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ANS-273 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by Mitch Ahrenstorff (AD0HJ) 29 Sep '24

29 Sep '24

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-273 In this edition: * AMSAT-UK to Provide FUNcube Lite Payload for Jovian-1 Satellite * AMSAT-EA HADES-R and HADES-ICM planned for Q1 2025 * NASA Gears Up for Europa Clipper Mission to Jupiter's Icy Moon * Artificial Star Mission Aims to Help Unlock Secrets of the Universe * GridMasterMap Satellite Top 100 Rovers October 2024 Rankings * Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for September 27, 2024 * ARISS News * Upcoming Satellite Operations * AMSAT Ambassador Activities * Satellite Shorts From All Over The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and information service of AMSAT, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS publishes news related to Amateur Radio in Space including 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. The news feed on https://www.amsat.org publishes news of Amateur Radio in Space as soon as our volunteers can post it. Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor [at] amsat.org<http://amsat.org> You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: https://mailman.amsat.org/postorius/lists/ans.amsat.org/ ANS-273 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins To: All RADIO AMATEURS From: Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation 712 H Street NE, Suite 1653 Washington, DC 20002 DATE 2024 Sep 29 ________________________________ The 42nd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting will be held on Friday through Saturday, October 25-26, 2024 DoubleTree by Hilton Tampa Rocky Point Waterfront in Tampa, Florida. Click Here to Register Now<https://launch.amsat.org/event-5833792> [https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/DoubleTree-Tampa…] Rooms can be reserved at https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/radioamateursatellite/ If you're interested in presenting or submitting a paper, see the Call for Papers<https://www.amsat.org/2024-symposium/call-for-papers-2024/> webpage ________________________________ AMSAT-UK to Provide FUNcube Lite Payload for Jovian-1 Satellite AMSAT-UK has announced it will provide a FUNcube Lite payload for the Jovian-1 satellite, featuring a U/V FM voice transponder. Jovian-1, a 6U CubeSat, is being developed by Space South Central, a space cluster in the UK. The project is a collaboration between industry and academic institutions aimed at supporting the region’s space sector. Jovian-1 is part of the JUPITER program, which stands for Joint Universities Programme for In-Orbit Training, Education, and Research. The program involves the universities of Surrey, Portsmouth, and Southampton and offers students direct experience in the space sector. JUPITER prepares participants for careers in space, with a focus on practical training in satellite design and operations. The FUNcube Lite payload will collect telemetry data from the satellite’s subsystems, including radiation sensor readings and GPS information. The data will be transmitted to schools and colleges using the FUNcube data format. This will help track radiation levels across the satellite’s orbit and assess radiation effects on onboard electronics. [https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Space-South-Cent…]<https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Space-South-Cent…> Space South Central students will have the opportunity to design and launch the Jovian-1 satellite. [Credit: Space South Central] Students from Space South Central will design, build, test, and launch the Jovian-1 satellite. The satellite will use commercial S and X bands for its main communication, through a ground station at Surrey University. The FUNcube Lite payload will operate on UHF and VHF amateur radio frequencies. When not gathering telemetry, it can switch to a U/V mode FM voice transponder, enabling communication for radio amateurs. The project emphasizes the role of regional space clusters in advancing the UK space industry. Space South Central represents over 170 space-related businesses in the region. The mission allows students to conduct satellite operations from the University of Surrey’s ground station, bridging academic study with hands-on experience. More information about the Jovian-1 mission and the FUNcube Lite payload will be shared at the AMSAT-UK Colloquium on October 12-13, 2024. The event will provide detailed updates on the satellite’s development and its technical components, offering insights for anyone interested in amateur radio and satellite communications. For more information: * Space South Central: spacesouthcentral.com<https://www.spacesouthcentral.com/news/universities-launch-pioneering-space…> * University of Surrey: surrey.ac.uk<https://www.surrey.ac.uk/> * University of Portsmouth: port.ac.uk<https://www.port.ac.uk/> * University of Southampton: southampton.ac.uk<https://www.southampton.ac.uk/> [ANS thanks Dave Johnson, G4DPZ, Honorary Secretary, AMSAT-UK<https://amsat-uk.org/> , for the above information] ________________________________ AMSAT-EA HADES-R and HADES-ICM planned for Q1 2025 AMSAT-EA has announced the upcoming launch of two new satellites, HADES-R and HADES-ICM, which will be made available to radio