ANS

ANS-301 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

by

In this edition:

* AMSAT Board of Directors Elects Officers
* 42nd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium Held in Tampa
* GridMasterMap Satellite Top 100 Rovers November 2024 Rankings
* CatSat Commissioning is Near
* Administration Eases Restrictions On Space-Related Exports
* Intelsat Satellite Explodes In Orbit
* Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution
* Reflect Orbital To Sell Sunlight Using In-Space Mirrors
* 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-301 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 Oct 27

AMSAT Board of Directors Elects Officers

At its meeting prior to the 2024 AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting, the AMSAT Board of Directors elected their officers for 2024-25.

  • Robert Bankston, KE4AL, President
  • Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, Executive Vice President
  • Jerry Buxton, NØJY, Vice President – Engineering
  • Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, Vice President – Operations
  • Alan Johnston, KU2Y, Vice President – Educational Relations
  • Frank Karnauskas, N1UW, Vice President – Development
  • Steve Belter, N9IP, Treasurer
  • Douglas Tabor, N6UA, Secretary

Newly elected First Alternate Director Douglas Tabor, N6UA, has replaced Jeff Davis, KE9V, who stepped down prior to the meeting as AMSAT’s Secretary. The AMSAT Board of Directors expresses its appreciation to Jeff for his work during his tenure as Secretary.

The position of Vice President – User Services remains vacant.

[ANS thanks the AMSAT Board of Directors for the above information]

2024 Coins Are Still Available!
Help Support GOLF and Fox Plus.
Join the AMSAT President’s Club today!

42nd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium Held in Tampa

The 42nd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting took place from October 25-27, 2024, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Tampa Rocky Point Waterfront in Tampa, Florida. This year’s Symposium focused on the latest developments in amateur radio satellite communications, with a variety of paper sessions and events throughout the weekend.

Scheduled presentations included:

  • AMSAT-UK Payload on Jovian-1 CubeSat, David Bowman, GØMRF
  • CARD-SAT®: A Step Forward for Satellite Miniaturization by Adrian Totu, YO3HOT
  • Working QO-100 from Beyond the Nominal Footprint by Graham Shirville, G3VZV
  • AMSAT & ARISS Over the Past 40 Years by Frank Bauer, KA3HDO
  • MO-122 (MESAT1) Commissioning Recap by Mark Hammond, N8MH
  • AMSAT-HB Update by Michael Lipp, HB9WDF
  • Fox Plus Update by Mike Moore, K4MVM
  • AMSAT CubeSatSim Education Update and Software Overview by Alan Johnston, KU2Y
  • Integration of the AMSAT CubeSat Simulator for Education and Research by Rachel Jones, KO4HLC
  • ARISS Engineering Update – ISS, Lunar, and Commercial Activities by Randy Berger, WAØD
  • Automation and Remote Control of the Inter-Operable Radio System (IORS) on the ISS by Chris Thompson, VE2TCP/GØKLA
  • Getting Ready to Receive HamTV from the ISS by Graham Shirville, G3VZV
  • GOLF-TEE Flight Software and Bus Overview by Burns Fisher, WB1FJ
  • Determination of Orbiting Spacecraft Space Vectors Solely from In-flight Position Measurements by Joseph DiVerdi, KØNMR
  • AMSAT Engineering Update by Jerry Buxton, NØJY

Burns Fisher, WB1FJ, presenting on GOLF-TEE’s flight software. [Photo: AMSAT]

In addition, the AMSAT Annual General Meeting & Awards Ceremony was held on Saturday afternoon, and the AMSAT Banquet was to take place on Saturday evening. A breakfast for AMSAT Ambassadors was scheduled for Sunday morning.

Symposium Proceedings will be available for members on the AMSAT Member Portal as soon as AMSAT volunteers can process the upload.

[ANS thanks Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, AMSAT Executive Vice President, for the above information]

GridMasterMap Satellite Top 100 Rovers November 2024 Rankings

The November 2024 rankings for the Top 100 Rovers (Mixed LEO/MEO/GEO) in satellite operations, as determined by @GridMasterMap on Twitter, has been released. The ranking is determined by the number of grids and DXCC entities activated, taking into account only those grids where a minimum number of QSOs logged on the gridmaster.fr website have been validated by a third party. Grid numbers do not directly reflect the exact number of activations. Satellite operators are encouraged to upload their LoTW satellite contacts to https://gridmaster.fr in order to provide more accurate data.

Updated: 2024-10-25

1 ND9M 26 KX9X 51 N6DNM 76 LU4JVE
2 NJ7H 27 ON4AUC 52 JK2XXK 77 AA8CH
3 JA9KRO 28 KG5CCI 53 EB1AO 78 VE1VOX
4 UT1FG 29 N5BO 54 SM3NRY 79 FG8OJ
5 N5UC 30 K8BL 55 EA4NF 80 PT9BM
6 DL6AP 31 KE4AL 56 JL3RNZ 81 KJ7NDY
7 OE3SEU 32 KB5FHK 57 XE1ET 82 KI7UXT
8 WI7P 33 VE3HLS 58 AA5PK 83 YUØW
9 DPØPOL 34 KIØKB 59 DF2ET 84 KB2YSI
10 K5ZM 35 KI7UNJ 60 KI7QEK 85 N6UTC
11 N6UA 36 LA9XGA 61 SP5XSD 86 N4DCW
12 HA3FOK 37 PA3GAN 62 F4DXV 87 WA9JBQ
13 WY7AA 38 F4BKV 63 AD7DB 88 JM1CAX
14 N9IP 39 JO2ASQ 64 VE1CWJ 89 VE3GOP
15 W5PFG 40 BA1PK 65 KE9AJ 90 NØTEL
16 AK8CW 41 N7AGF 66 N8RO 91 KG4AKV
17 ADØDX 42 VK5DG 67 VA7LM 92 W8MTB
18 DL2GRC 43 XE3DX 68 KM4LAO 93 KØFFY
19 LU5ILA 44 VA3VGR 69 W1AW 94 CU2ZG
20 F5VMJ 45 KEØWPA 70 W8LR 95 VE7PTN
21 N4AKV 46 PR8KW 71 N4UFO 96 K6VHF
22 WD9EWK 47 K7TAB 72 DL4EA 97 AF5CC
23 NDØC 48 KEØPBR 73 HB9GWJ 98 VE6WK
24 ADØHJ 49 ACØRA 74 PT2AP 99 DK9JC
25 DJ8MS 50 W7WGC 75 M1DDD 100 BG7QIW

[ANS thanks @GridMasterMap 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/

CatSat Commissioning is Near

CatSat, a 6U cubesat, was blasted into orbit on July 4, 2024. After some delay, the microwave transponder should be available soon.

The concept was presented at the AMSAT annual symposium on two successive years. The design has not changed significantly since then. See https://catsat.arizona.edu for current info.

The project was run by the University of Arizona students with major support by Rincon Research Corp. (onboard DSP and HF electronics) and FreeFall Aerospace (patch, HF whip, and high-gain 10 GHz. inflatable antenna.) The spacecraft bus was supplied by Gomspace.

Something strange happened during launch or satellite deployment, and the satellite is believed to be damaged by an unknown mechanism. The UHF command and control antenna appears not to have deployed and the main spacecraft computer reboots an irregular pattern. The student team has done an excellent job of keeping the spacecraft under control while troubleshooting the problems, but this has slowed the commissioning process.

CatSat with inflated spherical microwave antenna [Artist’s rendering: University of Arizona]

SATELLITE MODES OF PARTICULAR INTEREST TO HAMS

  1. The HF experiment (also known as the WSPR experiment) captures the entire HF band by sampling it with a 50 MHz analog to digital converter. Digital processing in an FPGA creates up to four sub-bands which are stored in CatSat memory. The tuned frequency and bandwidth of these four receivers will likely be changed from time to time on a schedule to be determined. Then the captured pre-detection data will be stored in CatSat’s AstroSDR memory until it can be dumped to our 6.1 meter dish in Tucson. There the sub-band data streams will be extracted and placed on the internet where interested hams will have access. The intent is to provide an opportunity for hams to experiment with ionospheric propagation as viewed by a satellite without having to actually build a ground station. If they work HF stations using FT-8 or WSPR when the satellite is active they will be able to use the internet to access what the satellite was hearing. They may even discover some novel propagation mechanism.
  2. At the start of each data capture 32k samples of I-Q data will be captured at 50 MHz sample rate. These data can be Fourier transformed to create a spectral power plot of the entire HF band at that location.
  3. The 10 GHz downlink modulation is DVB-S2. At the time of planning the downlink, there was a lot of AMSAT interest in using DVB-S2 as a downlink modulation for proposed high orbit birds. That drove our decision. Receiving this link will be a challenge for most stations, unless the inflatable antenna experiment is successful and we point that antenna at your location.
  4. 5.663 GHz to 10.47 GHz transponder with 200 kHz Bandwidth. During design review of CatSat it was realized that there was space for an additional 5 GHz patch antenna on the spacecraft. The AstroSDR could receive 5.663 GHz and translate it to the IF input of the 10.47 GHz transceiver. So a 200 KHz linear transponding mode was added. It is one of the first ham satellites to use these microwave bands.


PHOTO OF CATSAT SPECTRUM Oct 20, 2024 at Tech Park
10 GHz Patch used for transmitting generally pointed towards ground station.
6.1 meter AzArray dish for receiving
Max elevation 29 degrees
LCP on left screen
RCP on right screen
2 MHz/div and 10 dB per division
Comment: Transmitting 2 MSymbols/per second of DVB-S2 Dummy Frames
Strong stable signal smoothly varying with time peaking about 20 dB SNR in 2 MHz band.

