February 2021 - AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

ARISS News Release No. 21-08
by David Jordan 04 Feb '21

04 Feb '21

ARISS News Release No.21-08 Dave Jordan, AA4KN ARISS PR aa4kn(a)amsat.org FORIMMEDIATE RELEASE ARISSContact is Scheduled with Students at The Ottawa Carleton Virtual Online School,Ottawa, Ontario, Canada February4, 2021— Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) has receivedschedule confirmation for an ARISS radio contact with astronauts. ARISS is thegroup that puts together special amateur radio contacts between students aroundthe globe and crew members with ham radio licenses on the International Space Station (ISS). This will be a Multipoint Telebridge Contact via Amateur Radio between the ISS and students fromOttawa Carleton District School Board. Students will take turns asking theirquestions of ISS astronaut Mike Hopkins, amateur radio call sign KF5LJG, duringthe ARISS radio contact. Thedownlink frequency for this contact is 145.800 MHz. ARISS team member Fred Kemmerer, using his callsign AB1OC in New Hampshire, will serve as the relay amateur radio station. Each student asking a question onthe ARISS radio will be conferenced in from home.English is the language expected to be used during thecontact. TheARISS radio contact is scheduled for February 5, 2021 at 12:41 pm EST (Ottawa,Canada) (17:41 UTC, 11:41 am CST, 10:41 am MST, 9:41 am PST). TheOttawa Carleton Virtual Online School provides approximately 300 minutes of daily,instructor-led, online classes for students in Ottawa. Each class provides 20to 25 students learning opportunities through synchronous and asynchronouslearning by using either Virtual Learning Environment or Google Classroomlearning management systems. Seventeen classes will participate in this ARISScontact. Viewthe live stream of the upcoming ARISS radio contact at https://youtu.be/Ery1JYmk72o. _______________________________ Astime allows, students will ask these questions: 1. How does it fell to see the sun, Earth, moonand stars from space? 2.Do you think extraterrestrial beings exist? 3.Has anything scared you in space and if so how did you deal with it? 4.How long does it take to come back to earth from the International SpaceStation? 5.What is the coolest thing you have seen while in space? 6.How can you tell if it’s day or night? 7.What is a dangerous threat that could happen on the ISS, and what could you doto solve it? 8.What is the most frightening thing you have ever seen in space? 9.What experiments are you doing now on the ISS? 10.What is the biggest challenge in space? 11.How long did you have to train to become an astronaut? 12.What are the steps involved in leaving the rocket and entering Space Station? 13.Are there any cold or hot planets that have been discovered and not revealed tothe world? 14.How long can you breathe in a space suit outside the space station? 15.What happens if there is a fire on the International Space Station? 16.Is COVID 19 a concern for astronauts? 17.What is it like to come back to Earth after being in Space for months at a time? ARISS – Celebrating 20Years of Amateur Radio Continuous Operations on the ISS About ARISS: Amateur Radio on the InternationalSpace Station (ARISS) is a cooperative venture of international amateur radiosocieties and the space agencies that support the International Space Station(ISS). In the United States, sponsorsare the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), the American Radio RelayLeague (ARRL), the ISS National Lab-Space Station Explorers, and NASA’s SpaceCommunications and Navigation program. The primary goal of ARISS is to promoteexploration of science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematicstopics by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew membersaboard the ISS and students. Before and during these radio contacts, students,educators, parents, and communities learn about space, space technologies, andamateur radio. For more information, see www.ariss.org. MediaContact: DaveJordan, AA4KN ARISSPR Likeus on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter. Search on Amateur Radio on the ISS and@ARISS_status.

