AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-273
In this edition:
* AMSAT-UK to Provide FUNcube Lite Payload for Jovian-1 Satellite * AMSAT-EA HADES-R and HADES-ICM planned for Q1 2025 * NASA Gears Up for Europa Clipper Mission to Jupiter's Icy Moon * Artificial Star Mission Aims to Help Unlock Secrets of the Universe * GridMasterMap Satellite Top 100 Rovers October 2024 Rankings * Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for September 27, 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.
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ANS-273 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 Sep 29
________________________________ The 42nd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting will be held on Friday through Saturday, October 25-26, 2024 DoubleTree by Hilton Tampa Rocky Point Waterfront in Tampa, Florida. Click Here to Register Nowhttps://launch.amsat.org/event-5833792 [https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/DoubleTree-Tampa-...] Rooms can be reserved at https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/radioamateursatellite/ If you're interested in presenting or submitting a paper, see the Call for Papershttps://www.amsat.org/2024-symposium/call-for-papers-2024/ webpage ________________________________ AMSAT-UK to Provide FUNcube Lite Payload for Jovian-1 Satellite
AMSAT-UK has announced it will provide a FUNcube Lite payload for the Jovian-1 satellite, featuring a U/V FM voice transponder. Jovian-1, a 6U CubeSat, is being developed by Space South Central, a space cluster in the UK. The project is a collaboration between industry and academic institutions aimed at supporting the region’s space sector.
Jovian-1 is part of the JUPITER program, which stands for Joint Universities Programme for In-Orbit Training, Education, and Research. The program involves the universities of Surrey, Portsmouth, and Southampton and offers students direct experience in the space sector. JUPITER prepares participants for careers in space, with a focus on practical training in satellite design and operations.
The FUNcube Lite payload will collect telemetry data from the satellite’s subsystems, including radiation sensor readings and GPS information. The data will be transmitted to schools and colleges using the FUNcube data format. This will help track radiation levels across the satellite’s orbit and assess radiation effects on onboard electronics. [https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Space-South-Centr...]https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Space-South-Central-Jovian-1.jpg Space South Central students will have the opportunity to design and launch the Jovian-1 satellite. [Credit: Space South Central]
Students from Space South Central will design, build, test, and launch the Jovian-1 satellite. The satellite will use commercial S and X bands for its main communication, through a ground station at Surrey University. The FUNcube Lite payload will operate on UHF and VHF amateur radio frequencies. When not gathering telemetry, it can switch to a U/V mode FM voice transponder, enabling communication for radio amateurs.
The project emphasizes the role of regional space clusters in advancing the UK space industry. Space South Central represents over 170 space-related businesses in the region. The mission allows students to conduct satellite operations from the University of Surrey’s ground station, bridging academic study with hands-on experience.
More information about the Jovian-1 mission and the FUNcube Lite payload will be shared at the AMSAT-UK Colloquium on October 12-13, 2024. The event will provide detailed updates on the satellite’s development and its technical components, offering insights for anyone interested in amateur radio and satellite communications.
For more information:
* Space South Central: spacesouthcentral.comhttps://www.spacesouthcentral.com/news/universities-launch-pioneering-space-programme-to-boost-uk-skills-and-graduate-opportunities?s=03 * University of Surrey: surrey.ac.ukhttps://www.surrey.ac.uk/ * University of Portsmouth: port.ac.ukhttps://www.port.ac.uk/ * University of Southampton: southampton.ac.ukhttps://www.southampton.ac.uk/
[ANS thanks Dave Johnson, G4DPZ, Honorary Secretary, AMSAT-UKhttps://amsat-uk.org/ , for the above information]
________________________________ AMSAT-EA HADES-R and HADES-ICM planned for Q1 2025
AMSAT-EA has announced the upcoming launch of two new satellites, HADES-R and HADES-ICM, which will be made available to radio amateurs in early 2025. These satellites are set to replace the current HADES-D (SO-121) satellite in orbit. Unlike HADES-D, which transmits at a power level of 40mW, the new satellites will have variable transmission power, reaching up to theoretical 250mW when fully charged.
