AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-143
ANS is a free, weekly, news and information service of AMSAT North America, The
Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS reports on the activities of a
worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an active interest in
designing, building, launching and communicating through analog and digital
Amateur Radio satellites.
Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to:
ans-editor(a)amsat.org
In this edition:
* Please Do Not Use AO-51 While the Satellite is in Eclipse
* Maryland-DC PICetSat Balloon Launch on May 29
* AMSAT Videos From Dayton Hamvention
* Downlink Signal Successfully Received From Venus-bound UNITEC-1
* Report on ARISS Contact at the National Air and Space Museum
* AMSAT-DL Symposium and AGM
* NASA Listens One More Time for Phoenix
* ARISS Status - 17 May 2010
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-143.01
Please Do Not Use AO-51 While the Satellite is in Eclipse
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 143.01
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
May 23, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-143.01
After a brief outage on May 16 the AO-51 Command Team has turned
the repeater back on on AO-51, including the 67 Hz PL mode. The
Command Team has a favor to ask of our Southern Hemisphere users,
including those in South America, Southern Africa, Australia, and
New Zealand:
Please avoid using AO-51 while the satellite is eclipsed.
Most tracking programs indicate illuminated or eclipsed states, and
it can always be found by whether the footprint of the satellite is
crossing or in contact with the footprint of the sun. Generally this
is occurring when the satellite is South of 30 degrees South latitude
at present. AO-51 eclipses are predicted to reach almost 20 minutes
by July 2010.
AMSAT-NA VP of Operations, Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA said, "I realize
this is a large favor to ask, but the alternative right now is moving
to a scheduled type operation, which I would like to avoid. Please pass
this to your friends, other users you know, and your national satellite
email lists and forums."
For this summer eclipse season, the eclipsed periods are while AO-51 is
over mostly unoccupied Antarctica and surrounding areas. This means when
the batteries alone are supporting the transmitter there are not likely
to be any users. The power management software combined with the PL,
should mean the satellite's batteries can be protected from over-discharge,
while still providing the strongest possible downlink signal and highest
possible availability.
Observations from the southern hemisphere while entering and leaving
eclipse are very helpful. Post your reports on the AMSAT-BB or e-mail
your report to the AO-51 Control Team via ao51-modes(a)amsat.org. AO-51
operators also monitor the Live OSCAR Satellite Status page
(http://oscar.dcarr.org/). Analysis of AO-51's Whole Orbit Data (WOD)
files shows the distribution of the satellite's users.
See: http://tinyurl.com/2ehbxv5
If the eclipse periods get too long too fast the repeater may shut off
due to a low battery voltage watchdog. If this happens, please email
Drew directly via ko4ma(a)amsat.org.
Read the latest AO-51 Control Team News at:
http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/echo/CTNews.php
[ANS thanks Drew, KO4MA, for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-143.02
Maryland-DC PICetSat Balloon Launch on May 29
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 143.02
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
May 23, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-143.02
If you're in the Washington DC - Maryland area you're invited to join
Pat Kilroy, N8PK for a PICetSat Lite balloon launch on Saturday, May 29
at about 10:00 AM EDT.
Pat says the launch site can be any place in Carroll County, Maryland.
Coordination will be on the 145.410 MHz K3PZN/R machine in Westminster,
MD. (backup 147.285 MHz machine in Sykesville, MD). We will launch any-
thing you wish with a microcontroller attached, so your ideas are
welcome. RSVP by May 27 to pat(a)patkilroy.com.
Pat has posted some background info: http://simsat.net.
[ANS thanks Pak, N8PK for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-143.03
AMSAT Videos From Dayton Hamvention
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 143.03
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
May 23, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-143.03
David Jordan, AA4KN, ARISS Public Relations requested David Larsen,
KK4WW, to produce informative videos while attending the 2010 Dayton
Hamvention.
One video features AMSAT Treasurer, Keith Baker KB1SF describing
AMSAT's efforts in Cubesat development. The Cubesat video can be
viewed on-line at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZDpyEhw-vI
The second video is David's interview with AMSAT VP of User Services,
Gould Smith WA4SXM where he discusses in detail the upcoming ARISS
satellite, ARISSat-1. This can be viewed on-line at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEDfSCw6VcU
David would like to thank David Larsen with the LCF Group and a director
of the Foundation for Amateur International Radio Service (www.fairs.org),
for his time in producing these videos.