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ux-910 module
by Joseph Armbruster 03 Feb '21

03 Feb '21

I am looking for a ux-910 module for an IC910h. I've had no luck finding one on the internet, even fleabay let me down. If you have one you're willing to part with, please contact me off the list. Thank You! Joseph Armbruster KJ4JIO

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Antenna Swap
by Edward Maikranz 03 Feb '21

03 Feb '21

Putting out some feelers here. Next month (March) I will be returning to Abilene, Texas to dismantle my station for a permanent move. I have decided I will not be taking my M2 Leopack antennas. I was hoping to maybe trade them for the Eggbeater antenna pack. Any chance someone on here would be interested in such a swap? Ed KG5UN

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Telemetry antenna?
by Bob Hammond 03 Feb '21

03 Feb '21

I'm getting set up to capture telemetry from the sats. I have the Funcube Dongle and FIAB on a Raspberry Pi. What antenna is suggested? Bob W7OTJ

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2021-02-03 04:30 UTC
by aj9n＠aol.com 03 Feb '21

03 Feb '21

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2021-02-03 04:30 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Vladivostok, Russia, direct via TBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The downlink frequency is presently scheduled to be 145.800 MHz The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html The scheduled astronaut is Sergey Ryzhikov Contact is go for Fri 2021-02-05 08:35 UTC Ottawa Carleton District School Board, Ottawa, ON, Canada, multi-point telebridge via AB1OC The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The downlink frequency is presently scheduled to be 145.800 MHz The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html The scheduled astronaut is Mike Hopkins KF5LJG Contact is go for: Fri 2021-02-05 17:41:04 UTC 40 deg Sterling MS, Ashburn, VA, multi-point telebridge via ON4ISS (***) The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The downlink frequency is presently scheduled to be 145.800 MHz The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html The scheduled astronaut is Shannon Walker KD5DXB (***) Contact is go for: Tue 2021-02-09 14:44:48 UTC 66 deg (***) Watch for live stream at https://youtu.be/qVhBweqjCo4 (***) Red Hill Lutheran, Tustin, CA, telebridge via NA7V (***) The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS (***) The downlink frequency is presently scheduled to be 145.800 MHz The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html The scheduled astronaut is Mike Hopkins KF5LJG (***) Contact is go for: Wed 2021-02-10 18:26:15 UTC 65 deg (***) ************************************************************************************************************* 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 ######################################################################################################################################## A multi-point telebridge contact means that each student will be on the telebridge from their own home. **************************************************************************************************************************************** ARISS is very aware of the impact that COVID-19 is having on schools and the public in general. As such, we may have last minute cancellations or postponements of school contacts. As always, I will try to provide everyone with near-real-time updates. Watch for future COVID-19 related announcements at https://www.ariss.org/ The following schools have now been postponed or cancelled due to COVID-19: Postponed: No new schools Cancelled: No new schools **************************************************************************************************************************************** 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. All dates and times listed follow International Standard ISO 8601 date and time format YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS The complete schedule page has been updated as of 2021-02-03 04:30 UTC. (***) Here you will find a listing of all scheduled school contacts, and questions, other ISS related websites, IRLP and Echolink websites, and instructions for any contact that may be streamed live. https://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.rtf https://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.txt The successful school list has been updated as of 2021-01-28 23:00 UTC. https://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/Successful_ARISS_schools.rtf The ARISS webpage is at https://www.ariss.org/ Note that there are links to other ARISS websites from this site. The main page for Applying to Host a Scheduled Contact may be found at https://www.ariss.org/apply-to-host-an-ariss-contact.html +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ARISS Contact Applications (United States) (***) New Proposal Window is February 15th, 2021 to March 31st, 2021 The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Program is seeking formal and informal education institutions and organizations, individually or working together, to host an Amateur Radio contact with a crew member on board the ISS. ARISS anticipates that the contact would be held between January 1, 2022 and June 30, 2022. Crew scheduling and ISS orbits will determine the exact contact dates. To maximize these radio contact opportunities, ARISS is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed education plan. The deadline to submit a proposal is March 31st, 2021. Proposal information and more details such as expectations, proposal guidelines and the proposal form can be found at www.ariss.org. An ARISS Introductory Webinar session will be held on February 25th, 2021 at 8 PM ET. The Eventbrite link to sign up is: https://ariss-proposal-webinar-spring-2021.eventbrite.com The Opportunity Crew members aboard the International Space Station will participate in scheduled Amateur Radio contacts. These radio contacts are approximately 10 minutes in length and allow students to interact with the astronauts through a question-and-answer session. An ARISS contact is a voice-only communication opportunity via Amateur Radio between astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the space station and classrooms and communities. ARISS contacts afford education audiences the opportunity to learn firsthand from astronauts what it is like to live and work in space and to learn about space research conducted on the ISS. Students also will have an opportunity to learn about satellite communication, wireless