Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Award recipient in 2018.

Ruth is heavily involved in the Youth On The Air initiative in the Americas. She is Assistant Director, Satellite workshop leader, and a member of the “Youth Planning Committee.” She attended the first every YOTA Camp in Region 2 in 2021, both learning as a camper and teaching as the satellite workshop leader. During that camp, she served as the “YOTA Host” for the first scheduled contact with an astronaut through the ARISS program.

She is a member of the ARRL, the Gwinnett Amateur Radio Society, the North Fulton Amateur Radio League, the Genesee County Radio Club, the Amateur Radio Club of Columbia County, the Young Ladies Radio League, the Young Amateur Communications Ham Team, AMSAT, CWOps, and the Straight Key Century Club.

Ruth attended Kettering University in Michigan and graduated with a double major in Engineering Physics and Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Acoustics. She is currently a graduate student at Penn State University pursuing a Master of Science in Acoustics.

Grace Papay, K8LG

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grace is a 3rd generation 19-year-old amateur radio operator from Holland, Michigan. Grace was licensed in 2021 and holds an Amateur Extra class license. She enjoys communicating via amateur satellites and has so far achieved via satellite DXCC, VUCC, WAS, and WAZ. She is actively working towards the AMSAT GridMaster Award.

Grace has participated in many contests both as a Single Op, Multioperator, and Multi-Multi. Grace has participated in many major contests including WAE, Sweepstakes, and several CQ WW contests. She was a member of the 2023 K3LR CQWW Phone team and the 2024 J62K CQ WW WPX Phone team.

Grace is a member of the ARRL, AMSAT, Holland Amateur Radio Club, Young Amateurs Communications Ham Team, the West Chester Amateur Radio Association, Northwest Ohio VHF Amateur Radio Society, and Dayton Amateur Radio Association.

Grace is attending Cedarville University in Cedarville, Ohio where she is studying electrical engineering.

[ANS thanks QCWA and the winners for the above information]

Fort Worth Cowtown Hamfest Asking for Volunteers for AMSAT

The dates have slipped up on me, but, the Forth Worth Cowtown Hamfest is only two weekends away, January 17 and 18.
I have booked table space and at least one presentation for the weekend.  Therefore, I Am looking for additional volunteers to help man the table, do demos and just talk amateur radio in space.
The Cowtown club was the home of the late Keith Pugh, W5IU, who was an AMSAT Ambassador and ARISS mentor for many years before his passing.  The Cowtown club recently dedicated a satellite station at their clubhouse in his honor and with some of his donated hardware.
All this to say that the Cowtown Hamfest is a friend of AMSAT and so it is always good for us to make a good showing.
Contact me, Tom Schuessler via tschuessler (at) amsat.org or n5hyp (at)arrl.net for more information or to volunteer.

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

VUCC & DXCC Satellite Standings January 2025

VUCC Satellite Award/Endorsement Change Summary for December 01, 2024 to January 01, 2025

Callsign 12/1/25 1/1/25
WA4NVM           1665    1676
EA2AA           1011    1026
VU2LBW            751     902
N5BO            650     786
WA4HFN            706     727
A65BR            652     676
N5EKO            599     622
W9FF            525     545
W3TI            444     465
DL8GAM            400     450
HB9BIN            276     356
IN3EQZ            New     268
N4UFO            201     206
W4DFU            151     163
G4BWP            123     150
ER1KW            111     127

Congratulations to the new VUCC Satellite holders!
IN3EQZ is first VUCC Satellite holder from JN56

DXCC Satellite Award/Endorsement Change Summary for December 01, 2024 to January 01, 2025

Callsign 12/1/24 1/1/25
F6BKI        207    209
SP8NR        164    177
G4WFQ        173    176
G4GIR        167    171
I3BUI        156    167
VU2LBW        162    166
RA3S        162    164
SV8CS        159    162
DL6GBM        152    157
EA2AA        156    157
ON4AOI        131    156
LA6OP        151    154
HB9RYZ        148    152
KB8VAO        149    151
IK4CIE        143    146
PA7RA        135    144
F6AOJ        139    143
4O4A        New    141
IK5CBE        131    141
NK1K        138    141
SV8QG        113    139
IW7DOL        127    136
XE1MEX        125    127
DL8GAM        101    120
EA5RM        110    112
K9UO        106    110
LA7XK        106    110
W8LR        104    108
DJ7NT        New    105
OE3JAG        New    102
RA4HGN        New    102
SA0UNX        New    102
EA3TA        New    100
G4BWP        New    100
SP5ULN        New    100

Congratulations to the new DXCC Satellite holders!

4O4A is first DXCC Satellite holder from Montenegro and JN92
EA3TA is first DXCC Satellite holder from JN11
G4BWP is first DXCC Satellite holder from JO02
RA4HGN is first DXCC Satellite holder from LO53
OA3JAG is first DXCC Satellite holder from JN88

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

The 2025 AMSAT President’s Club Coins Have Just Arrived!
Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Amateur Radio on Human Spaceflight
Help Support GOLF and Fox Plus.
Join the AMSAT President’s Club today!

Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for January 3, 2025

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

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

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

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.

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.

ARISS school contacts are currently planned to resume the week of 2025-01-13 to 2025-01-19.

The current SSTV event ends Sunday, January 5 at 14:20 UTC. As always, radio enthusiasts around the world are invited to downlink the images at 145.800 MHz +/- 3 KHz Doppler shift and the transmission mode is PD 120. The images downlinked will follow the theme “Celebrating ARISS 2024” and as usual, there will be 12 images transmitted sequentially throughout the event. Those taking part in the event are encouraged to post their received images at our ARISS SSTV Gallery found at https://ariss-usa.org/ARISS_SSTV/ and also apply for an award certificate at the sit

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Upcoming Satellite Operations

A growing number of satellite rovers are currently engaged in sharing their grid square activations on https://hams.at. By visiting the website, you gain easy access to comprehensive information about the operators responsible for activating specific grid squares. Additionally, you have the ability to assess the match score between yourself and a particular rover for a given pass, while also being able to identify the upcoming satellite passes that are accessible from your location.

8R, GUYANA:
Watch out for Aldir, PY1SAD, signing 8R1TM from Georgetown between
Jan. 1 and Feb. 8. QRV on 160-10m (CW, SSB, digital modes) and via
satellites. QSL direct via homecall, LoTW, eQSL, qrz.com.