[ANS thanks David Jordan, AA4KN for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-143.04
Downlink Signal Successfully Received From Venus-bound UNITEC-1
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 143.04
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
May 23, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-143.04
JAXA successfully launched the seventeenth H-IIA mission on May 21
(JST) carrying the Planet-C Venus Climate Orbiter a Venus probe, the
experimental "Ikaros" space sail, a Venus-bound University satellite
called UNITEC-1 and 3 small satellites also developed by Japanese
universities and other institutions delivered to low earth orbit:
Negai*", Soka University
437.305MHz CW, Packet 1200bps FSK AX.25
http://kuro.t.soka.ac.jp/main.html
WASEDA-SAT2, Waseda University
437.485MHz CW(FM), PCM-FSK(FM) 9600bps
http://www.miyashita.mmech.waseda.ac.jp/Waseda-Sat2/index.htm
KSAT, Kagoshima University
Uplink: S-band(2GHz, 10kbps), Downlink: Ku-band(13.275GHz, 10kbps/1Mbps)
http://www.sci.kagoshima-u.ac.jp/~nishio/download/Ukaren2008Nishio.pdf
UNITEC-1 be inserted into a Venus encounter trajectory and will become
the world first university satellite which goes beyond Lunar orbit. The
main mission of UNITEC-1 is to perform technological experiments of
on-board computers and test long-range, inter-planetary communication
using amateur radio frequencies:
Downlink Frequency: 5840.000MHz, band width 20MHz
Transmission Power: 4.8W/antenna, 9.6W total
Antenna: 2 Microstrip patch antennas
Modulation: AFSK/FM 1200bps during LEO flight
CW 1bps during Interplanetary flight
Callsign: JQ1ZUN
News posted on the UNITEC-1 Operations Center web page reports that
its CW and FSK signal have been received from a distance of approx-
imately 300,000 km by Japanese ground stations on its first pass over
Japan kept from 16:15 (JST) to 25:15 (JST) at 21st May. Their signal
report indicated the measured downlink frequency of 5839.91 MHz which
is down slightly from the design frequency of 5840.00 MHz. The UNITEC
team will continue to work on refining receiving and recording tech-
niques as well as tracking and orbital determination.
You can find the latest UNITEC-1 mission news on the team's operation
center website: http://sites.google.com/site/unitec1ops/ This also in-
cludes a link to their software page where a telemetry data decoder
program is available.
Several universities with access to big dishes have expressed interest
in creating a network of ground stations to track UNITEC-1 on its
flight to Venus and continuing once the satellite is in orbit around
the planet. This is still under development at press time and progress
will be reported in future ANS bulletins. A radio link budget is under
study to help amateur radio stations develop their capability to re-
ceive this interplanetary signal.
Pat Barthelow, AA6EG has developed a Facebook Event Page which he
calls "UNiTEC-1 VENUS PROBE COMMUNICATIONS" at:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=124468414245469&index=1
[ANS thanks the UNITEC-1 Operations Team and SpaceDaily.com
For the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-143.05
Report on ARISS Contact at the National Air and Space Museum
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 143.05
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
May 23, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-143.05
ARRL Maryland-DC Section Manager, Jim Cross, WI3N published news
of the successful ARISS contact in the "The MDC Section News".
Thanks to Bob Curran, KE3GG for submitting this report ...
On Saturday, May 8, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
held a public ARISS contact. The contact was part of their parti-
cipation in the annual Lockheed Martin Space Day event.
Fifteen Boy Scouts from Troop 417 of Waldorf, MD were given the
opportunity to speak directly to astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson,
KF5DBF, aboard the International Space Station (ISS) via amateur
radio. The contact was facilitated via ground station VK4KHZ in
Australia.
Each scout was able to ask at least one question during the nearly
10 minute contact window. During the whole program audience members
were able to watch a real time satellite track of the ISS on a large
video monitor beside the stage.
The program was introduced by astronaut Dan Tani, KD5DXE, himself
having recently returned from four months aboard the ISS. On hand
to locally MC the event was Dave Taylor, W8AAS. At the controls of
the sound system and the telebridge interface was Bob Curran, KE3GG.
The coordinator of the Boy Scout participation in the program was
Bob Davidson, KB3KOW.
Located a short distance left of the stage where the ARISS contact
was taking place, AMSAT had a large display table showcasing amateur
radio and amateur radio satellites. In addition to fielding questions
about amateur radio and explaining the various satellite samples on
their table, they also had an example of the amateur radio antennas
installed on the ISS and were running a video explaining the ARISS
program on a large video monitor.
[ANS thanks Jim Cross, WI3N; Dave Taylor, W8AAS; and Bob Curran,
KE3GG for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-143.06
AMSAT-DL Symposium and AGM
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 143.06
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
May 23, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-143.06
The SouthGate ARC web site carried a summary of the The 2010 Symposium
and AGM of AMSAT-DL that took place on April 24 in the Amateur Radio
facility at Bochum with its spectacular 20 metre dish.
The Symposium was told that a successor to the COMPASS-1 CubeSat will
be built. COMPASS-2 will be a triple CubeSat, 100x100x340 mm, weighing
4 kg.
Mario Lorenz, DL5MLO gave a presentation on the telemetry and command
operations of the new IHU-3 computer for P3-E. This included a live
demonstration of the operation of the IHU-3 and the IPS operating system
and showed the robustness of the turbo codes.
Peter Gülzow DB2OS reported that the 20m dish at Bochum has been opera-
ting successfully in automatic mode for over a year allowing continuous
reception of the NASA solar probes Stereo-A and-B. Bochum supplies the
received data to the NOAA in the United States.
Achim Vollhardt DH2VA reported in detail to the symposium on the joint
feasibility study by AMSAT-DL and DLR (German Aerospace Center) on Lunar
and Mars missions.