technology, and radio science. Because of the nature of human spaceflight and the complexity of scheduling activities aboard the ISS, organizations must demonstrate flexibility to accommodate changes in dates and times of the radio contact. Amateur Radio organizations around the world with the support of NASA and space agencies in Russia, Canada, Japan and Europe present educational organizations with this opportunity. The ham radio organizations’ volunteer efforts provide the equipment and operational support to enable communication between crew on the ISS and students around the world using Amateur Radio. Please direct any questions to ariss.us.education(a)gmail.com. For future proposal information and more details such as expectations, proposal guidelines and proposal form, and dates and times of Information Webinars, go to www.ariss.org. About ARISS: Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a cooperative venture of international amateur radio societies and the space agencies that support the International Space Station (ISS). In the United States, sponsors are the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the ISS National Lab and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEAM) topics by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew members aboard the ISS and students in classrooms or public forms. Before and during these radio contacts, students, educators, parents, and communities learn about space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, see www.ariss.org. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ARISS Contact Applications (Europe, Africa and the Middle East) Schools and Youth organizations in Europe, Africa and the Middle East interested in setting up an ARISS radio contact with an astronaut on board the International Space Station are invited to submit an application from September to October and from February to April. Please refer to details and the application form at www.ariss-eu.org/school-contacts. Applications should be addressed by email to: school.selection.manager(a)ariss-eu.org ARISS Contact Applications (Canada, Central and South America, Asia and Australia and Russia) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Organizations outside the United States can apply for an ARISS contact by filling out an application. Please direct questions to the appropriate regional representative listed below. If your country is not specifically listed, send your questions to the nearest ARISS Region listed. If you are unsure which address to use, please send your question to the ARISS-Canada representative; they will forward your question to the appropriate coordinator. For the application, go to: https://www.ariss.org/ariss-application.html. ARISS-Canada and the Americas, except USA: Steve McFarlane, VE3TBD email to: ve3tbd(a)gmail.com ARISS-Japan, Asia, Pacific and Australia: Satoshi Yasuda, 7M3TJZ email to: ariss(a)iaru-r3.org, Japan Amateur Radio League (JARL) https://www.jarl.org/ ARISS-Russia: Soyuz Radioljubitelei Rossii (SRR) https://srr.ru/ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ARISS is always glad to receive listener reports for the above contacts. ARISS thanks everyone in advance for their assistance. Feel free to send your reports to aj9n(a)amsat.org or aj9n(a)aol.com. Listen for the ISS on the downlink of 145.8Ø MHz unless otherwise noted. ******************************************************************************* All ARISS contacts are made via the Kenwood radio unless otherwise noted. ******************************************************************************* Several of you have sent me emails asking about the RAC ARISS website and not being able to get in. That has now been changed to https://www.ariss.org/ Note that there are links to other ARISS websites from this site. **************************************************************************** Looking for something new to do? How about receiving DATV from the ISS? Please note that the HamTV system has been brought back to earth for troubleshooting. Please monitor ARISS-EU or ARISS-ON for the very latest news on the troubleshooting efforts. If interested, then please go to the ARISS-EU website for complete details. Look for the buttons indicating Ham Video. http://www.ariss-eu.org/ If you need some assistance, ARISS mentor Kerry N6IZW, might be able to provide some insight. Contact Kerry at kbanke(a)sbcglobal.net The HamTV webpage: https://www.amsat-on.be/hamtv-summary/ **************************************************************************** ARISS congratulations the following mentors who have now mentored over 100 schools: Sergey RV3DR with 141 Francesco IKØWGF with 140 Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 140 Gaston ON4WF with 123 **************************************************************************** The webpages listed below were all reviewed for accuracy. Out of date webpages were removed, and new ones have been added. If there are additional ARISS websites I need to know about, please let me know. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school events is 1416. Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1349. Each contact may have multiple schools sharing the same time slot. Total number of ARISS supported terrestrial contacts is 48. Please feel free to contact me if more detailed statistics are needed. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The following US states and entities have never had an ARISS contact: South Dakota, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Marianas Islands, and the Virgin Islands. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ QSL information may be found at: https://www.ariss.org/qsl-cards.html ISS callsigns: DPØISS, IRØISS, NA1SS, OR4ISS, RSØISS **************************************************************************** Frequency chart for packet, voice, and crossband repeater modes showing Doppler correction as of 2005-07-29 04:00 UTC https://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ISS_frequencies_and_Doppler_correcti… Check out the Zoho reports of the ARISS contacts https://reports.zoho.com/ZDBDataSheetView.cc?DBID=412218000000020415 **************************************************************************** Exp. 63 now on orbit Kate Rubins KG5FYJ Sergey Ryzhikov Sergey Kud-Sverchkov SpaceX-Crew 1 on orbit Victor Glover KI5BKC Mike Hopkins KF5LJG Soichi Noguchi KD5TVP Shannon Walker KD5DXB **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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RadFxSat-2 has been identified as OBJECT C
by Mark Hammond 02 Feb '21

