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Re: SO-50 Key to Longivity?
by Brian Wilkins 22 Jul '24

22 Jul '24

Jim Did the TX timer help to extend the life of the satellite? 73, ko4aqf(a)gmail.com On Mon, Jul 22, 2024 at 1:17 PM Jim White via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> wrote: > I'll provide a bit of input here since I worked on SO50. Here are some > considerations. > > - The hardware was mostly built by SpaceQuest and used proven designs that > had been flown several times > > - The design goal was long life. The orbits would provide that, unlike > some current launches were the orbit will last a shorter time. The idea > was to provide a long life resource for all to use. > > - The software followed proven designs dating back to the 1990 Microsats. > All software except the boot loader (in rad protected RAM) was > uploadeable. The SCOS real-time operating system allowed individual tasks > to be killed and uploaded without disturbing other tasks or the OS. SCOS > was quite robust. > > - There were no I2C busses to latch up, and no flash cards (both of which > cause problems in current designs) > > - The program memory was rad hard, the OS 'washed' that memory every 10 > minutes to eliminate bit flips from passing through the SAA. The data > memory used Huffman software rad recovery. > > - Antennas we not deploy-able and were made of piano wire so were quite > robust. > > - The batteries were NiCAD so were robust and hard to hurt. They work > fine over a wide temperature range and don't need heaters. Don't need to > manage charging as carefully and don't need to be concerned about not > charging if outside a temp range. > > - The software automatically adjusted TX power output to prevent pulling > the battery V too low and causing a reset. There were three steps of > battery management, each turning off more stuff to reduce load and attempt > to prevent full discharge. > > - Batteries were very carefully matched using the process first developed > for the Microsats. > > - The power system included adjusting the solar panel input impedance to > constantly maximize power from the panels. And another algorithm prevented > overcharging. A manual process is used to adjust those algorithms as the > battery capacity drops with time and the panels loose efficiency. > > - The software kept the dept of discharge of the batteries to no more than > about 20%, resulting in much longer battery life. > > Jim, WD0E > > > On 7/22/2024 10:46 AM, JOHN GEIGER via AMSAT-BB wrote: > > Unfortunately I don't know much about IO-117 so that is a question I can't > answer. > > 73 John AF5CC > > Sent using Zoho Mail > > > > ---- On Mon, 22 Jul 2024 11:31:20 -0500 * <crohtun(a)aim.com> > <crohtun(a)aim.com>* wrote --- > > And what have we learned from IO-117 about radiation resistance, etc? > > Ray Crafton KN2K > > > Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS > <https://apps.apple.com/us/app/aol-news-email-weather-video/id646100661> > > On Monday, July 22, 2024, 12:02 PM, JOHN GEIGER via AMSAT-BB < > amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> wrote: > > > SO-50 will be 22 years old in December and seems to be still be going > strong, in sunlight and in eclipse. No other satellite launched since then > has lived near that long. So what is SO-50s key to long life? Is it how > the satellite was built? Something in its operation, like lower power on > transmit? Its orbital setup? > > Any ideas why it has lived so much longer than the recent crop of AMSATS? > > 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 athttps://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: SO-50 Key to Longivity?
by Ivan Molina 22 Jul '24

