March 2012 - AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

Re: MicroThrust Motor for Nanosats
by Trevor . 31 Mar '12

31 Mar '12

--- On Sat, 31/3/12, g0mrf(a)aol.com <g0mrf(a)aol.com> wrote: > It's technology like that combined with minaturised electronics and > structures that probably represents a future generation of 'HEO' > satelites. But they still have to negotiate the passage through the > radiation belts and that looks to be a slow process. And a damaging process, I wonder if current generation SDX transponders would survive in that environment ? You could put up with it taking a year or two for a 2U or 3U CubeSat to get to HEO as long as it would still have a reasonable lifetime when it got there. With fold-out solar panels you might be able to generate 10 watts peak of solar power when it acheived HEO. The maximum transponder output may only be 3 watts PEP which would be a significant reduction on the 50 watts or so we've had with previous HEO's. One way to get around the reduced power may be to use lower frequecy bands, say 50 MHz uplink and 29 MHz downlink. This may reduce the loss on the downlink by 9 db or so although they may be some mechanical challenges to overcome with respect to the antennas. A MEO (say 8000 by 400 km) instead of an HEO would also reduce path loss - exciting times lie ahead. 73 Trevor M5AKA --- On Sat, 31/3/12, Trevor . <m5aka(a)yahoo.co.uk> wrote: > An interesting Swiss project see http://www.uk.amsat.org/6180 > AMSAT-UK News on Twitter http://twitter.com/AMSAT_UK/

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MicroThrust Motor for Nanosats
by Trevor . 31 Mar '12

31 Mar '12

An interesting Swiss project see http://www.uk.amsat.org/6180 AMSAT-UK News on Twitter http://twitter.com/AMSAT_UK/ 73 Trevor M5AKA

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April 18 World Amateur Radio Day 2012 - 50 Years in Space
by JoAnne Maenpaa 31 Mar '12

31 Mar '12

April 18 World Amateur Radio Day 2012 - 50 Years in Space Every year on April 18 the IARU celebrates World Amateur Radio Day to note its anniversary starting in 1925. This year's theme for the World Amateur Radio Day 2012 is Amateur Radio Satellites: "Celebrating 50 Years in Space" in remembrance the launch of OSCAR 1 on December 12, 1961, and the launch of OSCAR 2 on June 2, 1962. The AMSAT News Service would like to publicize the events your group is planning for April 18, 2012. Just send the information to JoAnne, K9JKM (k9jkm at amsat.org) and we'll get the news out. -- 73 de JoAnne K9JKM k9jkm(a)amsat.org Editor, AMSAT News Service

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DELFI C3 CLOSE APPROACH UPDATE #3
by Peter Portanova 31 Mar '12

31 Mar '12

Update, 73 Pete, WB2OQQ Sir/Ma'am, The United States Joint Space Operations Center (JSpOC) has updated a predicted conjunction between DELFI C3 (SCC# 32789) and SCC# 24097. Primary Object: DELFI C3 (SCC# 32789) Secondary Object: SCC# 24097 Time of Closest Approach: 31 MAR 2012 03:24 UTC Overall miss distance: 778 meters Radial (dU) miss distance: -40 meters In-Track (dV) miss distance: -2 meters Cross-track (dW) miss distance: 778 meters Primary Radial Error (U): 9 meters Primary In-track Error (V): 49 meters Primary Cross-track Error (W): 8 meters Secondary Radial Error (U): 9 meters Secondary In-track Error (V): 62 meters Secondary Cross-track Error (W): 8 meters

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Where are the Atantic Sailors?
by Bob Bruninga 30 Mar '12

30 Mar '12

Does anyone know how to track Winlink Ocean sailors so we can find someone to listen for our long duration Balloon out over the atlantic? Without boats, it will not be in range of land until 3 April over the African coast.! See projected track: http://aprs.org/balloons.html Bob, WB4aPR

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Sat Demonstration at the University
by Hector Luis Martinez Sis 30 Mar '12