[ANS thanks Mike Parker, KT7D for the above information]

Administration Eases Restrictions On Space-Related Exports

The Biden administration on Oct. 17 eased export restrictions on U.S. commercial space companies to ship certain satellite and spacecraft-related items to allies and partners.

The changes are intended to make it easier for the growing U.S. commercial space industry to expand sales while also protecting national security and foreign policy interests.

Certain items involving remote sensing spacecraft or space-based logistics assembly, and servicing spacecraft will no longer need licenses for shipment to Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom, the Commerce Department said in the statement.

Some less sensitive satellite and spacecraft parts and components will no longer require licenses for shipment to over 40 countries. The countries include Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea and most of the European Union, a person familiar with the matter said.

In addition, the Commerce Department will do away with license requirements for the least sensitive items like electrical connectors for most of the world, but not countries of concern like Russia and China, the person said.

A proposed rule also was published regarding the transfer of jurisdiction of certain space-related defense articles from the State Department to the Commerce Department, making it easier to export them to close allies and partners.

The rules come after a proposed rulemaking nearly five years ago and a December 2023 National Space Council request.

[ANS thanks Reuters for the above information]

Intelsat Satellite Explodes In Orbit

An Intelsat communication satellite built by Boeing has exploded and broken up in geostationary orbit. Intelsat confirmed the news in a press release on Oct. 21, declaring the satellite a “total loss.” The U.S. Space Force said it is tracking around 20 associated pieces but “has observed no immediate threats” to other satellites so far (Roscosmos said it was tracking 80 fragments). The cause of the explosion is not yet known, but the news is another blow for Boeing following Starliner’s failed crew test flight, problems with the 737 Max and delays to the 777x.

Intelsat said it’s working to move customers to its other satellites or third party spacecraft. “A Failure Review Board has convened to complete a comprehensive analysis of the cause,” the company wrote. The satellite was uninsured, a spokesperson told SpaceNews.

EpicNG [Artist’s rendering: Intelsat]

The explosion fragments could still pose a risk to other satellites. “The problem is that there is a lot of uncertainty regarding the orbits of these fragments at the moment,” said a spokesperson for Spaceflux, a UK company that tracks objects in orbit. “They can be potentially dangerous for other satellites but we do not know that yet.”

Intelsat 33e is one of six “EpicNG” satellites built by Boeing, and uses the latter’s 720MP satellite platform equipped with 16 hydrazine-powered engines built by Aerojet Rocketdyne. The type is widely used for telephone, internet and satellite TV/radio broadcast services.

It entered service three months late due to an issue with its primary thruster, and another propulsion issue reduced its service life by 3.5 years. The first EpicNG satellite, Intelsat 29e, was declared a total loss in 2019 after just three years in service, reportedly due to a meteoroid impact or wiring flaw.

[ANS thanks Engadget for the above information]

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Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for Oct. 25

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/.

None reported.

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

Reflect Orbital To Sell Sunlight Using In-Space Mirrors

Instead of being constrained by the physical reality that limits the sun to its daily cycle, imagine a future where the sun can be turned on and off like a flashlight.

This is the future that Reflect Orbital imagines is possible. The startup is developing satellites that would deploy large mirrors to precisely reflect sunlight onto specific points on the ground. Rings of satellites in sun-synchronous orbit would follow the terminator, or the line that separates night and day, providing additional sunlight before dawn and after dusk.

Illustration of illuminated sites [Image: Reflect Orbital]

According to Reflect’s two co-founders, CEO Ben Nowack and CTO Tristan Semmelhack, this extra sunlight could increase the amount of solar power delivered to the electricity grid. Instead of building more solar farms, the pair thinks we can simply increase the amount of power generated at the ones that already exist.

The pair say they are still playing with the final configuration for its production-scale vehicles, like the exact size of the reflective array or the final number of satellites that will make up the constellation. But they are starting small, and the first orbital mission will fly a subscale prototype with a reflector that’s 10 by 10 meters.

Many of the debunking videos cite the 10 by 10 meter figure, which is too small to reflect an economically meaningful amount of sunlight on the ground. A news article from earlier this year also said that the constellation will be just 57 satellites.

But Semmelhack said these figures are inaccurate; 57 satellites ringing Earth will guarantee a half hour of service twice per day, once in the morning and once in the evening, the minimum to achieve the plans to “extend the day.” The pair also say that 10 by 10 meters is “just a starting point”: Full-scale production vehicles will deploy arrays that are much larger, around 50 by 50 meters or bigger, with the planned constellation growing to “thousands to tens of thousands” of satellites.

“The 10 by 10 is our demonstration that will be brighter than a full moon, roughly 400,000 times less bright than the sun at noon,” Nowack explained over email. “Our production service is targeting 1/5 noon sunlight brightness and will use 100’s – 1000’s of larger vehicles focused at one spot. A 50 by 50 satellite is actually on the small end.”

But even given these additional details, the satellites would still need to be capable of maintaining highly precise control over their mirrors on orbit, and do this across many thousands of satellites. It will be a huge challenge.

[ANS thanks Aria Alamalhodaei and TechCrunch 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:
Magnet Innovation Center, Inlet Beach, FL, direct via WD9GIU
The ISS callsign was NA1SS. The crewmember was Nick Hague, KG5TMV.
The ARISS mentor was AA4KN
Contact was successful: Thu 2024-10-24 15:23:10 UTC 39 degrees maximum elevation
Congratulations to the Magnet Innovation Center students, Nick, mentor AA4KN, and ground station WD9GIU!

TO BE RESCHEDULED:
Ceip San Ignacio Del Viar, Alcalá Del Rio, Spain, direct via EG7SIV
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS. The scheduled crewmember is Don Pettit, KD5MDT.
The ARISS mentor is IKØUSO
Cancelled due to change of crew sleep schedule. ARISS is working very hard to see if this school can be rescheduled for this week.
Watch for Livestream at https://www.youtube.com/live/rLyPkJ0MAPE

UPCOMING:
Coastal Community School, Satellite Beach, FL, direct via KD4GPI
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS. The scheduled crewmember is Sunita Williams, KD5PLB.
The ARISS mentor is AJ9N
Contact is go for: Wed 2024-10-30 13:42:01 UTC 42 deg

Colegio Parroquial el Savador, Yerba Buena, Argentina, direct via LU5KHF
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS. The scheduled crewmember is Don Pettit, KD5MDT.
The ARISS mentor is VE6JBJ
Contact is go for: Wed 2024-10-30 15:32:26 UTC 82 deg

The next proposal window for U.S. schools and educational organizations to host an Amateur Radio contact with a crew member on board the ISS opens October 7, 2024 for contacts to be scheduled for July 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025. This proposal window is due to ARISS by November 17, 2024 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time (Nov. 18, 2024, 07:59 UTC). Proposal information and more details such as expectations, proposal guidelines and the proposal form can be found at www.ariss.org.

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). Ham TV and SSTV systems are currently STOWED.

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

Guyana: Aldir, PY1SAD (ZZ1M), operates from Georgetown as 8R1TM between Oct. 12 and Nov. 24 on 160-10m (CW, SSB, digital modes) and via satellites. QSL via LoTW, eQSL, qrz.com. (From DXNL 2427 – October 9, 2024)

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.

November 2-3, 2024
Stone Mountain Hamfest, ARRL State Convention
Stone Mountain, GA
https://stonemountainhamfest.com/
K4RGK

November 9, 2024
Oro Valley Amateur Radio Club
Marana Middle School
11285 West Grier Rd.
Marana, AZ 85653
https://www.tucsonhamradio.org/copy-of-hamfest-2022
N1UW

February 20-22, 2025
Yuma HAMCON
Yuma, AZ
N1UW

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

Satellite Shorts From All Over

+ HADES-D (SO-121) is decaying fast so it will only last a few days. Current height is near 355 km. Control operators are manually turning on the internal amplifier, so some passes could be in high power, depending on the zone. This has to be done each day because the on board computer is resetting this configuration each 24 hours. (ANS thanks Félix Páez, EA4GQS, of AMSAT-EA for the above information.)

+ In addition to SO-121 (above), UVSQ-Sat, XW-2D and XW-2B are predicted to decay from orbit within days or weeks. (ANS thanks AMSAT-AR [http://lu7aa.org/reenter.asp] for the above information.)

+ The ARRL has released LoTW configuration file version 11.29 adding support for QSOs via MESAT-1 (as MO-122) and SONATE-2 (as SONATE). (ANS thanks ARRL for the above information.)

+ FUNcube (AO-73) is now in Autonomous mode, meaning high power telemetry when in daylight, and transponder in when the satellite is in eclipse. Controllers are watching the effect on its 11 year old batteries. If the batteries suffer badly they will revert to Eclipse mode. All telemetry will be gratefully received — see http://data.amsat-uk.org/ui/fc1-fm for details. (ANS thanks David Johnson, G4DPZ, Honorable Secretary, AMSAT-UK, of the FUNcube Team for the above information.)

