October 2011 - AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

I: Re: SatPC32 version 12.8b is released
by Francesco Grappi 22 Oct '11

22 Oct '11

Me too !! fast and easy update, thank you Erich DK1TB for your effort !! 73" Frank IW4DVZ -----Messaggio originale----- Da: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] Per conto di Mark Hammond Inviato: venerdì 21 ottobre 2011 22.13 A: Wayne Estes; amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Oggetto: [amsat-bb] Re: SatPC32 version 12.8b is released I used data restore and it used the backup info! No need to reenter here going from a to b. -----Original Message----- From: Wayne Estes <w9ae(a)charter.net> Sent: October 21, 2011 3:24 PM To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: SatPC32 version 12.8b is released WA4SCA wrote: You can run the update on a registered version, and it will be registered. A good idea to put the registration info in a safe place, just in case, though Martha can generate it for you. W9AE replies: I had to re-enter my registration code when upgrading from 12.8a to 12.8b. Previous SatPC32 upgrades did not require the registration code to be re-entered. Wayne Estes W9AE Oakland, Oregon, USA, CN83ik _______________________________________________ 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 _______________________________________________ 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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SRMSAT Keps and Down Link Details
by Dinesh Cyanam 21 Oct '11

21 Oct '11

SRMSAT, A cubesat developed by the students of SRM University, India will be launched on October 12th, 2011 along with the Megha Tropique satellite on the PSLV-C18 launch vehicle from ISRO's spaceport in Sriharikota, India. Payload Details: SRMSAT will monitor the green house gases in near infrared region (900nm - 1700nm). Launch Date and Time: October 12, 2011 0530 hrs UTC Telemetry down link and CW beacon on the same frequency: 437.425 MHz (10 dbm) (Telemetry decoding info will be posted soon) Preliminary TLEs from ISTRAC (ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network): SRM 1 99999U 11072A 11278.34967500 .00001077 00000-0 60876-3 0 1233 2 99999 20.0603 97.4017 0010015 338.6461 208.4324 14.09199968 14 Website: http://srmsat.in All Radio Amateurs are requested to track SRMSAT and provide us with the reception reports via AMSAT-BB mailing list or via email to KC2YQJ <at> arrl.net 73 KC2YQJ Dinesh Cyanam Quoting, amsat-bb-request(a)amsat.org: > SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-282.06 > India CubeSats For Launch on October 12 > > AMSAT News Service Bulletin 282.06 > From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. > October 9, 2011 > To All RADIO AMATEURS > BID: $ANS-282.06 > > India CubeSats For Launch on October 12 > > Two university cubesats JUGNU and SRMSAT are ready for launch from > ISRO's spaceport, Sriharikota, India on October 12. > > JUGNU was developed by a team of students and faculty at IIT Kanpur > and ISRO scientists to launch India's first Nano Satellite. The > satellite's mission includes: > > 1. Micro Imaging System > 2. GPS receiver for locating the position of satellite in the orbit > 3. MEMS based IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) > > Jugnu Frequencies: > CW Beacon - 437.275 (17dbm) > Pay load - 437.505 > > At press time no further information was available for SRMSAT other > than its payload down link and CW Beacon will transmit on 437.425 MHz > (10dbm) > > [ANS thanks Dinesh Cyanam, KC2YQJ; Sanjay Srikanth Nekkanti, AB3OE > and Mani, VU2WMY for the above information] > > /EX > > SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-282.07 > ARISS Status - 3 October 2011 > > AMSAT News Service Bulletin 282.07 > From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. > October 9, 2011 > To All RADIO AMATEURS > BID: $ANS-282.07 > > > 1. School Contacts > > S. K. Sri Hartamas, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia scheduled for an Amateur > Radio on > the International Space Station (ARISS) contact on Monday, October 3 at > 14:46 > UTC. Was successful. The school has been invited by the National Space > Agency > Satellite Ground Station (call sign 9M2RPN) to participate in the „Prime > Minister‚s > National Space Challenge Trophy 2011,‰ which has been an annual event > since > 2007, when Malaysian space participant, Dr. Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, > flew to > the ISS. The National Space Challenge involves a large number of > students and > encourages them to learn about space. The event receives extensive media > coverage from newspapers, radio and television. > > George Observatory, Needville, Texas scheduled for an Amateur Radio on > the > International Space Station (ARISS) contact on Saturday, October 8 at > 16:50 UTC > via telebridge station WH6PN in Hawaii has been completed. Astronomy > Day is > put on each year by all the Astronomy clubs in the greater Houston area > in > conjunction with the Houston Museum of Natural Science. The event is > held at > the George Observatory in Brazos Bend State Park and draws 4000 > attendees > each year. The ARRL (American Radio Relay League) education and > technology > program will be used to prepare youth for the contact. A NASA booth > will be > set up and amateur astronomers and amateur radio operators will be > available > to discuss the ISS, space travel and forms of communication. > > 2. Lompoc High School Students Experience ARISS Contact > > On Thursday, September 29, students attending Lompoc High School in > Lompoc, > California connected with on-orbit astronaut Mike Fossum, KF5AQG via an > Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact. Fossum > fielded > over ten questions before the ISS went over the horizon. Students who > participated > in the contact are involved in Lompoc's STaRS (Space, Technology and > Robotics > Systems) Academy. The event highlighted students‚ studies covering > space > flight, the space environment, orbital motion, ground tracking, life > support > systems and rockets. The Santa Maria Times posted an article about the > experience: > http://santamariatimes.com/news/local/education/talking-to-an- > astronaut-in-space/article_b85f7212-eb40-11e0-a23f-001cc4c002e0.html > > 3. NASA Shares Kiroli Contact Audio > > Kiroli Elementary School students from West Monroe, Louisiana took part > in an ARISS contact with Satoshi Furukawa, KE5DAW on the International > Space Station on September 22. This was the first ARISS contact for > Louisianans. On Wednesday, September 28, NASA tweeted a link to the > contact audio and also provided a link to audio on its Web site. http:// > ia700705.us.archive.org/33/items/Expedition29/09-22-11_EXP29_HAM- > Radio-Pass.mp3 > > 4. Premier of Nunavut, Canada Promotes ARISS > > Eva Aariak, the Premier of the Territory of Nunavut, Canada, and > Minister > of Education, gave a talk about the importance of education, especially > in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) > > and how the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) > program makes learning interesting. See: http://www.youtube.com/ > watch?v=0jSroPPcXtM > > 5. Astronaut Training Status > > ESA Astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti has been assigned callsign IZ0UDF. > Cristoforetti was selected as an ESA astronaut in May 2009. > > 6. ARRL QST on ARISS > > The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) October QST had several items > related to ARISS, as follows: > > The "In Brief" column made mention of the deployment of ARISSat-1 from > the ISS on August 3. > > Then the "Happenings" column carried a 3/4-page article covering the > deployment in depth -- the article was titled, "Cosmonauts Deploy > ARISSat-1 from ISS". > > The "Media Hits" column featured the many hits that the ARISSat team g > ot, including national-level PR such as the UPI, International Business > Times, EETimes, NASA.gov, and Space. > > The same column also made mention of an article in the Press & > Sun-Bulletin > of Vestal, NY that highlighted Kopernik Observatory's summer science > Pegasus > program for kids. (Kopernik sponsored the Windsor Central District > schools' > ARISS contact.) The article talked about Kopernik hams who helped kids > make contact with ham satellites using the observatory's ham station. > > 7. ARRL Articles on ARISSat > > The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) posted two articles on ARISSat in > its > September 29 issue of the ARRL Letter. The first piece covers the survey > about > ARISSat operations. The second item is about the Chicken Little Contest > which > is being held to guess when ARISSat-1 will re-enter Earth‚s atmosphere. > Those > who wish to participate may enter one of three categories: students in > grades > K-8, students in grades 9-12 and adults. Submissions will be accepted > until > October 15, 2011 at 23:59:00 (UTC). > See: http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter?issue=2011-09-29 > > 8. AMSAT Italia Presents Plaques to Expedition 26/27 Crew Members > > During the post-flight tour of the MagISStra mission, AMSAT Italia > presented > plaques to ESA astronaut Paolo Nespoli and NASA astronaut Cady Coleman. > The