Dear all,
We want to share with you all that AMSAT-EA will make the new HADES-R and HADES-ICM satellites available to radio amateurs in early 2025, to replace current in-orbit HADES-D (SO-121). Transmission power will vary depending on the battery level between the current 40mW of HADES-D up to a theoretical 250mW when it is fully charged.
Both satellites, 1.5p pocketQubes, will be launched by SpaceX respectively on the Transporter-12 and Transporter-13 missions, using D-Orbit's ION orbital transfer vehicle (OTV). The missions have been managed through the Scottish company Alba Orbital.
As with all our last projects, the satellites have been designed and built with engineering support from private companies and universities.
Both will offer the opportunity to repeat FM voice and FSK/FT-4/FT-8 communications and modes such as AX.25/APRS 300/1200 bps. Uplink will be in VHF and downlink in UHF band.They will also transmit telemetry with their status and voice and CW messages. All this will be achieved by implementing an SDR-based FM and FSK repeater. The FM/FSK repeater will be available at all times and will be opened by squelch level without the need for a subtone.
As a secondary mission, both satellites will carry out a Smart IR/Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre, GEIC University of Manchester (UK) experiment consisting of a very low power active radiator to be tested under space conditions.
HADES-ICM has also been sponsored by IcMercury (Interstellar Communication Holdings), based in Florida, which has included several messages in the FSK telemetry, to be received as a challenge.
HADES-R has been already coordinated by IARU and HACES-ICM is still pending.
73,
Félix EA4GQS - AMSAT EA