02 Feb '21

2 February 2021 Testing and characterization of RadFxSat-2/Fox-1E continues.After user reports and additional verification that the linear transponder is at least partially functioning with a low level downlink signal, the Engineering and Operations teams worked to identify which satellite, or Object, orbited from the Virgin Orbit Launch Demo 2 is actually RadFxSat-2/Fox-1E.Several objects have been suspected (D, C, and M), with Object C being suggested recently by Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA.Recently, these satellites have sufficiently spread apart to allow testing to determine which object is RadFxSat-2/Fox-1E. During the 2 Feb 2021 0240 UTC passes, command station Mark Hammond, N8MH, compared Objects D, C, and M for the “best fit” for received signals with Doppler correction on both the uplink and downlink frequencies for each of the candidate objects.Objects D and M were quickly eliminated from further consideration, due to poor frequency predictions of Doppler correction compared to observed signals. The clear best fit is Object C, which is known OBJECT C, INTELDES 2021-002C, and NORAD CAT ID 47311/./Therefore, AMSAT is happy to identify Object C/2021-002C/47311U as RadFxSat-2/Fox-1E.Thank to Alan Biddle, WA4SCA, for support during the identification. It should be noted that 18 SPS has not yet approved the identification for cataloguing.Final determination of the object assignment comes from the squadron. The Engineering and Operations teams appreciate the community’s cooperation thus far and affirm the request that users do not attempt to use the transponder until further notice.The proper identification will allow further characterization of the satellite’s condition through additional testing. On behalf of the Engineering and Operations Team, -- Mark L. Hammond [N8MH] AMSAT Director and Command Station

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ARISS News Release No. 21-07
by David Jordan 02 Feb '21