+ Crew-8 members, NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, KCØTOR, Michael Barratt, KD5MIJ, Jeanette Epps, KF5QNU, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin, RZ3DSE, all woke up late on Oct. 21, having shifted their sleep schedules in anticipation of Monday’s departure from the International Space Station. However, they spent the rest of the day continuing their daily exercise routines and standard housekeeping tasks aboard the orbiting lab. NASA and SpaceX officials delayed the undocking until late Wednesday, Oct. 23 due to unfavorable weather conditions near the multiple splashdown zones off the coast of Florida. Splashdown was early Friday, Oct. 25. During routine medical assessments on the recovery ship, an additional evaluation of the crew members was requested out of an abundance of caution. One crew member remained hospitalized Friday evening. (ANS thanks NASA for the above information.)

+ NASA will use SpaceX’s Crew Dragon for its two crew rotation missions to the International Space Station in 2025 as it continues to evaluate if it will require Boeing to perform another test flight of its Starliner spacecraft. In an Oct. 15 statement, NASA said it will use Crew Dragon for both the Crew-10 mission to the ISS, scheduled for no earlier than February 2025, and the Crew-11 mission scheduled for no earlier than July. Crew-10 will fly NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers along with astronaut Takuya Onishi from the Japanese space agency JAXA and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov. NASA has not yet announced the crew for the Crew-11 mission. (ANS thanks SpaceNews for the above information.)

+ The Mauritius Amateur Radio Society (MARS) portable team, on Oct. 20, enabled many young Scouts of the Mauritius Scout Association (MSA) to communicate with other Scouts around the World on QO-100 GEO satellite. See photos at https://3b8mars.org/2024/10/21/jota-2024/ (ANS thanks Jean Marc Momple, 3B8DU, 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
mjohns [at] amsat.org

ANS-294 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

by

In this edition:

* 42nd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium to Proceed After Hurricane Milton
* 2024 AMSAT-UK Colloquium: A Weekend of Satellite Innovation and Collaboration
* SpaceX Achieves First Super Heavy Booster Catch in Landmark Starship Flight
* NASA’s Europa Clipper Embarks on Epic Journey to Explore Alien Ocean World
* European Spacecraft Launches to Investigate NASA’s Asteroid Defense Test
* Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for October 18, 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-294 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 Oct 20

42nd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium to Proceed After Hurricane Milton

The 42nd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting will take place from October 24-27, 2024, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Tampa Rocky Point Waterfront in Tampa, Florida. Originally at risk due to damage from Hurricane Milton, the hotel has completed repairs, allowing the event to proceed as scheduled. All Symposium activities, including presentations, social events, and the annual banquet, will be held in the same ballroom due to rescheduled events at the venue. While there may be minor schedule adjustments, AMSAT is confident the event will run smoothly.

Registration for the Saturday banquet and Sunday breakfast has closed, but attendees who have secured their spots can look forward to a full weekend of activities. The Symposium kicks off with the AMSAT Board of Directors meeting on October 24-25, followed by paper sessions and the AMSAT Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony on Saturday, October 26. The weekend will conclude with the AMSAT Ambassador Breakfast on Sunday, October 27, offering a relaxed setting for further networking and discussion.

This year’s Symposium will focus on the latest developments in amateur radio satellite communications, with a variety of paper sessions and events throughout the weekend. The Friday night AMSAT Reception and Auction will provide an informal space for participants to connect and exchange ideas. If you have anything of interest that you can donate for the auction, please bring it along! AMSAT remains excited to host the event despite the challenges posed by Hurricane Milton and looks forward to celebrating the community’s passion for space-based communications. More information can be found at https://launch.amsat.org/event-5833792.

[ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information]

2024 AMSAT-UK Colloquium: A Weekend of Satellite Innovation and Collaboration

The AMSAT-UK Colloquium took place last weekend, bringing together enthusiasts and experts from the amateur satellite community. Held as a dedicated stream within the RSGB Convention, the event featured a range of presentations on the latest advancements in satellite technology and space-related topics. The Colloquium provided an invaluable opportunity for participants to engage with cutting-edge developments and network with fellow amateur radio operators.

One of the highlights of the weekend was the AMSAT-UK Annual General Meeting, where key updates and future plans were discussed. In addition to the technical sessions, attendees enjoyed social gatherings, including the AMSAT Gala Dinner, which fostered further collaboration and exchange of ideas. The event continues to serve as a cornerstone for the amateur satellite community, offering both knowledge and inspiration for future projects.

Presentations from the 2024 AMSAT-UK Colloquium are available on YouTube. Provided below are links to the individual topics from both Saturday and Sunday.

Opening Address Prof Sir Martin Sweeting, G3YJO https://www.youtube.com/live/4ve4q43pdF0?t=860s
Getting Started with Satellites Heather Nickalls, MØHMO https://www.youtube.com/live/4ve4q43pdF0?t=1535s
Report on Operations via Q0100 from North America Ravi Gopan, MØXUU & Graham Shirville, G3VZV https://www.youtube.com/live/4ve4q43pdF0?t=5340s
FUNcube Lite on Jovian-1 David Bowman, GØMRF https://www.youtube.com/live/4ve4q43pdF0?t=9095s
Surrey and Space Based Solar Power Professor Craig Underwood, G1WTW https://www.youtube.com/live/4ve4q43pdF0?t=16110s
FUNcube Update Dave Johnson, G4DPZ https://www.youtube.com/live/4ve4q43pdF0?t=19735s
ARISS-UK Update / 40 years of Amateur Radio on Human Space Flight Ciaran Morgan, MØXTD https://www.youtube.com/live/4ve4q43pdF0?t=24205s
An SDR Transponder Update Martin Ling, MØLNG https://www.youtube.com/live/uOHP2G_-ryU?t=345s
Automated Reception of FUNcube, APRS and Weather Satellite Pictures Iain Young, G7III https://www.youtube.com/live/uOHP2G_-ryU?t=4930s
AMSAT-DL Update Peter Gülzow, DB2OS https://www.youtube.com/live/uOHP2G_-ryU?t=8515s
AMSAT-NA Burns Fisher, WB1FJ https://www.youtube.com/live/uOHP2G_-ryU?t=19305s

[ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information]

SpaceX Achieves First Super Heavy Booster Catch in Landmark Starship Flight

SpaceX successfully launched its fifth Starship vehicle on October 13, 2024, marking a milestone with the unprecedented recovery of the Super Heavy booster at the launch site. The mission, dubbed “Flight 5” by SpaceX, lifted off from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, at 8:25 a.m. Eastern time. The launch represented a significant step in SpaceX’s long-term goal of achieving rapid reusability for its massive Starship/Super Heavy system.

The key innovation in this test was the planned recovery of the Super Heavy booster, known as Booster 12. After liftoff, the booster performed a series of precise maneuvers to guide itself back to the launch site. The booster was caught by a pair of mechanical arms—often referred to as “chopsticks”—mounted on the launch tower. About seven minutes after liftoff, the arms closed around the top of the booster, just below its grid fins, successfully completing the first-ever “catch” of a returning booster.

Final phases of Flight 5 Booster 12 catch as seen from the top of SpaceX’s second Starship tower at Starbase. [Credit: @SpaceX]
SpaceX officials expressed excitement over the achievement, which is critical for the company’s vision of rapid reflight capability. The ability to land the booster directly on the launch pad and prepare it for another flight within days or even hours is a key component of SpaceX’s goal to make space travel more efficient. “I don’t know what to say!” Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX president and chief operating officer, posted on social media along with a video of the landing, capturing the surprise and enthusiasm following the success.

The mission’s second stage, Starship, flew on a suborbital trajectory, reaching a peak altitude of 212 kilometers before reentering the atmosphere. Unlike the booster, Starship was not intended to be recovered. It performed a controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean, where it exploded several seconds after touchdown. SpaceX noted improvements to Starship’s heatshield from previous flights, which allowed it to survive reentry in better condition.

Super Heavy used its three center Raptor engines to precisely steer into position between the Mechazilla arms. [Credit: SpaceX]
The launch came just hours after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted SpaceX an updated launch license. The revised license, issued after concerns about environmental impacts, allows SpaceX to conduct the next flight—Flight 6—without needing a new authorization. The changes to the license included adjustments to the areas where debris, such as the interstage ring, might land, and an analysis of sonic boom impacts from the returning Super Heavy booster.

The environmental analysis, a requirement for the revised license, determined that there would be no significant impacts from the mission. However, SpaceX is still required to conduct monitoring and take measures to protect the local wildlife surrounding the Boca Chica site. The FAA granted SpaceX the ability to proceed with Flight 6 under the same conditions, but the company must comply with strict regulations, including submitting monitoring data and environmental reports.

[ANS thanks Jeff Foust, SpaceNews.com, for the above information]

The 2024 AMSAT President’s Club coins are here now!
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NASA’s Europa Clipper Embarks on Epic Journey to Explore Alien Ocean World

NASA’s highly anticipated Europa Clipper mission officially launched on Monday, October 14, 2024, embarking on a journey to explore Jupiter’s moon, Europa. The spacecraft lifted off at 12:06 p.m. Eastern Time aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The launch, described by NASA commentator Derrol Nail as unveiling “the mysteries of an enormous ocean lurking beneath the icy crust of Jupiter’s moon Europa,” marks the beginning of an ambitious astrobiology mission.

The Falcon Heavy’s 27 first-stage Merlin engines roared to life as the rocket ascended, with the two side boosters detaching about three minutes into flight. Separation of the second stage occurred shortly afterward, and Europa Clipper was deployed on its interplanetary trajectory nearly an hour later. Mission control successfully established communication with the probe, confirming that the spacecraft’s solar arrays had deployed as planned, signaling a smooth start to its mission.

