April 2024 - AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

Re: HT Whip recommendations
by Clint Bradford 22 Apr '24

22 Apr '24

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TYT UV8000E question-full duplex
by JOHN GEIGER 22 Apr '24

22 Apr '24

I see that the TYT UV-8000E HT will do crossband repeat, which makes me think it will do full duplex as well. However, I can't find anything saying it does or doesn't do full duplex. Has anyone used this HT on the satellites and can you confirm or deny that it will do full duplex on the FM sats? 73 John AF5CC Sent using {0}

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Re: HT Whip recommendations
by Thomas Schuessler 22 Apr '24

22 Apr '24

A single whip is obviously a compromise. The Smiley is a tri-band, but with specific whip extensions for specific bands. The 70 CM and the 2M lengths are different so there will be a compromise on the band that is not the band the antenna is set up for. I would probably have to make a decision as to whether to set this type of antenna for the RX band or the TX band. Resonance on TX means more power transferred to the antenna. Resonance on the RX band means better reception at the expense of RF out (Radio power foldback if SWR is too high). Clint, you are missing a very good, easy to build dual band Yagi by Kent Britain, WA5VJB. Search "WA5VJB cheap Yagi". 73, Tom, N5HYP On Sunday, April 21, 2024 at 07:08:31 PM CDT, Clint Bradford via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> wrote: Smiley 270 - out-performs the Diamond SRh-320a ... at half the price. Brief write-up on the ANTENNAS page at ... Work-sat.com Clint K6LCS Sent from my iPad On Apr 21, 2024, at 12:28, Alan via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> wrote: John, Take a look at the Pryme AL-800 antenna. It has been used successfully on satellites, though preferably in a quiet location such as a ship. I have a BNC version which I used very briefly years ago on some early morning passes. Amazon and eBay have versions with an SMA connector. Of course, the usual caveats about clones apply. 73, Alan WA4SCA From: JOHN GEIGER via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2024 13:26 To: amsat-bb <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: [AMSAT-BB] HT Whip recommendations I am trying to set up an ultra-portable FM satellite station-something that can be used pedestrian mobile, and something that will fit into a school size backpack for airline travel. Have the HT already-a 10 watt TIDRADIO HT and have made a couple of satellite QSOs using its stock rubber duck. I bought a Nagoya 771R telescoping version of their 771 antenna (which everyone raves about) but it doesn't hear the Mode J satellites well. The stock rubber duck hears them better. The antenna is supposed to be a 5/8 wave on 70cm, maybe that is the problem. Any recommendation on HT antennas people have been using on the satellites with success? It needs to be a whip type antenna-not a yagi that breaks down for transportation. I realize this is a very limited setup, but it is better than being QRT in some circumstances. 73 John AF5CC Sent using Zoho Mail ----------------------------------------------------------- Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Acceptable Use and Privacy Policies available at https://www.amsat.org/about-amsat/ View archives of this mailing list at https://mailman.amsat.org/hyperkitty/list/[email protected] To unsubscribe send an email to amsat-bb-leave(a)amsat.org Manage all of your AMSAT-NA mailing list preferences at https://mailman.amsat.org ----------------------------------------------------------- Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Acceptable Use and Privacy Policies available at https://www.amsat.org/about-amsat/ View archives of this mailing list at https://mailman.amsat.org/hyperkitty/list/[email protected] To unsubscribe send an email to amsat-bb-leave(a)amsat.org Manage all of your AMSAT-NA mailing list preferences at https://mailman.amsat.org

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Re: HT Whip recommendations
by Clint Bradford 21 Apr '24

21 Apr '24

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Re: AO-109
by Alan 21 Apr '24

