August 2009 - AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

Your Own Personal Satellite
by Jeff Davis 04 Aug '09

04 Aug '09

For MUCH less than the price of an IC-7800... "Planet Earth has entered the age of the Personal Satellite with the introduction of Interorbital’s TubeSat Personal Satellite (PS) Kit. The new IOS TubeSat PS Kit is the low-cost alternative to the CubeSat. It has three-quarters of the mass (0.75-kg) and volume of a CubeSat, but still offers plenty of room for most experiments or functions." "And, best of all, the price of the TubeSat kit actually includes the price of a launch into Low-Earth-Orbit on an IOS NEPTUNE 30 launch vehicle. Since the TubeSats are placed into self-decaying orbits 310 kilometers (192 miles) above the Earth’s surface, they do not contribute to any long-term build-up of orbital debris. After a few weeks of operation, they will safely re-enter the atmosphere and burn- up. TubeSats are designed to be orbit-friendly. Launches are expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2010." "Total Price of the TubeSat Kit including a Launch to Orbit is $8,000!" <http://spacefellowship.com/2009/08/01/interorbital-syatems-tubesat-personal… > -- Jeff, KE9V

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Re: FO29 question
by Jim Jerzycke 04 Aug '09

04 Aug '09

It had some problems, but the ground controllers were able to get it working again. IIRC, it was something to do with the batteries, and being eclipsed. Jim KQ6EA --- On Sat, 8/1/09, John Geiger <aa5jg(a)yahoo.com> wrote: From: John Geiger <aa5jg(a)yahoo.com> Subject: [amsat-bb] FO29 question To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Date: Saturday, August 1, 2009, 2:28 PM I have been off the satellites and the amsat reflector for a little over a year, but put up a dualband yagi yesterday and have already been having a blast getting back on the sats. I am sorry if this question has been covered recently on the reflector. I had a nice QSO today on FO29. I seem to remember that as of last year, FO29 had been declared dead? Am I imagining things, or did it recently come back to life? If so, how long has it been operating again? Glad to see it is back, it has always been one of my favorite satellites. 73s John AA5JG (ex. NE0P) EM04to-Lawton, OK _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

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Delayed messages on AMSAT-BB
by Paul Williamson 04 Aug '09

04 Aug '09

You might have noticed several messages that just came through to AMSAT-BB after delays of up to a few days. Sorry about that. I was unexpectedly away from any usable internet connection and couldn't keep up with the usual maintenance work for the mailing list. 73 -Paul kb5mu(a)amsat.org

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K5E QSL card...
by Gail A Mcdaniel 04 Aug '09

04 Aug '09

I received my QSL card from the K5E event in the mail today... and I realized that some Thanks are in order. I have never put together an event but from my limited experience in activating grids - it's a lot of work, but it's also a lot of fun. Special thanks to Tim Lilley, N3TL for organizing this event. Also thanks to the other operators who provided additional coverage - Glenn Miller, AA5PK/K5E, John Papay, K8YSE/K5E and Anderson Tillman, WA4NVM/K5E. And thanks to Glade Schroeter, WA3MVQ, and GGGraphicsstore.com for the cards. I had a blast! Can't wait for the next event. 73, Gail - KB0RZD "Portable in KC!"

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More TLM's
by kc8ran＠cox.net 03 Aug '09