AMSAT-DL 2010 Symposium and AGM Report
http://tinyurl.com/33rcasl
AMSAT-DL in Google English
http://tinyurl.com/Amsat-DL
[ANS thanks the SouthGate ARC News for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-143.07
NASA Listens One More Time for Phoenix
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 143.07
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
May 23, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-143.07
by Staff Writers (Mars Daily http://tinyurl.com/23hwyuj)
Pasadena, Calif. (UPI) May 17, 2010
NASA officials say they are conducting the fourth and final series
of checks this week to determine whether the Phoenix Mars Lander
has resumed operations.
NASA says its Mars Odyssey orbiter will listen for a signal from
Phoenix during 61 flights over the lander's site on northern Mars.
The orbiter detected no transmission from the lander during earlier
campaigns totaling 150 overflights in January, February and April.
In 2008, Phoenix completed its three-month mission studying martian
ice, soil and atmosphere. It continued work for an additional two
months before reduced sunlight caused energy to become insufficient
to keep it functioning. The solar-powered robot was not designed to
survive the dark and cold conditions of a martian arctic winter, NASA
said, but in case it did, scientists are using Odyssey to listen for
the signals Phoenix would transmit if abundant spring sunshine revived
the lander.
"To be thorough, we decided to conduct this final session around the
time of the summer solstice, during the best thermal and power condi-
tions for Phoenix," said Chad Edwards, chief telecommunications engin-
eer for the Mars Exploration Program at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory
in Pasadena, Calif.
[ANS thanks Mars Daily for the above information]
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-143.08
ARISS Status - 17 May 2010
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 143.08
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
May 23, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-143.08
1. Upcoming School Contacts
The Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA) in Bayswater, Victoria, Australia has
been scheduled for an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS)
contact on Saturday, May 29 at 10:43 UTC via ON4ISS in Belgium. The WIA will
hold a special dinner to celebrate its centenary and has invited students from
local schools in Canberra to make an ARISS school
contact on that evening. It is
anticipated that this dinner will be a high key event with Australia wide
coverage.
2. Successful ARISS Contact Held with Komoro Higashi Junior High
On Friday, May 14, Komoro Higashi Junior High
School students in Komoro, Nagano,
Japan contacted onboard astronaut Soichi Noguchi, KD5TVP via the Amateur Radio
on the International Space Station (ARISS)
program. Prior to the event, children
visited Nobeyama Radio Observatory and worked on radio kits as part of their
science curriculum. Over 140 students, parents
and guests watched as 15 students
had their questions answered during the contact,
while 2 television stations and
5 newspapers provided media coverage.
3. MAI-75 Experiment Activated
The MAI-75 (Moscow Aviation Institute) experiment was activated on Friday, May
14. The ISS crew transmitted several SSTV (Slow Scan Television) images which
were received by ground stations in Europe, Asia, Africa and South America.
Images have been posted to the SSTV Web site:
http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/SSTV/
4. ARISS at Dayton Hamvention
Dayton Hamvention 2010 was held at the Hara Arena Complex in Dayton, Ohio over
the May 14-16 weekend. The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) and the Radio
Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT) manned exhibition booths at the event.
Gould Smith, WA4SXM, AMSAT Project Manager for
ARISSat-1, gave a presentation on
the satellite. The ARISSat-1 prototype was on exhibit and demonstrated to the
crowds. ARRL held a Teachers Workshop and distributed ARISS bookmarks to
educators interested in the ARISS program. The Dayton Hamvention is an
internationally attended amateur radio convention that draws crowds of 25,000
annually.
[ANS thanks Carol, KB3LKI, for the above information]
/EX
In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the President's
Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT Project
Funds, will be eligible to receive additional benefits. Application forms are
available from the AMSAT Office.
73,
This week's ANS Editor,
Lee McLamb, KU4OS
ku4os at amsat dot org
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-136
ANS is a free, weekly, news and information service of AMSAT North
America, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS reports on the
activities of a worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an
active interest in designing, building, launching and communicating
through analog and digital Amateur Radio satellites.
Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to:
ans-editor(a)amsat.org
In this edition:
* AMSAT Forum at Dayton - News of Amateur Radio in Space
* Reminder: The Dayton $5000 Challenge Extended to September 1
* Two More Astronaut Hams
* IARU Publishes Revised Requirements for the Amateur Satellite Service
* Venus Bound UNITEC-1 Amateur Radio Forum Web Pages Established
* AMSAT-India Reports Several University Cubesats Under Development
* Vietnamese CubeSat Under Development
* Satellite Shorts From All Over
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-136.01
AMSAT Forum at Dayton - News of Amateur Radio in Space
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 136.01
>From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
May 16, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-136.01
This weekend was the Dayton Hamvention and one of the features
included the 2010 AMSAT Forum on Saturday, May 15 from 11:15 am
to 1:30 pm. See the list of topics introduced by AMSAT Board
Member Alan Biddle, WA4SCA:
Barry Baines, WD4ASW, AMSAT President, presented the "AMSAT Status
Report" as a mid-year update about what is happening within AMSAT.
Barry highlighted current activities within AMSAT and discusses some
of the challenges facing the organization.
Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, AMSAT VP Operations, told attendees about
"AMSAT Satellite Operations and International Satellite Operations".
Drew discussed operational AMSAT satellites and updates on new and
future International Satellites.