22 Jul '24

Thanks Jim for the valuable information. KN6EN Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer On Mon, Jul 22, 2024 at 10:17 AM, Jim White via AMSAT-BB<amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> wrote: I'll provide a bit of input here since I worked on SO50. Here are some considerations. - The hardware was mostly built by SpaceQuest and used proven designs that had been flown several times - The design goal was long life. The orbits would provide that, unlike some current launches were the orbit will last a shorter time. The idea was to provide a long life resource for all to use. - The software followed proven designs dating back to the 1990 Microsats. All software except the boot loader (in rad protected RAM) was uploadeable. The SCOS real-time operating system allowed individual tasks to be killed and uploaded without disturbing other tasks or the OS. SCOS was quite robust. - There were no I2C busses to latch up, and no flash cards (both of which cause problems in current designs) - The program memory was rad hard, the OS 'washed' that memory every 10 minutes to eliminate bit flips from passing through the SAA. The data memory used Huffman software rad recovery. - Antennas we not deploy-able and were made of piano wire so were quite robust. - The batteries were NiCAD so were robust and hard to hurt. They work fine over a wide temperature range and don't need heaters. Don't need to manage charging as carefully and don't need to be concerned about not charging if outside a temp range. - The software automatically adjusted TX power output to prevent pulling the battery V too low and causing a reset. There were three steps of battery management, each turning off more stuff to reduce load and attempt to prevent full discharge. - Batteries were very carefully matched using the process first developed for the Microsats. - The power system included adjusting the solar panel input impedance to constantly maximize power from the panels. And another algorithm prevented overcharging. A manual process is used to adjust those algorithms as the battery capacity drops with time and the panels loose efficiency. - The software kept the dept of discharge of the batteries to no more than about 20%, resulting in much longer battery life. Jim, WD0E On 7/22/2024 10:46 AM, JOHN GEIGER via AMSAT-BB wrote: Unfortunately I don't know much about IO-117 so that is a question I can't answer. 73 John AF5CC Sent using Zoho Mail ---- On Mon, 22 Jul 2024 11:31:20 -0500 <crohtun(a)aim.com> wrote --- And what have we learned from IO-117 about radiation resistance, etc? Ray Crafton KN2K Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS On Monday, July 22, 2024, 12:02 PM, JOHN GEIGER via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> wrote: SO-50 will be 22 years old in December and seems to be still be going strong, in sunlight and in eclipse. No other satellite launched since then has lived near that long. So what is SO-50s key to long life? Is it how the satellite was built? Something in its operation, like lower power on transmit? Its orbital setup? Any ideas why it has lived so much longer than the recent crop of AMSATS? 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 ----------------------------------------------------------- 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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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2024-07-22 19:00 UTC
by aj9n＠aol.com 22 Jul '24

22 Jul '24

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2024-07-22 19:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Aznakaevsky district schools of the Republic of Tatarstan, Tatarstan 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 crewmember is Aleksandr Grebyonkin RZ3DSE The ARISS mentor is RV3DR Contact is go for Sat 2024-07-27 13:45 UTC Arizona Science Center, Phoenix, AZ, 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 crewmember is Matthew Dominick KCØTOR The ARISS mentor is K4RGK Contact is go: Sat 2024-07-27 18:24:08 UTC 41 deg Narayama ARISS School Contact, Nara, Japan, direct via TBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS (***) 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 crewmember is Mike Barratt KD5MIJ (***) The ARISS mentor is 7M3TJZ Contact is go for: Mon 2024-07-29 10:56:40 UTC 59 deg (***) SMPIT Nurul Ishlah, Banda Aceh, Indonesia, telebridge via VK4ISS (***) 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 crewmember is Sunita Williams KD5PLB (***) The ARISS mentor is VE3TBD Contact is go for: Fri 2024-08-02 12:45:31 UTC 25 deg (***) Kopernik Observatory, Vestal, NY, mentor direct via K2ZRO 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 crewmember is Jeanette Epps KF5QNU (***) The ARISS mentor is AB1OC Contact is go for: Fri 2024-08-02 16:45:22 UTC 79 deg (***) Watch for Livestream at https://youtube.com/live/Tv3x3D0DTzU?feature=share The crossband repeater continues to be active. 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. 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 2024-07-22 19:00 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 2024-07-18 15:00 UTC. https://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/Successful_ARISS_schools.rtf ####################################################################################################################################### Comments on making general contacts I have been seeing a lot of traffic on Facebook and I suspect on other social media sites with people asking why they are not hearing the crew make general contacts. First off the crew is very busy on the ISS and they simply may not have the time to just pick up the microphone and talk. Also, one needs to be aware of their normal daily schedule. I have listed below the constraints that we at ARISS have to follow in order to schedule the school contacts. Hopefully this will help you better schedule your opportunities. Typical daily schedule Wakeup to Workday start= 1.5 hours Workday start to Workday end=12 hours Workday end to Sleep= 2 hours Sleep to wakeup= 8.5 hours The crew's usual waking period is 07:30 – 19:30 UTC. The most common times to find a crew member making casual periods are about one hour after waking up and about an hour before sleeping, when they have personal time. They're usually free most of the weekend, as well. SSTV events are not that often. So please check out https://www.ariss.org/ for the latest information or watch for the ARISS announcements. And don’t forget that the packet system is sometimes active. Check the status at https://www.ariss.org/ or http://www.issfanclub.eu to see if the packet system is active or not. As always, if there is an EVA, a docking, or an undocking; the ARISS radios are turned off as part of the safety protocol. 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 **************************************************************************************************************************************** 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) Call for Proposals The next proposal window for US schools and educational organizations to host an Amateur Radio contact with a crew member on board the ISS opens July 8, 2024 for contacts to be scheduled for January 1, 2025 – June 30, 2025. This proposal window is due to ARISS by September 6, 2024 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time (Sept. 7, 2024, 06:59 UTC). (***) 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 July 22, 2024, at 7 PM ET (23:00 UTC). The Zoom link to sign up is: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZErf-ihrDktG9OphYxAjfz7nbONV0YcwY… (***) Find more information and proposal instructions, visit the ARISS-USA website at: https://ariss-usa.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact-in-the-usa/ 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 is back on board but awaiting re-installation. 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 congratulates the following mentors who have now mentored over 100 schools: Sergey RV3DR with 239 Francesco IKØWGF with 154 Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 152 Gaston ON4WF with 124 Peter IN3GHZ with 119 Steve VE3TBD with 106 **************************************************************************** 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 1736. Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1641. 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, 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, FXØISS, GB1SS, 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. 70 on orbit Oleg Kononenko Nikolay Chub Exp. 71 on orbit Tracy E. Caldwell Dyson SpaceX Crew-8 on orbit Matthew Dominick KCØTOR Mike Barratt KD5MIJ Jeanette Epps KF5QNU Aleksandr Grebyonkin RZ3DSE **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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Re: SO-50 Key to Longivity?
by Jim White 22 Jul '24