NA-057; HR, BAHIA ISLANDS: Alex, K6VHF, returns to Roatan Isl. and
operates as K6VHF/HR9 between the 5th and 12th. QRV on 160-6m and
via RS-44 satellite. QSL via K6VHF (d/B), ClubLog OQRS,
LoTW, eQSL.

[ANS thanks Ian Parsons, K5ZM, AMSAT Rover Page Manager,  JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM, and DXNL 2439 – January 1, 2025 DX Newsletter, for the above information]

 Want to fly the colors on your own grid expedition?
Get an 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

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

January 8, 2025
West Valley Amateur Radio Association (WVARA) – Monthly Meeting – 7:00 PM
“Build A Satellite Roving Station for Your Next Road Trip or POTA Activation”
Santa Clara Valley American Red Cross
2731 N. 1st St.
San Jose, CA 95134
https://wvara.org/wordpress/
WU0I

January 11, 2025
Gwinnett Amateur Radio Society – TechFest
Gwinnett County Fairgrounds
Expo Center Building
2405 Sugarloaf Pkwy.
Lawrenceville, GA 30045
http://www.techfest.info/
K4RGK

February 14-15, 2025
Yuma HAMCON and Southwestern Division Convention
Yuma County Fairgrounds
Yuma, AZ
https://www.yumahamfest.com/
N1UW

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

Satellite Shorts from All Over

+ Club Log OQRS ADIF files now correctly include SAT_NAME and PROP_MODE for satellite contacts. Long-standing bug, now fixed thanks to a report from S9Z’s QSL manager. (ANS thanks G7VJR of ClubLog)

+ Congratulations to Mitch Ahrenstorff, AD0HJ, for his outstanding achievements in providing satellite contacts! Mitch has roved an impressive 100 grid squares, earning him the AMSAT VUCC/r Award #20. The Reverse VUCC or VUCC/r Award, originally introduced by the Central States VHF Society and now carried on by AMSAT, recognizes the dedication of satellite rovers like Mitch. For more information about this prestigious award, you can visit the AMSAT website at https://www.amsat.org/reverse-vucc-or-vucc-r-award. Keep on roving, Mitch, and continue to inspire others in the AMSAT community with your remarkable achievements! (ANS thanks Bruce Paige, KK5DO, AMSAT Director of Contests and Awards for the above information)

+ Dave Bowman, G0MRF, reports that the last of the four boards for the FUNcube Lite payload on Jovian-1 have now been designed on KiCad and is ready for production. The entire payload needs to fit into a 0.7 U enclosure to prevent interference to the rest of the satellite. (ANS thanks G0MRF via X  – https://x.com/g0mrf/status/1874445171561312767 )

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] arrl.net

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

ANS-357 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

by

In this edition:

* Taiwan’s PARUS-T1A Launch Failed
* NASA Astronauts Face More Time In Space With Return Delayed
* NASA Now Knows Why Its Mars Helicopter Crashed
* Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution
* ARISS SSTV Event December 25 – January 5
* ARISS News
* Upcoming Satellite Operations
* AMSAT Ambassador Activities
* Satellite Shorts From All Over

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

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

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

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-357 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

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

DATE 2024 Dec. 22

Taiwan’s PARUS-T1A Launch Failed

Radio Amateurs around the world were anticipating a new FM repeater in space as a Christmas present this year, but it seems they will find only coal in their stockings. The rocket carrying the PARUS T1A satellite failed to reach orbit.

Space One, a Japanese space startup, said its second attempt to launch a rocket carrying satellites into orbit had been aborted minutes after liftoff Wednesday and destroyed itself, nine months after the company’s first launch attempt ended in an explosion.

Space One’s Kairos No. 2 rocket lifted off from a coastal site in the mountainous prefecture of Wakayama in central Japan. The company said it had aborted the flight after concluding that it was unlikely to complete its mission.

“We are very sorry that we could not achieve as far as a final stage of the mission,” Space One President Masakazu Toyoda told a news conference Wednesday. “We don’t consider this a failure because we are getting valuable data that will help our pursuit toward a next challenge.”

He said he hoped to find the cause to address the problems as soon as possible to achieve a success next time.

Company executive and space engineer Mamoru Endo said the abnormality in the first stage engine nozzle or its control system is likely to have caused an unstable flight of the rocket, which started spiraling in midflight and eventually destroyed itself about three minutes after liftoff, using its autonomous safety mechanism.

The Kairos No. 2 rocket was carrying five small satellites, including one from the Taiwanese space agency and several from Japanese startups. The Taiwanese satellite was PARUS-T1A a 3U CubeSat that featured an FM crossband repeater, as well as an APRS digipeater to provide global amateur activities at the same frequency of ISS APRS channel 145.825MHz.

A second Taiwanese amateur satellite, PARUS-T1, carrying an APRS store-and-forward system, is still scheduled for launch next month on a SpaceX mission. Both satellites were constructed by students at National Formosa University.

Space One said it had fixed the cause of the debut flight failure, which stemmed from a miscalculation of the rocket’s first-stage propulsion.

Japan hopes the company can pave the way for a domestic space industry that competes with the United States.

[ANS thanks the Associated Press and reporter Mari Yamaguchi for the above information]

The 2024 AMSAT President’s Club coins are still available!

Only 10 Days Left!!!

Help Support GOLF and Fox Plus

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

NASA Astronauts Face More Time In Space With Return Delayed

NASA announced on Tuesday the latest delay in the homecoming for Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, KD5PLB. Their space mission was extended again. That means they won’t be back on Earth until spring, 10 months after rocketing into orbit on Boeing’s Starliner capsule.

The two test pilots planned on being away just a week or so when they blasted off June 5 on Boeing’s first astronaut flight to the International Space Station. Their mission grew from eight days to eight months after NASA decided to send the company’s problem-plagued Starliner capsule back empty in September.

Now the pair won’t return until the end of March or even April because of a delay in launching their replacements, according to NASA.

NASA shared a holiday snapshot of astronauts Don Pettit and Suni Williams on Dec. 17. [Credit: NASA Johnson]

NASA’s next crew of four was supposed to launch in February, followed by Wilmore’s and Williams’ return home by the end of that month alongside two other astronauts. But SpaceX needs more time to prepare the brand new capsule for liftoff. That launch is now scheduled for no earlier than late March.

