ANS

In this edition:

* AMSAT Recognized for Educational Support
* ARDC Grant Funds FreeDV Project
* Radio Interference From Satellites Threatening Astronomy
* House Subcommittee Advances Five Satellite-Related Bills
* AMSAT-INDIA Participates in Science Carnival
* ISS Dodges Commercial Imaging Satellite
* Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution
* Crew 5 Hams to Splashdown Sunday
* 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-071 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 Mar 12

AMSAT Recognized for Educational Support

Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Aeronáutica y del Espacio of Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, Spain has recognized and thanked the members of AMSAT who have supported their educational endeavors by collecting telemetry data downloaded from the UPMSat-2 satellite around the globe.

Dr. Rafael García Romero, EA4BPN, along with project director Dr. Elena Roibas and team member Dr. Angel Sanz Andres, penned the letter of recognition dated February 17, 2023 and recently received by AMSAT. The letter reads:

“On the celebration of UPMSat-2 launch date anniversary of the second year in orbit, UPMSat-2 team would like to thank AMSAT for its support to the satellite downlink data gathering.

“The effort of AMSAT members is seen at IDR as a valuable ‘citizen science’ contribution to our project and is gratefully acknowledged.

“We expect that the UPMSat-2 will continue to work for another two years, therefore, it would bring an opportunity to continue with this fruitful collaboration.

“With our best regards, we wish all the best for AMSAT members.”

UPMSat-2 sends 2-FSK data at 2400bps, with transmitted power of approximately 2.5 watts, on 437.405 MHz. Originally scheduled to launch in 1999, it was finally launched on September 3, 2020 from the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana. Launched on the flight VV16 of the Vega rocket, it entered a sun-synchronous orbit with an altitude of approximately 518 km.

[ANS thanks Rafael García, EA4BPN, 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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ARDC Grant Funds FreeDV Project

To advance the state of the art in HF digital voice and to promote its use, Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC) has awarded $420,000 to the FreeDV Project.

FreeDV is a low-bit-rate digital voice mode for HF radio. Initially developed by David Rowe, VK5DGR, an international team of radio amateurs are now working together on the project. FreeDV is open-source software, released under the GNU Lesser Public License (LPGL) version 2.1. The modems and Codec 2 speech codec used in FreeDV are also open source.

Hardware and software developers can integrate FreeDV into their projects using the FreeDV API. To operate FreeDV, radio amateurs either run the FreeDV GUI application on Windows, Linux and OSX machines or use the SM1000 FreeDV adaptor. Either method allows hams to use a single-sideband HF radio to send and receive FreeDV signals. To learn more about FreeDV, go to https://www.freedv.org.

Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC) is a California-based foundation with roots in amateur radio and the technology of internet communication. The organization got its start by managing the AMPRNet address space, which is reserved for licensed amateur radio operators worldwide.

Additionally, ARDC makes grants to projects and organizations that follow amateur radio’s practice and tradition of technical experimentation in both amateur radio and digital communication science. Such experimentation has led to advances that benefit the general public, including the mobile phone and wireless internet technology. ARDC envisions a world where all such technology is available through open source hardware and software, and where anyone has the ability to innovate upon it. To learn more about ARDC, go to https://www.ardc.net.

[ANS thanks ARDC for the above information]

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Radio Interference From Satellites Threatening Astronomy

Radio telescopes are facing a problem. All satellites, whatever their function, use radio waves to transmit information to the surface of the Earth. Just as light pollution can hide a starry night sky, radio transmissions can swamp out the radio waves astronomers use to learn about black holes, newly forming stars and the evolution of galaxies.

In a paper published March 3,2023, Christopher Gordon De Pree, Deputy Electromagnetic Spectrum Manager, National Radio Astronomy Observatory; Christopher R. Anderson, Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering at the United States Naval Academy; and Mariya Zheleva, Assistant Professor of Computer Science, University at Albany, State University of New York, call for creation of a national radio dynamic zone.

This zone would be similar to existing radio quiet zones, covering a large area with restrictions on radio transmissions nearby. Unlike a quiet zone, the facility would be outfitted with sensitive spectrum monitors that would allow astronomers, satellite companies and technology developers to test receivers and transmitters together at large scales. The goal would be to support creative and cooperative uses of the radio spectrum.

As the problem of radio pollution continues to grow, scientists, engineers and policymakers will need to figure out how everyone can effectively share the limited range of radio frequencies. One solution that astronomers have been working on for the past few years is to create a facility where astronomers and engineers can test new technologies to prevent radio interference from blocking out the night sky.

Such a zone doesn’t exist yet, but our team and many people across the U.S. are working to refine the concept so that radio astronomy, Earth-sensing satellites and government and commercial wireless systems can find ways to share the precious natural resource that is the radio spectrum.

[ANS thanks The Conversation 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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House Subcommittee Advances Five Satellite-Related Bills

A U.S. House Energy and Commerce subcommittee unanimously approved five space-related bills March 8, including legislation seeking to modernize regulations for satellites in non-geostationary orbit (NGSO).

+ The Satellite and Telecommunications Streamlining Act (HR 1338) would give the FCC defined deadlines for processing satellite license applications. It would require the FCC to “modernize its rules to encourage operators to base their operations in the United States,” said House Energy and Commerce Chair Cathy Rodgers (R-Wash.), “and incentivize operators to be responsible stewards of space and spectrum in a global marketplace.”