Mike Forsythe, AC2V, Team Leader of the successful K4T DXpedition
spoke about "Integrating Satellite Operations into DXpeditions". Mike
discussed how to have satellite operations as a major part of DXpedi-
tions,involving youth and making it all work on green power!
Gould Smith, WA4SXM,AMSAT VP User Services, and AMSAT Project Manager
for ARISSat-1 spoke on "Getting ARISSat-1 Ready to Fly". Gould's talk
covered the current status of the satellite project, testing and the
delivery of two satellites to Russia in July.
Alex Harvilchuck, N3NP, Systems Engineer with IBM, and the NextGen
CubeSat Program Manager reported progress on the "NextGen CubeSat
Program Update". A team of Binghamton University engineering students
have been modifying the power systems from ARISSat-1 for use in a 3U
CubeSat, with a U/V linear transponder, for AMSAT.
Watch for more AMSAT news from Dayton in future ANS reports!
[ANS thanks AMSAT Team at Dayton for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-136.02
Reminder: The Dayton $5000 Challenge Extended to September 1
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 136.02
>From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
May 16, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-136.02
The Dayton Amateur Radio Association (DARA) will match one-for-one any
donations made to AMSAT between now and September 1, 2010 up to a maxi-
mum of $5,000. Please support "Getting AMSAT Back into Space" and help
us raise the funds needed for our next satellite project.
AMSAT's Project "Fox" is a cubesat that will provide a 2 meter-70 Centi-
meter FM transponder that will match the ground performance of AO-51.
You can send your donation to: AMSAT, 850 Sligo Ave #600, Silver Spring
MD 20910. If you prefer, you can call Martha at the AMSAT office (US
call toll free at 888-322-6728 or 301-589-6062) and contribute with a
credit card.
We will be accepting 'Getting AMSAT Back into Space' donations at
various hamfests where AMSAT has a presence, including the Hamvention.
You can also make contributions online in the AMSAT Store:
http://www.amsat-na.com/store/donation.php
[ANS thanks Martha at the AMSAT Office for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-136.03
Two More Astronaut Hams
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 136.03
>From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
May 16, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-136.03
The ARISS Status Report this week says two more astronauts have
received their Amateur Radio Licenses.
Ron Garan of Expedition 27 completed testing for his amateur radio
license and has been issued KF5GPO.
Kevin Ford has been issued the callsign of KF5GPP and is currently
training for a future expedition crew assignment.
Andre Kuipers had an ISS amateur radio review session on May 4 in
preparation for his tour on the ISS as part of the Expedition 30 crew.
Don Pettit will join him as part of that crew.
[ANS thanks ARISS for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-136.04
IARU Publishes Revised Requirements for the Amateur Satellite Service
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 136.04
>From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
May 16, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-136.04
In preparation for frequency allocation negotiations the IARU has pub-
lished a full specification at http://www.iaru.org/ac-09spec.pdf
Items of interest to the Amateur Satellite Service include:
+ An allocation for the Amateur Satellite Service is sought in the
50-54 MHz range to bridge the gap between 28 MHz and 144 MHz.
+ The Amateur Service requires retention of the existing allocations
in the 420-450 MHz band and opposes new uses by other services or
low-power devices except where sharing or compatibility studies
have been satisfactorily concluded. Because of the crowding of the
existing band 435-438 MHz with unmanned amateur satellites and
manned space stations, it is desirable to study expansion of the
band.
+ The Amateur Service seeks retention of the band 1240-1300 MHz. The
Amateur-Satellite Service seeks retention of the band 1260-1270 MHz
and deletion of the "Earth-to-space only" restriction.
[ANS thanks Trevor, M5AKA for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-136.05
Venus Bound UNITEC-1 Amateur Radio Forum Web Pages Established
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 136.05
>From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
May 16, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-136.05
As reported previously, on May 17 Japan's Space Agency JAXA plans to
launch its Planet-C Venus Climate Orbiter "AKATSUKI" mission to Venus.
Also aboard will be UNITEC-1, a 15 kg, 35cm cubed nano-satellite devel-
oped by twenty-two universities and colleges of UNISEC (University
Space Engineering Consortium).
UNITEC-1 be inserted into a Venus encounter trajectory and will become
the world first university satellite which goes beyond Lunar orbit. The
main mission of UNITEC-1 is to perform technological experiments of
on-board computers and test long-range, inter-planetary communication
using amateur radio frequencies:
Downlink Frequency: 5840.000MHz, band width 20MHz
Transmission Power: 4.8W/antenna, 9.6W total
Antenna: 2 Microstrip patch antennas
Modulation: AFSK/FM 1200bps during LEO flight
CW 1bps during Interplanetary flight
Callsign: JQ1ZUN
UNITEC will rely heavily on amateur radio stations around the world
to receive its microwave downlink signal. The team has created an
Amateur Radio forum which is planned to evolve into a site for the
latest information as well as provide a path to upload received data.
