AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-043
In this edition:
* AMSAT Engineering Recruiting Volunteers * NASA Announces Winners of 2022 Annual Space Apps Challenge * Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for February 9, 2023 * 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.
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ANS-043 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
To: All RADIO AMATEURS From: Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation 712 H Street NE, Suite 1653 Washington, DC 20002
DATE 2023 Feb 12
AMSAT Engineering Recruiting Volunteers
+ RF Engineer AMSAT is looking for an EE with RF experience to join its FOX-PLUS team. You'll collaborate with an all-volunteer team of up to ten electrical, mechanical, software and systems engineers. You will have the opportunity to design and build the RF communications subsystems for a series of low earth orbit, 1U-3U CubeSats to support AMSAT's educational and engineering objectives.
You should have a working knowledge of analog and digital communications protocols (e.g., FM, PSK, FSK) to provide digitally synthesized audio for FM modulated VHF/UHF/SHF voice and telemetry channels. Development opportunities can begin with modification of previous FOX designs and/or by starting with a blank sheet for an original design.
+ Mechanical Engineers AMSAT is looking for Mechanical Engineers to join its FOX and GOLF CubeSat teams. You'll collaborate with an all-volunteer team of up to 12 electrical, mechanical, software and systems engineers. You will have the opportunity to use your structural design and analysis skills in the development of a series of low earth orbit and highly elliptical orbit, 1U-3U CubeSats to support AMSAT's educational and engineering objectives.
Your contribution may include a) the development of the spaceframe and deployable solar panel subsystem, b) the analysis of the thermal characteristics of the CubeSat and the design of the thermal management system, c) preparation and oversight of the environmental testing procedure, and/or d) management of documentation of the CubeSats adherence to the launch provider's and space vehicle owner's specifications.
Our volunteers typically spend five hours per week on their project and attend a weekly online update meeting. An Amateur Radio license and CubeSat experience is helpful but not necessary. U.S. citizenship or proof of permanent residency is required.
Interested persons should send an email with their resume/curriculum vitae to: volunteer@amsat.org.
[ANS thanks Jonathan Brandenburg, KF5IDY, AMSAT Assistant VP, Engineering for the above information.]
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ The 2023 AMSAT President's Club coins are here now! To commemorate the 40th anniversary of its launch on June 16, 1983, this year's coin features an image of AMSAT-OSCAR 10. Join the AMSAT President's Club today and help Keep Amateur Radio in Space! https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
NASA Announces Winners of 2022 Annual Space Apps Challenge
The 2022 Annual Space Apps Challenge which was held October 1 and 2, 2022, brought together a host of participants from different locations, cultures, backgrounds, interests, and skill levels. The theme for the 2022 challenge – Make Space – perfectly describes the primary goals of the event: creating innovative solutions to space-related problems, while also making space for people around the world to participate and engage in a collaborative scientific effort.
“NASA’s Space Apps Challenge really puts students around the world to the test, helping to solve some of our time’s toughest problems,” said Bill Nelson, NASA Administrator. “I’m proud of all those who participated and challenged themselves to think creatively. Their remarkable ingenuity is proof that the Artemis Generation will help lead us into the future.” The challenge underscores the importance and value of NASA’s Open-Source Science Initiative that creates more advanced and inclusive research faster, builds a more just and equitable world, and provides access so that great minds from all walks of life can participate in science.
The 10 global winning teams proposed solutions using tools, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, 3D globes and maps, web applications, interactive games, and the infusion of art and music into their projects. The winning teams were:
- Best Use of Science: What’s New? (Taipei, Taiwan) - Best Use of Data: Starflock (Cleveland, Ohio, USA) - Best Use of Technology: Taming particles (Vilnius, Lithuania) - Galactic Impact: Selene (Jamshedpur, India) - Best Mission Concept: Mars 3D Home (Mendoza, Argentina) - Most Inspirational: Team Diamonds (Cumilla, Bangladesh) - Best Storytelling: MIMBI (Asuncion, Paraguay) - Global Connection: Standard NCTU CS Student (Taoyuan, Taiwan) - Art & Technology: Earth, Wind & Flare (Boston, Massachusetts, USA) - Local Impact: Brute Force (Nisocia, Cyprus)
Read the full story at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-043-Apps.
[ANS thanks spaceref.com for the above information.]