+ The Secure Space Act (HR 675) would prohibit the FCC from granting satellite licenses to foreign entities the U.S. deems a threat to national security or domestic supply chains.

+ Launch Communications Act (HR 682) would streamline the process for accessing certain spectrum for performing commercial spacecraft launches and reentries.

+ Precision Agriculture Satellite Connectivity Act (HR 1339) would compel the FCC would to review rule changes that could help promote space-based communications for the agriculture market.

+ Advanced, Local Emergency Response Telecommunications Parity Act (HR 1353) would facilitate the use of satellites as providers of connectivity for emergency services in areas hit by natural disasters or otherwise lacking wireless communications.

[ANS thanks SpaceNews for the above information]

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AMSAT-INDIA Participates in Science Carnival

To celebrate National Day of India on February 28 one of the biggest Science Carnival 2023 was organised by Gujarat state – India at prestigious Science City Ahmedabad during 28th February to 4th March 2023.

AMSAT-INDIA was specially invited to participate in this biggest scientific exhibition for mass awareness on Amateur Radio & Satellite Communication!

AMSAT-INDIA Regional Coordinator Rajesh Vagadia VU2EXP & team member Sakshi Vagadia VU3EXP did huge efforts to mass promote AMSAT activities amongst all sort of visitors which includes young kids, school-college students, budding engineers, IT Programmers, general public, professionals from various industries, scientists from renowned organization like ISRO, PRL, IPR, VSSE, ISR, officers from BSF, Police, Fire dept and citizens from every walk of life! More than 100,000 visitors were reported and grabbed the opportunity to visit science carnival 2023 and our Science exhibition during 5 days.

AMSAT-INDIA stall was spacious & decent sized at 3m x 3m, it was a big attraction at the center of the Science Exhibition. With well prepared different informative Banners on AMSAT-INDIA, Various Satellite Activities, Amateur Radio Satellite chronology, ARISS Student outreach program, ARISS SSTV event, Question submission for our upcoming ARISS student outreach program etc was absolutely eye catching from a distance.

For the curious visitors we tried to highlight every aspect of our hobby and exhibited all sorts of Radio stuff, Documents, QSL Cards, Books, Ham License, Awards, Project articles, Tracking software, SSTV software, SDR Software, Cube Satellite models etc to give bit idea of our hobby.

Experiencing various amateur radio gear, satellite antenna & test instruments were highly appreciated by visiting budding engineers from a number of colleges at AMSAT-INDIA stall. Some of the stuff we displayed include; Dual band Arrow-II antenna, dual band Yagi, tape measure antenna, GP, Telescopic antenna for SDR, Radios includes Icom IC-705 with LiFePO4 battery pack, Kenwood VHF base, half dozen of VHF/UHF HTs, RTL-SDR setup, LDG ATU, NanoVNA, Morse Key, cw oscillator, Paddle, electronic keyer, SWR/Power meter, Cable, Connectors etc. It made our task easy to explain the use of each stuff according to the visitors’ query.

We came across various types of queries like how to be a Ham, Procedure to get license, Types of Amateur Radio satellites, operating modes, setting up ground station, how to receive ISS SSTV images, how to establish satellite contact etc. We made a humble attempt to answer & satisfy all of those queries. We enjoyed a very detailed discussion with students/groups who already know about Amateur Radio and always need to learn more on Satellite Communication.

We also highlighted contributions of worldwide AMSAT organizations, IARU, ARISS, RSGB, ARRL and our ARSI & GIAR. I also mark a note on an author and my teacher Mr. Nagendra Vijay of popular Gujarati Science magazine named ‘Scope’ who did tremendous efforts to introduce Ham Radio in Gujarat (India) 40 years back and still continue to create awareness via it’s leading Science magazine ‘Safari’, his stall was just after a row.

Our AMSAT-INDIA stall were visited by many well-wisher GIAR Ham friends including VU2CPV Pravinbhai, VU2JGI Jagdishbhai, VU2MJP Manojbhai, VU2SPF Bhatnagarji, VU3APY Asheshbhai, VU3VDC Vitthhalbhai, VU3GLY Priyesh, VU3WHO Snehal etc.

It was a great experience for us to spend the whole 5 days enjoying talking & explaining our favorite hobby Amateur Radio & Satellite Communication!

We were happy to present amateur radio as a scientific hobby & experimenting platform for diversified fields and not just emergency communication tools!

Lots of positive & appreciating feedback we received in the visitor feedback book.

We are thankful to Science Carnival 2023 Organiser Dr. Vrajesh Parikh, Pulkesh Prajapati, Dr. Narotam Sahoo & team for inviting us for this prestigious Science Carnival Exhibition. I also thank our AMSAT-INDIA Secretary Mr Nitin Muttin VU3TYG, Director Educational B. A. Subramani VU2WMY, President Ramesh Ramsubbu VU2RMS & committee for complete guidance and support extended to us.

I specially thank team member Sakshi Vagadia VU3EXP & my XYL Kiran Vagadia for supporting and assisting me all the time during the 5 day exhibition.

I am optimistic to see the next generation taking keen interest in Amateur Radio & Satellites from VU Land.