Last month, news articles suggesting that Ms. Williams was experiencing health problems during her unplanned extended stay in orbit set off widespread rumors on social media. NASA’s medical chief, Dr. James Polk, assured the public on November 14 that Williams is healthy and not suffering from any medical problems.

“I think there’s some rumors around outside there that I’m losing weight and stuff,” Williams said in an interview on November 12. “No, I’m actually right at the same amount. Things shift around quite a bit, you know? ”

Not only is she healthy, according to her and NASA, but they made Williams commander of Expedition 72 crew. As KD5PLB, she continues to be an active participant in ARISS contacts during her time aboard the ISS.

[ANS thanks The Washington Post, Space.com, and NASA for the above information]

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

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

NASA Now Knows Why Its Mars Helicopter Crashed

Investigating an aircraft crash is no simple task here on Earth. Imagine how much more difficult it would be to diagnose a helicopter accident that took place 69 million miles away with none of the usual data present to help. NASA had to do just that after its Ingenuity Mars Helicopter suffered an accident on Jan. 18, 2024, that has since left it grounded in a crater on Mars. And now, after months of collecting data, the space agency may have finally figured out what happened.

On April 19, 2021, the NASA Ingenuity Mars Helicopter made history by lifting off the Jezero Crater’s floor and becoming the first aircraft to fly on a celestial entity other than Earth. The helicopter was supposed to fly only five experimental flights over 30 days to demonstrate that flight on Mars was possible. But it exceeded all expectations, conducting 72 flights over three years, setting all sorts of altitude records in the process, ending with that early 2024 accident.

The wreckage of the Inguity Mars Helicopter as seen by the Mars Rover Perseverance. The helicopter is on the right and the broken rotor is approximately 49 feet away on the left. [Photo: NASA/JPL-Caltech/LANL/CNES/CNRS]

The final moments of the helicopter’s flight were more or less a mystery at first. Ingenuity lifted off like it had 71 times before. Then camera footage showed that it began initiating descent after just 19 seconds of flight. By the time 32 seconds had elapsed, the helicopter was on the Martian surface again and had halted communications. Six days later, the helicopter beamed back images that showed it had sustained severe rotor-blade damage and would no longer be able to fly.

Now, NASA believes that the navigation system was ultimately to blame. The navigation system used the helicopter’s downward-facing camera to track visual features on the ground. During this final flight, the helicopter was flying over a portion of the Jezero Crater that is known for textured, featureless sand ripples. The navigation system was thus unable to find any suitable ground features to track for a landing.

From there, several things went wrong. NASA says that the helicopter made hard contact with a sand-ripple slope, causing it to pitch and roll. The sudden change in altitude was too much for the rotor blades, and four of them broke off at their weakest points. This caused the rotor system to vibrate excessively, which ripped one of the blades clean off. Finally, the incident generated an excessive power draw that caused communications to fail.

NASA’s graphic depicts the most likely scenario for the accident, in which Ingenuity landed hard on a sand-ripple slope, causing irreparable rotor-blade damage.
[NASA/JPL-Caltech]

“When running an accident investigation from 100 million miles away, you don’t have any black boxes or eye witnesses,” said Håvard Grip, Ingenuity’s first pilot and research technologist at JPL Robotics. “While multiple scenarios are viable with the available data, we have one we believe is most likely: Lack of surface texture gave the navigation system too little information to work with.”

Nobody expected Ingenuity to last as long as it did. Its flights gave researchers excellent aerial views of our red neighbor. Even now, as it lies in the sands of the Jezero Crater, Ingenuity can no longer fly but still beams back weather and avionics data to NASA. The avionics data along with the flight data from Ingenuity’s 72 flights — combined with Ingenuity’s incredible longevity — are helping NASA develop smaller, lighter avionics for future aircraft on Mars.

“Because Ingenuity was designed to be affordable while demanding huge amounts of computer power, we became the first mission to fly commercial off-the-shelf cellphone processors in deep space,” said Ingenuity project manager Teddy Tzanetos. “We’re now approaching four years of continuous operations, suggesting that not everything needs to be bigger, heavier and radiation-hardened to work in the harsh Martian environment.”

Tzanetos and his team are already working on another Mars helicopter. It’s approximately 20 times heavier than the Ingenuity and is being designed to carry several pounds of science equipment while autonomously exploring remote locations on Mars.

[ANS thanks CNET.com and space reporter Joe Hindy for the above information]

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

Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for Dec. 20

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 SSTV Event December 25 – January 5

[ANS thanks 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.

RECENTLY COMPLETED:
Zespół Szkół Łączności, Warszawa, Poland, direct via SP5KAB
The ISS callsign was presently scheduled to be OR4ISS
The scheduled crewmember was Nick Hague, KG5TMV
The ARISS mentor was SP3QFE
Contact was successful: Mon 2024-12-16 08:35:06 UTC 71 degrees maximum elevation.
Congratulations to the Zespół Szkół Łączności students, Nick, mentor SP3QFE, and ground station SP5KAB!
Watch for Livestream at https://www.youtube.com/live/DBafZYpxolI

Sally Ride Elementary School, Orlando, Florida, direct via K1AA
The ISS callsign was presently scheduled to be NA1SS
The scheduled crewmember was Sunita Williams, KD5PLB
The ARISS mentor was AA4KN
Contact was successful: Tue 2024-12-17 18:49:38 UTC 30 degrees maximum elevation.
Congratulations to the Sally Ride Elementary School students, Sunita, mentor AA4KN, and ground station K1AA!
Watch for Livestream at https://youtube.com/live/DuCNyWOPxH0?feature=share

UPCOMING:
ARISS school contacts are currently planned to resume the week of 2025-01-13 to 2025-01-19.

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

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

The packet system is also active (145.825 MHz up & down) until December 25, when the SSTV event begins.

Ham TV – STATUS – Stowed. ​​ Default mode is for​​​ scheduled digital amateur television operations (2395.00 MHz 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. ​Powering OFF for U.S. EVA on Jan 23. ON TBD.

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

None announced at this time.