The HADES-R and HADES-ICM satellites, classified as 1.5p pocketQubes, will be launched by SpaceX on its Transporter-12 and Transporter-13 missions. The launches will utilize D-Orbit's ION orbital transfer vehicle (OTV), with mission management provided by Alba Orbital, a Scottish company specializing in satellite launch solutions. As with previous AMSAT-EA projects, these satellites have been developed with the support of private companies and universities.
Both satellites will support a wide range of communications capabilities, including FM voice, FSK, FT-4, and FT-8 modes. They will also be equipped to handle AX.25/APRS communications at both 300 and 1200 bps. The uplink for the satellites will be in the VHF band, while the downlink will operate in the UHF band. Additionally, the satellites will transmit telemetry data, including status updates, voice messages, and CW messages. All communications will be managed through an SDR-based FM and FSK repeater, which will be available at all times, activated by squelch level without the need for a subtone.
In addition to their primary communications functions, both satellites will carry a scientific experiment from the Smart IR/Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC) at the University of Manchester. This experiment will test a very low-power active radiator under space conditions. HADES-ICM has received sponsorship from IcMercury (Interstellar Communication Holdings), based in Florida, and will feature several challenge messages embedded within the FSK telemetry. While the HADES-R satellite has already been coordinated by the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU), HADES-ICM is still pending approval.
[ANS thanks Félix Páez, EA4GQS, President / Mission Manager, AMSAT-EAhttps://www.amsat-ea.org/, for the above information]
________________________________ NASA Gears Up for Europa Clipper Mission to Jupiter's Icy Moon
NASA is set to launch the Europa Clipper mission, a groundbreaking effort to explore Jupiter's icy moon, Europa. Slated for liftoff as early as October 10, 2024, the spacecraft will be carried into space by a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The mission aims to uncover the mysteries of Europa’s hidden ocean and assess whether the moon could host conditions favorable for life.
Europa Clipper’s journey will take six years to reach the Jupiter system. Once there, it will enter an orbit around Jupiter, performing dozens of flybys of Europa. The spacecraft’s suite of instruments will probe beneath the moon’s icy shell to study its subsurface ocean. By mapping the moon and investigating its potential habitability, NASA hopes to shed light on one of the most intriguing questions in planetary science: whether life could exist on other worlds. [https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Europa-Clipper-Pa...]https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Europa-Clipper-Passes-Prelaunch-Review.jpg NASA reported that Europa Clipper passed its pre-launch review on September 9th. [Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett]
The mission is significant because Europa is thought to possess all the ingredients necessary for life. Beneath its thick ice lies a vast, salty ocean, which may contain more water than all of Earth’s oceans combined. The moon’s subsurface environment could offer the energy, liquid water, and organic compounds required to support life. Although Europa is smaller than Earth’s moon, its potential to harbor a habitable environment makes it a prime target for exploration.
To reach Jupiter, Europa Clipper will rely on two gravity assists. In 2025, it will pass within 1,000 kilometers of Mars to adjust its trajectory, followed by a close flyby of Earth in 2026. These maneuvers will boost the spacecraft’s speed and guide it toward the Jupiter system, where it is expected to arrive in 2030. Instead of orbiting Europa directly, the spacecraft will remain in orbit around Jupiter, occasionally dipping into the planet’s intense radiation field for close encounters with Europa. [https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Jupiter-Europa-Hi...]https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Jupiter-Europa-High-Resolution.jpeg View of Jupiter's moon Europa captured by NASA's Galileo spacecraft. [Credit: NASA/JPL/University of Arizona]
Once in the Jupiter system, Europa Clipper will conduct over 40 flybys of Europa, approaching as close as 25 kilometers above its surface. The spacecraft’s instruments are designed to withstand the harsh radiation environment, with most being housed in a protective radiation vault. Each flyby will gather detailed data, providing new insights into the moon’s ice-covered ocean and the possibility of life beneath its surface.
The spacecraft’s science instruments include ice-penetrating radar to map Europa’s icy shell and magnetic sensors to confirm the presence of its ocean. High-resolution cameras and spectrometers will analyze the moon's surface and search for water vapor plumes that may erupt from below. Although Europa Clipper is not officially a life-detection mission, it promises to transform our understanding of habitability beyond Earth.