[ANS thanks Rajesh Vagadia, VU2EXP, for the above information]

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ISS Dodges Commercial Imaging Satellite

The International Space Station adjusted its orbit March 6 to avoid a close approach by an imaging satellite operated by Satellogic, the latest evidence of growing congestion in low Earth orbit.

NASA said in a March 6 blog post that the Progress MS-22 spacecraft docked to the station fired its thrusters for a little more than six minutes, raising the station’s orbit to move out of the way of what the agency called an Earth observation satellite. According to Roscosmos, the maneuver, lasting 375.8 seconds, changed the station’s velocity by 0.7 meters per second.

NASA spokesperson Sandra Jones told SpaceNews March 7 that the spacecraft would have approached within about 2.7 kilometers of the station without the maneuver. She did not identify the satellite involved in the close approach to the station other than an “Argentine earth observation satellite launched in 2020.” Other sources said the satellite was NuSat-17, also called NewSat-17, one of 10 satellites launched in November 2020 by Satellogic, headquartered in Buenos Aires.

A Satellogic spokesperson said late March 7 it received a conjunction data message, or CDM, from the 18th Space Defense Squadron, the Space Force unit that handles space situational awareness activities, about this close approach.

The orbit of NewSat-17 and the other nine satellites launched in 2020 have been gradually decaying, and are now crossing the orbital altitude of the ISS. That is an increasing concern for ISS operations as it and other Earth observation satellites typically operate in higher sun-synchronous orbits that will decay if not actively deorbited at the end of the missions.

The March 6 maneuver, NASA said, will not affect upcoming spacecraft going to and from the station. However, amateurs using the ARISS repeaters will want to be sure to have updated Keplerian elements that take the new orbit into account.

[ANS thanks SpaceNews 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

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 Ray Hoad, WA5QGD, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager, for the above information]

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Crew 5 Hams to Splashdown Sunday

NASA and SpaceX are targeting 02:19 UTC Sunday (9:19 p.m. EST Saturday evening) for a splashdown that will wrap up a nearly six-month science mission for NASA astronauts Josh A. Cassada, KI5CRH, Nicole Aunapu Mann, JAXA astronaut Koichi Wakata, KC5ZTA, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Anna Kikina.

The return and related activities will air live on NASA Television, the NASA app, and the agency’s website at: https://www.nasa.gov/live

Following conclusion of undocking coverage, NASA coverage of Crew-5’s return will continue with audio only, and full coverage will resume at the start of the splashdown broadcast. Real-time audio between Crew-5 and flight controllers at NASA’s Mission Audio stream will remain available and includes conversations with astronauts aboard the International Space Station and a live video feed from the orbiting laboratory.

The Dragon spacecraft, named Endurance by the agency’s SpaceX Crew-3 astronauts on its maiden voyage, will autonomously undock, depart the space station, and splash down Saturday at one of seven targeted landing zones in the Atlantic Ocean or Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Florida. The spacecraft also will return time-sensitive research to Earth.

[ANS thanks NASA 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.

RECENTLY COMPLETED:
Jumeirah College Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, telebridge via VK4KHZ. The ISS callsign was NA1SS. The ARISS mentor was Ferrario Gianpietro, IZ2GOJ. Contact was successful: Tue 2023-03-07 08:45:03 UTC 27 degrees elevation. Congratulations to the Jumeirah College Dubai students, Sultan AlNeyadi KI5VTV, telebridge station VK4KHZ, and mentor IZ2GOJ! This was the first ARISS contact for Sultan AlNeyadi, KI5VTV.

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

David Bartholomew, AD7DB, will activate FM satellites from DM31 on Saturday, March 18. He may also pop up in DM23 and or DM22 on March 17 and March 19. Follow him on Twitter for updates @ad7db.

If YOU know of anything that should be here, please submit any additions or corrections to k5zm (at) comcast (dot) net.

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

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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.

+ 2023 CubeSat Developer’s Workshop
April 24-27, 2023
California Polytechnic State University
1 Grand Avenue, San Luis Obispo, California 93407
https://www.cubesatdw.org/

+ AMSAT Ambassador Clint Bradford, K6LCS, has a Zoom presentation scheduled with Thames Valley ARC, England on May 11, 2023.

Think a 90-minute lively, informative, and fun “How to Work the Easy Satellites” Zoom presentation would be appropriate for your convention or club? Always included are overviews of the ARRL, AMSAT, and ARISS. And pre-presentation questions are welcome. Contact Clint Bradford, K6LCS, at https://www.work-sat.com/

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

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Satellite Shorts From All Over

+ NASA and SpaceX are targeting 23:30 UTC Tuesday, March 14, to launch the company’s 27th commercial resupply mission to the International Space Station. Liftoff will be from Launch Complex 39A at the NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Launch timing is dependent upon the undocking and return of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-5. Live launch coverage will air on NASA Television, the NASA app, and the agency’s website at: https://www.nasa.gov/live (ANS thanks NASA for the above information)

+ The White House is proposing a $27.2 billion budget for NASA in fiscal year 2024 that would include increased funding for Artemis and starting work on a tug to deorbit the International Space Station. The Biden administration’s budget framework, released March 9, proposed increasing NASA’s budget by 7% from the nearly $25.4 billion the agency received in fiscal year 2023, roughly keeping pace with inflation. (ANS thanks SpaceNews for the above information)