A growing number of satellite rovers are currently engaged in sharing their grid square activations on https://hams.at. By visiting the website, you gain easy access to comprehensive information about the operators responsible for activating specific grid squares. Additionally, you have the ability to assess the match score between yourself and a particular rover for a given pass, while also being able to identify the upcoming satellite passes that are accessible from your location.

[ANS thanks Ian Parsons, K5ZM, AMSAT rover page manager, 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.

February 14-15, 2025
Yuma HAMCON and Southwestern Division Convention
Yuma County Fairgrounds
Yuma, AZ
https://www.yumahamfest.com/
N1UW

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

Satellite Shorts From All Over

+ AO-73 (a.k.a. FUNcube 1) has been switched from autonomous mode to continuous transponder mode for the holiday period. This means that the transponder is available for use 24/7. AO-73 is anticipated to revert to autonomous mode sometime after January 5, 2025. In autonomous mode, the transponder is only available when the satellite is in eclipse. (ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information.)

+ Two Chinese astronauts aboard their country’s orbiting space station spent nine hours working outside in the cold vacuum of space, the longest recorded spacewalk, the Chinese space administration has said. The astronauts on China’s Shenzhou-19 mission, Cai Xuzhe and Song Lingdong, finished their first “extravehicular activities” — spacewalking in popular parlance — this week, apparently nudging past the previous record of eight hours and 56 minutes set by two American astronauts in 2001, according to China’s Manned Space Agency. The feat was another sign of China’s ambitions to project its power and prestige in space. (ANS thanks The New York Times for the above information.)

+ The internet news site MSN recently published a feature on the history of amateur radio and astronauts in orbit, beginning with Owen Garriott, W5LFL, in 1983 and continuing to the present ARISS program. “How Amateur Radio Is Connecting Astronauts In Space With Kids On Earth” was written by Leonard David. See it at http://bit.ly/4gnfE3y (ANS thanks msn.com for the above information.)

+ The first Block 2 version of the giant SpaceX Starship, Ship 33, recently rolled out for testing and completed its first static fire test. It will be stacked on Booster 14 before it is targeted to complete the first flight of the Block 2 reusable upper stage in January. This upgraded Ship adds catch hardware and an additional ring, making it 1.8 m taller and now totaling 124.4 m (408 feet) when eventually stacked on top of Booster 14. The added height will allow it to pack 300 tons more propellant. (ANS thanks The Orbital Index for the above information.)

+ Your AMSAT News Service volunteer editors, Mark Johns, KØJM; Paul Stoetzer, N8HM; Frank Karnauskas, N1UW; and Mitch Ahrenstorff, ADØHJ, wish all of our readers the happiest of holidays.

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
mjohns [at] amsat.org

ANS-350 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

by

In this edition:

* Five CubeSats Successfully Deployed from “Kibo” Module on ISS
* Celebrate SO-50: Amateur Radio Special Event Marks 22nd Anniversary
* ESA’s Proba-3 Satellites Launch to Create Artificial Solar Eclipses
* VUCC / DXCC Satellite Standings for December 2024
* Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for December 13, 2024
* ARISS News
* Upcoming Satellite Operations
* AMSAT Ambassador Activities
* Satellite Shorts From All Over

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

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

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

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

ANS-350 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

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

DATE 2024 Dec 15

Five CubeSats Successfully Deployed from “Kibo” Module on ISS

On December 9th, five CubeSats were successfully deployed from the Japanese Experiment Module “Kibo” aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The deployment was part of JAXA’s J-SSOD#30 mission and included DENDEN-01, LignoSat, ONGLAISAT, YODAKA and YOMOGI satellites. Two of these satellites, LignoSat and YOMOGI, have received previous IARU coordination to operate over amateur radio frequencies.

LignoSat was developed by Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry Co., Ltd. This CubeSat tests the use of wooden materials in space by measuring strain, temperature, and geomagnetism, along with detecting single event upsets (SEU). Amatuer radio satellite enthusiasts were ready to decode telemetry from the satellite this week, but unfortunately there has been no reported reception of either CW or AX.25 packets on the satellite’s coordinated frequency of 435.820 MHz.

LignoSat, a 1U solar-powered satellite with wood panels, will orbit earth for six months. [Credit: Kyoto University]
DENDEN-01 was developed by Kansai University and partner institutions. Its mission includes testing advanced nanosatellite technologies, such as temperature-stabilizing devices, thin solar modules, and compact S-band communication systems. The satellite also supports educational activities and data analysis using a compact hyperspectral camera.

ONGLAISAT is a 6U CubeSat co-developed by the Taiwan Space Agency, the University of Tokyo, and ArkEdge Space Inc. It features a telescope for high-resolution Earth imaging using Time Delay Integration (TDI) technology. This mission aims to produce clear and high signal-to-noise ratio images for Earth observation.

YOMOGI was developed by the Chiba Institute of Technology. Its mission combines environmental monitoring and engineering education. The satellite observes red tide in Tokyo Bay, monitors water pollution in Uganda, and uses APRS to send sensor data to ground stations. Many 4800 baud GMSK telemetry packets have been received and decoded over the last few days indicating that the satellite is functioning well. More information can be found on SatNOGS regarding recent observations: https://db.satnogs.org/satellite/HHVN-9456-4962-8588-2802#data

YOMOGI will capture images of the Earth surface using both Bandpass and RGB cameras. [Credit: Chiba Institute of Technology]
YODAKA was developed by ArkEdge Space Inc. and other collaborators. It features a store-and-forward communication mission, collecting and retransmitting text messages from users on Earth, as well as a camera mission to capture Earth imagery. These activities support educational programs at Iwate Prefectural Hanamaki Kita High School and rural revitalization efforts in Hanamaki City.

The deployment highlights collaboration between JAXA, Space BD Inc., Mitsui Bussan Aerospace Co., Ltd., and the J-CUBE program, which fosters academic and commercial utilization of CubeSats. Amateur radio operators and educational institutions are actively participating in tracking and analyzing data from these satellites.

[ANS thanks the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) for the above information]

Celebrate SO-50: Amateur Radio Special Event Marks 22nd Anniversary

Saudisat 1C (SO-50) was launched on December 20, 2002, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome by the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST). For more than two decades, it has been a valuable resource for amateur radio communications and remains operational in low Earth orbit. The satellite is equipped with a mode V/U FM voice repeater, operating on an uplink frequency of 145.850 MHz with a PL tone of 67.0 Hz and a downlink frequency of 436.795 MHz.