[ANS thanks Kate Howells, The Planetary Societyhttps://www.planetary.org/, for the above information]
________________________________ The 2024 AMSAT President’s Club coins are here now! Help Support GOLF and Fox Plus [https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2024-Coin-Both_58...] Join the AMSAT President's Club today and help Keep Amateur Radio in Space! https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/ ________________________________ Artificial Star Mission Aims to Help Unlock Secrets of the Universe
NASA is embarking on an ambitious mission that could reshape our understanding of the universe with the help of a small, human-made satellite. Researchers at George Mason University are leading a $19.5 million NASA-funded project to launch an "artificial star" into space. The goal of this satellite, once it reaches orbit, is to appear as a star to telescopes on Earth, allowing scientists to gather more precise data on stellar brightness. The mission could unlock critical insights into the age, size, and scale of stars, offering fresh clues about the expansion of the universe and even the potential for extraterrestrial life.
The so-called artificial star will be positioned in geostationary orbit, approximately 22,236 miles from Earth. While it won’t be visible to the naked eye, telescopes will be able to track the satellite as it moves at the same speed as Earth’s rotation, staying positioned over the U.S. Named in honor of the late astronomer Arlo Landolt, known for his work in stellar calibration, the satellite will spend its first year in space using advanced technology to monitor the brightness of millions of stars. This will allow astronomers to refine existing models for measuring stellar evolution and the universe’s expansion. [https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/NASAs-Landolt-Sat...]https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/NASAs-Landolt-Satellite-Laser-Calibration.jpg NASA's Landolt mission will help researchers study star brightness. [Credit: George Mason University]
Equipped with a sophisticated array of lasers, the satellite will serve as a controlled reference point for researchers on Earth. It will enhance the accuracy of brightness measurements, providing data that cannot be gathered from ground-based telescopes alone. According to Peter Plavchan, the primary investigator of the Landolt NASA Space Mission at George Mason, this mission represents a breakthrough in how stars and even distant supernovae are studied. “Such measurements can only be achieved by a space-based orbiting artificial star,” Plavchan said.
The mission, part of NASA’s Pioneers program, marks a significant milestone for George Mason University. This is the university's first time leading such a mission, with NASA providing oversight and key technical support. George Mason is collaborating with the National Institute of Standards and Technology and 10 other universities to develop the satellite, which will face significant engineering challenges in high orbit. “Our team will design, build, and integrate the payload,” said Peter Pachowicz, an engineering professor at George Mason. “It’s an incredibly exciting opportunity.” [https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Arlo-Landolt-Kitt...]https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Arlo-Landolt-Kitt-Peak-National-Observatory.jpg Astronomer Arlo Landolt had compiled widely used catalogs of stellar brightness. [Credit: NOIRLab]
One of the broader goals of the Landolt mission is to contribute to the search for habitable planets. By analyzing how stars influence planetary environments, the satellite could help scientists better understand where in the universe conditions might be suitable for life. Astronomers are particularly interested in so-called habitable or “Goldilocks” zones, where planets could have the right conditions—neither too hot nor too cold—to support liquid water, a key ingredient for life. Understanding how stars affect these zones is essential to identifying planets that may harbor life.
While the mission has the potential to revolutionize the field of astronomy, it also poses big challenges. Finding definitive evidence of life beyond Earth requires precise measurements of stellar properties, such as how much energy a star emits and how close a planet is to that star. "There are so many big questions in astronomy: How did we get here? Are there other planets like ours? Do aliens exist?" said Jamie Tayar, an astronomer at the University of Florida, a partner in the mission. With the launch of the artificial star planned for 2029, the team hopes to get one step closer to answering these profound questions.
[ANS thanks Eric Lagatta, USA Todayhttps://www.usatoday.com/, for the above information]
________________________________ GridMasterMap Satellite Top 100 Rovers October 2024 Rankings
The October 2024 rankings for the Top 100 Rovers (Mixed LEO/MEO/GEO) in satellite operations, as determined by @GridMasterMaphttps://x.com/GridMasterMap on Twitter, has been released. The ranking is determined by the number of grids and DXCC entities activated, taking into account only those grids where a minimum number of QSOs logged on the gridmaster.frhttps://gridmaster.fr website have been validated by a third party. Grid numbers do not directly reflect the exact number of activations. Satellite operators are encouraged to upload their LoTW satellite contacts to https://gridmaster.fr in order to provide more accurate data.