+ China has been dropping hints about its Long March 9 (CZ-9) rocket, a three-stage super-heavy variant of the Long March family. This launch vehicle will reportedly be capable of transporting up to 150,000 kg (16.5 tons) to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and 54,000 kg (59.5 tons) to a trans-lunar injection. On March 2nd, the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT) announced (via the Chinese social media platform Weixin) that it had finished building the first propellant tank for the CZ-9. (ANS thanks Universe Today for the above information)

+ After a decade in development, JAXA & Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ medium-lift H3 rocket, an upgraded and lower cost (around $50M vs $90M per launch) version of their H2-A launch vehicle, finally took off. Unfortunately, second-stage ignition failed and flight controllers were forced to terminate the mission. The self-destruct sequence took JAXA’s ALOS-3 along with it — a high-resolution optical Earth Observation satellite which would have had a ground resolution of 0.8 m. (ANS thanks The Orbital Index for the above information)

+ The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Program is seeking U.S.education institutions and organizations to host an Amateur Radio contact with a crew member on board the ISS in the first half of 2024. The deadline to submit a proposal is March 31st, 2023. See https://www.ariss.org/ for details. (ANS thanks ARISS for the above information)

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

In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to:

* Societies (a recognized group, clubs or organization).
* 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

In this edition:

* Space Station Contact With Students In Malta
* AMSAT Engineering Recruiting Volunteers
* Australian Hams Plan Commemorative Event
* Crew-6 Launch Slips
* Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution
* ARISS Proposal Window Now Open
* 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-057 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 Feb 26

Space Station Contact With Students In Malta

An ARISS contact between students at Stella Maris College, Gzira, Malta, callsign 9H1MRL and the International Space Station (ISS) took place successfully at 12:34 GMT on Wednesday, February 15. It was the first ever ARISS contact from the European island nation of Malta.

The ISS crew member, astronaut Josh Cassada, KI5CRH, used the ISS callsign OR4ISS on the downlink frequency of 145.800 MHz. The ARISS team Malta made use of the callsign 9H1MRL, the club call of the Malta Amateur Radio League (MARL).

The signal was receivable in the British Isles and across Europe. The contact was conducted by five local radio amateurs; Dominic Azzopardi, 9H1M, Manuel Grech, 9H1GW, Andrew Vella, 9H2AV, Trevor Sammut, 9H5TS and Anthony Scicluna, 9H2AS. The station was set up in the school’s auditorium with a 10 element crossed Yagi and rotator on the roof.

Stella Maris College is part of a network (La Salle Malta) of Lasallian Colleges that include De La Salle College and the Mellieha Retreat Centre. The schools take their inspiration from their founder, John Baptist de la Salle. In the Christian faith, John De La Salle is venerated as the Patron Saint of Teachers. La Salle Malta was founded as a single school in 1903 by the Brothers of the Christian Schools and is now the La Salle Malta’s Lasallian Colleges, run by the Malta Trust of the Brothers of the Christian Schools.

Stella Maris College hosted this ARISS contact for participating students in grades 5 through 10 (ages 9-15 years). Stella Maris College has partnered with members of the Malta Amateur Radio League (MARL) (9H1MRL) who provided support during the ARISS contact. Members of MARL have also made presentations to students about amateur radio, and demonstrated satellite tracking and talking to other hams through amateur radio satellites.

As a member of MARL, Stella Maris College has previously operated their own amateur radio station. Members of other organizations that are also part of educational activities surrounding this ARISS contact include; the University of Malta, the Malta College for Science and Technology, Malta Council for Science and Technology and Malta College for Arts, Science and Technology.

Basically, a Lasallian School has the following characteristics:
A) respect for each student as a unique person.
B) A strong spirit of Community.
C) A school of Quality.
D) A school that embraces everyone.
E) Shows special preference for persons who are considered poor financially, morally, physically, psychologically.

Mission statement:
Our school is a place where everyone strives to create and nurture a holistic, inclusive and well-ordered learning climate thereby ensuring a high-quality, values-based academic preparation.

The school has an astronomical observatory and electronics forms part of the school curriculum.

The whole event was streamed live, and archived on YouTube at the following URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fk-Onkbr6PY&t=15s

[ANS thanks ARISS and AMSAT-UK 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 Engineering Recruiting Volunteers

+ RF Engineer
AMSAT is looking for an EE with RF experience to join its FOX-PLUS team. You’ll collaborate with an all-volunteer team of up to ten electrical, mechanical, software and systems engineers. You will have the opportunity to design and build the RF communications subsystems for a series of low earth orbit, 1U-3U CubeSats to support AMSAT’s educational and engineering objectives.

You should have a working knowledge of analog and digital communications protocols (e.g., FM, PSK, FSK) to provide digitally synthesized audio for FM modulated VHF/UHF/SHF voice and telemetry channels. Development opportunities can begin with modification of previous FOX designs and/or by starting with a blank sheet for an original design.

+ Mechanical Engineers
AMSAT is looking for Mechanical Engineers to join its FOX and GOLF CubeSat teams. You’ll collaborate with an all-volunteer team of up to 12 electrical, mechanical, software and systems engineers. You will have the opportunity to use your structural design and analysis skills in the development of a series of low earth orbit and highly elliptical orbit, 1U-3U CubeSats to support AMSAT’s educational and engineering objectives.