See: http://sites.google.com/site/unitec1ops/amservice
Software to aid in the tracking of the satellite and decoding the
received telemetry is posted at:
http://sites.google.com/site/unitec1ops/swdownload
This includes the Initial Orbit Estimation Sheet, Unitec 1 Orbit
Estimation, and Receiving Data Analyzer
A forum to upload received UNITEC-1 data is under construction at:
http://sites.google.com/site/unitec1ops/amservice/amuploader
Many additional details are available on the UNITEC-1 Operations page:
http://sites.google.com/site/unitec1ops/
The UNITEC-1 team will use a special version of Spectran, that pro-
duces a log file of all the frequency peaks found. This will allow
them to do an offline analysis. You can download this special ver-
sion of Spectran from I2PHD, Alberto's site:
http://www.weaksignals.com
[ANS thanks the UNITEC-1 Team and Alberto, I2PHD for the above
information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-136.06
AMSAT-India Reports Several University Cubesats Under Development
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 136.06
>From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
May 16, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-136.06
AMSAT-India attended the first Indian Small Satellite Systems Con-
ference at ISRO Bangalore. VU2POP reported that 26 univerities in
India have established amateur radio clubs and are in various stages
of Amateur Radio Satellite development.
VU2POP wrote, "As of now most of the university satellites are either
digital with only beacon downlink and no voice transponder. AMSAT
India has two linear tranponders ready. We are asking ISRO for a higher
orbit to cover a larger foot print and longer pass duration for future
AMSAT-India satellites".
As a reminder, on VO-52's 5th Birthday the HAMSAT team and ISTRAC has
requested user feedback from the Amateur Radio community. Send your
feedback to Mani, VU2WMY at wmy(a)isac.gov.in or vu2wmy_mani(a)yahoo.com.
[ANS thanks AMSAT-India Technical Director, Pop VU2POP for the above
information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-136.07
Vietnamese CubeSat Under Development
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 136.07
>From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
May 16, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-136.07
News has been received from Vu Trong Thu, XV9AA, in Hanoi of a
Vietnamese 2U CubeSat under development. Thu wrote, "We hope to
complete the F-1 satellite by the end of 2010 and launch it to
Sun-synchronous, 98 deg inclination LEO. At the moment we are
negotiating with several launch providers to find a way into
orbit but the high launch cost is really an issue. If we can
solve the budget issue, we'll be ready to launch our cubesat
in 2011."
The satellite carries several low-resolution cameras to take photos
of the Earth along with temperature and magnetic sensors to study
space environment. Some of the project goals for the F-1 satellite
include:
+ Students to learn about aerospace engineering.
+ Demonstrate the application of COTS products to reduce cost and
time developing a small satellite.
+ Survive in space environment for at least a year.
The satellite will use amateur VHF and UHF frequencies. The IARU has
coordinated at downlink frequency of 437.485 MHz to support a 1200 baud
AX.25 telemetry link. The F-1 satellite will also transmit a beacon us-
ing a modulated Morse code audio signal on FM carrier when it is not in
range of the earth station in Hanoi. In case of emergency, DTMF tones
can be used to control the satellite to some extent. The satellite also
carries a COTS transceiver (using UHF frequency) from Microhard Systems
to experiment with higher data transmission speed.
A breadboard model of the satellite has been built and the communication
link has been tested at a range of 50km. The team is now working on the
Engineering Model of the satellite and more tests are planned including
shock, vibration and thermal tests.
The F-1 team leader Thu can be reached at: thuvt(a)fpt.com.vn
Their web page is at: http://fspace.fsoft.com.vn/
[ANS thanks Thu, XV9AA for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-136.08
Satellite Shorts From All Over
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 136.08
>From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
May 16, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-136.08
+ This week the ISS activated SSTV over Europe for the MAI-75 experi-
ment. If you have received images please send them via the ARISS SSTV
submission page: http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/SSTV/submit.php
Also see the ARISS SSTV gallery page:
http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/SSTV/
+ NASA Science News says a unique sky view will be visible as Venus
and the Moon are gathering for a sunset conjunction on Sunday,
May 16th. On that night, the ISS is going to be flying over many
US towns and cities. And if space shuttle Atlantis launches on
schedule people could witness a rare meeting of the shuttle, sta-
tion, Venus and the Moon. Details and observing tips may be found
in the story from [email protected]: http://tinyurl.com/334954k
+ Congratulations to Bobby, KF4GTA for being selected to participate
in NASA's STS-132 Tweetup from the final launch of the space shuttle
Atlantis which took place on Friday, May 14. Bobby's tweets were
published at: http://www.twitter.com/kf4gta
+ UniverseToday has posted a very interesting video hosted by Astro-
naut Mike Massimino about what he describes as, "This is the deepest,
darkest secret about spaceflight. People always ask us about UFOs
and aliens, and we've got nothing for them. But they don't know about
this!" Watch at: http://tinyurl.com/25gdzxq (UniverseToday.com)
+ The Camb-Hams DX'Pedition to Harris 2010 operated on satellites. They
have a video of us assembling the HyGain 2m and 70cm OSCAR antennas
on a 2 inch mast at about 12 feet. Watch - How To Build Satellite
Antennas in 30 Seconds at http://tinyurl.com/23mmvww (SouthGate ARC)
+ Henk Hamoen PA3GUO has made available some videos about Amateur Radio
CubeSats. See: http://tinyurl.com/2gybunt (SouthGate ARC)
+ A YouTube video shows how to use WebSDR which enables you to receive
the LF and HF amateur radio bands via a web controlled receiver that
supports multiple users. WebSDR is a free website that anyone can use
to receive short wave ham radio. It will function on SSB and CW modes.