02 Feb '21

ARISS News Release No. 21-07 Dave Jordan, AA4KN ARISS PR aa4kn(a)amsat.org FORIMMEDIATE RELEASE Message to US Educators Amateur Radio on theInternational Space Station Contact Opportunity Call for Proposals New Proposal Window is February 15th, 2021 to March 31st, 2021 February2, 2021 --- The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS)Program is seeking formal and informal education institutions andorganizations, individually or working together, to host an Amateur Radiocontact with a crew member on board the ISS. ARISS anticipates that the contact would be held between January 1, 2022 and June 30, 2022. Crew scheduling and ISSorbits will determine the exact contact dates. To maximize these radio contactopportunities, ARISS is looking for organizations that will draw large numbersof participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed education plan. Thedeadline to submit a proposal is March 31st, 2021. Proposalinformation and more details such as expectations, proposal guidelines and theproposal form can be found at www.ariss.org.An ARISS Introductory Webinar session will be held on February 25th,2021 at 8 PM ET. The Eventbrite link to sign up is: https://ariss-proposal-webinar-spring-2021.eventbrite.com The Opportunity Crewmembers aboard the International Space Station will participate in scheduledAmateur Radio contacts. These radio contacts are approximately 10 minutes inlength and allow students to interact with the astronauts through aquestion-and-answer session. AnARISS contact is a voice-only communication opportunity via Amateur Radiobetween astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the space station and classrooms andcommunities. ARISS contacts afford education audiences the opportunity to learnfirsthand from astronauts what it is like to live and work in space and tolearn about space research conducted on the ISS. Students also will have anopportunity to learn about satellite communication, wireless technology, andradio science. Because of the nature of human spaceflight and the complexity ofscheduling activities aboard the ISS, organizations must demonstrateflexibility to accommodate changes in dates and times of the radio contact. AmateurRadio organizations around the world with the support of NASA and spaceagencies in Russia, Canada, Japan and Europe present educational organizationswith this opportunity. The ham radio organizations’ volunteer efforts providethe equipment and operational support to enable communication between crew onthe ISS and students around the world using Amateur Radio. Pleasedirect any questions to ariss.us.education(a)gmail.com. About ARISS: Amateur Radio on the InternationalSpace Station (ARISS) is a cooperative venture of international amateur radiosocieties and the space agencies that support the International Space Station(ISS). In the United States, sponsorsare the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), the American Radio RelayLeague (ARRL), the ISS National Lab-Space Station Explorers, and NASA’s SpaceCommunications and Navigation program. The primary goal of ARISS is to promoteexploration of science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematicstopics by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew membersaboard the ISS and students. Before and during these radio contacts, students,educators, parents, and communities learn about space, space technologies, andamateur radio. For more information, see www.ariss.org . MediaContact: DaveJordan, AA4KN ARISSPR Likeus on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter. Search on Amateur Radio on the ISS and@ARISS_status.

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:Re: Cubesats
by Ray Soifer 02 Feb '21

02 Feb '21

The Cubesats thread that I started several days ago has morphed into a general dscussion of AMSAT satellites. Mr Moderator, please change the thread accordingly. Before that happened, some excellent technical points were made about Cubesats. What;s the best way to get them into the hands of designers and builders? Speaking personally, I was impressed by how little things have chaged since the early days. As the French say, "plus ca change, plus la meme chose." Proolems with negative power budgets, antenna deployment, thermal design, lack of rad-hard components, and IHU failures, to just a few, were evident in the 1970s and 1980s, and were written about at the time. If anything, they have been made worse by the inadequate financial resources and lack of technical sophistication which are all too common in the Cubesat world. To those who participated, thank you. 73 Ray W2RS

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Fwd: [Nouvel article] UVSQSat – Changement de mode / Switch mode : 1200 BPSK GR3UH à/to 9600 BPSK GR3UH
by christophe.mcr 02 Feb '21