22 Jul '24

I'll provide a bit of input here since I worked on SO50. Here are some considerations. - The hardware was mostly built by SpaceQuest and used proven designs that had been flown several times - The design goal was long life. The orbits would provide that, unlike some current launches were the orbit will last a shorter time. The idea was to provide a long life resource for all to use. - The software followed proven designs dating back to the 1990 Microsats. All software except the boot loader (in rad protected RAM) was uploadeable. The SCOS real-time operating system allowed individual tasks to be killed and uploaded without disturbing other tasks or the OS. SCOS was quite robust. - There were no I2C busses to latch up, and no flash cards (both of which cause problems in current designs) - The program memory was rad hard, the OS 'washed' that memory every 10 minutes to eliminate bit flips from passing through the SAA. The data memory used Huffman software rad recovery. - Antennas we not deploy-able and were made of piano wire so were quite robust. - The batteries were NiCAD so were robust and hard to hurt. They work fine over a wide temperature range and don't need heaters. Don't need to manage charging as carefully and don't need to be concerned about not charging if outside a temp range. - The software automatically adjusted TX power output to prevent pulling the battery V too low and causing a reset. There were three steps of battery management, each turning off more stuff to reduce load and attempt to prevent full discharge. - Batteries were very carefully matched using the process first developed for the Microsats. - The power system included adjusting the solar panel input impedance to constantly maximize power from the panels. And another algorithm prevented overcharging. A manual process is used to adjust those algorithms as the battery capacity drops with time and the panels loose efficiency. - The software kept the dept of discharge of the batteries to no more than about 20%, resulting in much longer battery life. Jim, WD0E On 7/22/2024 10:46 AM, JOHN GEIGER via AMSAT-BB wrote: > Unfortunately I don't know much about IO-117 so that is a question I > can't answer. > > 73 John AF5CC > > Sent using Zoho Mail <{0}> > > > > > ---- On Mon, 22 Jul 2024 11:31:20 -0500 *<crohtun(a)aim.com>* wrote --- > > And what have we learned from IO-117 about radiation resistance, etc? > > Ray Crafton KN2K > > > Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS > <https://apps.apple.com/us/app/aol-news-email-weather-video/id646100661> > > On Monday, July 22, 2024, 12:02 PM, JOHN GEIGER via AMSAT-BB > <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> wrote: > > > SO-50 will be 22 years old in December and seems to be still > be going strong, in sunlight and in eclipse. No other > satellite launched since then has lived near that long. So > what is SO-50s key to long life? Is it how the satellite was > built? Something in its operation, like lower power on > transmit? Its orbital setup? > > Any ideas why it has lived so much longer than the recent crop > of AMSATS? > > 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 athttps://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 athttps://mailman.amsat.org

