ARISS News Release No. 20-13
Dave Jordan, AA4KN
ARISS PR
aa4kn@amsat.org
FORIMMEDIATE RELEASE
First Element of ARISSNext Generation (Next-Gen) Radio System
Installed in ISS ColumbusModule
September2, 2020—The ARISS team is pleased to announce that set up and installation of the first element of our next generation radiosystem was completed and amateur radio operations with it are now underway. Thisfirst element, dubbed the InterOperable Radio System (IORS), was installed in theInternational Space Station Columbus module. The IORS replaces the Ericssonradio system and packet module that were originally certified for spaceflighton July 26, 2000.
Initial operation of the new radio system is in FM cross bandrepeater mode using an uplink frequency of 145.99 MHz with an access tone of 67Hz and a downlink frequency of 437.800 MHz. System activation was firstobserved at 01:02 UTC on September 2. Special operations will continue to beannounced.
The IORS was launched from KennedySpace Center on March 6, 2020 on board the SpaceX CRS-20 resupply mission. It consists of a special, space-modified JVC Kenwood D710GAtransceiver, an ARISS developed multi-voltage power supply and interconnectingcables. The design, development, fabrication, testing, and launch of the first IORSwas an incredible five-year engineering achievement accomplished by the ARISS hardwarevolunteer team. It will enable new, exciting capabilities for ham radiooperators, students, and the general public. Capabilities include a higherpower radio, voice repeater, digital packet radio (APRS) capabilities and aKenwood VC-H1 slow scan television (SSTV) system.
A second IORS undergoes flight certification and willbe launched later for installation in the Russian Service module. This secondsystem enables dual, simultaneous operations, (e.g. voice repeater and APRSpacket), providing diverse opportunities for radio amateurs. It also provides on-orbitredundancy to ensure continuous operations in the event of an IORS componentfailure.
Next-gen development efforts continue. For theIORS, parts are being procured and a total of ten systems are being fabricatedto support flight, additional flight spares, ground testing and astronaut training.Follow-on next generation radio system elements include an L-band repeateruplink capability, currently in development, and a flight Raspberry-Pi, dubbed “ARISS-Pi,”that is just beginning the design phase. The ARISS-Pi promises operations autonomy and enhanced SSTVoperations.
ARISS is run almost entirely by volunteers, and with the help of generouscontributions from ARISS sponsors and individuals. Donations to the ARISS program for next generation hardwaredevelopments, operations, education, and administration are welcome -- pleasego to https://www.ariss.org/donate.html%C2%A0to contribute to these efforts.
ARISS--Celebrating 20years of continuous amateur radio operations on the ISS!
Amateur Radio on the InternationalSpace Station (ARISS) is a cooperative venture of international amateur radiosocieties and the space agencies that support the International Space Station (ISS). In the United States, sponsors are the RadioAmateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), theISS National Lab-Space Station Explorers, and NASA’s Space Communications andNavigation program. The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration ofscience, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics topics byorganizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew members aboard theISS and students. Before and during these radio contacts, students, educators,parents, and communities learn about space, space technologies, and amateurradio. For more information, see www.ariss.org.
MediaContact:
DaveJordan, AA4KN
ARISSPR
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