Updated: 2024-09-27 1 ND9M 26 KX9X 51 N6DNM 76 LU4JVE 2 NJ7H 27 ON4AUC 52 JK2XXK 77 AA8CH 3 JA9KRO 28 KG5CCI 53 EB1AO 78 VE1VOX 4 UT1FG 29 N5BO 54 SM3NRY 79 FG8OJ 5 N5UC 30 K8BL 55 EA4NF 80 PT9BM 6 DL6AP 31 KE4AL 56 JL3RNZ 81 KJ7NDY 7 OE3SEU 32 KB5FHK 57 XE1ET 82 KI7UXT 8 WI7P 33 VE3HLS 58 AA5PK 83 YU0W 9 DP0POL 34 KI0KB 59 DF2ET 84 KB2YSI 10 K5ZM 35 KI7UNJ 60 KI7QEK 85 N6UTC 11 N6UA 36 LA9XGA 61 SP5XSD 86 WA9JBQ 12 HA3FOK 37 F4BKV 62 F4DXV 87 N4DCW 13 WY7AA 38 PA3GAN 63 AD7DB 88 JM1CAX 14 N9IP 39 JO2ASQ 64 VE1CWJ 89 VE3GOP 15 W5PFG 40 N7AGF 65 KE9AJ 90 N0TEL 16 AK8CW 41 BA1PK 66 N8RO 91 KG4AKV 17 DL2GRC 42 VK5DG 67 VA7LM 92 K6VHF 18 AD0DX 43 XE3DX 68 KM4LAO 93 K0FFY 19 F5VMJ 44 KE0WPA 69 W1AW 94 CU2ZG 20 N4AKV 45 PR8KW 70 W8LR 95 VE7PTN 21 WD9EWK 46 K7TAB 71 N4UFO 96 AF5CC 22 ND0C 47 KE0PBR 72 DL4EA 97 VE6WK 23 AD0HJ 48 VA3VGR 73 HB9GWJ 98 W8MTB 24 LU5ILA 49 AC0RA 74 PT2AP 99 DK9JC 25 DJ8MS 50 W7WGC 75 M1DDD 100 BG7QIW
[ANS thanks @GridMasterMaphttps://x.com/GridMasterMap for the above information]
________________________________ Need new satellite antennas? Purchase an M2 LEO-Pack from the AMSAT Store!https://www.amsat.org/shop/ [https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/cm/LEO-Pack1-300x298.png]https://www.amsat.org/product/m2-leo-pack-antenna-system/ When you purchase through AMSAT, a portion of the proceeds goes towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space. https://amsat.org/product-category/hardware/ ________________________________ Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for September 27, 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/.
This week there are no additions or deletions to the AMSAT TLE distribution.
[ANS thanks AMSAT Orbital Elements page 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.
+ Recently Completed Contacts
Amur State University, Blagoveshchensk, Russia, direct via RKØJ The ISS callsign was RSØISS The scheduled crewmember was Ivan Vagner The ARISS mentor is RV3DR Contact was successful for: Tue 2024-09-24 09:24 UTC
Tatarstan, Russia, direct via TBD The ISS callsign was RSØISS The scheduled crewmember was Aleksey Ovchinin The ARISS mentor is RV3DR Contact is successful for: Fri 2024-09-27 13:20 UTC
Khazar University, Dunya School, Baku, Azerbaijan, direct via 4K6EH The ISS callsign was OR4ISS The scheduled crewmember was Sunita Williams KD5PLB The ARISS mentor is IN3GHZ Contact was successful for: Sat 2024-09-28 09:13:29 UTC
+ Upcoming Contacts
СОНКО АНО "Clean and Simple" and the Cultural and Leisure Center "Flying Saucer", Shchyolkovo, Russia, direct via TBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled crewmember is Alexander Gorbunov The ARISS mentor is RV3DR Contact is go for Fri 2024-10-04 10:50 UTC
Girlguiding Surrey West County, Shepperton, UK, direct via GB4GGB The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled crewmember is Sunita Williams KD5PLB The ARISS mentor is MØXTD Contact is go for: Sat 2024-10-05 13:06:22 UTC Watch for Livestream at https://live.ariss.org/
Centre de Formation de la Base Aérienne de Payerne, Payerne, Switzerland, direct via HB9SPACE The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The scheduled crewmember is Mike Barratt KD5MIJ The ARISS mentor is IN3GHZ Contact is go for: Sat 2024-10-05 14:44:48 UTC
213 RCSCC Qu’Appelle (Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corp), Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, telebridge via K6DUE The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled crewmember is Jeanette Epps KF5QNU The ARISS mentor is VE6JBJ Contact is go for: 2024-10-05 16:06:05 UTC
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). APRS is currently online, but may be impacted for an experiment in the Service Module after September 27th.