SO-50 celebrates 22 years of amateur radio satellite operations. [Credit: Saudi Amateur Radio Society]
To celebrate the 22nd anniversary of SO-50, the Saudi Amateur Radio Society (SARS) is organizing a global competition, the Saudi Sat SO-50 Event 22. The event will take place from December 13, 2024, at 00:00 UTC to December 22, 2024, at 23:59 UTC, inviting amateur radio operators to make contacts (QSOs) via the satellite during the competition period.

Participants in the competition will be eligible for certificates based on the number of successful contacts they make with amateur stations in different Maidenhead grid squares. Five successful contacts will earn a Beginner Satellite Catcher Certificate, while ten successful contacts qualify for an Advanced Satellite Hunter Certificate. Those who achieve twenty successful contacts will be awarded a Professional Satellite Hunter Certificate. Operators who document their contacts with audio or video recordings, including the satellite name, date, and time, will receive a distinguished Amateur Certificate. Certificates will be distributed in PDF format, and the deadline for log submissions is January 10, 2025.

Saudi Sat SO-50 Event 22 will be held from December 13th to December 22nd. [Credit: Saudi Amateur Radio Society]
Logs must be submitted to log [at] sars.sa. For technical support or additional information, participants can contact hzldg [at] sars.sa. This competition highlights the enduring success of SO-50 and encourages its continued use in the global amateur radio community. It provides a platform for operators to connect, compete, and celebrate the satellite’s legacy.

[ANS thanks the Saudi Amateur Radio Society and AMSAT-HZ for the above information]

The 2024 AMSAT President’s Club coins are here now!
Help Support GOLF and Fox Plus

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

ESA’s Proba-3 Satellites Launch to Create Artificial Solar Eclipses

Two European Space Agency (ESA) satellites launched aboard an Indian rocket on December 5th, beginning a mission to study the Sun’s corona and demonstrate new spaceflight technologies. Called the Proba-3 mission, the two spacecraft will conduct formation flying and create artificial solar eclipses to capture images of the Sun’s outer atmosphere, which is usually hidden by its brightness.

The satellites launched aboard India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) at 5:34 am EST (10:34 UTC) and were placed into an elliptical orbit with a low point of 356 miles (573 kilometers) and a high point of 37,632 miles (60,563 kilometers). Early next year, the Coronagraph satellite, carrying instruments to image the Sun, and the Occulter satellite, equipped with navigation sensors and thrusters, will separate to begin their experiments. The Occulter will position a disk to block the Sun’s surface, casting a shadow on the Coronagraph satellite.

Proba-3 completed its final operations tests at Redwire’s Belgium facilities in October [Credit: Redwire Space]
This arrangement allows scientists to create artificial eclipses, blocking sunlight to reveal the solar corona. Natural solar eclipses offer only brief observation windows, and traditional coronagraphs on single spacecraft face challenges like diffraction. Proba-3 addresses these limitations by keeping the two satellites 150 meters apart, enabling clearer imaging of the Sun’s outer atmosphere.

Proba-3 uses advanced navigation technology, including inter-satellite radio links, cameras, and a laser-ranging system. This system maintains millimeter-scale precision between the satellites, allowing them to create artificial eclipses lasting up to six hours. The mission aims to conduct at least 1,000 hours of such observations during its two-year operational phase.

Artist rendering of the Proba-3 Coronagraph and Occulter satellites positioned 150 meters apart. [Credit: ESA / P. Carril]
The mission’s scientific goal is to observe a part of the corona that existing instruments cannot study. This region is critical for understanding solar phenomena such as coronal mass ejections and the acceleration of the solar wind, which affect space weather and Earth. The mission will also capture high-frequency images to study plasma waves and jets that may heat the corona and drive the solar wind.

Proba-3 also serves as a test of formation-flying technology. ESA officials hope the techniques demonstrated will be used in future missions, such as Mars Sample Return or space debris removal. “Proba-3 is an important step toward more complex space operations,” said Josef Aschbacher, ESA’s director general. “This mission shows how smaller spacecraft can work together to achieve goals that were not possible before.”

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

VUCC / DXCC Satellite Standings for December 2024

VUCC Satellite Award/Endorsement Change Summary for November 01, 2024 to December 01, 2024. Congratulations to the new VUCC Satellite holders!

EK/RX3DPK is first VUCC Satellite holder from Armenia and LN20.

AC9O 1001 1126
W2GDJ 908 1022
FG8OJ 921 935
KC4CJ 702 751
WD9EWK (DM43) 736 737
KB1HY 648 727
RA3DNC 305 599
AB1OC 407 476
W3TI 103 444
K5WO 200 255
EK/RX3DPK New 200
EA4DEI 100 150

DXCC Satellite Award/Endorsement Change Summary for May 13, 2024 to December 01, 2024. Congratulations to the new DXCC Satellite holders!

N8JCM is first DXCC Satellite holder from EN72

DF2ET 100 179
YO2CMI 173 174
LA6OP 143 151
KB8VAO 148 149
EA6VQ 145 147
IK1IYU 138 146
KB1HY 135 142
SP3AU 138 140
HB9GWJ 134 137
FG8OJ 116 120
HB9WDF 101 114
JA0FSB 101 111
EA5RM 108 110
DG7RO 100 103
M0SKM New 100
N8JCM New 100

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

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.
https://amsat.org/product-category/hardware/

Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for December 13, 2024

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/.

AO-123 has been identified as NORAD Cat ID 61781

The following satellites have been removed from this week’s AMSAT TLE distribution:
CosmoGirlSat NORAD Cat ID 60953 Decayed from orbit on or about 09 December 2024
IDEASSat NORAD Cat ID 47458 Decayed from orbit on or about 09 December 2024

[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.

+ Recently Completed Contacts

South-West State University, Kursk, Russia, direct via UB3WCL
The ISS callsign was RSØISS
The scheduled crewmember was Alexander Gorbunov
The ARISS mentor was RV3DR
Contact was successful: Mon 2024-12-09 09:29 UTC
Congratulations to the South-West State University students, Alexander, mentor RV3DR, and ground station UB3WCL!