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Re: SO-50 Key to Longivity?
by JOHN GEIGER 22 Jul '24

22 Jul '24

Thanks for the information on all of those things. Hopefully someday we can see some more FM satellites with this sort of lifespan! 73 John AF5CC Sent using {0} ---- On Mon, 22 Jul 2024 12:06:57 -0500 Paul Stoetzer via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> wrote --- 1. It's a microsat size satellite, so significantly larger than current cubesat form factors.2. It's transmit power is just 250 mW and it transmits only while it receives a signal with a 67 Hz PL tone - there's no constant carrier or any telemetry transmissions. I'm not aware of any other payloads or signals coming from the satellite. Potentially there's not even any onboard computer drawing power. 3. Given its size, it has fairly large solar cells and likely has fairly large battery cells and given its transmit setup, the depth of discharge is likely quite low. NiCd batteries can last a real long time when the depth of discharge is kept quite low. 73, Paul, N8HM On Mon, Jul 22, 2024 at 12:05 PM JOHN GEIGER via AMSAT-BB <mailto:[email protected]> wrote: SO-50 will be 22 years old in December and seems to be still be going strong, in sunlight and in eclipse. No other satellite launched since then has lived near that long. So what is SO-50s key to long life? Is it how the satellite was built? Something in its operation, like lower power on transmit? Its orbital setup? Any ideas why it has lived so much longer than the recent crop of AMSATS? 73 John AF5CC Sent using ----------------------------------------------------------- Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)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)http://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: SO-50 Key to Longivity?
by Paul Stoetzer 22 Jul '24

22 Jul '24

1. It's a microsat size satellite, so significantly larger than current cubesat form factors. 2. It's transmit power is just 250 mW and it transmits only while it receives a signal with a 67 Hz PL tone - there's no constant carrier or any telemetry transmissions. I'm not aware of any other payloads or signals coming from the satellite. Potentially there's not even any onboard computer drawing power. 3. Given its size, it has fairly large solar cells and likely has fairly large battery cells and given its transmit setup, the depth of discharge is likely quite low. NiCd batteries can last a real long time when the depth of discharge is kept quite low. 73, Paul, N8HM On Mon, Jul 22, 2024 at 12:05 PM JOHN GEIGER via AMSAT-BB < amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> wrote: > > SO-50 will be 22 years old in December and seems to be still be going > strong, in sunlight and in eclipse. No other satellite launched since then > has lived near that long. So what is SO-50s key to long life? Is it how > the satellite was built? Something in its operation, like lower power on > transmit? Its orbital setup? > > Any ideas why it has lived so much longer than the recent crop of AMSATS? > > 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

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Re: SO-50 Key to Longivity?
by JOHN GEIGER 22 Jul '24

22 Jul '24

Unfortunately I don't know much about IO-117 so that is a question I can't answer. 73 John AF5CC Sent using {0} ---- On Mon, 22 Jul 2024 11:31:20 -0500 <crohtun(a)aim.com> wrote --- And what have we learned from IO-117 about radiation resistance, etc? Ray Crafton KN2K https://apps.apple.com/us/app/aol-news-email-weather-video/id646100661 On Monday, July 22, 2024, 12:02 PM, JOHN GEIGER via AMSAT-BB <mailto:[email protected]> wrote: SO-50 will be 22 years old in December and seems to be still be going strong, in sunlight and in eclipse. No other satellite launched since then has lived near that long. So what is SO-50s key to long life? Is it how the satellite was built? Something in its operation, like lower power on transmit? Its orbital setup? Any ideas why it has lived so much longer than the recent crop of AMSATS? 73 John AF5CC Sent using ----------------------------------------------------------- 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: SO-50 Key to Longivity?
by JOHN GEIGER 22 Jul '24