03 Aug '09

Again, data collected on autopilot through the day; timestamp is EDT (UTC-4) Fm POLLUX-1 To CQ Via TELEM <UI pid=F0 Len=101 >[11:31:42] SYST 338877 0 0 33 0 000d 1288 0185 11a8 002a 1170 0015 0bf0 0009 0ae8 ffff ffff 0154 08d0 0fbc 003c Fm POLLUX-1 To CQ Via TELEM <UI pid=F0 Len=121 >[11:32:22] MEMS 338910 2.58 2.56 2.45 17.665 17.118 15.115 -0.883 0.884 -0.228 -8.35 -9.54 -18.46 21.11 22.10 21.57 2.60 23 25 27 Fm POLLUX-1 To CQ Via TELEM <UI pid=F0 Len=101 >[11:32:49] SYST 338943 0 0 33 0 00c5 12c8 0044 11e8 012a 11c0 0030 0c80 002d 0b50 ffff ffff 0156 08d8 0fba 0038 Fm KD4HBO-1 To CQ Via TELEM <UI pid=F0 Len=138 >[11:33:17] SYS 334110 65535 0 30 0 fffb 0a00 ffe1 0760 fe83 10a0 ffc9 0c20 ffe4 0d40 ffdf 0d88 13.7 5.0 10.4 .05 0.00 0.26 11.64 8.76 8.76 43 4 18 Fm POLLUX-1 To CQ Via TELEM <UI pid=F0 Len=119 >[11:33:28] MEMS 338976 2.58 2.57 2.45 17.550 17.118 15.115 -0.992 0.227 2.998 -7.75 11.58 -0.67 21.11 22.13 21.57 2.60 18 28 49 Fm KD4HBO-1 To CQ Via TELEM <UI pid=F0 Len=138 >[11:33:47] SYS 334140 65535 0 30 0 fff1 0a10 ffe6 0790 fea0 1080 ffc7 0c40 ffe8 0db0 ffe0 0dc0 13.7 5.0 10.9 .08 0.40 0.26 11.06 8.76 8.76 41 3 21 Fm KD4HBO-1 To CQ Via TELEM <UI pid=F0 Len=138 >[16:20:45] SYS 351360 65535 0 30 0 ff9c 0ef8 ffd9 0b28 ffd3 14b0 ffcd 10e8 fff8 11d0 feb3 11e8 13.7 5.0 10.4 .67 0.35 1.40 11.64 8.76 8.76 42 5 39 Fm POLLUX-1 To CQ Via TELEM <UI pid=F0 Len=101 >[17:54:29] SYST 361845 0 0 33 0 0040 19a0 0000 1820 0028 1820 ffff 1290 0162 1190 ffff ffff 0154 08ce 0fbc 003a Fm POLLUX-1 To CQ Via TELEM <UI pid=F0 Len=119 >[17:55:08] MEMS 361878 2.58 2.57 2.45 17.665 18.228 16.225 -0.887 0.666 2.118 -6.89 5.76 -11.53 22.20 22.84 22.15 2.60 13 27 32 Fm POLLUX-1 To CQ Via TELEM <UI pid=F0 Len=101 >[17:56:41] SYST 361977 0 0 33 0 000c 1a38 0011 18a0 0012 18e8 001c 12f0 01a6 11f0 ffff ffff 0154 08d4 0fbc 0038 Joe KC8RAN

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ITAR
by Howie DeFelice 03 Aug '09

03 Aug '09

I agree, the ITAR rules are outrageous and have done more harm than good to the U.S.. I received the following from a "Satellite Today" newsletter. It doesn't specifically talk about ITAR but indicates there may be a glimmer of hope when dealing with launches through ISRO...Howie AB2S ---------------------------------- ISRO Hails U.S., India Technology Safeguards Agreement July 30, 2009 | Satellite Today | Staff Writer [Satellite Today 07-30-09] India signed a technology safeguards agreement with the United States on July 20 to facilitate the launch of non-commercial U.S. satellites on Indian launch vehicles, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced July 28. The agreement also includes allowing satellites with U.S. components, previously prohibited on Indian spacecraft, to be launched on Indian rockets. ISRO estimates the total global market for non-commercial launches at about 40 satellites a year. India's contribution to that number has been minor. ISRO said it hopes the TSA agreement will enable India to claim a larger stake in the market. Despite the agreement, India is still prohibited from launching heavy commercial U.S. satellites or components _________________________________________________________________ Get back to school stuff for them and cashback for you. http://www.bing.com/cashback?form=MSHYCB&publ=WLHMTAG&crea=TEXT_MSHYCB_Back…

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ISS UK Pass 14.35utc
by David Barber 03 Aug '09

03 Aug '09

Frequency has been changed to 145.825MHz. Still transmitting 30 seconds of silent carrier at 3 minute intervals. David G8OQW