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
None currently listed.
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]
________________________________ 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,
Just completed presenting my satellite show to the Sandton Amateur Radio Club in South Africa - via Zoom. And what a marvelous group they are! Keith ZS6HI was my contact. Great questions throughout from the Zoom audience. From Keith: "Thank you very much Clint and Karen. Wonderful presentation. You did a lot of research and preparation to put a South African spin on the presentation and spent effort on learning about the SARL, Sandton Club and South African Amateur Radio community beforehand." “SARL” is South Africa's “ARRL.” And there is an active AMSAT Chapter there, too!
That was Presentation Number 175 … more are scheduled! Think a lively, informative, and fun presentation on working the “easy” satellites with minimal equipment would be appropriate for your club or convention?
Clint Bradford K6LCS AMSAT Ambassador ARRL Affiliated Club Coordinator, benefactor work-sat.comhttp://work-sat.com 909-999-SATS (909-999-7287)
North Star Radio Convention - October 5th, 2024 Hennepin Technical College (North Campus) 9000 Brooklyn Boulevard Brooklyn Park, MN 55445 https://conv2023.tcfmc.org/
AMSAT Forum and Information Table / KØJM and ADØHJ
Central Kentucky Hamfest - October 5th, 2024 Highlands Baptist Church 2032 Parallel Road Lexington, KY 40502 https://www.facebook.com/w9khz/
AMSAT and Educational Satellites Forum and Information Table / AI4SR and W4FCL
Radio Society of Tucson - October 5th, 2024 Calvary Tucson Church 8711 East Speedway Boulevard Tucson AZ 85710 https://k7rst.club/2024/07/tucson-autumn-ham-fest-2024/
N1UW
Pacificon 2024, ARRL Pacific Division Conference - October 18th thru 20th, 2024 San Ramon Marriott 2600 Bishop Drive San Ramon, CA 94583 https://www.pacificon.org/
WU0I
2024 AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting - October 25th thru 27th, 2024 Doubletree by Hilton Tampa Rocky Point Waterfront 3050 N Rocky Point Drive West Tampa, FL 33607 https://www.amsat.org/
Stone Mountain Hamfest, ARRL State Convention - November 2nd and 3rd, 2024 Gwinnett County Fairgrounds 2405 Sugarloaf Parkway Lawrenceville, GA 30042 https://stonemountainhamfest.com/
K4RGK
Oro Valley Amateur Radio Club - November 9th, 2024 Marana Middle School 11285 West Grier Road Marana, AZ 85653 https://www.tucsonhamradio.org/copy-of-hamfest-2022
N1UW
Yuma HAMCON - February 20th thru 22nd, 2025 Yuma, AZ
N1UW
[ANS thanks Bo Lowrey, W4FCL, Director – AMSAT Ambassador Program, 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 storehttps://www.zazzle.com/store/amsat_gear! 25% of the purchase price of each product goes towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space [https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/AMSAT-Car-Flag-e1...]https://www.zazzle.com/amsat_car_flag-256716714380264543 Keeping Amateur Radio in Space https://www.zazzle.com/amsat_gear ________________________________ Satellite Shorts From All Over
+ Congratulations are in order for Jerry Oliver, KJ4EU for his impressive accomplishments in earning GridMaster Award #70! This esteemed recognition, initiated by Star Comm Group in 2014 and backed by Damon Runion, WA4HFN, and Rick Tillman, WA4NVM, has now been entrusted to AMSAT for the benefit of the entire amateur satellite community. The GridMaster Award celebrates radio amateurs worldwide who achieve two-way communication via amateur satellite with operators in all 488 Maidenhead grids across the contiguous United States of America. For more details on this distinguished award, visit the AMSAT website at https://www.amsat.org/gridmaster/. Jerry, your achievement is truly commendable—well done! (ANS thanks Bruce Paige, KK5DO, AMSAT Director of Contests and Awards for the above information)
+ Congratulations to Nina Riethmueller, DL2GRC, for her outstanding achievements in providing satellite contacts! Nina has roved an impressive 102 grid squares, earning her the AMSAT VUCC/r Award #18. The Reverse VUCC or VUCC/r Award, originally introduced by the Central States VHF Society and now carried on by AMSAT, recognizes the dedication of satellite rovers like Nina. For more information about this prestigious award, you can visit the AMSAT website at https://www.amsat.org/reverse-vucc-or-vucc-r-award. Keep on roving, Nina, and continue to inspire others in the AMSAT community with your remarkable achievements! (ANS thanks Bruce Paige, KK5DO, AMSAT Director of Contests and Awards for the above information)
