On 11 Feb 2007 at 23:33, Andrew Glasbrenner wrote:

There are several new pieces of software that need to be uploaded and tested this week on AO-51. Additionally the S band transmitter will be on for an as of yet undetermined number of daylight passes over the Air Force Academy ground station in Colorado Springs, Colorado. These passes will be used for the ground station checkout on S band prior to the launch of Falconsat-3 satellite, now scheduled in late February. FS-3 carries an amateur payload along with its primary science mission.

From WIKIPEDIA

FalconSAT-3 - contains 5 experiments, including a gravity gradient boom, launch adapter shock ring, and several DARPA sponsored payloads, including MPACS (Micro Propulsion Attitude Control System), FLAPS (Flat Plasma Spectrometer), and PLANE (Plasma Local Anomalous Noise Experiment). As of summer 2005, the project has completed qualification phase and construction of the flight model is in progress. The launch, aboard an Atlas V 401 from LC-41 at Cape Canaveral, was scheduled to occur on December 8, 2006, however as this was on the same day as the scheduled launch of STS-116, and a 48-hour turnaround was required, it was delayed. Launch is now scheduled for 22 February 2007. When the scientific mission of the program is completed, the satellite will be placed into amateur repeater mode and opened to use by amateur radio operators.

FalconSat 3 [USAF]

FalconSAT-3, is a 50 kg microsatellite being developed by faculty and cadets, and is the Air Force Academy´s first attempt at achieving three axis attitude determination and control (ADCS). FalconSAT-3 will carry three payloads to conduct DoD research. The attitude requirements for FalconSAT-3 include pointing the satellite within +/- five degrees of ram direction, as well as attitude knowledge to within one degree. FalconSAT-3 will provide sophisticated characterization of plasma turbulence in the F region ionosphere. Significant advances in technology have enabled miniaturization of instruments that enable comprehensive measurements of both ambient and spacecraft-specific turbulence.

The three primary experiments include

* the Flat Plasma Spectrometer (FLAPS), a planar electrostatic analyzer used to measure ion spectra differential in energy with a DE/E ~ 4%;

* the Plasma Local Anomalous Noise Environment (PLANE) experiment, a bifurcated retarding potential analyzer capable of distinguishing between ambient and Spacecraft-induced turbulence

* the Micro-Propulsion Attitude Control System (MPACS), consisting of a set of Teflon-fueled pulsed plasma thrusters used to stabilize satellite attitude.

The FalconSAT-3 satellite bus is custom fabricated at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) and is manifested for launch into a 35° inclination, 560 km circular orbit in late 2006. Satellite operations will be managed from the USAFA ground station. Complementary ground-based observations of the ionosphere will be taken both at USAFA and at remote locations at low magnetic latitudes, where equatorial ionospheric processes are particularly effective at stimulating plasma turbulence.

From a NASA agency NSSDC Master Catalog Display: Spacecraft

FALCONSAT

NSSDC ID: 2000-004D Other Names

* 26064

Launch Date: 2000-01-27 Description

FALCONSAT is an American military microsatellite that was released from JAWSAT.

It is reported to be a technology testing mission. Discipline of surveillance and other Military uses. (edited)

Sponsoring Agency/Country

Unknown/United States

If you read this past post on AMSAT-NA BB

On 10 Feb 2007 at 9:02, Jeff Davis wrote:

Just looking at some interesting images and stats from the CenterForSpace Web site. The quick stats are 3,100 spacecraft orbiting earth with two-thirds of those no longer active. Nearly 7000 pieces of man-made debris large enough to be tracked. And the satellite recently destroyed by China created more than 900 pieces of large debris.

Take a good look at the various images depicting the debris.

http://www.centerforspace.com/asat/

73,

Jeff, KE9V

Did AMSAT-NA will condemned military endeavour or support it? Or it is the end result who make's amateur radio supporting a military program acceptable eg: producing debris or not? or helping in producing military technology as stated by NASA "It is reported to be a technology testing mission. Discipline of surveillance and other Military uses. (edited)".

I know i wrote in the past that AMSAT'S should be "innovative" but not to a point to prostitute with any military action or operation.

Probably another inconsiderate and unplanned move by AMSAT-NA where the BOD is again out of control driven by any floating interest who probably blackmailed them "AGAIN" If AMSAT-NA wants to be a military puppet, here is a song lyrics from James blunt probably the BOD inspiration source.

Out of my mind

Judging by the look on the organ-grinder, He'll judge me by the fact that my face don't fit. It's touching that the monkey sits on my shoulder. He's waiting for the day when he gets me, But I don't need no alibi - I'm a puppet on a string. I just need this stage to be seen. We all need a pantomime to remind us what is real. Hold my eye and know what it means.

I'm out of my mind.

Judging by the look on the organ-grinder, He'll judge me by the fact that my face don't fit. It's touching that the monkey sits on my shoulder. He's waiting for the day when he gets me, But I won't be your concubine - I'm a puppet not a whore. I just need this stage to be seen. Won't you be a friend of mine to remind me what is real? Hold my heart and see that it bleeds.

I'm out of my mind.

???????

"-" "It is not the class of license the amateur holds, but the class of the amateur that holds the license."

Luc Leblanc VE2DWE Skype VE2DWE www.qsl.net/ve2dwe WAC BASIC CW PHONE SATELLITE