Chrześcijańska Szkoła Podstawowa Daniel, Warszawa, Poland, direct via SP5POT
The ISS callsign was OR4ISS
The scheduled crewmember was Don Pettit KD5MDT
The ARISS mentor was SP3QFE
Contact was successful: Mon 2024-12-09 11:03:48 UTC
Congratulations to the Chrześcijańska Szkoła Podstawowa Daniel students, Don, mentor SP3QFE, and ground station SP5POT!
Watch the Livestreams at https://www.facebook.com/share/45Mq4px6R9Fnt6tK/ and https://www.youtube.com/live/CDMgY2x5Kwo

Scuola Secondaria di I Grado “F.Anzani”, Cantù, Italy, telebridge via VK4KHZ
The ISS callsign was NA1SS
The scheduled crewmember was Sunita Williams KD5PLB
The ARISS mentor was IZ2GOJ
Contact was successful: Tue 2024-12-10 09:13:10 UTC
Congratulations to the Scuola Secondaria di I Grado “F.Anzani” students, Sunita, mentor IZ2GOJ, and telebridge station VK4KHZ!
Watch the Livestream at https://www.youtube.com/live/jU7bSfGfwfI?si=OTL5NoqViOGKZgtI

Hillsboro Charter Academy, Purcellville, VA, direct via KQ4MAM
The ISS callsign was NA1SS
The scheduled crewmember was Sunita Williams KD5PLB
The ARISS mentor was AA6TB
Contact was successful: Wed 2024-12-11 18:51:41 UTC
Congratulations to the Hillsboro Charter Academy students, Sunita, mentor AA6TB, and ground station KQ4MAM!
Watch the Livestream at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqKx6ytN96k and also https://live.ariss.org/

+ Upcoming Contacts

Zespół Szkół Łączności, Warszawa, Poland, direct via SP5KAB
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS
The scheduled crewmember is Nick Hague KG5TMV
The ARISS mentor is SP3QFE
Contact is go for: Mon 2024-12-16 08:35:06 UTC
Watch for Livestream at https://www.youtube.com/live/DBafZYpxolI

Sally Ride Elementary School, Orlando, Florida, direct via K1AA
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS
The scheduled crewmember is Sunita Williams KD5PLB
The ARISS mentor is AA4KN
Contact is go for: Tue 2024-12-17 18:49:38 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

None currently posted.

A growing number of satellite rovers are currently engaged in sharing their grid square activations on https://hams.at. By visiting the website, you gain easy access to comprehensive information about the operators responsible for activating specific grid squares. Additionally, you have the ability to assess the match score between yourself and a particular rover for a given pass, while also being able to identify the upcoming satellite passes that are accessible from your location.

[ANS thanks Ian Parsons, K5ZM, AMSAT rover page manager, 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.

Central Kentucky Amateur Radio Society – December 19, 2024
CKARS Monthly Meeting
558 S Keeneland Drive
Richmond, KY 40475
https://www.ckars.org/home
AI4SR

Yuma HAMCON – February 20th thru 22nd, 2025
Yuma, AZ
N1UW

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

Want to fly the colors on your own grid expedition?
Get an 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

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

Satellite Shorts From All Over

+ NASA has announced delays to its Artemis moon program, pushing Artemis II, a crewed mission around the moon, to April 2026, with the Artemis III lunar landing planned for mid-2027. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson emphasized that this timeline keeps the U.S. ahead of China’s goal to land on the moon by 2030, highlighting the competitive nature of the space race. The delays follow concerns about the Orion capsule’s heat shield, which cracked during reentry after the uncrewed Artemis I test mission in 2022; Artemis II will proceed with adjustments to the capsule’s trajectory, while future missions will feature an upgraded heat shield. Artemis, initiated under former President Trump’s administration, aims not only to return astronauts to the moon but also to establish lunar bases as a stepping stone for Mars exploration, despite rising costs and development delays. The program’s reliance on SpaceX’s Starship for lunar landings has raised questions about its cost-effectiveness, especially under the incoming Trump administration. Nelson expressed optimism about Artemis’s continuity under NASA’s next administrator, Jared Isaacman, amid ongoing bipartisan and international support for lunar exploration. (ANS thanks The Guardian for the above information)

+ Less than a week after its December 5th launch aboard a Vega-C rocket, the Sentinel-1C satellite delivered its first radar images, showcasing its advanced capabilities in environmental monitoring. Equipped with a cutting-edge C-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR), Sentinel-1C operates in all weather and lighting conditions, supporting critical applications like climate change research, disaster response, and environmental management. Early images captured regions such as Svalbard, Norway, highlighting its ability to monitor Arctic ice coverage, the Netherlands, showcasing intricate details for agriculture and water management, and Brussels, Belgium, revealing dense urban landscapes with historical ties to the Sentinel program. These high-resolution radar images, processed flawlessly by the Sentinel-1 Ground Segment, underline the satellite’s potential for actionable insights into soil moisture, urban planning, and polar ecosystems. Sentinel-1C continues the legacy of its predecessors while expanding its role in marine surveillance, ground deformation observation, and global humanitarian aid. Freely available via the Copernicus Data Space Ecosystem, Sentinel-1C’s data ensures robust support for diverse Copernicus services and scientific applications worldwide. (ANS thanks the European Space Agency for the above information)

+ NASA recently awarded SpaceX a $256.6 million contract to launch Dragonfly, a rotorcraft designed to explore Titan, Saturn’s largest moon, using a nuclear-powered radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG). This marks a milestone for SpaceX, as it will be the company’s first time launching a nuclear-powered payload, a domain previously dominated by United Launch Alliance (ULA). The RTG will generate electricity from plutonium-238, chosen because Titan’s dim and cloudy atmosphere precludes the use of solar power. Dragonfly will explore Titan’s surface by hopping between locations using its eight rotors, investigating organic molecules essential to understanding the building blocks of life. Originally set for a 2026 launch, delays due to redesigns, COVID-19 impacts, and supply chain issues have pushed the timeline to July 2028, with costs escalating to $3.35 billion. This mission, one of NASA’s most ambitious robotic endeavors, underscores the transition to new-generation rockets for launching nuclear payloads, with SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy beating ULA’s Vulcan rocket in competitive bidding for this historic mission. (ANS thanks SpaceNews for the above information)