22 Jul '24

That is an interesting idea and something I was wondering about, although I don't think that SO41 had a long lifespan, so it might have been built to different standards. 73 John AF5CC Sent using {0} ---- On Mon, 22 Jul 2024 11:35:14 -0500 Ignacio Granados Vega <ti3ies(a)gmail.com> wrote --- https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/saudisat-1.htm Maybe they put a little more research and money into the development and construction, I think that was reflected in a different quality in their circuits, which has caused their life to be prolonged. 73 TI3IES El lun, 22 jul 2024 a las 10:01, JOHN GEIGER via AMSAT-BB (<mailto:[email protected]>) escribió: SO-50 will be 22 years old in December and seems to be still be going strong, in sunlight and in eclipse. No other satellite launched since then has lived near that long. So what is SO-50s key to long life? Is it how the satellite was built? Something in its operation, like lower power on transmit? Its orbital setup? Any ideas why it has lived so much longer than the recent crop of AMSATS? 73 John AF5CC Sent using ----------------------------------------------------------- Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)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)http://amsat.org Manage all of your AMSAT-NA mailing list preferences at https://mailman.amsat.org -- ========================================== Ignacio Granados Vega - TI3IES Cartago, Costa Rica ========================================== Cuidemos el medio ambiente. Por favor no imprima este correo si no es necesario.

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SO-50 Key to Longivity?
by JOHN GEIGER 22 Jul '24

22 Jul '24

SO-50 will be 22 years old in December and seems to be still be going strong, in sunlight and in eclipse. No other satellite launched since then has lived near that long. So what is SO-50s key to long life? Is it how the satellite was built? Something in its operation, like lower power on transmit? Its orbital setup? Any ideas why it has lived so much longer than the recent crop of AMSATS? 73 John AF5CC Sent using {0}

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ANS-203 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by Paul Stoetzer 20 Jul '24

