PSAT2 timed out on its 6 day fail safe timer. We allowed this to happen as part of an on-orbit test of this function. If it has not received a "continue" command at least once every 6 days, it will do a hardware reset on the SATT4 TinyTrack packet system. That started the T# counter over at T#000 and it reset the command bits back to 01000000 which basically turns everyhting off.

We are waiting now for a command station to turn DTMF mode back on to these command bits: 11010000.

0218z,PSAT2-1>APOFF,ARISS,qAO,YC1SCC-10:

T#858,699,712,851,915,162,11010000

Shows PSAT2 operating normally with a T# of 858

But at

0252z,PSAT2-1>APOFF,ARISS,qAR,N6DAN-1:

T#009,686,569,900,640,434,01000000

It shows that the reset occurred at 0252z minus 9 minutes or 0243z.

http://aprs.org/psat2.html

In the future, a number of command stations will be authorized to send the 6day "continue" command periodically so that this 6 day timer never times out.. But if PSAT2 ever loses command/control for more than 6 days, then this timer will expire and we will get a hardware reset of the SATT4 TNC

Bob, WB4APR