21 Apr '24

Mark, Space-Track has a prediction for today, but not more specific. They seldom issue a final report of CubeSats though they will stop issuing new Keps. So, we need to use inference. Given the weak beacon, that is even trickier. Using the latest Keps, it should reenter around now, but with a wide range of time. One strong indicator is from the Status Page. EA6TA has regularly been reporting it was heard for the past few days. Today around 1430 UTC, he reported it was not heard. So it is likely down, or at the very least rendered inoperative by heat. Watch that page, just in case. 73, Alan WA4SCA From: Mark Johns, K0JM via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2024 16:47 To: Kc2syf <kc2syf(a)gmail.com> Cc: AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: [AMSAT-BB] Re: AO-109 Well, given that the last active report on that list is five days ago, I'd say that people aren't using it. -- Mark D. Johns, KØJM AMSAT Ambassador & News Service Editor Brooklyn Park, MN USA EN35hd ----------------------------------------------- "Heaven goes by favor; if it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in." ---Mark Twain On Sun, Apr 21, 2024 at 3:45 PM Kc2syf <kc2syf(a)gmail.com <mailto:[email protected]> > wrote: Looks like people are still using it <http://www.csntechnologies.net/satStatus?cat=47311> CSN Satellite Status <http://www.csntechnologies.net/satStatus?cat=47311> csntechnologies.net <http://www.csntechnologies.net/satStatus?cat=47311> Mike Sent from my iPhone On Apr 21, 2024, at 4:36 PM, Mark Johns, K0JM via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org <mailto:[email protected]> > wrote: My SatPC32 indicates that AO-109 has decayed. Can anyone confirm that it's no longer in orbit? -- Mark D. Johns, KØJM AMSAT Ambassador & News Service Editor Brooklyn Park, MN USA EN35hd ----------------------------------------------- "Heaven goes by favor; if it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in." ---Mark Twain ----------------------------------------------------------- Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org <http://amsat.org> . AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Acceptable Use and Privacy Policies available at https://www.amsat.org/about-amsat/ View archives of this mailing list at https://mailman.amsat.org/hyperkitty/list/[email protected] To unsubscribe send an email to amsat-bb-leave(a)amsat.org <http://amsat.org> Manage all of your AMSAT-NA mailing list preferences at https://mailman.amsat.org

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Re: AO-109
by Kc2syf 21 Apr '24

21 Apr '24

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AO-109
by Mark Johns, K0JM 21 Apr '24

21 Apr '24

My SatPC32 indicates that AO-109 has decayed. Can anyone confirm that it's no longer in orbit? -- Mark D. Johns, KØJM AMSAT Ambassador & News Service Editor Brooklyn Park, MN USA EN35hd ----------------------------------------------- "Heaven goes by favor; if it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in." ---Mark Twain

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Re: HT Whip recommendations
by Alan 21 Apr '24

21 Apr '24

John, Take a look at the Pryme AL-800 antenna. It has been used successfully on satellites, though preferably in a quiet location such as a ship. I have a BNC version which I used very briefly years ago on some early morning passes. Amazon and eBay have versions with an SMA connector. Of course, the usual caveats about clones apply. 73, Alan WA4SCA From: JOHN GEIGER via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2024 13:26 To: amsat-bb <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: [AMSAT-BB] HT Whip recommendations I am trying to set up an ultra-portable FM satellite station-something that can be used pedestrian mobile, and something that will fit into a school size backpack for airline travel. Have the HT already-a 10 watt TIDRADIO HT and have made a couple of satellite QSOs using its stock rubber duck. I bought a Nagoya 771R telescoping version of their 771 antenna (which everyone raves about) but it doesn't hear the Mode J satellites well. The stock rubber duck hears them better. The antenna is supposed to be a 5/8 wave on 70cm, maybe that is the problem. Any recommendation on HT antennas people have been using on the satellites with success? It needs to be a whip type antenna-not a yagi that breaks down for transportation. I realize this is a very limited setup, but it is better than being QRT in some circumstances. 73 John AF5CC Sent using Zoho Mail

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HT Whip recommendations
by JOHN GEIGER 21 Apr '24

21 Apr '24

I am trying to set up an ultra-portable FM satellite station-something that can be used pedestrian mobile, and something that will fit into a school size backpack for airline travel. Have the HT already-a 10 watt TIDRADIO HT and have made a couple of satellite QSOs using its stock rubber duck. I bought a Nagoya 771R telescoping version of their 771 antenna (which everyone raves about) but it doesn't hear the Mode J satellites well. The stock rubber duck hears them better. The antenna is supposed to be a 5/8 wave on 70cm, maybe that is the problem. Any recommendation on HT antennas people have been using on the satellites with success? It needs to be a whip type antenna-not a yagi that breaks down for transportation. I realize this is a very limited setup, but it is better than being QRT in some circumstances. 73 John AF5CC Sent using {0}