Artist’s illustration depicts NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft in orbit over Jupiter’s icy moon Europa. [Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech]
Monday’s launch faced a slight delay due to Hurricane Milton, which made landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast last week, forcing NASA to close the Kennedy Space Center temporarily. Originally scheduled for October 10, the launch was pushed back while teams secured Europa Clipper inside a SpaceX hangar near Pad 39A. This marked the 11th Falcon Heavy launch and only the second time the rocket has been used for an interplanetary mission.

The Europa Clipper mission has faced a long and complex path to the launchpad. Initially, NASA intended to launch the probe using its Space Launch System (SLS), a powerful moon rocket still in development in the mid-2010s. However, repeated delays in the SLS program, along with NASA’s commitment to using the early SLS vehicles for its Artemis moon missions, forced the agency to opt for a commercial alternative. A 2021 budget proposal allowed NASA to choose SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy, though the shift meant the mission’s journey to Jupiter would take nearly six years instead of three.

Europa Clipper’s massive solar arrays have a span of more than 100 feet (30.5 meters) when unfolded. [Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett]
At the heart of the mission is Europa, a moon thought to harbor a vast subsurface ocean beneath its icy crust. Europa has long intrigued scientists as one of the best places in the solar system to search for signs of life. However, NASA emphasizes that Europa Clipper’s mission is not to find life directly but to assess the moon’s habitability. The spacecraft, carrying a suite of nine science instruments, will study the composition of Europa’s ocean, investigate its icy shell, and look for any signs of recent activity.

After a journey of nearly six years, Europa Clipper is expected to enter orbit around Jupiter in April 2030, where it will begin an extended series of flybys of Europa. Over the course of its mission, the probe will make close passes to the moon, gathering data that could inform future missions, including a potential lander. The mission is set to conclude in 2034, with NASA planning to crash Europa Clipper into Jupiter’s moon Ganymede to avoid contaminating Europa’s pristine environment.

[ANS thanks Josh Dinner, Space.com for the above information]

European Spacecraft Launches to Investigate NASA’s Asteroid Defense Test

A European spacecraft, along with two CubeSats, has launched to investigate the aftermath of NASA’s first planetary defense mission, known as DART. The European Space Agency’s Hera mission took off on October 7, 2024, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. The mission aims to study the consequences of NASA’s 2022 mission, which deliberately crashed a spacecraft into the asteroid Dimorphos, changing its orbit.

The Hera mission, slated to arrive at Dimorphos and its larger companion asteroid Didymos in 2026, is expected to offer a detailed “crash scene investigation,” according to European scientists. NASA’s DART mission had tested whether a kinetic impact, or crashing a spacecraft into a celestial body at high speeds, could alter the object’s trajectory. While neither asteroid poses a threat to Earth, Dimorphos was chosen for the experiment because of its size, which is comparable to asteroids that could potentially be hazardous in the future.

Hera’s main spacecraft undergoes vibration testing at ESA’s ESTEC Test Centre in the Netherlands. [Credit: ESA/SJM Photography]
Observations following DART’s collision with Dimorphos in September 2022 revealed that the spacecraft succeeded in altering the asteroid’s orbital period by about 32 to 33 minutes. However, many questions remain unanswered, such as whether the impact merely left a crater or completely reshaped Dimorphos. The Hera mission is tasked with solving these mysteries by providing detailed data on the structure and composition of both asteroids, which will further refine planetary defense strategies.

Hera is scheduled to reach the Didymos system in late 2026, after a mid-March 2025 flyby of Mars to gain the necessary momentum. During the flyby, Hera will test its suite of instruments and observe Mars’ moon Deimos, capturing data that will support Japan’s upcoming Martian Moons eXploration mission. Once Hera arrives at the Didymos system, it will spend six weeks conducting surveys of both asteroids, using a variety of instruments to study their shapes, masses, and thermal properties.

The Milani CubeSat will perform close-up mineral prospecting of the Dimorphos asteroid and survey its surrounding dust. [Credit: ESA]
Hera will also release two CubeSats, Juventas and Milani, to conduct more specific investigations. Juventas will use radar to probe the interior of Dimorphos, while Milani will study the mineral composition and dust environment of both asteroids. These CubeSats will communicate their findings to Hera and relay the data back to Earth, providing scientists with unprecedented insights into the double-asteroid system.

Ultimately, the Hera mission could end with experimental landings on either Didymos or Dimorphos, further extending its ability to study the asteroids up close. Scientists hope the data collected will deepen understanding of how asteroid deflection technology can be used to protect Earth from future threats. As Patrick Michel, principal investigator of the Hera mission, noted, while DART was a success, Hera will complete the story by offering crucial details that could inspire future planetary defense initiatives.

[ANS thanks Ashley Strickland, CNN, 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 October 18, 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/.

The following satellites have been added to this week’s AMSAT TLE distribution:
DORA NORAD Cat ID 61502 IARU coordinated downlink 436.825 MHz
CySat-1 NORAD Cat ID 61501 IARU coordinated downlink 436.375 MHz

[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

Istituto Comprensivo “Elena Lucrezua Corner”, Fossò, Italy, direct via IQ3RW
The ISS callsign was OR4ISS
The scheduled crewmember was Sunita Williams KD5PLB
The ARISS mentor was IZ2GOJ
Contact was successful for: Fri 2024-10-18 09:09:46 UTC

Colegio Cervantes, Torreon. Mexico, Telebridge via K6DUE
The ISS callsign was NA1SS
The scheduled crewmember was Don Pettit KD5MDT
The ARISS mentor was VE3TBD
Contact was successful for: Fri 2024-10-18 16:59:43 UTC

TEACH-NW Charter School, Springfield, OR, direct via KJ7NLL
The ISS callsign was NA1SS
The scheduled crewmember was Sunita Williams KD5PLB
The ARISS mentor was N7GZT
Contact was successful for: Fri 2024-10-18 18:27:52 UTC
Watch for Livestream at https://www.youtube.com/live/Yarcl0FgiA4?t=1860s

+ Upcoming Contacts

The Robert Drake Primary School, Essex, UK, telebridge via K6DUE
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be TBD
The scheduled crewmember is Sunita Williams KD5PLB
The ARISS mentor is MØXTD
Contact is go for: Mon 2024-10-21 09:42:16 UTC

Ceip San Ignacio Del Viar, Alcalá Del Rio, Spain, direct via EG7SIV
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS
The scheduled crewmember is Don Pettit KD5MDT
The ARISS mentor is IK0USO
Contact is go for: Mon 2024-10-21 11:33:54 UTC

Magnet Innovation Center, Inlet Beach, FL, direct via WD9GIU
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS
The scheduled crewmember is Nick Hague KG5TMV
The ARISS mentor is AA4KN
Contact is go for: Thu 2024-10-24 15:23:10 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

Guyana: Aldir, PY1SAD (ZZ1M), operates from Georgetown as 8R1TM between  Oct. 12 and Nov. 24 on 160-10m (CW, SSB, digital modes) and via satellites. QSL via LoTW, eQSL, qrz.com. (From DXNL 2427 – October 9, 2024)

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,

AMSAT Ambassadors delight in spreading the word regarding AMSAT and satellite operations. Think a lively, informative – and FUN – 60-75-minute presentation would be appropriate for YOUR members?

I have three Zoom presentations coming up: Southern CA, Maine, and Germany (!).

175 presentations so far … and each is customized to my audiences. NEVER have I given the exact same show twice! Between 20 and 26 “slides” are unique to each presentation.

Clint Bradford K6LCS
AMSAT Ambassador
ARRL Affiliated Club Coordinator, Legacy Circle member
Work-Sat.com
+01 951-533-4984 (cell)

Pacificon 2024, ARRL Pacific Division Conference – October 18th thru 20th, 2024
San Ramon Marriott
2600 Bishop Drive
San Ramon, CA  94583
https://www.pacificon.org/

WU0I

2024 AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting – October 25th thru 27th, 2024
Doubletree by Hilton Tampa Rocky Point Waterfront
3050 N Rocky Point Drive West
Tampa, FL 33607
https://www.amsat.org/

SmallSat Education Conference – October 26th thru 27th, 2024
AMF Center for Space Education, Kennedy Space Center – Visitor Center
M6-306 405 State Road
Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899
http://www.smallsateducation.org

Fredric Raab, KK6NOW, will be presenting “Classroom Activities with the AMSAT CubeSat Simulator” showcasing the work by the CubeSatSim Educational Materials Team: Paul Graveline (sk), K1YUB, Alan Johnston, KU2Y, Fredric Raab, KK6NOW, Mark Samis, KD2XS and David White, WD6DRI.