Your contribution may include a) the development of the spaceframe and deployable solar panel subsystem, b) the analysis of the thermal characteristics of the CubeSat and the design of the thermal management system, c) preparation and oversight of the environmental testing procedure, and/or d) management of documentation of the CubeSats adherence to the launch provider’s and space vehicle owner’s specifications.

Our volunteers typically spend five hours per week on their project and attend a weekly online update meeting. An Amateur Radio license and CubeSat experience is helpful but not necessary. U.S. citizenship or proof of permanent residency is required.

Interested persons should send an email with their resume/curriculum vitae to: [email protected].

[ANS thanks Jonathan Brandenburg, KF5IDY, AMSAT Assistant VP, Engineering 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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Australian Hams Plan Commemorative Event

A group of amateurs, including Dan Sutton, VK6NAD, Michael Tutt, VK6TU, and others, will activate the special event call sign of VI6CRO (to be confirmed) in recognition of the NASA Carnarvon and Overseas Telecommunications Commission (OTC) Carnarvon historic location.

The activation will occur from April 17 ending April 23 to coincide with the massive surge of visitors as a result of the April 20 Eclipse event in the area. The Station will be set up in the middle of the historic OTC buildings between the Casgrain Horn used during Apollo 11 and the large 30m Dish.

The station will have FM satellite capability and intends to organize contacts with Australian and Indonesian amateurs, hopefully via the ISS repeater and AO91 if they are operating at that time.

Also near the station site is the Carnarvon Space and Technology Museum. Buzz Aldrin opened the museum in June, 2012, so the NASA connection will resonate through the event at which many hundreds of visitors are expected to attend daily.

[ANS thanks Dan Sutton, VK6NAD, for the above information]

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Crew-6 Launch Slips

NASA has delayed the launch of a commercial crew mission to the International Space Station by a day to give SpaceX additional time to complete work on the vehicle. The crew will include three licensed amateur radio operators for a six-month stay on the ISS.

At a briefing after a flight readiness review for the Crew-6 mission Feb. 21, NASA announced it has rescheduled the launch of the Crew Dragon spacecraft to Feb. 27 at 1:45 a.m. Eastern. The Falcon 9 launch of the spacecraft had been planned for Feb. 26.

The Crew-6 launch will carry two NASA astronauts, Mission Commander Stephen Bowen, KI5BKB, and Pilot Warren “Woody” Hoburg, KB3HTZ, along with UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi, KI5VTV, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, who will serve as mission specialists to the space station for a science expedition mission.

If the launch slips again, there is another launch opportunity Feb. 28 at 1:22 a.m. Eastern, followed by three opportunities March 2 through 4.

[ANS thanks SpaceNews 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

+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+

Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for 23 February

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/

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

Oculus-ASR NORAD Cat ID 44348 (decayed from orbit on 02/21/23 per Space-Track).

[ANS thanks Ray Hoad, WA5QGD, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager, for the above information]

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ARISS Proposal Window Now Open

A scheduled ARISS contact is a voice-only communication via Amateur Radio between the International Space Station (ISS) crew and classrooms and communities. These scheduled contact opportunities are offered to formal and informal education institutions and organizations, individually or working together.

Proposals from schools and organizations in the U.S. are accepted during two proposal windows each year – one in the fall and one in the spring. Proposals are not accepted outside of the scheduled proposal windows. The Spring 2023 proposal window opens February 20, 2023 for contacts to be scheduled from January 1, 2024 – June 30, 2024. This proposal is due to ARISS by March 31, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.

A Proposal Guide is offered to help you plan and identify the resources you will need to host an ARISS scheduled contact. After reading the Guide and developing your plan, you can complete the ARISS Proposal Form and submit it during the proposal window. Download the current version of the Proposal Guide (Spring 2023) at https://ariss-usa.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/2021-09-18-ARISS-Proposal-Guide.pdf

U.S. schools and educational organizations may download the ARISS Proposal Form to submit a proposal to host an ARISS contact at https://ariss-usa.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/ARISS-Proposal-2023-01-04.docx

A Proposal Webinar is being offered to answer questions about the program and proposal on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at 8:00 pm ET. Visit https://ariss-proposal-webinar-spring-2023.eventbrite.com to register. A recording of the Proposal Webinar can be located on our ARISS YouTube channel at any time: https://youtu.be/xOYrpeqLzfY

Those with questions regarding the proposal process, please send an email to: [email protected]

[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.

COMPLETED:
Istituto Statale di Istruzione Superiore “Il Pontormo”, Empoli, Italy, direct via IQ5EM. The ISS callsign was OR4ISS. The crewmember was Koichi Wakata KI5TMN. Contact was successful: Thursday, 2023-02-23 09:32:56 UTC with 60 degrees maximum elevation. Congratulations to the Istituto Statale di Istruzione Superiore “Il Pontormo” students and Koichi!

UPCOMING:
Polytechnics Mauritius Ltd, Moka, Mauritius, direct via 3B8ISS. The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS. The scheduled crewmember is Warren Hoburg, KB3HTZ. Contact has been postponed per school request. It is unknown at this time when it will be rescheduled.