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ANS-112 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by Frank Karnauskas (N1UW) 20 Apr '24

20 Apr '24

In this edition: * Nine US Schools Moved Forward in ARISS Selection Process * AMSAT Thanks First Quarter 2024 President’s Club Members * AMSAT Engineering Team Powering Up for Hamvention * Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for April 19, 2024 * ARISS News * Upcoming Satellite Operations * Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events * 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 [dot] 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-112 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 Apr 21 Nine US Schools Moved Forward in ARISS Selection Process Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) announced on April 18, 2014 the US schools/host organizations newly selected for 2024 ARISS contacts. A total of 9 of the submitted proposals during the recent proposal window have been accepted to move forward in the processes of planning to host a scheduled amateur radio contact with crew on the ISS. The primary goal of the ARISS program is to engage young people in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) activities and raise their awareness of space communications, radio communications, space exploration, and related areas of study and career possibilities. [ARISS News] The ARISS program anticipates that NASA will be able to provide scheduling opportunities for the 9 US host organizations during the July – December 2024 time period. They are now at work starting to implement their 4–6-month education plan which was outlined in their proposal. These STEAM based educational activities help prepare students for their contact as well as create an on-going exploration and interest in aerospace and amateur radio topics. They are also completing an acceptable equipment plan that demonstrates their ability to execute the ham radio contact. Once their equipment plan is approved by ARISS, the final selected schools/organizations will be scheduled as their availability and flexibility match up with the scheduling opportunities offered by NASA. The schools and host organizations are: * Arizona Science Center, Phoenix, AZ * Bayou Academy, Cleveland, MS * Bishop O’Connell High School, Arlington, VA * Greenville Junior High School, Greenville, IL * Hillsboro Charter Academy, Purcellville, VA * Pacific Science Center, Seattle, WA * Sally Ride Elementary School, Orlando, FL * South Carolina Regional Workforce Advisors-Office of Statewide Workforce Development, Columbia, SC * TEACH-NW Charter School, Springfield, OR [ANS thanks Dave Jordan, AA4KN, for the above information.] ________________________________ [cid:[email protected]] 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! https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/ ________________________________ AMSAT Thanks First Quarter 2024 President’s Club Members Frank Karnauskas, N1UW, AMSAT VP – Development happily reports, “Each year for the past four years of its re-incarnation, the AMSAT President’s Club has picked up speed and becomes a more important factor in AMSAT’s annual fund raising efforts. The first quarter of the 2024 the President’s Club is off to a great start. With our regular dedicated contributors plus many first-time members, contributions have already raised almost $16,000 in the first three months of 2024. “So often, our members think about AMSAT’s having to raise funds for satellite hardware – the costs for electronic components, solar panels, batteries and so on. But, there are many background costs. A good example is software licenses needed for actual satellite development. The volunteer engineers can often swap licenses so they can limit the number of licenses needed. But, as they draw closer to finalizing drawings for circuit boards, spaceframes and deployable solar panels, the team can stretch software licenses only so far before work flow becomes handicapped. Some software licenses, even with the best educational or non-profit discounts, easily exceed the $1,000 mark. And, those licenses need to be renewed on an annual basis. “The engineering team can always use more electrical and mechanical engineers to move the FOX-PLUS and GOLF programs along. But, being able to leverage the efforts of our current volunteers with enough software licenses would be a huge plus. Contributions from members of the President’s Club make a big difference in giving the engineering team the tools they need.” To date, the generous donors members of the 2024 AMSAT President’s Club include: * Titanium ($4,800+) Barry Baines, WD4ASW William Brown, K9LF * Gold ($1,200+) Anonymous Burns Fisher, WB1FJ John Kludt, K7SYS Glenn Miller, AA5PK * Silver ($600+) Donald Coker, KM6TRZ Richard Dittmer, KB7SAT Mark Johns, K0JM