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Need new satellite antennas? Purchase Arrows, Alaskan Arrows, and M2 LEO-Packs from the AMSAT Store. When you purchase through AMSAT, a portion of the proceeds goes towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space. https://amsat.org/product-category/hardware/
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Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for February 9, 2023
The following satellites have decayed from orbit and have been removed from this week's AMSAT-NA TLE distribution:
SurfSat NORAD Cat ID 43614 (decayed from orbit on 01/27/23 per Space-Track) IRVINE 01 NORAD Cat ID 43693 (decayed from orbit on 01/31/23 per Space-Track) RS4S NORAD Cat ID 53306 (decayed from orbit on 01/27/23 per Space-Track) RS3S NORAD Cat ID 53308 (decayed from orbit on 01/31/23 per Space-Track) RS1S NORAD Cat ID 53309 (decayed from orbit on 01/31/23 per Space-Track) RS5S NORAD Cat ID 53310 (decayed from orbit on 01/31/23 per Space-Track) RS6S NORAD Cat ID 53311 (decayed from orbit on 01/27/23 per Space-Track) RS9S NORAD Cat ID 53312 (decayed from orbit on 01/31/23 per Space-Track) RS12S NORAD Cat ID 53313 (decayed from orbit on 01/31/23 per Space-Track)
The following satellites have been removed from this week's AMSAT-NA TLE distribution because their TLE's appear not to be updating: AstroBioCubeSat NORAD Cat ID 53107 CELESTA NORAD Cat ID 53111
The following satellite has failed it's NiCad batteries and has gone silent. In hope of a miraculous return, it will be continued in the AMSAT TLE Distribution for the time being:
AO-95 NORAD Cat ID 43770
[ANS thanks Ray Hoad, WA5QGD, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager, for the above information.]
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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.
+ Upcoming Contacts School No. 547, St. Petersburg, Russia, direct via TBD. The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RS0ISS. The scheduled crewmember is Sergey Prokopyev. Contact is go for February 13, 2023 at 09:35 UTC.
Gymnasium Christian-Ernestinum, Bayreuth, Germany, direct via DK0BT. The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS. The scheduled crewmember is Koichi Wakata, KI5TMN. Predicted times drifting earlier by about 4 minutes at this time. This contact will be using the Kenwood radio located in the Service Module. Contact is go for: February 14, 2023 at 10:20:12 UTC.
Stella Maris College, Gzira, Malta, direct via 9H1MRL. The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS. The scheduled crewmember is Josh Cassada, KI5CRH. Predicted times drifting earlier by about 4 minutes at this time. Contact is go: February 15,2023 at 12:48:01 UTC.
+ Completed Contacts About Gagarin From Space Secondary secondary school No. 2, direct via RY6AAC. The ISS callsign was RS0ISS. The crewmember was Anna Kikina Contact was successful on Sunday, February 5, 2023.
Cache County School District, Millville, UT, direct via W7IVM. The ISS callsign was NA1SS. The crewmember was Josh Cassada, KI5CRH. Contact was successful on February 7, 2023.
Colegio Diocesano Santa María Nuestra Senora, Ecija, Spain, telebridge via IK1SLD. The ISS callsign was OR4ISS. The scheduled crewmember was Josh Cassada, KI5CRH. Contact was successful on February 8, 2023.
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.]
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Upcoming Satellite Operations
FN10; Sunday, February 12, 2023 K4DCA - Will be there with his FM gear.
[ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT rover page manager, for the above information.]
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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.
+ Orlando Hamcation February 10-12, 2023 Central Florida Fairgrounds and Expo Park 4603 West Colonial Drive, Orlando, Florida 32808 https://www.hamcation.com/
+ 2023 CubeSat Developer’s Workshop April 24-27, 2023 California Polytechnic State University 1 Grand Avenue, San Luis Obispo, California 93407 https://www.cubesatdw.org/
[ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT Events page manager, for the above information.]
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Satellite Shorts From All Over
+ Newly found is the SARCTRAC Mk3b, a $290 satellite antenna rotator from Australia. USARCTRAC comes with all its components enclosed in a waterproof IP65 rated enclosure. It makes use of a 3D position sensor with magnetometer, allowing the unit to know its orientation at all times, meaning that it should be able to automatically position itself from startup. The design also makes use of DC motors with a built in worm gear drive, so the motors back driving is not possible. The system is controlled via a built in Raspberry Pi 3B+ and can communicate with the controlling PC via WiFi. More information available at https://www.sarcnet.org/sarctrac.html. [ANS thanks rtl-sdr.com for the above information.]
+ The 2022 edition of State-of-the-Art of Small Spacecraft Technology At NASA is now available for download. As with all previous editions of this report, the 2022 edition captures and distills a wealth of new information available on small spacecraft systems from NASA and other publicly available sources. This report should not be considered as a comprehensive overview of all the technologies but a great reference for the current state-of-the-art SmallSat technologies. Read the complete description of the report and download it at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-043-Report. [ANS thanks spaceref.com for the above information.]
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73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space!
This week's ANS Editor, Frank Karnauskas, N1UW n1uw [at] amsat [dot] org