+ The USC Rocket Propulsion Lab (USCRPL) at the University of Southern California has shattered the international altitude record for amateur rocketry with their Aftershock II rocket, reaching an unprecedented 470,000 feet. This achievement surpasses the previous 20-year record of 380,000 feet set by the Civilian Space Exploration Team in 2004, establishing Aftershock II as the first civilian-built rocket to achieve this altitude. Equipped with the most powerful solid-propellant motor ever fired by students and enhanced thermal protection systems, the rocket endured hypersonic speeds with innovative features like titanium-coated fins and a custom paint system. The launch on October 20th in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert also demonstrated advanced avionics and live data integration, enabling precise tracking and recovery. Building on their milestone 2019 launch of Traveler IV, the first student-designed rocket to cross the Kármán line, USCRPL continues to push the boundaries of amateur rocketry with cutting-edge engineering and teamwork. This remarkable achievement highlights the group’s role as a training ground for future leaders in the space industry, inspiring innovation and excellence among aspiring astronautical engineers. (ANS thanks University of Southern California Viterbi School of Engineering for the above information)

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

In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to:

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

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

73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space!

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

ANS-343 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

by

AMSAT News Service

ANS-343
December 8, 2024

In this edition:

  • AMSAT-OSCAR 7 Featured in YouTube Video
  • LignoSat ISS Deployment Information
  • HADES-ICM Offering FM Transponder to Launch Q1 2025
  • Gaston Bertels, ON4WF, SK
  • Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for December 6, 2024
  • ARISS News
  • Upcoming Satellite Operations
  • 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-OSCAR 7 Featured in YouTube Video

AMSAT-OSCAR 7 celebrated its 50th birthday on November 15th. The YouTube channel Retro Rockets recently released an in-depth documentary entitled “AMSAT-OSCAR 7: The Little Satellite That Could.” This 30 minute documentary covers the satellite’s development, launch, and circumstances surrounding its rebirth.

Retro Rockets is a YouTube channel focused on covering early and forgotten spacecraft.

[ANS thanks Retro Rockets for the above information]

LignoSat ISS Deployment Information

LignoSat is a 1U-sized CubeSat whose outside structure is mainly composed of wood. In the development of wooden artificial satellites, we can produce wooden structures by using a familiar material “wood” and the usual manufacturing techniques. This will provide more people with the opportunity to develop amateur satellites at a lower cost.

This satellite performs the following missions:

1. Amateur Radio Mission LignoSat will extract call signs of the amateur radio stations from the FM packet data signals uplinked, and respond to them by using the CW downlink and their call signs to send “thank you” messages. This shows the success of the interactive satellite communication using only UHF frequencies.

2. Educational mission Another LignoSat mission is to educate students to learn about the characteristics of the satellite by acquiring its HK data such as the internal temperature, the strain of the wooden structure, and the Earth’s magnetic field and calculating the rotational direction and rate of the satellite as well as observing the effect of the space environment on the wooden structure of LignoSat.

Date and time of deployment: December 9, 2024, 20:30 JST/11:30 UTC +-90min

Downlink frequency of CW beacon: 435.82MHz +-Doppler

Please track the satellite using the orbital elements (TLE) of the ISS for a while after deployment. As time passes, it will gradually fly ahead of the ISS.

The first path in Japan is expected to be around 06:30 JST on December 10th

The antenna is scheduled to be deployed 30 minutes after deployment, so if the deployment is early, it may be possible to receive the satellite during the first pass in eastern North America (around 12:20 UTC).

If the deployment is late, it may be possible to receive the satellite during the first pass in the EU (around 12:37 UTC).

A release event is scheduled to take place on the JAXA YouTube channel.

Please send your reception reports to [email protected] thank you.

[ANS thanks the Kyoto University LignoSat Support Team and the IARU for the above information]

HADES-ICM Offering FM Transponder to Launch Q1 2025

The HADES-ICM 1.5p PocketQube recently underwent testing at UPM/IDR University in Madrid. It will offer the amateur radio community a VHF/UHF FM voice repeater as the one of SO-121 (HADES-D) but more powerful. It is scheduled to be launched in Q1 2025 aboard the SpaceX Transporter-13 mission.

HADES-ICM 1.5 PQ satellite main mission is to act as a FM voice repeater. It can also repeat FSK derived modes like FT-4 and FT-8. As there is a small empty space available, it will be used to carry an experiment by Smart IR/Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre, GEIC University of Manchester (UK) consisting in a very low power active radiator to be tested on space conditions. The data for this experiment will be transmitted in a specific data packet in the telemetry. This experiment is the same as the one in HADES-R. This experiment will be delivered to AMSAT EA for integration and will be operated by AMSAT-EA, being all its data public and open. Engineering and manufacturing support for this mission is carried out with the help of private sector companies and universities, but AMSAT-EA will be the only operating organization. icMercury is a company also supporting the mission. It will develop ground tracking software for the satellite. Telemetry will send some FSK English formatted text messages, part of a history, to be collected as a challenge. HADES-ICM will offer licensed radio-amateur around the world the opportunity to relay FM voice and AX.25 / APRS 300 / 1200 bps communications. FSK derived transmissions and modes like FT-4 and FT-8 are also supported. As an improvement from previous missions, maximum power is now 0.25W when battery is charged (the amplifier uses battery energy), allowing easier QSOs with handheld antennas like Arrow or Elk and less sensitive receivers. The satellite will also transmit telemetry with its status and CW messages. This all will be achieved by implementing a SDR based repeater. The FM / FSK repeater will be available all time and opened by squelch level without the need of a subtone. As payload, the satellite will carry an experiment by Smart IR/Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre, GEIC University of Manchester (UK) consisting in a very low power active radiator to be tested on space conditions. This experiment is the same as the one in HADES-R satellite with updates and improvements. Also, as a challenge made with icMercury, telemetry will send FSK English formatted text messages, part of a history, to be collected. Launch is expected for February 2025 in SpaceX Transporter-13 mission managed by the space broker Alba Orbital / D-Orbit. The main mission for the satellite is to act as a FM voice repeater although due to its SDR nature it can repeat data too. Users will have the capability of making voice contacts and use FSK derived modes like FT-4 and FT-8. This satellite is based on the hardware of HADES-D (SO-121, currently being used by HAMs worldwide for voice contacts) and the next to launch HADES-R. FM satellites are very demanded and appreciated by the HAM community because they are easy to use, they don’t require of expensive transceivers and allow continental and even transatlantic contacts in some conditions. With this satellite we also put into use the amateur VHF and UHF satellite sub-bands helping to secure them for the community in the future.