20 Jul '24

*AMSAT News Service* *ANS-203* *July 18, 2024* In this edition: - AMSAT Board of Directors Election Underway - AMSAT Mail Alias Service to End August 31, 2024 - Tevel Satellites Nearing Re-Entry - AMSAT-OSCAR 7 in Continuous Sunlight - Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for July 19, 2024 - ARISS News - Upcoming Satellite Operations - AMSAT Ambassador Activities - 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 https://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.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/ ------------------------------ Save the Date! Symposium 2024 Photo by Robert DuBois Mark your calendar now for the 2024 AMSAT Symposium, *October 25-27, 2024 *at the Doubletree by Hilton Tampa Rocky Point Waterfront in Tampa, Florida! Watch for announcements concerning further details as plans are formulated. ------------------------------ AMSAT Board of Directors Election Underway The nomination period for the 2024 AMSAT Board of Directors Election ended on June 15th. The following candidates have been duly nominated: - Mark Hammond, N8MH - Frank Karnauskas, N1UW - Bruce Paige, KK5DO - Paul Stoetzer, N8HM - Douglas Tabor, N6UA As three seats on the Board of Directors are up for election this year, the three candidates receiving the largest number of votes shall be declared elected to the seats. The two candidates receiving the next largest number of votes shall be declared First Alternate and Second Alternate, respectively. The voting process is now underway. AMSAT members can find candidate statements and electronic voting information on AMSAT's Wild Apricot Membership Portal <https://launch.amsat.org/2024-BoD-Election>. The voting period will conclude on September 15th and results will be announced no later than September 30th. *[ANS thanks Jeff Davis, KE9V, AMSAT Secretary for the above information]* ------------------------------ AMSAT Mail Alias Service to End August 31, 2024 A long-standing member service, the AMSAT Mail Alias Service is scheduled to end on August 31, 2024. A mail alias on AMSAT.ORG permitted people to send an email to members without knowing their actual internet email address. They just needed to know their amateur radio callsign. Unfortunately, the unchecked rise in domain name hacking and email account high-jacking has made it impossible to sustain this service at a cost-effective level. The number of callsign(a)amsat.org email accounts that had been hijacked and converted to zombie spam accounts over the years had led many internet service providers and gateway centers to ban all @ amsat.org email addresses, including those business accounts of AMSAT officers and officials. The tireless efforts of AMSAT’s all volunteer IT staff has worked for years to repair much of the damage, but AMSAT still get complaints from members who are not getting their personal emails, ANS bulletins or AMSAT-BB posts because of persistent delivery problems. It has come to the point where the AMSAT volunteer IT staff can no longer keep up with the maintenance requirements to keep the alias mail list clean and to work with email gateways to remove blocks. And, after considerable investigation into alternative paid email services, AMSAT leadership decided that the money required to keep an email alias system alive would be better spent on building and flying satellites for its members. Persons using the Mail Alias Service should begin to migrate to different email accounts so they do not lose receipt of personal emails, AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins, AMSAT-BB posts, or official messages from AMSAT itself. Members are especially asked to make sure they are NOT using a callsign(a)amsat.org as their registered email address in the AMSAT membership portal. Members can easily change their registered member email address by logging into the portal and updating their profile. *[ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information]* ------------------------------ Tevel Satellites Nearing Re-Entry The Tevel series of satellites is approaching re-entry, with Tevel-5 already re-entering on July 18th. The Tevel mission consists of 8 satellites developed by the Herzliya Science Center in Israel, each carrying an FM transponder. The satellites were built by 8 schools in different parts of Israel and launched in January 2022 on the SpaceX Falcon 9 Transporter-3 mission. A number of other satellites with amateur radio payloads are also re-entering shortly. A list of satellites approaching re-entry can be found at http://lu7aa.org/decay.asp *[ANS thanks Herzliya Science Center, AMSAT Argentina, and LU7AA for the above information]* ------------------------------ *The 2024 Coins Are Here Now!Help Support GOLF and Fox Plus.**Join <https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/> the AMSAT President’s Club today!* ------------------------------ AMSAT-OSCAR 7 in Continuous Sunlight AMSAT-OSCAR 7, soon to celebrate its 50th birthday on November 15, 2024, is now in a period of continuous sunlight through May 22, 2027. While in continuous sunlight, the satellite's internal timer is expected to switch between the two transponders - Mode A (29 MHz downlink and 145 MHz uplink) and Mode B (145 MHz downlink and 29 MHz uplink) every 24 hours. Post reports and check current status on the AMSAT Live OSCAR Satellite Status Page <https://www.amsat.org/status/>. After a few days in continuous sunlight, it should be possible to determine the actual or approximate time the satellite switches. *[ANS thanks AMSAT and EA1PA for the above information]* ------------------------------ Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for July 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 Thursday evenings around 2300 UTC, or more frequently if new high interest satellites are launched. More information may be found at https://www.amsat.org/keplerian-elements-resources/ The