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

Congratulations to Ian Parsons, K5ZM, who has recently been appointed manager of the “Upcoming Satellite Operations” page of the AMSAT website https://www.amsat.org/satellite-info/upcoming-satellite-operations/  Thanks, Ian, for volunteering your time to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space!

We also thank Paul Overn, KE0PBR, who has recently given up this task after several years of doing a great job tracking grid rovers rovers, both on the AMSAT page and on Twitter.

+ No roves are currently scheduled.

Please submit any additions or corrections to k5zm (at) comcast (dot) net

[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.

+ 2023 CubeSat Developer’s Workshop
April 24-27, 2023
California Polytechnic State University
1 Grand Avenue, San Luis Obispo, California 93407
https://www.cubesatdw.org/

+ AMSAT Ambassador Clint Bradford, K6LCS, has a Zoom presentation scheduled with Thames Valley ARC, England on May 11, 2023.

Think a 90-minute lively, informative, and fun “How to Work the Easy Satellites” Zoom presentation would be appropriate for your convention or club? Always included are overviews of the ARRL, AMSAT, and ARISS. And pre-presentation questions are welcome. Contact Clint Bradford, K6LCS, at https://www.work-sat.com/

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

---

Satellite Shorts From All Over

+ Ready for Round Two of QRPp #EME fun? Bernd Wilde, DL7APV, will look for small 70cm stations starting 23 Feb. Weeks ago. Max Romensky, M0SKN, US6IKN, SA5IKN, and EI6KCI, demonstrated that even 3 element Yagi and 40W can work the EME big guns of various calibre, not just Bernd. More information at https://hb9q.ch/2018/?page_id=37 (ANS thanks Max Romensky, M0SKN,for the above information)

+ Last week, the EU Parliament funded the development of a new communications constellation, the Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnection & Security by Satellites (IRIS2 or sometimes IRISS), which will operate alongside its existing Galileo (GNSS), EGNOS (GNSS overlay), and Copernicus (EO) constellations. The new constellation will consist of up to 170 satellites deployed to LEO, MEO, and GEO and will integrate with existing communications assets. This will be in addition to commercial ventures by Starlink (12,000+ sats), OneWeb (648 sats), and Rivada (300 sats), as well as the Chinese state-owned mega-constellation plan for just under 13,000 satellites in LEO. (ANS thanks The Orbital Index and SpaceNews for the above information)

+ Recent updates have been made to the Greencube Terminal program by OZ9AAR. The program interfaces with the UZ7HO Soundmodem, and optionally with N3FJP’s ACLog software. Information and free download available at: https://www.moonbounce.dk/hamradio/greencube-terminal-program.html (ANS thanks Carsten Groen, OZ9AAR, for the above information)

+ New features have also been added to the satellite rover tracking site at https://hams.at/ (ANS thanks Rockwell Schrock, WW1X, for the above information)

+ Hackaday has published an entertaining YouTube video, “Searching for Space Pirates on Old Military Satellites.” The video explains how U.S. Fleet SATCOM UHF transponders, still in space from the 1970s, are being used illegally, often for criminal purposes. It also describes using a simple RTL receiver to listen in on these pirate transmissions. The video is available at https://hackaday.com/2023/02/24/hunting-for-space-pirates/ (ANS thanks Hackaday for the above information)

+ NASA is seeking ham volunteers to gather data during upcoming solar eclipses on October 14, 2023, and April 8, 2024. For details, see https://go.nasa.gov/3IQrFiz (ANS thanks NASA 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

In this edition:

* IARU Holds First 2023 Meeting
* AMSAT IT Tackles TLE Problem
* VK5QI Wins FS3 Award
* SpaceX Dragon Will Carry More Hams to ISS
* Balloon Experimenters Worry About Reactions
* Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution
* 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-050 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 Feb 19

IARU Holds First 2023 Meeting

The 56th meeting of the Administrative Council of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) was held via Zoom on January 16, with President Tim Ellam, VE6SH, presiding.

The council received reports from the officers of each of the three regions. The meeting’s focus was on the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) upcoming World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-23) later this year in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The IARU effort for WRC-23 is being led by IARU Vice President Ole Garpestad, LA2RR.

Here is a summary of the meeting submitted by IARU Secretary Joel Harrison, W5ZN:

“Of particular interest to the amateur radio and amateur satellite services for WRC-23 is agenda item 9.1b concerning the amateur allocation in the 23 – centimeter band at 1240-1300 MHz. The Radio Navigation Satellite Service (RNSS) is seeking protection from secondary users in addition to an expanded allocation. Preparatory work for this item is being conducted within the ITU’s Working Party 5A. IARU’s global WRC-23 9.1b team, led by Barry Lewis, G4SJH, has been consulting with the amateur community, resulting in a contribution to the draft guidance recommendation in support of coexistence with RNSS. Details on this work can be found at www.iaru.org.

The council reviewed a comprehensive written report from IARU [Electromagnetic Compatibility] Coordinator Dr. Martin Sach, G8KDF, on his work with the International Special Committee on Radio Interference (CISPR). CISPR was formed in 1934 to set standards for controlling electromagnetic interference in electrical and electronic devices. CISPR’s specific areas include radio interference measurements and statical methods, and limits for the protection of radio frequencies.