[ANS thanks AMSAT-EA for the above information]

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Gaston Bertels, ON4WF, SK

This past week, Frank Bauer KA3HDO ARISS-USA Executive Director and ARISS International Chair passed this along to the ARISS volunteers:

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Gaston Bertels, ON4WF (SK).  Gaston died today, December 3, 2024, from cancer.  He was 97.

Gaston was recently given the title “Elder Statesman” by the ARISS International team. This honor was given because of his monumental role in the formation and operation of the ARISS team. He wrote our ARISS Terms of Reference and participated in numerous discussions, over the years, on how to run a cohesive, results-oriented international team. His in-depth knowledge of amateur radio rules and regulations, particularly his knowledge of licensing and 3rd party traffic, enabled ARISS to develop an operations plan that could support human spaceflight amateur radio operations across the world. His knowledge of radio telecommunications was respected in Europe and elsewhere, allowing him to give presentations on amateur radio in space to members of the European Parliament. His personality radiated an inviting aura to all. He has been a friend, a leader, and an inspiration to all of us.

Gaston began his journey in human spaceflight amateur radio by guiding a group of engaging students in a radio contact at a Belgian Space Camp during the 1992 STS-45 Space Shuttle mission. This contact was with Belgium’s first Astronaut, Dirk Frimout ON1AFD. Gaston coordinated the radio contact preparations and operated the radio station during the contact. Gaston was instrumental in convincing ESA to install L/S band antennas on the Columbus module, prior to launch, to support future operations in Columbus. He worked with Professor Pawel Kabacik from the Wroclaw University to design, build and certify the antennas and led a fundraising campaign to pay for the development, test and certification. With HamTV as the first hardware “customer” of these antennas, Gaston led the HTT, the HamTV Technical Team meetings to prepare the HamTV ground stations for operations and to coordinate the on-board HamTV operations. The L/S antennas have also been employed for two flight experiments:  MarconISSta with TU Berlin and the upcoming NAVCOM experiment for ASI/Qascom.

Gaston will be sorely missed.  But the light of his legacy shines in all of us that he has touched—inside and outside of ARISS.

Ad Astra Gaston!  (To the Stars, Gaston!)

[ANS thanks Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, ARISS International Chair, for the above information]

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ARISS News

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

SWSU, Kursk, Russia, direct via TBD

The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS
The scheduled crewmember is Alexander Gorbunov
The ARISS mentor is RV3DR

Contact is go for Mon 2024-12-09 09:30 UTC

Chrześcijańska Szkoła Podstawowa Daniel, Warszawa, Poland, direct via SP5POT

The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS
The scheduled crewmember is Don Pettit KD5MDT
The ARISS mentor is SP3QFE

Contact is go for: Mon 2024-12-09 11:03:48 UTC 78 deg

Watch for Livestreams at https://www.facebook.com/share/45Mq4px6R9Fnt6tK/ and  https://www.youtube.com/live/CDMgY2x5Kwo

Scuola Secondaria di I Grado “F.Anzani”, Cantù, Italy, telebridge via VK4KHZ

The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS
The scheduled crewmember is Sunita Williams KD5PLB
The ARISS mentor is IZ2GOJ

Contact is go for: Tue 2024-12-10 09:13:10 UTC 35 deg via VK4KHZ

Watch for Livestream at https://www.youtube.com/live/jU7bSfGfwfI?si=OTL5NoqViOGKZgtI

Hillsboro Charter Academy, Purcellville, VA, direct via KQ4MAM  

The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS
The scheduled crewmember is Sunita Williams KD5PLB
The ARISS mentor is AA6TB

Contact is go for: Wed 2024-12-11 18:51:41 UTC 45 deg

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Upcoming Satellite Operations

A growing number of satellite rovers are currently engaged in sharing their grid square activations on https://hams.at. By visiting the website, you gain easy access to comprehensive information about the operators responsible for activating specific grid squares. Additionally, you have the ability to assess the match score between yourself and a particular rover for a given pass, while also being able to identify the upcoming satellite passes that are accessible from your location.

ADØHJ is planning his last 2024 rove to the Missouri Ozarks area between December 5th-8th. Mitch has never been to that area so he is looking to do some sightseeing and activate eight new satellite grid squares. EM26-EM28, EM36-EM39, and EN30. He will be working RS-44 passes in the evenings.
See https://hams.at for details.

EA4NF is planning to activate IN87 and IN97 in Brittany, France as F5OCE on December 12th-14th. Pass information will be posted at https://hams.at/.

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

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AMSAT Ambassador Activities

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

AMSAT Ambassador Clint Bradford, K6LCS, says,

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

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

Scheduled Events

Central Kentucky Amateur Radio Society
December 19, 2024

CKARS Monthly Meeting
558 S Keeneland Dr.
Richmond, KY 40475
https://www.ckars.org/home
AI4SR

Yuma HAMCON
February 20-22, 2025

Yuma, AZ
N1UW

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

Satellite Shorts from All Over

+ The ARRL has released LoTW configuration file version 11.30, adding support for QSOs made via AO-123. (ANS thanks the ARRL for this information)

+ A OneDrive containing all of the tools for AO-123 (ASRTU-1), include LiveCD, Windows decoding software, image calibration tool, offline image decoder, etc, has been made available. (ANS thanks BG2BHC for this information)

+ The Jovian-1 mission, with an AMSAT-UK U/V FM payload, has taken a giant leap forward as the satellite platform was delivered by GOMSpace on November 27th. (ANS thanks G0MRF for this information)

+ The Artemis 2 mission, scheduled to carry astronauts around the moon, has been delayed to early 2026 and the Artemis 3 mission, the first moon landing of the Artemis program has been delayed to 2027. (ANS thanks NASA for this information)

+ President-elect Donald Trump has announced his plan to nominate Jared Isaacman has the next NASA Administrator. Isaacman has flown in space twice, as a private astronaut aboard the SpaceX Inspiration4 mission and on board the Polaris Dawn mission this past September, where he became the first private citizen to perform a space walk.

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] arrl.net

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