Watch at: http://tinyurl.com/23ol4j7 (Please click the quality button
and raise it to 720p before making the video full screen to see all
the details. The WebSDRs can be found on-line at: http://www.websdr.org.
[ANS thanks everyone for the above information]
/EX
In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the
President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors
to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive additional benefits.
Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office. And, with that
please keep in mind the radio amateur who was LED to believe it was a
good time for this humor: His friends were shocked and their stomach
did flip-flops but he soon rectified the situation and that phase soon
passed. We were no longer choked up and encountered no more impedance
to our progress.
73,
This week's ANS Editor,
JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM
K9JKM at amsat dot org
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-122
ANS is a free, weekly, news and information service of AMSAT North America, The
Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS reports on the activities of a
worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an active interest in
designing, building, launching and communicating through analog and digital
Amateur Radio satellites.
Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to:
ans-editor(a)amsat.org
********************************************************************
* The AMSAT team is preparing for the 2010 Dayton Hamvention AMSAT *
* Booth and activities. For the latest information go to: *
* http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/hamvention/2010/Dayton.php *
* *
* Please be advised that tickets for the AMSAT-TAPR banquet at *
* Dayton will not be sold at the booth. *
*All tickets must be purchased at the AMSAT store by Monday, 10 May*
* http://www.amsat-na.com/store/item.php?id=100158 *
********************************************************************
In this edition:
* Successful ARISS Contact With European School in European Parliament
* H-IIA Rocket to Launch Four Cubesats
* Nanosatellite Launch Service 6 on PSLV-C15
* Satellite Shorts From All Over
* ARISS Status - 26 April 2010
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-122.01
Successful ARISS Contact With European School in European Parliament
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 122.01
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
May 2, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-122.01
On Tuesday, April 27 students of the European School II, Brussels
enjoyed a successful Amateur Radio on the International Space Station
(ARISS) contact with Astronaut Tim Creamer, KC5WKI operating the Amateur
Radio station NA1SS aboard the International Space Station. The ISS was
over South America during the contact with Adrian Sinclair's ARISS
Telebridge station LU1CGB in Buenos Aires providing a solid earth station
link. Twelve students selected from the school completed the contact.
ARISS Chairman Gaston Bertels, ON4WF hosted the event at the European
Parliament in Brussels as a feature of a cultural exhibition set up in
collaboration with the International Amateur Radio Union, the European
Space Agency and sponsored by MEP Birgit, Sippel, Germany. The IARU
Exhibition's name is "European Amateur Radio Benefiting Society" with
the theme of Emergency, Education and Space.
Because of the high profile of the location of the event at the European
Parliament Building in Brussels there was considerable opportunity to
raise awareness through media coverage, especially with Brussels Euro-
pean School's 'model' schooling for Europe.
This chance to participate in an ARISS project was actively embraced
by the Science faculty and it is here where the opportunities for cur-
ricular integration are gaining momentum. In the 1st Year Secondary
(typically aged 11) students study forces, gravity, weight and basic
ideas about 'fields'. In the 2nd Year, studies of the Solar System,
and well beyond, link directly to the Shuttle missions and the Inter-
national Space Station. In Year 7 (the final Baccalaureate year, when
most students are aged 18) the Physics section on 'Gravitational Fields'
is mainly about the mechanics of planetary and satellite motion. Topics
(and questions) are often presented within the context of NASA and ESA
missions.
Reporting from Brussels, Gaston wrote, "In the European School, located
in a residential area of Brussels, a similar setup was provided and many
students listened in to the event live. Later in the same afternoon, ISS
crew members came to visit the exhibition. ISS Commander Frank De Winne,
ON1DWN, Robert Thirsk, VA3CSA and Roman Romanenko, each one representing
a different Space Agency participated in a live question and answer session
with a group of students from the European School and from another school."
ARISS is an international educational outreach program partnering the
participating space agencies, NASA, Russian Space Agency, ESA, CNES,
JAXA, and CSA, with the AMSAT and IARU organizations from participa-
ting countries.
ARISS offers an opportunity for students to experience the excitement
of Amateur Radio by talking directly with crew members onboard the
International Space Station. Teachers, parents and communities see,
first hand, how Amateur Radio and crew members on ISS can energize
youngsters' interest in science, technology and learning.
Further information on the ARISS program is available on the website
http://www.ariss.org/ (graciously hosted by the Radio Amateurs of
Canada).
[ANS thanks ARISS Chairman Gaston Bertels, ON4WF; David Jordan, AA4KN;
and ARISS for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-122.02
H-IIA Rocket to Launch Four Cubesats
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 122.02
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
May 2, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-122.02
Four CubeSats in Japan are planning to launch on 17 May 2010
together with PLANET-C which belongs to JAXA by H-IIA rocket.
Launch date, 17 May 2010
Launch time, 21:44:14UTC
Launch site, Tanegashima Space Center in Japan
http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2010/03/20100303_h2af17_e.htmlhttp://www.jaxa.jp/index_e.html
Three of the CubeSats, Negai*", WASEDA-SAT2, KSAT, being launched by
the H-IIA rocket on May 17 will be dropped off into a low earth orbit
but UNITEC-1 will continue following the JAXA's Venus Climate Orbiter
PLANET-C / AKATSUKI on its journey to Venus.