Stone Mountain Hamfest, ARRL State Convention – November 2nd and 3rd, 2024
Gwinnett County Fairgrounds
2405 Sugarloaf Parkway
Lawrenceville, GA 30042
https://stonemountainhamfest.com/

K4RGK

Oro Valley Amateur Radio Club – November 9th, 2024
Marana Middle School
11285 West Grier Road
Marana, AZ 85653
https://www.tucsonhamradio.org/copy-of-hamfest-2022

N1UW

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

+ On October 4, United Launch Alliance (ULA) successfully launched its second Vulcan rocket, despite one of the solid-propellant strap-on boosters encountering an anomaly 37 seconds after liftoff. The booster emitted sparks and debris, but the rocket continued its ascent and reached orbit. This mission is part of the certification process for the Vulcan rocket, which will soon carry national security payloads for the U.S. Space Force and the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). ULA included a dummy payload and technology experiments to gather data and validate the rocket’s performance. The booster issue is under investigation, but the key mission objectives were met, according to ULA CEO Tory Bruno. The Vulcan rocket, powered by Blue Origin’s BE-4 engines, will replace ULA’s Delta 4 and Atlas 5 rockets, positioning the company for future success in the competitive space market. (ANS thanks Spaceflight Now for the above information)

+ Four astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) are awaiting their return as mission managers monitor unfavorable weather conditions off the coast of Florida. The Crew-8 mission, which includes NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, Mike Barratt, and Jeanette Epps, along with Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin, is nearing its conclusion after seven months in space. While they prepare for their journey home, the crew spent the week relaxing and engaging in pre-departure activities. A weather briefing occurred on Wednesday, October 16, at 11 a.m. EDT, assessing conditions for their splashdown. Mission managers are now targeting a new undocking time of no earlier than 3:05 a.m. EDT on Sunday, October 20. (ANS thanks SciTechDaily for the above information)

+ The FAA authorized SpaceX to resume Falcon 9 flights on October 11, following a suspension caused by an upper stage anomaly during the Crew-9 mission on September 28. The anomaly occurred when the Merlin engine burned 500 milliseconds longer than planned, resulting in reentry outside its designated zone. SpaceX conducted an investigation, and the FAA approved their corrective actions, though neither disclosed specific details of the findings. A special exception had been made for the European Space Agency’s Hera mission on October 7, as it posed no public safety risk. With the issue resolved, Falcon 9 operations fully resumed on October 15. SpaceX marked its return with a double Starlink mission, launching from both Vandenberg and Cape Canaveral on the same day. (ANS thanks SpaceNews for the above information)

+ Following Hurricane Helene, T-Mobile and Starlink activated their satellite texting service in preparation for Hurricane Milton to ensure Florida residents could stay connected despite potential cellular outages. After the Federal Communications Commission granted emergency approval, the service enabled T-Mobile users to send and receive basic texts, including 911 messages, even if the network went down. Starlink’s Direct to Cell satellites were also employed to send emergency alerts to all phones and carriers in the affected areas. Users could determine if their phone connected to a Starlink satellite by the presence of one to two bars of signal and the network name displaying “T-Mobile SpaceX.” The satellite service worked best outdoors or near windows, although users sometimes had to retry sending messages if they didn’t go through on the first attempt. SpaceX has also delivered over 10,000 Starlink kits in response to Hurricane Helene, as part of ongoing recovery efforts. (ANS thanks Engadget 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-273 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

by

In this edition:

* AMSAT-UK to Provide FUNcube Lite Payload for Jovian-1 Satellite
* AMSAT-EA HADES-R and HADES-ICM planned for Q1 2025
* NASA Gears Up for Europa Clipper Mission to Jupiter’s Icy Moon
* Artificial Star Mission Aims to Help Unlock Secrets of the Universe
* GridMasterMap Satellite Top 100 Rovers October 2024 Rankings
* Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for September 27, 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-273 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 Sep 29

The 42nd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting will be held on Friday through Saturday, October 25-26, 2024
DoubleTree by Hilton Tampa Rocky Point Waterfront in Tampa, Florida. Click Here to Register Now

Rooms can be reserved at https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/radioamateursatellite/
If you’re interested in presenting or submitting a paper, see the Call for Papers webpage

AMSAT-UK to Provide FUNcube Lite Payload for Jovian-1 Satellite

AMSAT-UK has announced it will provide a FUNcube Lite payload for the Jovian-1 satellite, featuring a U/V FM voice transponder. Jovian-1, a 6U CubeSat, is being developed by Space South Central, a space cluster in the UK. The project is a collaboration between industry and academic institutions aimed at supporting the region’s space sector.

Jovian-1 is part of the JUPITER program, which stands for Joint Universities Programme for In-Orbit Training, Education, and Research. The program involves the universities of Surrey, Portsmouth, and Southampton and offers students direct experience in the space sector. JUPITER prepares participants for careers in space, with a focus on practical training in satellite design and operations.

The FUNcube Lite payload will collect telemetry data from the satellite’s subsystems, including radiation sensor readings and GPS information. The data will be transmitted to schools and colleges using the FUNcube data format. This will help track radiation levels across the satellite’s orbit and assess radiation effects on onboard electronics.

Space South Central students will have the opportunity to design and launch the Jovian-1 satellite. [Credit: Space South Central]
Students from Space South Central will design, build, test, and launch the Jovian-1 satellite. The satellite will use commercial S and X bands for its main communication, through a ground station at Surrey University. The FUNcube Lite payload will operate on UHF and VHF amateur radio frequencies. When not gathering telemetry, it can switch to a U/V mode FM voice transponder, enabling communication for radio amateurs.

The project emphasizes the role of regional space clusters in advancing the UK space industry. Space South Central represents over 170 space-related businesses in the region. The mission allows students to conduct satellite operations from the University of Surrey’s ground station, bridging academic study with hands-on experience.

More information about the Jovian-1 mission and the FUNcube Lite payload will be shared at the AMSAT-UK Colloquium on October 12-13, 2024. The event will provide detailed updates on the satellite’s development and its technical components, offering insights for anyone interested in amateur radio and satellite communications.

For more information:

[ANS thanks Dave Johnson, G4DPZ, Honorary Secretary, AMSAT-UK , for the above information]

AMSAT-EA HADES-R and HADES-ICM planned for Q1 2025

AMSAT-EA has announced the upcoming launch of two new satellites, HADES-R and HADES-ICM, which will be made available to radio amateurs in early 2025. These satellites are set to replace the current HADES-D (SO-121) satellite in orbit. Unlike HADES-D, which transmits at a power level of 40mW, the new satellites will have variable transmission power, reaching up to theoretical 250mW when fully charged.

The HADES-R and HADES-ICM satellites, classified as 1.5p pocketQubes, will be launched by SpaceX on its Transporter-12 and Transporter-13 missions. The launches will utilize D-Orbit’s ION orbital transfer vehicle (OTV), with mission management provided by Alba Orbital, a Scottish company specializing in satellite launch solutions. As with previous AMSAT-EA projects, these satellites have been developed with the support of private companies and universities.

Both satellites will support a wide range of communications capabilities, including FM voice, FSK, FT-4, and FT-8 modes. They will also be equipped to handle AX.25/APRS communications at both 300 and 1200 bps. The uplink for the satellites will be in the VHF band, while the downlink will operate in the UHF band. Additionally, the satellites will transmit telemetry data, including status updates, voice messages, and CW messages. All communications will be managed through an SDR-based FM and FSK repeater, which will be available at all times, activated by squelch level without the need for a subtone.

In addition to their primary communications functions, both satellites will carry a scientific experiment from the Smart IR/Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC) at the University of Manchester. This experiment will test a very low-power active radiator under space conditions. HADES-ICM has received sponsorship from IcMercury (Interstellar Communication Holdings), based in Florida, and will feature several challenge messages embedded within the FSK telemetry. While the HADES-R satellite has already been coordinated by the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU), HADES-ICM is still pending approval.

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

NASA Gears Up for Europa Clipper Mission to Jupiter’s Icy Moon

NASA is set to launch the Europa Clipper mission, a groundbreaking effort to explore Jupiter’s icy moon, Europa. Slated for liftoff as early as October 10, 2024, the spacecraft will be carried into space by a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The mission aims to uncover the mysteries of Europa’s hidden ocean and assess whether the moon could host conditions favorable for life.

Europa Clipper’s journey will take six years to reach the Jupiter system. Once there, it will enter an orbit around Jupiter, performing dozens of flybys of Europa. The spacecraft’s suite of instruments will probe beneath the moon’s icy shell to study its subsurface ocean. By mapping the moon and investigating its potential habitability, NASA hopes to shed light on one of the most intriguing questions in planetary science: whether life could exist on other worlds.

NASA reported that Europa Clipper passed its pre-launch review on September 9th. [Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett]
The mission is significant because Europa is thought to possess all the ingredients necessary for life. Beneath its thick ice lies a vast, salty ocean, which may contain more water than all of Earth’s oceans combined. The moon’s subsurface environment could offer the energy, liquid water, and organic compounds required to support life. Although Europa is smaller than Earth’s moon, its potential to harbor a habitable environment makes it a prime target for exploration.

To reach Jupiter, Europa Clipper will rely on two gravity assists. In 2025, it will pass within 1,000 kilometers of Mars to adjust its trajectory, followed by a close flyby of Earth in 2026. These maneuvers will boost the spacecraft’s speed and guide it toward the Jupiter system, where it is expected to arrive in 2030. Instead of orbiting Europa directly, the spacecraft will remain in orbit around Jupiter, occasionally dipping into the planet’s intense radiation field for close encounters with Europa.

View of Jupiter’s moon Europa captured by NASA’s Galileo spacecraft. [Credit: NASA/JPL/University of Arizona]
Once in the Jupiter system, Europa Clipper will conduct over 40 flybys of Europa, approaching as close as 25 kilometers above its surface. The spacecraft’s instruments are designed to withstand the harsh radiation environment, with most being housed in a protective radiation vault. Each flyby will gather detailed data, providing new insights into the moon’s ice-covered ocean and the possibility of life beneath its surface.

The spacecraft’s science instruments include ice-penetrating radar to map Europa’s icy shell and magnetic sensors to confirm the presence of its ocean. High-resolution cameras and spectrometers will analyze the moon’s surface and search for water vapor plumes that may erupt from below. Although Europa Clipper is not officially a life-detection mission, it promises to transform our understanding of habitability beyond Earth.