Joseph, Lynch,N6CL Bruce Paige, KK5DO Jason Schwarz, N4JJS * Bronze ($300+) Donald Pettigrew, K9ECT Dave Taylor, W8AAS * Core ($120+) David Batzle, N2VDY Robert Beatty, WB4SON Alan Boggs, K7IIV James Gallagher III, KB3SQS David Hartrum, WA3YDZ Steven Husey, KB1UOJ William Pesci, N4WLP Paul Stoetzer, N8HM Stefan Wagener, VE4SW Wayne Wagner, AG1A Members can learn more about joining the President’s Club at https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/. [ANS thanks Frank Karnauskas, N1UW, AMSAT VP – Development for the above information.] ________________________________ Need new satellite antennas? Purchase M2 LEO-Packs from the AMSAT Store. [cid:[email protected]] When you purchase through AMSAT, a portion of the proceeds goes towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space. https://amsat.org/product-category/hardware/ ________________________________ AMSAT Engineering Team Powering Up for Hamvention Given hams’ inherent interest in all things technical, it’s no wonder that the Engineering table at AMSAT’s Hamvention booth is always popular. Not wanting to disappoint our members, Jerry Buxton, N0JY, AMSAT VP- Engineering and his team are making plans for an informative and entertaining presence. No fewer than ten members of the engineering team will attending this year’s Hamvention. Probably the most interesting exhibit will be a full-scale model of the GOLF-TEE (Technology Exploration Environment) satellite. The 3-D model printed by team member Tom Karnauskas, N0UW, gives an interesting look at the challenges that satellite designers face when trying to fit stacks of circuit boards, bundles of batteries, attitude sensing and control systems, and experimental payloads inside a 10cm x 10cm x 30cm spaceframe. The model also gives a look at the challenge of adding deployable solar panels to the exterior of the spacecraft. Given the fact that the GOLF program represents AMSAT’s return to Highly Elliptical Orbit (HEO), engineers will no-doubt be busy answering questions on all facets of the GOLF program. Engineers will also be on hand to answer questions about the ongoing development of the Fox-Plus series of satellites. Recognizing the success of the original Fox series as an entry level introduction to amateur satellites, the engineers working the Fox-Plus birds are committed to improving on the original concept and setting the stage for future capabilities for these Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites. For those interested in a look even further into the future, engineers working the ASCENT program will also be present. ASCENT, meaning, Advanced Satellite Communication and Exploration of New Technology, is a “sandbox” for future satellite communications and related systems to be explored and pursued for eventual flight use. A radiation-tolerant internal-housekeeping-unit (RT-IHU), software defined radio (SDR) methods, and a 10 GHz PA design ideas are some ASCENT projects that will fly on GOLF-TEE. Engineers at the table can also discuss other ASCENT projects in the works such as a slow-scan television (SSTV) payload, a packet repeater payload and propulsion systems suitable for CubeSat operation. [ANS thanks the AMSAT Engineering Team 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! [cid:[email protected]] 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 April 19, 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 removed from this week’s AMSAT-NA TLE distribution: * Clark sat-1 NORAD Cat ID 58613 Decayed from orbit on or about 16 April 2024 * AISTechSat 3 NORAD Cat ID 44103 Decayed from orbit on or about 18 April 2024 [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. Successful Contacts Mrs Ethelston’s CE Primary Academy at Axminster Community Academy Trust, Lyme Regis, United Kingdom, direct via GB4ACA. The ISS callsign was NA1SS. The crewmember was Matthew Dominick, KCØTOR. The ARISS mentor was Ciaran Morgan, M0XTD. Contact was successful on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 at 10:44 UTC. Mountain View Elementary, Marietta, GA, direct via KQ4JVI. The ISS callsign was NA1SS. The crewmember was Jeanette Epps, KF5QNU. The ARISS mentor was Daryl Young, K4RGK. Contact was successful on Thursday, April 18, 2024 at 17:48 UTC. Upcoming Contacts American International University, Salmiya, Kuwait, direct via 9K9AIU. The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS. The scheduled crewmember is Mike Barratt KD5MIJ. The ARISS mentor is Stefan Dombrowski, ON6TI. Contact is go for Monday, April 22, 2024 at 08:29:15 UTC. Pleasant Knoll Middle School, Ft. Mill, SC, direct via K4YTZ. The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS. The scheduled crewmember is Matthew Dominick, KCØTOR. The ARISS mentor is Charles Sufanam AJ9N. Contact is go for Monday, April 22, 2024 at 16:10:29 UTC. Watch for Livestream at https://www.youtube.com/@YorkCountyAmateurRadioSociety and note that this might change. Thrive Home School Academy, Colorado Springs, CO, direct via AFØS. The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS. The scheduled crewmember is Jeanette Epps, KF5QNU. The ARISS mentor is Gordon Scannell, KD8COJ. Contact is go for Monday, April 22, 2024 at 17:42:36. Watch for Livestream at http://www.hsd2.