UNITEC-1, NPO UNISEC (University Space Engineering Consortium)
5.840GHz, travel into deep space towards Venus
http://www.unisec.jp/unitec-1/en/top.html
Negai*", Soka University
437.305MHz CW, Packet 1200bps FSK AX.25
http://kuro.t.soka.ac.jp/main.html
WASEDA-SAT2, Waseda University
437.485MHz CW(FM), PCM-FSK(FM) 9600bps
http://www.miyashita.mmech.waseda.ac.jp/Waseda-Sat2/index.htm
KSAT, Kagoshima University
Uplink: S-band(2GHz, 10kbps), Downlink: Ku-band(13.275GHz, 10kbps/1Mbps)
http://www.sci.kagoshima-u.ac.jp/~nishio/download/Ukaren2008Nishio.pdf
[ANS thanks Mineo, JE9PEL, for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-122.03
Nanosatellite Launch Service 6 on PSLV-C15
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 122.03
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
May 2, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-122.03
The Space Flight Laboratory (SFL) at the University of Toronto Institute
for Aerospace Studies (UTIAS) would like to announce the delivery of
Nanosatellite Launch Service 6 (NLS-6) cluster payload to Satish Dhawan
Space Centre in Sriharikota (SDSC-SHAR), Andhra Pradesh, India, for
launch on board PSLV-C15. PSLV-C15 will be launching from the First
Launch Pad at SDSC-SHAR into 637 km sun-synchronous orbit with 10:30
Local-Time of Descending Node. NLS-6 shares this launch with Cartosat-2B
primary, Alsat-2A co-primary, and STUDSAT auxiliary payload.
NLS-6 is the 6th launch by SFL. The NLS-6 cluster comprises of two
nanosatellite: AISSat-1 and TIsat-1.
NLS-6 launch updates are being posted to
http://www.utias-sfl.net/NLS-6/
About AISSat-1
------------------------------
AISSat-1 is built by SFL for the Norwegian Defence Research
Establishment (FFI). It is intended to demonstrate a new maritime AIS
receiver that has been developed by FFI. The AIS receiver will be used
to monitor ship traffic in Norwegian waters. The design of AISSat-1 is
based on SFL Generic Nanosatellite Bus (GNB).
The spacecraft has a main structure measuring 20 cm by 20 cm by 20 cm
and it is stabilized in three-axes using reaction wheels. It has a fixed
46 cm long VHF payload monopole antenna for the AIS receiver and four
UHF uplink monopole antennas for the command receiver. The downlink in
the S-Band. AISSat-1 has an overall dimension of 80 cm by 45 cm by 37 cm
and an overall mass of 6.5 kg. AISSat-1 will be secured to the launch
vehicle using the XPOD GNB separation system.
AISSat-1 is not an amateur satellite and, as such, has coordinated
appropriate frequencies. Its ground segment is located at Svalbard and
its control centre is at FFI, near Oslo, Norway.
More information on the spacecraft can be found at
http://www.utias-sfl.net/nanosatellites/AISSat-1/
and
http://www.spacecentre.no/?module=Articles;action=Article.publicShow;ID=513…
About TIsat-1
------------------------------
TIsat-1 is a 1 kg CubeSat of 10 cm by 10 cm by 10 cm and is built by
students and staff at University of Applied Sciences of Southern
Switzerland (SUPSI). The primary mission objective is to involve
students in systems engineering, development and test with a very
challenging project and to provide students and staff at SUPSI with
space mission knowledge. TIsat-1 will monitor the durability of material
probes exposed to space environment, will test a micro electromechanical
device and will validate the redundant, fault tolerant hardware and
firmware design of the bus.
Two monopole antennas (VHF and UHF) will be deployed after separation.
Housekeeping and payload data will be communicated to the ground as
orbital data profiles. TIsat-1 will be secured to the launch vehicle
using the XPOD Single separation system.
TIsat-1 communicates over amateur radio frequencies, as coordinated
through the IARU, and they have been working with radio amateurs in
Switzerland during the spacecraft's development. They have a Morse Code
and data beacons. More information can be found at
http://www.spacelab.dti.supsi.ch/tiSat1.html
Future Launches by SFL
------------------------------
SFL has signed its 7th launch contract with ANTRIX for NLS-7 in late
2010/early 2011. NLS-7 will launch the twin-satellite CanX-4 and CanX-5
formation flying mission.
SFL will be signing its 8th launch contract for NLS-8 momentarily, for
the launch of two astronomy nanosatellites: BRITE-Austria (CanX-3A) and
UniBRITE (CanX-3B). NLS-8 will also launch one partner spacecraft.
In addition, SFL is under discussion for NLS-9, NLS-10, and NLS-11
launches in 2011/2012 time frame, and would like to extend an invitation
to spacecraft developers world-wide to join our launches.