[ANS thanks Kate Howells, The Planetary Society, 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!
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Artificial Star Mission Aims to Help Unlock Secrets of the Universe

NASA is embarking on an ambitious mission that could reshape our understanding of the universe with the help of a small, human-made satellite. Researchers at George Mason University are leading a $19.5 million NASA-funded project to launch an “artificial star” into space. The goal of this satellite, once it reaches orbit, is to appear as a star to telescopes on Earth, allowing scientists to gather more precise data on stellar brightness. The mission could unlock critical insights into the age, size, and scale of stars, offering fresh clues about the expansion of the universe and even the potential for extraterrestrial life.

The so-called artificial star will be positioned in geostationary orbit, approximately 22,236 miles from Earth. While it won’t be visible to the naked eye, telescopes will be able to track the satellite as it moves at the same speed as Earth’s rotation, staying positioned over the U.S. Named in honor of the late astronomer Arlo Landolt, known for his work in stellar calibration, the satellite will spend its first year in space using advanced technology to monitor the brightness of millions of stars. This will allow astronomers to refine existing models for measuring stellar evolution and the universe’s expansion.

NASA’s Landolt mission will help researchers study star brightness. [Credit: George Mason University]
Equipped with a sophisticated array of lasers, the satellite will serve as a controlled reference point for researchers on Earth. It will enhance the accuracy of brightness measurements, providing data that cannot be gathered from ground-based telescopes alone. According to Peter Plavchan, the primary investigator of the Landolt NASA Space Mission at George Mason, this mission represents a breakthrough in how stars and even distant supernovae are studied. “Such measurements can only be achieved by a space-based orbiting artificial star,” Plavchan said.

The mission, part of NASA’s Pioneers program, marks a significant milestone for George Mason University. This is the university’s first time leading such a mission, with NASA providing oversight and key technical support. George Mason is collaborating with the National Institute of Standards and Technology and 10 other universities to develop the satellite, which will face significant engineering challenges in high orbit. “Our team will design, build, and integrate the payload,” said Peter Pachowicz, an engineering professor at George Mason. “It’s an incredibly exciting opportunity.”

Astronomer Arlo Landolt had compiled widely used catalogs of stellar brightness. [Credit: NOIRLab]
One of the broader goals of the Landolt mission is to contribute to the search for habitable planets. By analyzing how stars influence planetary environments, the satellite could help scientists better understand where in the universe conditions might be suitable for life. Astronomers are particularly interested in so-called habitable or “Goldilocks” zones, where planets could have the right conditions—neither too hot nor too cold—to support liquid water, a key ingredient for life. Understanding how stars affect these zones is essential to identifying planets that may harbor life.

While the mission has the potential to revolutionize the field of astronomy, it also poses big challenges. Finding definitive evidence of life beyond Earth requires precise measurements of stellar properties, such as how much energy a star emits and how close a planet is to that star. “There are so many big questions in astronomy: How did we get here? Are there other planets like ours? Do aliens exist?” said Jamie Tayar, an astronomer at the University of Florida, a partner in the mission. With the launch of the artificial star planned for 2029, the team hopes to get one step closer to answering these profound questions.

[ANS thanks Eric Lagatta, USA Today, for the above information]

GridMasterMap Satellite Top 100 Rovers October 2024 Rankings

The October 2024 rankings for the Top 100 Rovers (Mixed LEO/MEO/GEO) in satellite operations, as determined by @GridMasterMap on Twitter, has been released. The ranking is determined by the number of grids and DXCC entities activated, taking into account only those grids where a minimum number of QSOs logged on the gridmaster.fr website have been validated by a third party. Grid numbers do not directly reflect the exact number of activations. Satellite operators are encouraged to upload their LoTW satellite contacts to https://gridmaster.fr in order to provide more accurate data.

Updated: 2024-09-27

1 ND9M 26 KX9X 51 N6DNM 76 LU4JVE
2 NJ7H 27 ON4AUC 52 JK2XXK 77 AA8CH
3 JA9KRO 28 KG5CCI 53 EB1AO 78 VE1VOX
4 UT1FG 29 N5BO 54 SM3NRY 79 FG8OJ
5 N5UC 30 K8BL 55 EA4NF 80 PT9BM
6 DL6AP 31 KE4AL 56 JL3RNZ 81 KJ7NDY
7 OE3SEU 32 KB5FHK 57 XE1ET 82 KI7UXT
8 WI7P 33 VE3HLS 58 AA5PK 83 YU0W
9 DP0POL 34 KI0KB 59 DF2ET 84 KB2YSI
10 K5ZM 35 KI7UNJ 60 KI7QEK 85 N6UTC
11 N6UA 36 LA9XGA 61 SP5XSD 86 WA9JBQ
12 HA3FOK 37 F4BKV 62 F4DXV 87 N4DCW
13 WY7AA 38 PA3GAN 63 AD7DB 88 JM1CAX
14 N9IP 39 JO2ASQ 64 VE1CWJ 89 VE3GOP
15 W5PFG 40 N7AGF 65 KE9AJ 90 N0TEL
16 AK8CW 41 BA1PK 66 N8RO 91 KG4AKV
17 DL2GRC 42 VK5DG 67 VA7LM 92 K6VHF
18 AD0DX 43 XE3DX 68 KM4LAO 93 K0FFY
19 F5VMJ 44 KE0WPA 69 W1AW 94 CU2ZG
20 N4AKV 45 PR8KW 70 W8LR 95 VE7PTN
21 WD9EWK 46 K7TAB 71 N4UFO 96 AF5CC
22 ND0C 47 KE0PBR 72 DL4EA 97 VE6WK
23 AD0HJ 48 VA3VGR 73 HB9GWJ 98 W8MTB
24 LU5ILA 49 AC0RA 74 PT2AP 99 DK9JC
25 DJ8MS 50 W7WGC 75 M1DDD 100 BG7QIW

[ANS thanks @GridMasterMap 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 September 27, 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/.

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

[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

Amur State University, Blagoveshchensk, Russia, direct via RKØJ
The ISS callsign was RSØISS
The scheduled crewmember was Ivan Vagner
The ARISS mentor is RV3DR
Contact was successful for: Tue 2024-09-24 09:24 UTC

Tatarstan, Russia, direct via TBD
The ISS callsign was RSØISS
The scheduled crewmember was Aleksey Ovchinin
The ARISS mentor is RV3DR
Contact is successful for: Fri 2024-09-27 13:20 UTC

Khazar University, Dunya School, Baku, Azerbaijan, direct via 4K6EH
The ISS callsign was OR4ISS
The scheduled crewmember was Sunita Williams KD5PLB
The ARISS mentor is IN3GHZ
Contact was successful for: Sat 2024-09-28 09:13:29 UTC

+ Upcoming Contacts

СОНКО АНО “Clean and Simple” and the Cultural and Leisure Center “Flying Saucer”, Shchyolkovo, 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 Fri 2024-10-04 10:50 UTC

Girlguiding Surrey West County, Shepperton, UK, direct via GB4GGB
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS
The scheduled crewmember is Sunita Williams KD5PLB
The ARISS mentor is MØXTD
Contact is go for: Sat 2024-10-05 13:06:22 UTC
Watch for Livestream at https://live.ariss.org/

Centre de Formation de la Base Aérienne de Payerne, Payerne, Switzerland, direct via HB9SPACE
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS
The scheduled crewmember is Mike Barratt KD5MIJ
The ARISS mentor is IN3GHZ
Contact is go for: Sat 2024-10-05 14:44:48 UTC

213 RCSCC Qu’Appelle (Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corp), Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, telebridge via K6DUE
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS
The scheduled crewmember is Jeanette Epps KF5QNU
The ARISS mentor is VE6JBJ
Contact is go for: 2024-10-05 16:06:05 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). APRS is currently online, but may be impacted for an experiment in the Service Module after September 27th.

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 listed.

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,

Just completed presenting my satellite show to the Sandton Amateur Radio Club in South Africa – via Zoom. And what a marvelous group they are! Keith ZS6HI was my contact. Great questions throughout from the Zoom audience. From Keith: “Thank you very much Clint and Karen. Wonderful presentation. You did a lot of research and preparation to put a South African spin on the presentation and spent effort on learning about the SARL, Sandton Club and South African Amateur Radio community beforehand.” “SARL” is South Africa’s “ARRL.” And there is an active AMSAT Chapter there, too!

That was Presentation Number 175 … more are scheduled! Think a lively, informative, and fun presentation on working the “easy” satellites with minimal equipment would be appropriate for your club or convention?