+ NASA’s Voyager 1 spacecraft, which has been in space since 1977, recently experienced issues with its thrusters due to clogged fuel tubes caused by aging. The thrusters, which are essential for keeping the spacecraft pointed toward Earth, use liquid hydrazine that releases in puffs to adjust its orientation. Engineers discovered that one set of thrusters had become clogged with silicon dioxide from the spacecraft’s fuel tank, necessitating a switch to a different set. However, due to power and temperature constraints, turning on the replacement thrusters required careful planning. The team successfully activated non-essential heaters to warm up the thrusters, making the switch on August 27, 2024. This complex operation ensures Voyager 1 can continue its mission, providing valuable data from interstellar space despite its advanced age and limited power. (ANS thanks NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratoryhttps://www.jpl.nasa.gov/ for the above information)
+ The International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) recently reached a milestone, processing its 1,000th satellite frequency coordination request. This achievement underscores the IARU’s essential role in managing radio frequencies for amateur satellites, ensuring optimal performance and minimal interference with terrestrial services. Since the late 1990s, the IARU’s Satellite Frequency Coordination Panel has collaborated with satellite developers and regulators to facilitate successful amateur communication and educational satellite missions. The rise of CubeSats and the drop in launch costs have increased the demand for careful spectrum management. The dedication of IARU volunteers and the global amateur radio community has made this possible, ensuring continued opportunities for education, communication, and scientific research. As Earth's orbit becomes more crowded, the IARU’s work in frequency coordination will remain critical for future missions. (ANS thanks IARUhttps://www.iaru.org/ for the above information)
+ NASA astronaut Tracy C. Dyson, along with Roscosmos cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub, successfully returned to Earth on September 23, after landing in Kazakhstan aboard the Soyuz MS-25 spacecraft. Dyson spent 184 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of Expeditions 70 and 71, completing 2,944 orbits and covering 78 million miles. Chub and Kononenko, who spent 374 days in space, returned after an extensive mission spanning 5,984 orbits and 158.6 million miles. Notably, Kononenko set a record with over 1,111 cumulative days in space across five missions. The crew undocked from the ISS's Prichal module before their parachute-assisted landing southeast of Dzhezkazgan, Kazakhstan. Following their recovery, Dyson returned to Houston, while Kononenko and Chub headed to Star City, Russia, for post-mission procedures. (ANS thanks SciTechDailyhttps://scitechdaily.com/ for the above information)
+ SpaceX is preparing for a historic test flight of its Starship megarocket, aiming to catch its Super Heavy booster using the "chopstick" arms of the launch tower. This innovative recovery method, practiced at the Starbase site in South Texas, could dramatically reduce refurbishment times compared to traditional landing methods. The company recently showcased these preparations, lifting the booster to its expected catch height. Starship's fifth test flight, slated for late November 2024, follows previous launches where performance has steadily improved. Despite SpaceX's readiness, regulatory delays from the FAA have pushed the launch timeline. SpaceX has expressed frustration with the regulatory process, citing concerns about the pace of environmental impact reviews and modifications assessments. (ANS thanks Space.comhttps://www.space.com/ 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.orghttps://www.amsat.org for additional membership information.
73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space!
This week's ANS Editor, Mitch Ahrenstorff, ADØHJ mahrenstorff [at] amsat.orghttps://www.amsat.org