inscriptions read: > > "in appreciation for the dedication so generously given by Catherine G. > Coleman, KC5ZTH to scientific education and science dissemination" > ESRIN - Frascati, 22 September 2011‰ > > "in apprezzamento dell'impegno profuso dal Socio d'Onore Paolo Nespoli, > IZØJPA a sostegno dell'educazione e della divulgazione scientifica" > ESRIN - > Frascati, 22 Settembre 2011‰ > > For photos, see: > http://www.flickr.com/photos/63976489@N07/sets/72157627756635934/ > > 9. EE Times - ARISSat Blog > > New entries have been made to the EE (Electronic Engineering) Times > „Chips in Space‰ blog about amateur radio satellite ARISSat-1. The > second > part of „Lessons Learned‰ may be found at this link: > http://www.eetimes.com/ > electronics-blogs/chips-in-space/4228027/Chips-in-Space--Lessons- > learned--Part-2- > > Current results from the survey held about ARISSat-1 operations may be > viewed here (the survey remains open): > http://www.eetimes.com/electronics-blogs/other/4228654/Chips-in-Space-- > Survey-Says- > > 10. Amateur Radio Newsline on ARISS > > The Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1781, posted on September 30, included > > a story on Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) 2011 which will be held over the > October 15 ˆ 16 weekend. The item mentions that ISS Astronaut Mike > Fossum, > KF5AQG is a scoutmaster and may be on the air over the weekend, if time > allows. „Ham Radio and Scouting: JOTA 2011 - October 15 ˆ 16,‰ may be > viewed at: > ftp://ftp.arnewsline.org/quincy/News/news.txt > > [ANS thanks Carol, KB3LKI, for the above information] > > /EX > > > In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the > President's > Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT > Project > Funds, will be eligible to receive additional benefits. Application > forms are > available from the AMSAT Office. > Sign up for the Symposium and get your reservations in ASAP to take > advantage > Of the early discounts offered. > > 73, > This week's ANS Editor, > Dee Interdonato, NB2F > Nb2f at amsat dot org > > > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 8 > Date: Sun, 09 Oct 2011 11:39:04 -0400 > From: "Mark L. Hammond" <marklhammond(a)gmail.com> > To: pe0sat(a)vgnet.nl, amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: ARISSat-1 over Europe > Message-ID: <iff51h0054ltuWb05ff5HB(a)gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" > > Hello Jan, > > Yes, the battery is dead. There are no transmissions when the satellite is in eclipse. Also, after ARISSat-1 re-enters sunlight, there is a 15 minute delay from a built in timer before transmissions begin. > > Here in the US, we don't currently have any useable windows! It's either in eclipse, or too close to it for the transmitter to come on overhead. > > The orbit will precess in the next couple of weeks and we'll again have some useable time. > > 73, > > Mark N8MH > > At 04:22 PM 10/9/2011 +0200, PE0SAT wrote: > > > >> Are there stations in Europe that receive ARISSat-1 telemetry or other >> data? I tryed last week and yesterday evening but nothing was received. >> >> Are the batteries completly drained and therefor no activity when the >> Sat is in the dark :-) >> >> >> 73 Jan PE0SAT >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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 > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 9 > Date: Sun, 9 Oct 2011 09:22:43 -0400 > From: Zac Manchester <fleet(a)kicksat.org> > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Subject: [amsat-bb] KickSat - a personal spacecraft of your own in > space > Message-ID: > <CAKkXDTVprkw8mr1fdfVQORAVzjvymMdpdEthpTNECKPYDVf5Ag(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > > Hello, > > I'm launching a project in my spare time that some AMSAT members might > be interested in. I'm a graduate student in Aerospace Engineering at > Cornell, and I've been working on a ChipSat/Femtosatellite called > Sprite for the last several years. I want to launch a CubeSat full of > Sprites into low Earth orbit to demonstrate their viability in space. > I'm raising money to build the hardware via the Kickstarter website > (kicksat.org). Donors who sponsor a sprite will get to name it and > specify the text that it will transmit. A group or club can also > sponsor a fleet of Sprites together. > > I'm doing this to try to get more people involved in spaceflight. I > want to make it easy enough and cheap enough so that anyone can take > part. > > Please check out my page on Kickstarter for more information - kicksat.org > > Thanks, > Zac Manchester > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 