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ANDE2 reception observations (PA3GUO Aug 3rd, 2009)
by Henk, PA3GUO 03 Aug '09

03 Aug '09

Using Object G as posted by Nigel Sunday (Aug 2nd) and freq 145.827 (plus doppler correction over that), I have todays results as below. At the start/end of a pass mostly POLLUX, and in the middle mostly Castor Most likely this has to do with difference in freq and the sats moving out. Anyone a most scientific view on this :-) ? Henk, PA3GUO ps1: I took 145.827 as the middle between the two, based on Ken's observation. ps2: I stripped the data parts from the telemetry below (for this discussion) 09:30:52 !POLLUX-1>TELEM>CQ:SYST 09:31:58 !POLLUX-1>TELEM>CQ:SYST 11:03:15 !POLLUX-1>TELEM>CQ:SYST 11:03:55 !POLLUX-1>TELEM>CQ:MEMS 11:04:14 !KD4HBO-1>TELEM>CQ:SYS 11:04:21 !POLLUX-1>TELEM>CQ:SYST 11:04:44 !KD4HBO-1>TELEM>CQ:SYS 11:05:44 !KD4HBO-1>TELEM>CQ:SYS 11:06:07 !POLLUX-1>TELEM>CQ:MEMS 11:06:14 !KD4HBO-1>TELEM>CQ:SYS 11:06:33 !POLLUX-1>TELEM>CQ:SYST 11:06:44 !KD4HBO-1>TELEM>CQ:SYS 11:07:39 !POLLUX-1>TELEM>CQ:SYST 12:37:25 !POLLUX-1>TELEM>CQ:MEMS 12:37:51 !POLLUX-1>TELEM>CQ:SYST 12:38:43 !KD4HBO-1>TELEM>CQ:SYS 12:39:13 !KD4HBO-1>TELEM>CQ:SYS 12:39:43 !KD4HBO-1>TELEM>CQ:SYS 12:40:14 !KD4HBO-1>TELEM>CQ:SYS 12:41:09 !POLLUX-1>TELEM>CQ:SYST 12:41:13 !KD4HBO-1>TELEM>CQ:SYS 12:41:49 !POLLUX-1>TELEM>CQ:MEMS 14:12:27 !POLLUX-1>TELEM>CQ:SYST 14:13:06 !POLLUX-1>TELEM>CQ:MEMS 14:13:43 !KD4HBO-1>TELEM>CQ:SYS 14:14:13 !KD4HBO-1>TELEM>CQ:SYS 14:14:43 !KD4HBO-1>TELEM>CQ:SYS 14:16:13 !KD4HBO-1>TELEM>CQ:SYS 14:16:24 !POLLUX-1>TELEM>CQ:MEMS 14:16:51 !POLLUX-1>TELEM>CQ:SYST 15:48:09 !POLLUX-1>TELEM>CQ:SYST 15:48:43 !KD4HBO-1>TELEM>CQ:SYS 15:48:48 !POLLUX-1>TELEM>CQ:MEMS 15:50:21 !POLLUX-1>TELEM>CQ:SYST 15:51:27 !POLLUX-1>TELEM>CQ:SYST

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ANDE-2 TLE
by Mike Rupprecht 03 Aug '09

03 Aug '09

. after the last two passes now I am pretty sure with the assignment CASTOR 1 35695U 09038G 09214.62699302 .00023572 00000-0 12777-3 0 44 2 35695 051.6418 068.2403 0004351 048.6343 311.4991 15.79927223 464 POLLUX 1 35693U 09038E 09214.62668842 .00017764 00000-0 96621-4 0 44 2 35693 051.6406 068.2363 0003496 046.5116 313.6102 15.80074726 469 I tracked the two last passes with different TLE to be sure. See the graphs here: http://www.dk3wn.info/p/?p=6768 73, Mike DK3WN

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ISS UK Pass 13.00utc
by David Barber 03 Aug '09

03 Aug '09

Sadly, same again, approximately 30 seconds of silent carrier at 3 minute intervals. Latest Keps would appear to be wrong, a signal being received nearly 1 minute after predicted LOS on this and previous pass. David G8OQW

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