An ongoing strategic planning review of the current IARU structure is being conducted within several Working Groups (WGs). The Administrative Council received reports from the Futures WG Steering Committee, Relationship WG, Governance WG, and the Legal WG. This work is scheduled for completion no later than July to allow discussion at the Region 1 [General] Conference in Serbia in October, with additional opportunities provided to the other two regions.

Region 1 has received several inquiries regarding the status of [John Devoldere’s,] ON4UN, and [Mark Demeuleneere’s,] ON4WW, book, Ethics and Operating Procedures for the Radio Amateur and is considering how this document [can] be updated.

The Summary Record from this meeting, in addition to previous meetings, is available at www.iaru.org/reference/ac-summary-records/.”

The next virtual meeting of the Administrative Council is scheduled for March 20, and an in-person meeting is scheduled for June 25 at the conclusion of Ham Radio in Friedrichshafen, Germany.

The members of the IARU Administrative Council are the President, Vice President, Secretary, and two members from each of the regional organizations. Members participating in this meeting were IARU President Tim Ellam, VE6SH/G4HUA; Vice President Ole Garpestad, LA2RR; Secretary Joel Harrison, W5ZN; IARUI Region 1; George Gorsline, VE3YV, President, and Rod Stafford, W6ROD,Sylvain Azarian, F4GKR, President, and Mats Espling, SM6EAN, Secretary, IARU Region 2; George Gorsline, VE3YV, President, and Rod Stafford, W6ROD, Secretary, and Region 3; Chairman Ken Yamamoto, JA1CJP, and Director Yudi Hasbi, YD1PRY. Assistant Secretary David Sumner, K1ZZ, also participated.

Founded in 1925, IARU is the worldwide voice of radio amateurs who secure and safeguard the amateur radio spectrum. ARRL serves as the International Secretariat of IARU.

[ANS thanks The ARRL Letter 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 IT Tackles TLE Problem

AMSAT IT, in conjunction with the New England Sci-Tech STEM Education Center assembled a tiger team of software experts from the Olin College of Engineering, Boston Latin School and the Wilson Middle School to investigate the recent disappearance of AO-7 from www.amsat.org/tle/current/dailytle.txt and the legacy naasbare.txt files.

The team determined that AMSAT’s processing is not robust in the face of minor format differences in the source data received from the USSF’s 18th Space Defense Squadron. Specifically, the TLE data provided does not always include the leading zero in AO-7’s object number “07530”. The official report from the team’s leader: “My grandma would say that AMSAT’s software is just a little too persnickety.”

A member of the tiger team agreed to adjust the update script to account for the vagaries of the 18th SDS data. A production quality fix is expected by March 1. Meanwhile, manual monitoring and updates will keep AO-7 in the files.

[ANS thanks Joe Fitzgerald, KM1P, AMSAT IT Team, 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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VK5QI Wins FS3 Award

The Mauritius Amateur Radio Society (MARS) announced, on January 19, a special Award for the last formal (AMSAT Leaderboard/Satnogs) reported signals from FalconSat3. An MO-112 postal first day cover was to be sent to the winner with the certificate.

On Janary 28, Mark Jessop, VK5QI, was declared to be the winner for the MARS FS3 Award. The certificate and MO-112 first day cover were sent last week in an envelope with MO-112 stamps.

Congratulations!

FS3 was a great adventure for many of us, thanks again to Mark (N8MH) for his dedication to keep the bird alive for so many years.

[ANS thanks Jean Marc Momple, 3B8DU, MARS President, for the above information]

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SpaceX Dragon Will Carry More Hams to ISS

NASA will provide coverage of the upcoming prelaunch and launch activities for the agency’s SpaceX Crew-6 mission with astronauts to the International Space Station.

Launch is targeted for 07:07 UTC, Sunday, Feb. 26, from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Dragon spacecraft is scheduled to dock to the space-facing port of the station’s Harmony module at 07:54 UTC, Monday, Feb. 27.

The Crew-6 launch will carry two NASA astronauts, Mission Commander Stephen Bowen, KI5BKB, and Pilot Warren “Woody” Hoburg, KB3HTZ, along with UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi, KI5VTV, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, who will serve as mission specialists to the space station for a science expedition mission.

This is the sixth crew rotation mission with astronauts using the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft on a Falcon 9 rocket to the orbiting laboratory as part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program. This Dragon is named Endeavour.

NASA TV launch coverage begins on Sunday, Feb. 26 at 03:30 UTC (10:30 p.m. EST).

[ANS thanks NASA for the above information]

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Balloon Experimenters Worry About Reactions

Balloon hobbyists are also worried that the small balloons they launch into the sky could be shot down or that the focus on balloons could lead to tight restrictions on their little-known hobby.

Speculation has grown about whether one of the unidentified objects taken down by a U.S. F-22 on Feb. 11 over Canada’s Yukon Territory was a small party-style balloon launched by a hobby group whose name is a whimsical reference to the children’s film “Up.” The Northern Illinois Bottlecap Balloon Brigade recently said one of its balloons went “missing in action” on Feb. 11, near an island off the coast of Alaska.

People launch balloons for radio experiments, or as part of projects to learn more about technology, balloons, and the sky — as well as for fun, according to Dave Akerman, a member of the U.K. High Altitude Society who has launched nearly 100 larger latex balloons. Now enthusiasts are concerned “there will be a knee-jerk reaction to what’s happened,” he said in an interview.