For further information, please contact:
Freddy M. Pranajaya
Manager, Advanced Systems Group
UTIAS Space Flight Laboratory
4925 Dufferin Street, Toronto, Ontario, CANADA M3H 5T6
+1-416-667-7890 Voice
+1-416-667-7799 Fax
freddyp(a)utias-sfl.net
http://www.utias-sfl.net/
[ANS thanks Daniel, VA3KKZ, for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-122.04
Satellite Shorts From All Over
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 122.04
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
May 2, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-122.04
+ Hiroyuki, JG7PSJ will be QRV as JD1BMH from Chichijima, IOTA
AS-031, from May 2 to 14. Activity is on 40 to 6 meters, and
possibly 80 meters, using CW, SSB and digital modes. QSL to
home call. In addition, Makoto, JI5RPT will be QRV as JD1BLY,
also from Chichijima, from May 2 to 7. Activity will be on 40
to 6 meters using CW, SSB, digital modes and Satellites. QSL
to home call. (via ARRL ARLD017 DX news)
+ Congratulations to Loren, K7CWQ, who just received his VUCC
award - using a FT-60R and Arrow Sat antenna as his station.
Well done, sir!
+ Also congratulations to KD0EM, Harold in EL98 Florida. On April 22
he worked W4AS for his first satellit contact via AO-27 FM.
+ Martha reminds us from AMSAT HQ that tickets for the AMSAT-TAPR
banquet at Dayton will not be sold at the booth. All tickets must
be purchased at the AMSAT store by Monday, 10 May:
http://www.amsat-na.com/store/item.php?id=100158
Dr. Robert McGwier, N4HY, will be the Banquet speaker
+ Gavin, M1BXF reports the Camb-hams, the social side of the Cambridge
Repeater Group (ex Pye telecoms group) will be active on FM and SSB
satellites as GS3PYE/P from grid IO67nt on the Island of Harris
Scotland between May 1st and May 15th. More information can found
on their DXpedition webpage:
http://dx.camb-hams.com/dx-peditions/harris-dxpedition-10/
+ A video has been released that explains the design philosophy of the
core power control unit of New Zealand's first Amateur Radio satel-
lite KiwiSAT. In the video Hans Holtz ZL1HB and Andrew Cammell ZL1AVC
explains the design and operation of the KiwiSAT central power con-
trol system know as the Battery Control Regulator or BCR. Watch at:
http://tinyurl.com/28ocp8h
+ The Radio Club Ushuaia LU8XW is planning an expedition to the City
of Tolhuin, commemorating the 25th anniversary of the radio club.
LU8XW will be active in SSB, CW, PSK, RTTY and Satellites, from
01:00 UTC May 22 until 03:00 UTC May 24. QSLs via WD9EWK and LoTW
(IOTA SA 008) - (W.A.P. - W.A.C.A Ref ARG-23) All contacts on this
expedition are all contacts are valid for Radio Club Ushuaia
Permanent Diploma. Please sen dany questions or comments to
lu8xw(a)lu8xw.com.ar Please visit our web www.lu8xw.com.ar Thanks!
Pablo LU6XV SOURCE: 73 de Augusto HB9TZA / I2JJR - SRT
[ANS thanks everyone for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-122.05
ARISS Status - 26 April 2010
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 122.05
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
May 2, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-122.05
1. Upcoming School Contacts
An Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact has been
scheduled for Nippon Boy Scout Amateur Radio Club in Mitaka-shi, Japan on
Tuesday, May 4 at 15:09 UTC. The Japan Boy Scouts have an amateur radio club,
JA1YSS and study amateur radio station operations. The boys look forward to
speaking with JAXA astronaut Soichi Noguchi, a former Boy Scout.
The Smithsonian Institution National Air and Space Museum (NASM) in Washington,
D.C. has been scheduled for an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station
(ARISS) contact on Family Day, Saturday, May 8 at 17:01 UTC via VK4KHZ in
Australia. The Education Division of NASM is recruiting the young people who
will participate in the contact. Generally, Boy Scouts and other groups are
involved with this activity. The Museum draws approximately 30,000 on this
Saturday in May.
2. Caldwell-Dyson Speaks with Houston School via ARISS
On Monday, April 19, Expedition 23 astronaut Tracy Caldwell-Dyson, KF5DBF
participated in an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS)
contact with students from Jessup Elementary School in Houston, Texas. The
connection was made through telebridge station WH6PN in Hawaii. Prior to the
contact, ARISS was incorporated into science, math, and language arts classes
and children prepared 20 questions for the astronaut. Caldwell-Dyson answered
them all as a crowd, filling the school's gymnasium, listened in. Several
newspapers also attended and covered the event.
3. ARISS International Team Meeting Held
The monthly ARISS International Team teleconference was held on Tuesday, April
20. Topics of discussion included an update on the radio equipment for the
Columbus Module and an ARISSat-1 status. Minutes have been posted. See:
https://www.rac.ca/ariss/arisstel2010-04-20.htm
4. Astronaut Training Status
On Monday, April 19, astronauts Kevin Ford and Shane Kimbrough received an
overview of the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS)
program, followed by a Basic Ops session with Kimbrough. Both astronauts are
scheduled to fly on future ISS expeditions.
[ANS thanks Carol, KB3LKI, for the above information]
/EX
In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the President's
Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT Project
Funds, will be eligible to receive additional benefits. Application forms are
available from the AMSAT Office.
73,
This week's ANS Editor,
Lee McLamb, KU4OS
ku4os at amsat dot org