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). 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 No operations reported at this time. 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] ________________________________ Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events. 2024 CubeSat Developer’s Workshop April 23-25, 2024 Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, CA https://www.cubesatdw.org/ Dayton Hamvention 2024 May 17-19, 2024 Greene County Fairgrounds and Expo Center 120 Fairground Road Xenia, OH 45385 https://hamvention.org 38th Annual Small Satellite Conference August 3-8, 2024 Logan, UT, USA https://smallsat.org [ANS thanks the AMSAT Events page for the above information] ________________________________ Satellite Shorts From All Over * The CubeSat Developers Workshop announced Dr. Puig-Suari will be the keynote speaker for the 2024 event. Dr. Puig-Suari received B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. Degrees in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Purdue University. Dr. Puig-Suari is a professor emeritus in the Aerospace Engineering Department at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. In 1999, Dr Puig-Suari and Prof. Bob Twiggs at Stanford developed the CubeSat standard. Dr. Puig-Suari’s team was responsible for the development of the standard CubeSat deployer (the P-POD) and has supported launches for over 130 CubeSats in the U.S. and abroad. More information on the workshop can be found at https://www.cubesatdw.org/. [ANS thanks cubesat.org for the above information.] * AMSAT-DL has announced planning for the Bochum Space Conference 2024 to be held September 20-22, 2024. AMSAT-DL is organizing a symposium, flea market and general meeting in the radome of the Bochum Observatory. The radome will once again be dedicated to satellite and space research. AMSAT Deutschland e.V. and the Bochum Observatory are taking the positive experience of the anniversary conference in 2023 as an opportunity to inform AMSAT members and other space enthusiasts about current and future prospects for national and international space projects with a varied program. As the Radom is also the location of ESA’s education office in Germany (esero Germany), they want to make the symposium even more attractive in future and at the same time focus even more on current European space travel. More information at https://amsat-dl.org/en/bochum-space-conference-2024/. [ANS thanks AMSAT-DL for the above information.] * Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner embarked on its last big road trip before its journey to the International Space Station next month. In the pre-dawn hours of Tuesday morning, the capsule and its service module made the slow trek from Kennedy Space Center to Space Launch Complex 41 on Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The rollout of the vehicle, named Calypso, is another key step towards the Crew Flight Test (CFT) of the Starliner spacecraft, the first time that it will carry astronauts to and from the ISS. The mission’s crew, NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, KD5PLB, were on hand to witness the departure of their ticket to ride. [ANS thanks Spaceflight Now for the above information.] * A dead spacecraft the size of a truck ignites with plasma and pulverizes into dust and litter as it rips through the ionosphere and atmosphere. This is what happens to internet service satellites during re-entry. When the full mega-constellation of satellites is deployed in the 2030s, companies will do this every hour because satellite internet requires thousands of satellites to constantly be replaced. Recent research has led some physicists to believe that the space trash generated by dead and dying commercial satellites could compromise our ionosphere or magnetosphere. Unlike meteorites, which are small and only contain trace amounts of aluminum, these wrecked spacecraft are huge and consist entirely of aluminum and other exotic, highly conductive materials. And highly conductive materials can create charging effects and act as a magnetic shield. [ANS thanks Dr. Sierra Soter, writing in the Guardian, 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 [dot] org for additional membership information. 73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space! This week’s ANS Editor, Frank Karnauskas, N1UW n1uw [at] amsat [dot] org

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