amateurs in early 2025. These satellites are set to replace the current HADES-D (SO-121) satellite in orbit. Unlike HADES-D, which transmits at a power level of 40mW, the new satellites will have variable transmission power, reaching up to theoretical 250mW when fully charged. The HADES-R and HADES-ICM satellites, classified as 1.5p pocketQubes, will be launched by SpaceX on its Transporter-12 and Transporter-13 missions. The launches will utilize D-Orbit's ION orbital transfer vehicle (OTV), with mission management provided by Alba Orbital, a Scottish company specializing in satellite launch solutions. As with previous AMSAT-EA projects, these satellites have been developed with the support of private companies and universities. Both satellites will support a wide range of communications capabilities, including FM voice, FSK, FT-4, and FT-8 modes. They will also be equipped to handle AX.25/APRS communications at both 300 and 1200 bps. The uplink for the satellites will be in the VHF band, while the downlink will operate in the UHF band. Additionally, the satellites will transmit telemetry data, including status updates, voice messages, and CW messages. All communications will be managed through an SDR-based FM and FSK repeater, which will be available at all times, activated by squelch level without the need for a subtone. In addition to their primary communications functions, both satellites will carry a scientific experiment from the Smart IR/Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC) at the University of Manchester. This experiment will test a very low-power active radiator under space conditions. HADES-ICM has received sponsorship from IcMercury (Interstellar Communication Holdings), based in Florida, and will feature several challenge messages embedded within the FSK telemetry. While the HADES-R satellite has already been coordinated by the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU), HADES-ICM is still pending approval. [ANS thanks Félix Páez, EA4GQS, President / Mission Manager, AMSAT-EA<https://www.amsat-ea.org/>, for the above information] ________________________________ NASA Gears Up for Europa Clipper Mission to Jupiter's Icy Moon NASA is set to launch the Europa Clipper mission, a groundbreaking effort to explore Jupiter's icy moon, Europa. Slated for liftoff as early as October 10, 2024, the spacecraft will be carried into space by a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The mission aims to uncover the mysteries of Europa’s hidden ocean and assess whether the moon could host conditions favorable for life. Europa Clipper’s journey will take six years to reach the Jupiter system. Once there, it will enter an orbit around Jupiter, performing dozens of flybys of Europa. The spacecraft’s suite of instruments will probe beneath the moon’s icy shell to study its subsurface ocean. By mapping the moon and investigating its potential habitability, NASA hopes to shed light on one of the most intriguing questions in planetary science: whether life could exist on other worlds. [https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Europa-Clipper-P…]<https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Europa-Clipper-P…> NASA reported that Europa Clipper passed its pre-launch review on September 9th. [Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett] The mission is significant because Europa is thought to possess all the ingredients necessary for life. Beneath its thick ice lies a vast, salty ocean, which may contain more water than all of Earth’s oceans combined. The moon’s subsurface environment could offer the energy, liquid water, and organic compounds required to support life. Although Europa is smaller than Earth’s moon, its potential to harbor a habitable environment makes it a prime target for exploration. To reach Jupiter, Europa Clipper will rely on two gravity assists. In 2025, it will pass within 1,000 kilometers of Mars to adjust its trajectory, followed by a close flyby of Earth in 2026. These maneuvers will boost the spacecraft’s speed and guide it toward the Jupiter system, where it is expected to arrive in 2030. Instead of orbiting Europa directly, the spacecraft will remain in orbit around Jupiter, occasionally dipping into the planet’s intense radiation field for close encounters with Europa. [https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Jupiter-Europa-H…]<https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Jupiter-Europa-H…> View of Jupiter's moon Europa captured by NASA's Galileo spacecraft. [Credit: NASA/JPL/University of Arizona] Once in the Jupiter system, Europa Clipper will conduct over 40 flybys of Europa, approaching as close as 25 kilometers above its surface. The spacecraft’s instruments are designed to withstand the harsh radiation environment, with most being housed in a protective radiation vault. Each flyby will gather detailed data, providing new insights into the moon’s ice-covered ocean and the possibility of life beneath its surface. The spacecraft’s science instruments include ice-penetrating radar to map Europa’s icy shell and magnetic sensors to confirm the presence of its ocean. High-resolution cameras and spectrometers will analyze the moon's surface and search for water vapor plumes that may erupt from below. Although Europa Clipper is not officially a life-detection mission, it