Clint Bradford K6LCS
AMSAT Ambassador
ARRL Affiliated Club Coordinator, benefactor
work-sat.com
909-999-SATS (909-999-7287)

North Star Radio Convention – October 5th, 2024
Hennepin Technical College (North Campus)
9000 Brooklyn Boulevard
Brooklyn Park, MN 55445
https://conv2023.tcfmc.org/

AMSAT Forum and Information Table / KØJM and ADØHJ

Central Kentucky Hamfest – October 5th, 2024
Highlands Baptist Church
2032 Parallel Road
Lexington, KY 40502
https://www.facebook.com/w9khz/

AMSAT and Educational Satellites Forum and Information Table / AI4SR and W4FCL

Radio Society of Tucson – October 5th, 2024
Calvary Tucson Church
8711 East Speedway Boulevard
Tucson AZ 85710
https://k7rst.club/2024/07/tucson-autumn-ham-fest-2024/

N1UW

Pacificon 2024, ARRL Pacific Division Conference – October 18th thru 20th, 2024
San Ramon Marriott
2600 Bishop Drive
San Ramon, CA  94583
https://www.pacificon.org/

WU0I

2024 AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting – October 25th thru 27th, 2024
Doubletree by Hilton Tampa Rocky Point Waterfront
3050 N Rocky Point Drive West
Tampa, FL 33607
https://www.amsat.org/

Stone Mountain Hamfest, ARRL State Convention – November 2nd and 3rd, 2024
Gwinnett County Fairgrounds
2405 Sugarloaf Parkway
Lawrenceville, GA 30042
https://stonemountainhamfest.com/

K4RGK

Oro Valley Amateur Radio Club – November 9th, 2024
Marana Middle School
11285 West Grier Road
Marana, AZ 85653
https://www.tucsonhamradio.org/copy-of-hamfest-2022

N1UW

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

+  Congratulations are in order for Jerry Oliver, KJ4EU for his impressive accomplishments in earning GridMaster Award #70! This esteemed recognition, initiated by Star Comm Group in 2014 and backed by Damon Runion, WA4HFN, and Rick Tillman, WA4NVM, has now been entrusted to AMSAT for the benefit of the entire amateur satellite community. The GridMaster Award celebrates radio amateurs worldwide who achieve two-way communication via amateur satellite with operators in all 488 Maidenhead grids across the contiguous United States of America. For more details on this distinguished award, visit the AMSAT website at https://www.amsat.org/gridmaster/. Jerry, your achievement is truly commendable—well done! (ANS thanks Bruce Paige, KK5DO, AMSAT Director of Contests and Awards for the above information)

+ Congratulations to Nina Riethmueller, DL2GRC, for her outstanding achievements in providing satellite contacts! Nina has roved an impressive 102 grid squares, earning her the AMSAT VUCC/r Award #18. 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 Nina. 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, Nina, 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)

+ NASA’s Voyager 1 spacecraft, which has been in space since 1977, recently experienced issues with its thrusters due to clogged fuel tubes caused by aging. The thrusters, which are essential for keeping the spacecraft pointed toward Earth, use liquid hydrazine that releases in puffs to adjust its orientation. Engineers discovered that one set of thrusters had become clogged with silicon dioxide from the spacecraft’s fuel tank, necessitating a switch to a different set. However, due to power and temperature constraints, turning on the replacement thrusters required careful planning. The team successfully activated non-essential heaters to warm up the thrusters, making the switch on August 27, 2024. This complex operation ensures Voyager 1 can continue its mission, providing valuable data from interstellar space despite its advanced age and limited power. (ANS thanks NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory for the above information)

+ The International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) recently reached a milestone, processing its 1,000th satellite frequency coordination request. This achievement underscores the IARU’s essential role in managing radio frequencies for amateur satellites, ensuring optimal performance and minimal interference with terrestrial services. Since the late 1990s, the IARU’s Satellite Frequency Coordination Panel has collaborated with satellite developers and regulators to facilitate successful amateur communication and educational satellite missions. The rise of CubeSats and the drop in launch costs have increased the demand for careful spectrum management. The dedication of IARU volunteers and the global amateur radio community has made this possible, ensuring continued opportunities for education, communication, and scientific research. As Earth’s orbit becomes more crowded, the IARU’s work in frequency coordination will remain critical for future missions. (ANS thanks IARU for the above information)

+ NASA astronaut Tracy C. Dyson, along with Roscosmos cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub, successfully returned to Earth on September 23, after landing in Kazakhstan aboard the Soyuz MS-25 spacecraft. Dyson spent 184 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of Expeditions 70 and 71, completing 2,944 orbits and covering 78 million miles. Chub and Kononenko, who spent 374 days in space, returned after an extensive mission spanning 5,984 orbits and 158.6 million miles. Notably, Kononenko set a record with over 1,111 cumulative days in space across five missions. The crew undocked from the ISS’s Prichal module before their parachute-assisted landing southeast of Dzhezkazgan, Kazakhstan. Following their recovery, Dyson returned to Houston, while Kononenko and Chub headed to Star City, Russia, for post-mission procedures. (ANS thanks SciTechDaily for the above information)

+ SpaceX is preparing for a historic test flight of its Starship megarocket, aiming to catch its Super Heavy booster using the “chopstick” arms of the launch tower. This innovative recovery method, practiced at the Starbase site in South Texas, could dramatically reduce refurbishment times compared to traditional landing methods. The company recently showcased these preparations, lifting the booster to its expected catch height. Starship’s fifth test flight, slated for late November 2024, follows previous launches where performance has steadily improved. Despite SpaceX’s readiness, regulatory delays from the FAA have pushed the launch timeline. SpaceX has expressed frustration with the regulatory process, citing concerns about the pace of environmental impact reviews and modifications assessments. (ANS thanks Space.com for the above information)

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

In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to:

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

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

73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space!

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

ANS-266 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

by

In this edition:

* Registration Continues for the 42nd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium
* AMSAT Symposium Call for Papers
* Results of the 2024 AMSAT Board of Directors Election
* MESAT1 Telemetry and Testing-Update
* GreenCube (IO-117) Ceases Functioning Due to Radiation Damage
* Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution
* 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-266 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 Sept. 22

Registration Continues for the 42nd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium & Annual General Meeting

The 42nd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting will be held on Friday through Saturday, October 25-26, 2024, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Tampa Rocky Point Waterfront in Tampa, Florida.

Highlights of all scheduled events include:

  • AMSAT Board of Directors Meeting, October 24-25
  • 42nd AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting, October 25-26
  • Friday Night Social and Auction, October 25
  • AMSAT Banquet and Reception, October 26
  • AMSAT Ambassador Breakfast (all are welcome), October 27

Note – if you wish to register guests for the banquet and/or breakfast who are not attending the Symposium sessions, you must register for each event separately and include your guests with your banquet and breakfast tickets.

If you are interested in presenting or submitting a paper for inclusion in the Symposium Proceedings, please see the Call for Papers.

IMPORTANT: The deadline for Symposium registrations if you want to include the Saturday evening banquet or Sunday breakfast is Friday, October 18th. Meals cannot be ordered after that date.

Click Here to Register Now

Hotel Reservations

The rate for a standard room with two Queen beds is $169.00 plus state and local taxes of 14.5%. Rooms may be available for check-in on Wednesday, October 23 and check out Sunday, October 27.

Rooms can be reserved at https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/radioamateursatellite/.

Reservations may also be made by phone at 813-888-8800. Reference AMSAT to receive the group rate.

Note: If you are planning on driving to the Symposium or renting a car, parking charges are $20 per night for overnight parking. 

We, at AMSAT, are excited to be able to host our 42nd annual Symposium this year. We hope that you can join us in celebrating Amateur Radio in Space.

Schedule

Thursday, October 24, 2024

8:00 AM – 6:00 PM AMSAT Board Meeting
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Pre-Registration Check-in

Friday, October 25, 2024

8:00 AM – 12:00 Noon AMSAT Board Meeting (Closed Session)
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM Registration
1:00 PM – 1:15 PM AMSAT Symposium Kickoff, President’s Welcome
1:15 PM – 5:00 PM Paper Sessions
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM Informal Dinner on your own
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM AMSAT Reception and Auction, Cash Bar Available

Saturday, October 26, 2024

8:00 AM – 11:45 AM Registration
8:00 AM – 8:15 AM AMSAT Symposium Welcome
8:15 AM – 12:00 Noon Paper Sessions
1:00 PM – 3:15 PM Paper Sessions
3:30 PM – 4:45 PM AMSAT Annual Meeting & Awards Ceremony
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Attitude Adjustment (Social), Cash Bar
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM AMSAT Banquet, Cash Bar

Sunday, October 27, 2024

7:30 AM – 9:00 AM AMSAT Ambassador Breakfast (All are welcome)

[ANS thanks the AMSAT Symposium Committee for the above information]

AMSAT Symposium Call for Papers

Papers continue to be accepted for the 42nd annual AMSAT Space Symposium to be held on the weekend of October 25-27, 2024 at the Doubletree by Hilton Tampa Rocky Point Waterfront in Tampa, Florida.

Proposals for symposium papers and presentations are invited on any topic of interest to the amateur satellite community. We request a tentative title of your presentation as soon as possible, with final copy submitted by October 18 for inclusion in the symposium proceedings. Abstracts and papers should be sent to Dan Schultz, N8FGV at [email protected]

[ANS thanks Dan Schultz, N8FGV, AMSAT Symposium Proceedings Editor for the above information]

2024 Coins Are Still Available!
Help Support GOLF and Fox Plus.

Join the AMSAT President’s Club today!

 

Results of the 2024 AMSAT Board of Directors Election

The 2024 AMSAT Board of Directors Election period ended on September 15, 2024.

As a result of the election, Mark Hammond, N8MH, Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, and Bruce Paige, KK5DO, have been duly elected to a two-year term on the Board of Directors. Douglas Tabor, N6UA, and Frank Karnauskas, N1UW, will serve as alternate directors for a term of one year.

The results of the voting with 375 ballots cast are as follows:
Mark Hammond, N8MH 295
Paul Stoetzer, N8HM 276
Bruce Paige, KK5DO 223
Douglas Tabor, N6UA 163
Frank Karnauskas, N1UW 111

The membership of the AMSAT Board of Directors for 2024-2025 is:

Barry Baines, WD4ASW
Jerry Buxton, NØJY
Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA
Mark Hammond, N8MH
Zach Metzinger, NØZGO
Bruce Paige, KK5DO
Paul Stoetzer, N8HM
Douglas Tabor, N6UA (1st Alternate)
Frank Karnauskas, N1UW (2nd Alternate)

Thank you all for participating in this year’s election process.