02 Feb '21

Dear All For information. 73 Christophe Xtophe a publié :"Le satellite devrait passé du mode 1200 BPSK GR3UH au mode 9600 BPSK GR3UH le 02/02/2021 à partir 19H15 UTC ou à 20H45 UTC The satellite should switch from 1200 BPSK GR3UH mode to 9600 BPSK GR3UH mode on 02/02/2021 from 19:15 UTC or 20:45 UTC." Nouvel article sur *AMSAT Francophone* <https://site.amsat-f.org/?author=2> UVSQSat – Changement de mode / Switch mode : 1200 BPSK GR3UH à/to 9600 BPSK GR3UH <https://site.amsat-f.org/2021/02/02/uvsqsat-changement-de-mode-switch-mode-…> par Xtophe <https://site.amsat-f.org/?author=2> Le satellite devrait passé du mode 1200 BPSK GR3UH au mode 9600 BPSK GR3UH le 02/02/2021 à partir 19H15 UTC ou à 20H45 UTC *The satellite should switch from 1200 BPSK GR3UH mode to 9600 BPSK GR3UH mode on 02/02/2021 from 19:15 UTC or 20:45 UTC.* Lire la suite <https://site.amsat-f.org/2021/02/02/uvsqsat-changement-de-mode-switch-mode-…>

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Re: Cubesats
by Daniel Schultz 02 Feb '21

02 Feb '21

Hams are not poor, many of us are willing to spend thousands on the latest radio gear, and DX-peditions have raised substantial amounts of money to finance trips to remote islands so that contributors can get a rare QSL card. We have the financial means but are lacking the organization. We have to convince members that if they can spend $2000 on a new radio then they can also send a $2000 check to AMSAT if they want new satellites in orbit. Some of our members are quite satisfied with low orbit FM satellites and think that keeping these in space is the top priority. Many others still remember the days of AO-10, AO-13 and AO-40 (when it was working). Many of those members became discouraged and left AMSAT when we failed to replace those satellites with new ones. We can keep the LEO sats in orbit for those who want them by offering our radio boards to universities and other groups who want to build CubeSats but don't know a lot about radio. To serve the long term interests of the amateur radio community we must set our sights on larger, more powerful and higher satellites, and we will probably have to pay for those launches because the era of free launches for satellites larger than a Cubesat is gone and not coming back. Fortunately the newly emerging private space industry offers launch options for much less money than the days when we got "free" launches from the government. The short lifetime of Phase 3D is a valid point, it was intended to last much longer except for a simple and avoidable mistake. The trouble is that P3D was a one of a kind mission with no possibility of a follow up mission. Future AMSAT HEO programs must be ongoing programs in which the lessons learned from earlier satellites can feed into subsequent missions. AMSAT must also prove that we are capable of learning lessons from ours and other's failures and applying them to new satellites. AMSAT has to prove that it is capable and worthy of such support, because we are only as good as our last failure. The petty bickering that has occurred recently has to end so that we can present a professional appearance to outsiders. I was working in the Hubble control center when the flawed mirror was discovered. Much has been written about why the conflicting optical tests were not followed up, but the project WAS behind schedule and over budget and Congress was looking at cancellation if it fell any further behind. Schedule and budget pressure are very real worries for NASA missions. I will simply point out that NASA repaired the flawed telescope within three years at minimal cost and the telescope has worked flawlessly for over 30 years now and is still going strong. That is a pretty successful failure. And NASA runs the CubeSat Launch Initiative and deploys many of them from the ISS, so it obviously does support CubeSats. Dan Schultz N8FGV ------ Original Message ------ Received: Mon, 01 Feb 2021 07:08:27 AM EST From: Dimitrios Simitas <va3dsz(a)gmail.com> Subject: Re: [AMSAT-BB] Re: Cubesats > If AMSAT were to build another AO-40, it would take 9 years of current > budget to finance it ($4-$4.5 million). And it's life of 4 years, would > mean years between satellite activity. Cubesats are a compromise that > allows them to launch one every year based on their budget. And during the > last 5 years, this has given amateurs near continuous use of the Fox series. > > If the goal is to keep satellites in space at all times, CubeSats are the > only feasible option under AMSAT's budget constraints. If the membership > desires better, then collectively more donations need to be made. Can't ask > for a Rolls Royce to drive you around then expect to pay Yellow Cab rates. > > As for criticisms from NASA, they hold the record for the most costly > satellite blunder, failing to properly verify the $4 billion Hubble before > launch.

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