10 > Date: Sun, 09 Oct 2011 17:50:48 +0100 > From: Clive Wallis <list1(a)g3cwv.co.uk> > To: amsat <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: G5500 Elevation Rotator Short Circuit? > Message-ID: <4E91D0E8.2030702(a)g3cwv.co.uk> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed > > Many thanks Tim for your comments. From what you've said it sounds like > a faulty motor. In the ones you've repaired have you been able to > determine the cause of motor over heating? > > The problems I've had in the past have always been due to water getting > into the units. > > 73 Clive G3CWV > > Hitchin, North Hertfordshire, UK > > On 07/10/2011 18:50, Tim Cunningham wrote: >> The common failure of the motor windings is caused by heat which >> causes the enamel coated wire to breakdown. When the enamel breaks >> down an inner winding short results. >> >> I have successfully rewound motor windings on these rotators just to >> say it could be done, but it takes some work (not recommended). >> >> I have never seen one of these motors with an open winding. The >> failure mode on the 8 that I have repaired were always enamel >> insulation breakdown as a result of overheating. >> >> >> Tim - N8DEU >> >> >> Sent from my HTC Tilt? 2, a Windows? Mobile phone >> >> -----Original Message----- From: Clive Wallis<amsat-bb(a)g3cwv.co.uk> >> Sent: Friday, October 07, 2011 11:35 AM To: >> amsat<amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: [amsat-bb] G5500 Elevation Rotator >> Short Circuit? >> >> I wonder if this is a known fault. Recently the fuse on my G5500 >> blew. The problem seems to be a short on one of the motor >> circuits. >> >> Checking the DC resistance at the control end, the resistance of one >> winding is 1.2 ohms, whereas all the other windings are 4.6 ohms. >> >> I could understand a motor burning out and going open circuit, but >> a short circuit seems less likely. I'm wondering if it could be a >> short on the cable at the rotator end, where it is subject to much >> bending. There's about 15 metres of cable. >> >> Any thoughts would be much appreciated. Unfortunately, at the >> present time I'm not able to inspect the rotator. It's stuck in the >> horizontal position, so I will still be able to use the antenna for >> low elevation passes. >> >> 73 Clive G3CWV >> >> Hitchin, North Hertfordshire, UK >> _______________________________________________ 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 >> >> >> _______________________________________________ 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 >> > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 11 > Date: Sun, 09 Oct 2011 10:38:41 -0700 > From: Bill Ress <bill(a)hsmicrowave.com> > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: KickSat - a personal spacecraft of your own in > space > Message-ID: <4E91DC21.70205(a)hsmicrowave.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed > > Interesting idea Zac, but I have a few questions. > > Will each Sprite have it's own frequency? > > Since these Sprites are operating in the Amateur satellite bands, how > will you license them? > > How will you handle the frequency coordination of these transmitters? > > Regards...Bill - N6GHz > > > > On 10/9/2011 6:22 AM, Zac Manchester wrote: >> Hello, >> >> I'm launching a project in my spare time that some AMSAT members might >> be interested in. I'm a graduate student in Aerospace Engineering at >> Cornell, and I've been working on a ChipSat/Femtosatellite called >> Sprite for the last several years. I want to launch a CubeSat full of >> Sprites into low Earth orbit to demonstrate their viability in space. >> I'm raising money to build the hardware via the Kickstarter website >> (kicksat.org). Donors who sponsor a sprite will get to name it and >> specify the text that it will transmit. A group or club can also >> sponsor a fleet of Sprites together. >> >> I'm doing this to try to get more people involved in spaceflight. I >> want to make it easy enough and cheap enough so that anyone can take >> part. >> >> Please check out my page on Kickstarter for more information - kicksat.org >> >> Thanks, >> Zac Manchester >> _______________________________________________ >> 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 >> > > > ------------------------------ > > _______________________________________________ > Sent via amsat-bb(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. > Not an AMSAT member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > > > End of AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 6, Issue 558 > ****************************************