following satellites have been removed from this week's AMSAT TLE distribution: MESAT1 remains on this distribution. No signals have been detected from any other amateur spacecraft launched as part of NASA's ELaNa 43 mission. ELaNa 43 OBJECT A NORAD Cat ID 60203 No amateur signal detected ELaNa 43 OBJECT B NORAD Cat ID 60204 No amateur signal detected ELaNa 43 OBJECT C NORAD Cat ID 60205 No amateur signal detected ELaNa 43 OBJECT D NORAD Cat ID 60206 No amateur signal detected ELaNa 43 OBJECT E NORAD Cat ID 60207 No amateur signal detected ELaNa 43 OBJECT F NORAD Cat ID 60208 No amateur signal detected ELaNa 43 OBJECT H NORAD Cat ID 60210 No amateur signal detected Zhou Enlai NORAD Cat ID 43156 Decayed from orbit on or about 17 July 2024 TEVEL-5 NORAD Cat ID 50998 Decayed from orbit on or about 18 July 2024 The following satellites have been added to this week's AMSAT TLE distribution: GRBBeta NORAD Cat ID 60236 IARU coordinated downlinks on 145.935 MHz, 436.785 MHz and 2405.000 MHz ROBUSTA-3A NORAD Cat ID 60241 IARU coordinated 9k6 GMSK with AX.25 downlink on 436.750 MHz Thanks to Nico PA0DLO for identifying the two new spacecraft. *[ANS thanks Joe Fitzgerald, KM1P, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager, for the above information]* ------------------------------ *Need new satellite antennas? Purchase an M2 LEO-Pack from the **AMSAT Store! <https://amsat.org/product-category/hardware/>**When you purchase through **AMSAT, a portion of the proceeds goes towards **Keeping Amateur Radio in Space.* ------------------------------ 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. *Aznakaevsky district schools of the Republic of Tatarstan, Tatarstan Russia, direct via TBD* The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled crewmember is Aleksandr Grebyonkin RZ3DSE The ARISS mentor is RV3DR Contact is go for Sat 2024-07-27 13:45 UTC *Arizona Science Center, Phoenix, AZ, telebridge via AB1OC* The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled crewmember is Matthew Dominick KCØTOR The ARISS mentor is K4RGK Contact is go: Sat 2024-07-27 18:24:08 UTC 41 deg As always, if there is an EVA, a docking, or an undocking; the ARISS radios are turned off as part of the safety protocol. 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. 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 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. *N8MR* will be in *EN57*, with roves to EN67 from Aug 2 thru Aug 10. Icom 9700, Arrow and Alaskan (IO-117) antennas. Listening for Europe on linear eastern passes, at least two of these on CW. Can operate CW for NA ops, if anyone wants it. I can rove to EN56, only if needed. Posting passes to http://hams.at <https://t.co/VDIY566ji4> a day in advance. All QSOs to LoTW as N8MR. *[ANS thanks Ian Parsons, K5ZM, AMSAT Rover Page Manager, for the above information]* ------------------------------ * Want to fly the colors on your own grid expedition?* Get an AMSAT car flag and other neat stuff from our Zazzle store <https://www.zazzle.com/store/amsat_gear>! 25% of the purchase price of each product goes towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space ------------------------------ AMSAT Ambassador Activities AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events. AMSAT Ambassador Clint Bradford, K6LCS, says, "Think a 75-minute presentation on "working the easy satellites" would be appropriate for your club or event? Let me know by emailing me at k6lcsclint (at) gmail (dot) com or calling me at 909-999-SATS (7287)!" Clint has NEVER given the exact same show twice: EACH of the 150+ presentations so far has been customized/tailored to their audiences. Scheduled Events *2024 KARS / ARRL Idaho State Convention* *August 3, 2024* Post Falls, ID K7SYS *Huntsville Hamfest**August 17-18, 2024* Huntsville, AL AMSAT Booth and Forum N8DEU and W4FCL *Northeast HamXpostion**August 22-25, 2024* Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel & Trade Center 181 Boston Post Road W Marlborough, MA 01752 *Greater Louisville Hamfest**September 7, 2024* Shepherdsville, KY AMSAT Forum and Information Table W4FCL *Central Kentucky Hamfest**October 5, 2024* Lexington, KY AMSAT and Educational Satellites Forum and Information Table AI4SR and W4FCL *North Star Radio Convention**October 5, 2024* Hennepin Technical College (North Campus) Brooklyn Park, Minn. AMSAT Forum and Information Table KØJM and ADØHJ *2024 AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting**October 25-27, 2024* Doubletree by Hilton Tampa Rocky Point Waterfront 3050 N Rocky Point Dr W Tampa, FL 33607 *Stone Mountain Hamfest, ARRL State Convention* *November 2-3, 2024* Stone Mountain, GA K4RGK *[ANS thanks Bo Lowrey, W4FCL, Director – AMSAT Ambassador Program, for the above information]* ------------------------------ Satellite Shorts from All Over + XW-2B has recently returned to reliable service. XW-2B has an inverting linear transponder with an uplink of 435.090-435.110 MHz and a downlink of 145.730-145.750 MHz. + The May/June 2024 issue of *The **AMSAT** Journal* is now available to members on AMSAT’s Member Portal at https://launch.amsat.org/The_AMSAT_Journal + SpaceX's Falcon 9 suffered a rare failure on July 11th when the upper stage “experienced an anomaly and was unable to complete its second burn," trapping 20 Starlink satellites in an unusably low orbit. More information at https://spacenews.com/starlink-satellites-lost-on-falcon-9-upper-stage-fail… (ANS thanks SpaceNews for the 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.org for additional membership information. *73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space!* *This week's ANS Editor,* *Paul Stoetzer, N8HM* *n8hm [at] amsat.org <http://amsat.org>* *ANS is a service of AMSAT, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, 712 H Street NE, Suite 1653, Washington, DC 20002*

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