He said he hoped that authorities and hobbyists could coordinate on reasonable guidelines or rules if needed. “It’s also in the interests of authorities not to be shooting down party balloons with missiles.”

[ANS thanks The Washington Post 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 February 19

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/

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

CP-7 DAVE NORAD Cat ID 43615 (decayed from orbit on 02/12/23 per Space-Track).
NO-104 (PSAT-2) NORAD Cat ID 44354 (decayed from orbit on 02/15/23 per Space-Track).

[ANS thanks Ray Hoad, WA5QGD, 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:
Stella Maris College, Gzira, Malta, direct via 9H1MRL. The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS. The scheduled crewmember is Josh Cassada, KI5CRH. Contact was successful: Wed 2023-02-15 12:48:01 UTC 60 degrees elevation. Congratulations to the Stella Maris College students and Josh for the first Malta contact!

Upcoming:
Istituto Statale di Istruzione Superiore “Il Pontormo”, Empoli, Italy, direct via IQ5EM. The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS. The scheduled crewmember is Koichi Wakata, KI5TMN. Contact is go for: Thu 2023-02-23 09:32:56 UTC 60 degrees. Watch for Livestream at https://bit.ly/3I2xaKg

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 Richard, VA3VGR: Tentative plan, will depend on the roads and weather of course. All times UTC.

19 Feb – FN58
FO-29 18:41 145.950 Tx

FO-118 19:03 145.810 Tx
PO-101 19:17
CAS-3H 20:02
FO-29 20:23 145.950 Tx

19 Feb – FN57
RS-44 21:04 145.950 Tx

CAS-3H 21:34
FO-29 22:09 145.950 Tx

19 Feb – FN47
RS-44 22:53 145.950 Tx
JO-97 23:43 145.860 Rx
CAS-4B 00:05 145.925 Rx
CAS-4A 00:35 145.870 Rx
RS-44 00:47 145.950 Tx

20 Feb – FN38
RS-44 08:41 145.950 Tx (maybe – is there interest?)

FO-29 09:11 145.950 Tx
20 Feb – FN48
XW-2C 10:25 145.800 Rx
RS-44 10:34 145.950 Tx
FO-29 10:56 145.950 Tx
AO-91 12:06

AO-91 13:39
SO-50 14:01
JO-97 14:25 145.860 Rx

Also possible only if there is interest out west:
RS-44 12:28 145.950 Tx
FO-29 12:42 145.950 Tx

[ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT rover page manager, for the above information]

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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.

+ 2023 CubeSat Developer’s Workshop
April 24-27, 2023
California Polytechnic State University
1 Grand Avenue, San Luis Obispo, California 93407
https://www.cubesatdw.org/

+ AMSAT Ambassador Clint Bradford, K6LCS, has a Zoom presentation scheduled with Thames Valley ARC, England on May 11, 2023.

[ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT Events page manager, for the above information]

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Satellite Shorts From All Over

+ The Pehuensat-1 or PO-63, the hamradio payload made by Universidad del Comahue, Argentina that was attached to the structure of an Indian PSLV rocket, re-entered Earth atmosphere on January 16, 2023 according to Space_Track. (ANS thanks Gustavo Carpignano, LW2DTZ, for the above information)

+ As reported above, NO-104 (PSAT-2) decayed from orbit on 02/15/23. The Technical University of Brno in Brno, Czech Republic wishes to thank again Bob Bruninga WB4APR(SK) who allowed us to build the PSK transponder and to add the SSTV camera to the project undertaken by the U.S. Naval Academy. “We had lot of fun during experiments! Both transponder and camera operated flawlessly till the battery deterioration. Hopefully some future satelite builder will be interested in those space tested blocks.” (ANS thanks Tomáš Urbanec, OK2PNQ, of Technical University of Brno, for the above information.

+ A new Indian rocket successfully delivered three satellites to orbit on Thursday, Feb. 9, including Janus-1, which was built by the Indian-American company Antaris, is a technology-demonstrating “smart satellite,” according to the ISRO mission description. Like its predecessor, AzaadiSAT-2 was built by hundreds of female students from across India. AzaadiSAT-2 “aims to demonstrate LoRa and amateur radio communication capabilities, measure radiation levels in space and demonstrate expandable satellite structure, etc,” ISRO officials wrote. (ANS thanks Space.com for the above information)

+ Even as Russia’s Progress MS-22 arrived at the ISS, the uncrewed ​​Progress MS-21 cargo craft lost pressure—this vehicle isn’t used for crew return and will be disposed of in a fiery reentry anyway, but it doesn’t increase confidence in aging ISS and Russian hardware—meanwhile, Russia is planning to launch a replacement for their other failing ISS vehicle, Soyuz MS-22, on Sunday, Feb. 19. (ANS thanks The Orbital Index for the above information)

+ As SpaceX tests a vehicle that will be capable of 100 tons to LEO (and, eventually, as much as 150 t), and continues a record-setting Falcon launch (and pad turnaround) cadence, the industry is talking about “bloodletting” and how other launch companies can’t compete with the $275,000 that SpaceX charges to take a 50 kg smallsat to Sun-Synchronoous Orbit (SSO) on a Transporter mission. (ANS thanks The Orbital Index for the above information)

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

In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to:

* Societies (a recognized group, clubs or organization).
* 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