[ANS thanks Jeff Davis, KE9V, AMSAT Secretary, for the above information]

MESAT1 Telemetry and Testing-Update

The MESAT1 Command and Commissioning Teams wish to thank all that have routinely or even occasionally collected telemetry from MESAT1. Thanks to these reports, the teams are able to make informed and timely decisions about what/when/why/how to do next steps in collaborating with the satellite owners to help with their primary mission. Much is being learned about this new satellite–the University of Maine’s first Cubesat–and AMSAT’s linear transponder onboard. All of the lessons learned will help inform future missions that carry the Linear Transponder Module (or LTM) and the Golf series of satellites. Reports about transponder activities are very helpful, as well.

MESAT 1 [University of Maine]

Amateurs are encouraged to visit this link to see in detail all of the callsigns that have contributed to telemetry collection thus far. It’s a lot of stations, all around the world:
https://www.amsat.org/tlm/leaderboard.php?id=10&db=FOXDB&show=all&period=100

Please continue to collect telemetry! We continue to work on taking and downloading earth images from their cameras. In recent days, we are having the satellite send image blocks both in the mornings and evenings. We expect that to continue in the near future. The transmitter could be on for 5 mins, or perhaps even 10 mins, when over the East coast command stations. Every frame helps us to build an image. Testing is intermittent, but it seems to be more regular right now. When the images aren’t being transmitted, MESAT1 is in SAFE mode, sending a couple frames about every 2 minutes. These frames are very important too!

MESAT1 was in HEALTH mode, transmitting telemetry continuously, and the beacon setting is pretty strong as of 11:43z on 19 Sept 2024. The linear transponder was enabled at 0050utc on 20 Sept. 2024. Watch AMSAT-BB for announcements regarding MESAT1 status.

[ANS thanks Mark Hammond, N8MH, AMSAT Director and Command Station 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/

GreenCube (IO-117) Ceases Functioning Due to Radiation Damage

The GreenCube satellite, developed by S5LAB, has likely ceased functioning due to radiation damage. After a successful mission that exceeded expectations, the satellite is no longer responding to commands, and its onboard radio is believed to have been compromised by the harsh radiation environment in Medium Earth Orbit (MEO).

Approximately ten days ago, GreenCube experienced a reboot, and telemetry data from the event did not indicate any anomalies. However, the S5LAB team now suspects that the satellite’s radio was damaged, leading to the current communication blackout. MEO is notoriously challenging for satellites due to its high radiation levels, and GreenCube was not the only satellite affected. Several other CubeSats launched alongside it only lasted a few days, making GreenCube’s extended mission duration a remarkable achievement.

Despite ongoing efforts to send commands and reactivate the satellite, the team remains pessimistic about restoring GreenCube’s functionality. The satellite’s survival in the hostile MEO environment is seen as a testament to its robust design, but the likelihood of recovery is slim.

At this time, no successor to GreenCube is planned, primarily due to the infrequency of launch opportunities to MEO. Launches to this orbit are rare, which complicates the prospect of future missions.

In response to the satellite’s success and the interest it generated among radio amateurs, S5LAB has promised to host a webinar in collaboration with AMSAT Italia. The event will provide insights into the GreenCube mission, sharing the challenges and triumphs of the satellite’s journey. This is an opportunity for the amateur radio community to learn more about the satellite’s impact and the technical details behind its impressive mission.

While GreenCube’s operational life may have ended, its contributions to satellite technology and amateur radio will be remembered as a significant milestone.

[Information from Piero IØKPT via Facebooks Greencube Group]

[ANS thanks AMSAT-UK 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 20 September

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/

No changes have been announced for this week.

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

ARISS NEWS

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

ARISS News

RECENTLY COMPLETED:
Kordylewski Youth Astronomical Observatory in Niepołomice, Niepołomice, Poland, direct via SP9MOA
The ISS callsign was OR4ISS
The crewmember was Matthew Dominick KCØTOR
The ARISS mentor was SP3QFE
Contact successful: Thu 2024-09-19 16:18:02 UTC 53 degrees elevation

Sailing Event, Moscow, Russia, direct via TBD
The ISS callsign was RSØISS
The crewmember was Aleksandr Grebyonkin RZ3DSE
The ARISS mentor was RV3DR
Contact successful: Sat 2024-09-21 16:25 UTC

UPCOMING:
Amur State University, Blagoveshchensk, Russia, direct via TBD
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS
The scheduled crewmember is Ivan Vagner
The ARISS mentor is RV3DR
Contact is go for Tue 2024-09-24 09:25 UTC

Tatarstan, Russia, direct via TBD
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS
The scheduled crewmember is Aleksey Ovchinin
The ARISS mentor is RV3DR
Contact is go for Fri 2024-09-27 13:20 UTC

Khazar University, Dunya School, Baku, Azerbaijan, direct via 4K6EH
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS
The scheduled crewmember is Matthew Dominick KCØTOR
The ARISS mentor is IN3GHZ
Contact is go for: Sat 2024-09-28 10:50:21 UTC 28 degrees maximum elevation

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

The packet system is currently MISCONFIGURED (145.825 MHz up & down). Ham TV is currently STOWED (2395.00 MHz down). SSTV is currently STOWED (145.800 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 SOYUZ UNDOCKING ON SEP 23.

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 listed.

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.

October 5, 2024
North Star Radio Convention
Hennepin Technical College (North Campus)
Brooklyn Park, Minn.
https://conv2023.tcfmc.org/
AMSAT Forum and Information Table
KØJM and ADØHJ

October 5, 2024
Radio Society of Tucson
Calvary Tucson Church
7811 E. Speedway
Tucson, AZ
https://k7rst.club/2024/07/tucson-autumn-ham-fest-2024/
N1UW

October 18-20, 2024
Pacificon 2024, ARRL Pacific Division Conference
San Ramon, CA
WUØI

October 25-27, 2004
AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting
Double Tree Rocky Point Waterfront Hotel
Tampa Bay, FL

November 2-3, 2024
Stone Mountain Hamfest, ARRL State Convention
Stone Mountain, GA
https://stonemountainhamfest.com/
K4RGK

November 9, 2024
Oro Valley Amateur Radio Club
Marana Middle School
11285 West Grier Rd.
Marana, AZ 85653
https://www.tucsonhamradio.org/copy-of-hamfest-2022
N1UW

February 20-22, 2025
Yuma HAMCON
Yuma, AZ
N1UW

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

Satellite Shorts From All Over

+ The AMSAT-UK 2024 Colloquium will take place alongside the RSGB Convention at Kents Hill Park Conference Centre, Milton Keynes, MK7 6BZ on the weekend of 12-13 October 2024. Registration for the event is at https://rsgb.org/main/rsgb-2024-convention/ and a limited number of tickets for the AMSAT banquet are on sale via the AMSAT-UK Online Shop https://shop.amsat-uk.org/. Deadline for presentation proposals is imminent — contact Iain Young, G7III, [email protected], if you have a presentation proposal. (ANS thanks Iain Young, G7III, and AMSAT-UK for the above information.)

+ The FUNcube team are pleased to announce that User Rankings, Realtime Data, and Whole-Orbit Data (WOD) are all now being displayed in FUNcube Data Warehouse after the recent disruption. Access the new site at http://warehouse.funcube.org.uk/. Fitter message display will follow soon as will be the ability to download WOD files. (ANS thanks Dave Johnson, G4DPZ, and the FUNcube Team for the above information.)

+ NASA astronaut Don Pettit, KD5MDT, alongside Soyuz commander Alexey Ovchinin and cosmonaut Ivan Vagner, arrived at the International Space Station Wednesday, September 11 after launching aboard the Roscosmos Soyuz MS-26 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The trio will join NASA astronauts Tracy C. Dyson, Mike Barratt, KD5MIJ, Matthew Dominick, KCØTOR, Jeanette Epps, KF5QNU, Butch Wilmore, and Suni Williams, KD5PLB, as well as Roscosmos cosmonauts Nikolai Chub, Alexander Grebenkin, and Oleg Kononenko, RN3DX. Expedition 72 will begin Monday, Sept. 23, upon the departure of Dyson, Chub, and off-going station commander Kononenko, completing a six-month stay for Dyson and a year-long expedition for Chub and Kononenko. (ANS thanks NASA for the above information.)

+ Registration for the 2024 NASA Space Apps Challenge global hackathon (October 5-6) is open and challenges are online at https://www.spaceappschallenge.org/nasa-space-apps-2024/challenges/. (ANS thanks The Orbital Index and NASA for the above information.)

+ Tracking sleuth Scott Tilley, VE7TIL, has discovered that the orbiter for China’s Chang’e-6 lunar sample return mission is now parked at the second Sun-Earth Lagrange (L2). After delivering the samples to Earth, the orbiter fired its engines to avoid reentering Earth’s atmosphere, setting off on a new trajectory. L2 is located approximately 1.5 million kilometers from Earth, directly on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun. China’s space authorities have yet to provide an update on the orbiter and its plans. However, the Chang’e-6 orbiter’s voyage fits into a pattern of China using Chang’e spacecraft for extended missions as tests for future endeavors. (ANS thanks Space News 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
mjohns [at] amsat.org