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Re: SatPC32 version 12.8b is released
by Mark Hammond 21 Oct '11

21 Oct '11

I used data restore and it used the backup info! No need to reenter here going from a to b. -----Original Message----- From: Wayne Estes <w9ae(a)charter.net> Sent: October 21, 2011 3:24 PM To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: SatPC32 version 12.8b is released WA4SCA wrote: You can run the update on a registered version, and it will be registered. A good idea to put the registration info in a safe place, just in case, though Martha can generate it for you. W9AE replies: I had to re-enter my registration code when upgrading from 12.8a to 12.8b. Previous SatPC32 upgrades did not require the registration code to be re-entered. Wayne Estes W9AE Oakland, Oregon, USA, CN83ik _______________________________________________ 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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FP/KV1J in GN17 25 Oct - 01 Nov
by KV1J 21 Oct '11

21 Oct '11

I will be returning to the island of Miquelon, grid GN17, next week. I will be operating mostly on the low bands but will have an Arrow 145/435 MHz antenna and an FT-817 to work the FM birds. As in the past, I will try to catch some passes when I take breaks and when the weather allows me to go outside. It is often cold, windy and raining or snowing. Also with the great band conditions on 12M and 10M I may have less breaks as in the past!! I will be traveling with FP/KV1E so there is a chance you might hear his call as well. If I do get a chance to get on from the island of Saint Pierre while traveling to and from Miquelon, I will be grid GN16. My web site for the trip is - http://www.kv1j.com/fp/october11.html 73, Eric KV1J FP/KV1J

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Re: SatPC32 version 12.8b is released
by Wayne Estes 21 Oct '11

21 Oct '11

WA4SCA wrote: You can run the update on a registered version, and it will be registered. A good idea to put the registration info in a safe place, just in case, though Martha can generate it for you. W9AE replies: I had to re-enter my registration code when upgrading from 12.8a to 12.8b. Previous SatPC32 upgrades did not require the registration code to be re-entered. Wayne Estes W9AE Oakland, Oregon, USA, CN83ik

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Orion Boilerplate Splashdown Test
by B J 21 Oct '11

21 Oct '11

http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/mpcv/mpcv-phase1-test1.html 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL

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Any interest in working DM53 tomorrow evening?
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 21 Oct '11

21 Oct '11

Hi! Earlier this week, I sent out a list of passes I plan on working from the DM51bx/DM52ba grid boundary in southeastern Arizona on Saturday (22 October) afternoon. Due to the long gap after the 2310 UTC AO-51 pass before more passes in the evening and my lack of interest in being in that area after dark, I do not plan on staying at DM51/DM52 into the evening. If I don't take the most direct route home (I-10 through Tucson back to Phoenix), I could stop at the DM52ax/DM53aa grid boundary (or just some place in the southwestern corner of DM53) for one or two passes in the evening (early Sunday morning, UTC time): SO-50 at 0155-0209 UTC VO-52 at 0220-0232 UTC For the VO-52 pass, I will try to start out around 145.910 MHz USB +/-. If I haven't worked anyone after a couple of minutes at that spot, I will tune around and try to work whoever happens to be on the transponder for the remainder of the pass. Since I still have a drive of over 3 hours from this part of DM53 back home, and it will be dark at those pass times, I cannot stay for anything after these two passes. If anyone has an interest in working me from somewhere in DM53 tomorrow night, please e-mail me directly. As I mentioned in my earlier post, I will have APRS running while on the road. I know it should have decent coverage in that area, based on past trips. Among other places online, you can follow my APRS call WD9EWK-9 at http://aprs.fi/wd9ewk-9 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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PW-Sat will carry a transponder
by Trevor . 21 Oct '11

21 Oct '11

The Polish satellite PW-Sat due to be launched into a 300 by 1500 km orbit will carry a 145 to 435 'AO-16 style' transponder. Further information at http://www.uk.amsat.org/2011/10/21/pw-sat-to-launch-in-january/ 73 Trevor M5AKA ---- Join AMSAT-UK online at http://tinyurl.com/JoinAMSAT-UK/ Free sample issue at http://www.uk.amsat.org/on_193_final.pdf

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An interesting DARPA project has been announced for satellites
by Lowell White 21 Oct '11

