Great article!
But a question that has always nagged me... Perhaps someone on the BB knows the answer?
I understand that the early Oscars got their ride into space by replacing a piece of concrete (or similar dead weight material) with our satellite. That's why they have the shape that they do (looking like a segment of a ring).
But what about the antenna? Was it deployed after launch, or did it ride into space already sticking out the side? An on-orbit deploy would have been excessively complicated for that era (it's even difficult today!), but I can't see something like that surviving launch intact, either.
Anybody know?
Greg KO6TH
Date: Wed, 30 Dec 2009 23:07:25 +0000 From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: [amsat-bb] ARRL Sat Article
http://www.arrl.org/news/features/2009/12/30/11270/?nc=1
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I've heard/read about OSCARs I & II having their antennas deploy after separation from the Agena B, but from all the photos I have seen, it shows a fixed antenna. There is even a photo of an AF specialist installing OSCAR I into the payload bay, and this photo shows the antenna fully deployed. So on these first two satellites, I'm unsure.
OSCAR III had four antennae made of steel rule type material that were fan-folded, or otherwise folded and secured to fit within the assigned area. And Australis OSCAR 5, as well as OSCAR 6 used actual carpenter's rules as antenna material. They were tied back, and self deployed when the satellite was released.
Rich, N8UX
At 11:49 PM 12/30/2009, you wrote:
I understand that the early Oscars got their ride into space by replacing a piece of concrete (or similar dead weight material) with our satellite. That's why they have the shape that they do (looking like a segment of a ring). But what about the antenna? Was it deployed after launch, or did it ride into space already sticking out the side? An on-orbit deploy would have been excessively complicated for that era (it's even difficult today!), but I can't see something like that surviving launch intact, either.
It might be an "Urban Legend" But I always remember that those early birds antennas were simply made from tape measure like materials. And they were simply rolled up when the bird was installed into the rocket. Then after launch and the bird was spat out the antennas simply "Twanged" out to their extended position.
Joe WB9SBD *************
*The Original Rolling Ball Clock Idle-Tyme.com http://www.idle-tyme.com*
Greg D. wrote:
Great article!
But a question that has always nagged me... Perhaps someone on the BB knows the answer?
I understand that the early Oscars got their ride into space by replacing a piece of concrete (or similar dead weight material) with our satellite. That's why they have the shape that they do (looking like a segment of a ring).
But what about the antenna? Was it deployed after launch, or did it ride into space already sticking out the side? An on-orbit deploy would have been excessively complicated for that era (it's even difficult today!), but I can't see something like that surviving launch intact, either.
Anybody know?
Greg KO6TH
Date: Wed, 30 Dec 2009 23:07:25 +0000 From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: [amsat-bb] ARRL Sat Article
http://www.arrl.org/news/features/2009/12/30/11270/?nc=1
Sent via [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
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OSCAR VI used the metal from a pocket tape measure for the 10-meter antenna. This was folded and was held in this position until the release was activated from the ground. When released, the antenna "deployed", sticking straight out from two sides of the satellite. The QSL cards for receiving OSCAR VI even had the "inches" scale showing on the satellite graphics. This use of "common" items was definitely mentioned in the articles about the satellite.
A tape measure is designed to hold straight until "reeled" in and this worked beautifully for the satellite. Not only was it functional, it was VERY inexpensive.
Glen, K9STH
Website: http://k9sth.com
--- On Wed, 12/30/09, Greg D. [email protected] wrote:
But a question that has always nagged me... Perhaps someone on the BB knows the answer?
I understand that the early Oscars got their ride into space by replacing a piece of concrete (or similar dead weight material) with our satellite. That's why they have the shape that they do (looking like a segment of a ring).
But what about the antenna? Was it deployed after launch, or did it ride into space already sticking out the side? An on-orbit deploy would have been excessively complicated for that era (it's even difficult today!), but I can't see something like that surviving launch intact, either.
Anybody know?
Idle-Tyme wrote:
It might be an "Urban Legend" But I always remember that those early birds antennas were simply made from tape measure like materials.
That is pretty much state of the art, even now. Take a look at the photos of PCSAT at http://wa8lmf.net/bruninga/pcsat.html
You can just make out the inch markings on the yellow tape measure in some of the pictures.
-Joe KM1P
participants (5)
-
Glen Zook -
Greg D. -
Idle-Tyme -
Joe Fitzgerald -
Rich Dailey (Gmail)