30 Mar '12

Hello guys! Today, I will do a Sat Demonstration for a Physical class at the University of my city. I will be operating portable from indoor of classroom, maybe on the classroom `s window. A few days ago, I tried and It is possible hear the Sat from there. I hope to be on the 1850UTC AO-27 pass. Please, if you hear me, give me a shout with your name, city, state etc. Thanks & 73! Hector, CO6CBF EL92 *************************************** Genius is one per cent inspiration, and ninety-nine per cent perspiration. -- Thomas A. Edison *************************************** --- Consulte la Enciclopedia Colaborativa Cubana http://www.ecured.cu/

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Call for AMSAT-NA Board of Directors Nominations
by Alan P. Biddle 30 Mar '12

30 Mar '12

All AMSAT-NA members, We are approaching that time of year to submit nominations to serve on the Board of Directors. This year there will be seats for 3 full members, and up to 2 alternates, to be filled. This is your opportunity to influence the leadership, and future, of our organization. The deadline for nominations is June 15th, but that time will creep up remarkably quickly. If you are interested in serving, know someone who is, or who should be, now would be a good time to begin the process. The process details are available through the ANS, WWW.AMSAT.ORG, and the information below. Please contact me if you have any questions. 73s, Alan WA4SCA AMSAT-NA Corporate Secretary ======================================== AMSAT-NA Board of Directors Nominations It is time to submit nominations for the upcoming open seats on the AMSAT-NA Board of Directors. A valid nomination requires either one current Member Society, or five current individual members in good standing, to nominate an AMSAT-NA member for the position. Three directors have terms expiring this year: Tom Clark, K3IO; Lou McFadin, W5DID; and Gould Smith, WA4SXM. The three nominees receiving the highest number of votes will be seated as regular board members with two year terms. The two nominees receiving the next highest number of votes will be seated as alternates for one year. Written nominations, consisting of names, calls and individual signatures, should be mailed to: AMSAT-NA, 850 Sligo Ave #600, Silver Spring, MD, 20910. They must be received no later than June 15th. No other action is required. Nominations may also be made by electronic means. These include e-mail, FAX, or electronic image of a petition. Electronic petitions should be sent to MARTHA(a)AMSAT.ORG or faxed to 301-608-3410, and also must be received by June 15th. If using any electronic submission, there is a second, verifying step. ELECTRONIC SUBMISSIONS WITHOUT THIS SECOND, WRITTEN VERIFICATION ARE NOT VALID UNDER THE EXISTING AMSAT-NA BYLAWS. A verifying traditional written petition MUST be received at the AMSAT-NA office at the above address within 7 days following the close of nominations.

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Party Balloon Long Duration Mission
by Bob Bruninga 30 Mar '12

30 Mar '12

Launch Thurs PM maybe... Tune up those 10m beams. If we are lucky, we hope to launch our 6 party-balloon long duration payload Thursday evening around sunset EST. It has no APRS, just a 10m CW telemetry system. We will have to locate it by signal strength and beam headings only. If you have APRS you can uplink your beam heading via APRS so we can see the DF solution maybe... More tomorrow (again, if we are lucky). It will only be at 15,000 feet or so, vulnerable to weather and not so great winds... The battery could last 10 days.... Bob, WB4APR

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Travel plans OA1
by Lizeth Norman 30 Mar '12

30 Mar '12

Hi All, I'll be in Lima Peru Sun 22 July through Sunday 12 August of this year. Will be taking my satellite gear with me. Still have to apply for the IARP permit, but it's just a formality. 73 es see you on the birds, Norm n3ykf

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DELFI C3 CLOSE APPROACH- UPDATE
by Peter Portanova 30 Mar '12

30 Mar '12

FYI, 73 Pete WB2OQQ Sir/Ma'am, The United States Joint Space Operations Center (JSpOC) has updated a predicted conjunction between DELFI C3 (SCC# 32789) and SCC# 24097. Primary Object: DELFI C3 (SCC# 32789) Secondary Object: SCC# 24097 Time of Closest Approach: 31 MAR 2012 03:24 UTC Overall miss distance: 765 meters Radial (dU) miss distance: -58 meters In-Track (dV) miss distance: -7 meters Cross-track (dW) miss distance: 764 meters Primary Radial Error (U): 13 meters Primary In-track Error (V): 298 meters Primary Cross-track Error (W): 10 meters Secondary Radial Error (U): 16 meters Secondary In-track Error (V): 329 meters Secondary Cross-track Error (W): 12 meters

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