21 Oct '11

I am posting this information with hopes that the opportunity it may represent could be of help to AMSAT members as well as possibly to AMSAT at large. I'm not posting it to launch endless debates but to raise hopes that there is indeed a need for folks with our (collective) types of skills and potential to advance the technology (i.e. the state of the art) for Amateur purposes. Since commercial and/or government involvement (funding, etc) is often needed for new technologies to flourish prior to the technology designs, and even 'scraps and leftovers' being re-purposed for Amateur use, it seemed germane. Kind regards & 73, Lowell K9LDW ========== DARPA... Seeking Interested Performers For Phoenix Program... [SatNews] Innovators are now being sought for DARPA satellite servicing technology programs. More than $300 billion worth of satellites are estimated to be in the geosynchronous orbit (GEO—22,000 miles above the Earth). Many of these satellites have been retired due to normal end of useful life, obsolescence or failure; yet many still have valuable components, such as antennas, that could last much longer than the life of the satellite. When satellites in GEO “retire,” they are put into a GEO disposal or “graveyard” orbit. That graveyard potentially holds tens to more than a hundred retired satellites that have components that could be repurposed – with the willing knowledge and sanction of the satellite’s owner. Today, DoD deploys new, replacement satellites at high cost—one of the primary drivers of the high cost is the launch costs, which is dependent on the weight and volume of antennas. The repurposing of existing, retired antennas from the graveyard represents a potential for significant cost savings. DARPA’s Phoenix program seeks to develop technologies to cooperatively harvest and re-use valuable components from retired, nonworking satellites in GEO and demonstrate the ability to create new space systems at greatly reduced cost. “If this program is successful, space debris becomes space resource,” said DARPA Director, Regina E. Dugan. This concept will require diverse expertise from the international and nontraditional space communities. For example, today’s ground-based robotics systems allow surgeons to perform telesurgery on a patient thousands of miles away, and advanced remote imaging systems used for offshore drilling view the ocean floor thousands of feet underwater. These types of capabilities, if re-engineered for zero gravity, high-vacuum and harsh radiation, could be used in space to allow the repurposing of valuable antennas from retired GEO satellites. “Satellites in GEO are not designed to be disassembled or repaired, so it’s not a matter of simply removing some nuts and bolts,” said David Barnhart, DARPA program manager. “This requires new remote imaging and robotics technology and special tools to grip, cut, and modify complex systems, since existing joints are usually molded or welded. Another challenge is developing new remote operating procedures to hold two parts together so a third robotic ‘hand’ can join them with a third part, such as a fastener, all in zero gravity. For a person operating such robotics, the complexity is similar to trying to assemble via remote control multiple Legos at the same time while looking through a telescope.” To optimally use those repurposed assets, the Phoenix program will develop low-cost, scalable electronics and structural modules that would allow localized control and communication with each other and a master satellite, ala DARPA’s System F6, that together harnesses the repurposed antennas. Phoenix specifically seeks technologies for developing a new class of small “satlets,” or nanosatellites, which can be sent more economically to the GEO region through existing ride-along services with commercial satellite launches and then robotically attached to the antenna of a nonfunctional cooperating satellite to essentially create a new space system. The nanosatellites may leverage the technologies, infrastructure, protocols and architecture developed within the ongoing System F6 program. Technical expertise is sought to design a payload orbital delivery system, or PODS, to safely house the satlets when they are launched aboard a commercial satellite. A separate on-orbit “tender,” or satellite servicing station, is planned to be launched into GEO. Once the tender arrives on-orbit, the PODS would be released from its ride-along host and linked with the tender to become part of the satellite servicing station’s “tool belt.” The tender plans to be equipped with grasping mechanical arms and remote vision systems to remove components and satlets from the PODS using unique space tools to be developed in the program. Critical to the success of the Phoenix program is active participation from both U.S. and international communities involved in vital technical areas such as: -Radiation tolerant microelectronics and memory storage -Distributed wireless mobile platform solutions for ad hoc connectivity and control -Industrial electronic control systems -Terrestrial microminiature guidance and control measurement units -Industrial robotics end effectors and tool changeout mechanisms and techniques -Computer-assisted medical robotics microsurgical telepresence, tools and imaging -Remote underwater imaging/vision technologies used in the offshore oil and gas drilling industry -Terrestrial manufacturing of high volume microelectronics and computer data storage -Terrestrial thermal management design technology of electronic devices and systems -Low-cost industrial manufacturing of high-volume sheet metal and other structural materials -Additive manufacturing on various structural materials DARPA will host two upcoming industry days in November 2011 for interested performers. Source: http://www.satnews.com/cgi-bin/story.cgi ###

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Galileo Satellite Launch - 1260 MHz
by Trevor . 21 Oct '11

21 Oct '11

Two Galileo satellites have been put into orbit from the Russian Soyuz launch facility at Kourou in the Caribbean. They will transmit a broadband signal across 1260-1300 MHz that will raise the noise floor. They may also raise questions regarding long-term Amateur access to 1260-1300 MHz if consumer devices using that Galileo downlink were to come into widespread use. About 6 years ago Peter G3LTF looked at the potential interference to Galileo From 23cm Amateur Radio operations, you can read his thoughts here: http://www.southgatearc.org/articles/galileo.htm 73 Trevor M5AKA

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