promises to transform our understanding of habitability beyond Earth. [ANS thanks Kate Howells, The Planetary Society<https://www.planetary.org/>, for the above information] ________________________________ The 2024 AMSAT President’s Club coins are here now! Help Support GOLF and Fox Plus [https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2024-Coin-Both_5…] Join the AMSAT President's Club today and help Keep Amateur Radio in Space! https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/ ________________________________ Artificial Star Mission Aims to Help Unlock Secrets of the Universe NASA is embarking on an ambitious mission that could reshape our understanding of the universe with the help of a small, human-made satellite. Researchers at George Mason University are leading a $19.5 million NASA-funded project to launch an "artificial star" into space. The goal of this satellite, once it reaches orbit, is to appear as a star to telescopes on Earth, allowing scientists to gather more precise data on stellar brightness. The mission could unlock critical insights into the age, size, and scale of stars, offering fresh clues about the expansion of the universe and even the potential for extraterrestrial life. The so-called artificial star will be positioned in geostationary orbit, approximately 22,236 miles from Earth. While it won’t be visible to the naked eye, telescopes will be able to track the satellite as it moves at the same speed as Earth’s rotation, staying positioned over the U.S. Named in honor of the late astronomer Arlo Landolt, known for his work in stellar calibration, the satellite will spend its first year in space using advanced technology to monitor the brightness of millions of stars. This will allow astronomers to refine existing models for measuring stellar evolution and the universe’s expansion. [https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/NASAs-Landolt-Sa…]<https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/NASAs-Landolt-Sa…> NASA's Landolt mission will help researchers study star brightness. [Credit: George Mason University] Equipped with a sophisticated array of lasers, the satellite will serve as a controlled reference point for researchers on Earth. It will enhance the accuracy of brightness measurements, providing data that cannot be gathered from ground-based telescopes alone. According to Peter Plavchan, the primary investigator of the Landolt NASA Space Mission at George Mason, this mission represents a breakthrough in how stars and even distant supernovae are studied. “Such measurements can only be achieved by a space-based orbiting artificial star,” Plavchan said. The mission, part of NASA’s Pioneers program, marks a significant milestone for George Mason University. This is the university's first time leading such a mission, with NASA providing oversight and key technical support. George Mason is collaborating with the National Institute of Standards and Technology and 10 other universities to develop the satellite, which will face significant engineering challenges in high orbit. “Our team will design, build, and integrate the payload,” said Peter Pachowicz, an engineering professor at George Mason. “It’s an incredibly exciting opportunity.” [https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Arlo-Landolt-Kit…]<https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Arlo-Landolt-Kit…> Astronomer Arlo Landolt had compiled widely used catalogs of stellar brightness. [Credit: NOIRLab] One of the broader goals of the Landolt mission is to contribute to the search for habitable planets. By analyzing how stars influence planetary environments, the satellite could help scientists better understand where in the universe conditions might be suitable for life. Astronomers are particularly interested in so-called habitable or “Goldilocks” zones, where planets could have the right conditions—neither too hot nor too cold—to support liquid water, a key ingredient for life. Understanding how stars affect these zones is essential to identifying planets that may harbor life. While the mission has the potential to revolutionize the field of astronomy, it also poses big challenges. Finding definitive evidence of life beyond Earth requires precise measurements of stellar properties, such as how much energy a star emits and how close a planet is to that star. "There are so many big questions in astronomy: How did we get here? Are there other planets like ours? Do aliens exist?" said Jamie Tayar, an astronomer at the University of Florida, a partner in the mission. With the launch of the artificial star planned for 2029, the team hopes to get one step closer to answering these profound questions. [ANS thanks Eric Lagatta, USA Today<https://www.usatoday.com/>, for the above information] ________________________________ GridMasterMap Satellite Top 100 Rovers October 2024 Rankings The October 2024 rankings for the Top 100 Rovers (Mixed LEO/MEO/GEO) in satellite operations, as determined by @GridMasterMap<https://x.com/GridMasterMap> on Twitter, has been released. The ranking is determined by the number of grids and DXCC entities activated, taking into account only those grids where a minimum number of QSOs logged on the gridmaster.fr<https://gridmaster.fr> website have been validated by a third party. Grid numbers do not directly reflect the exact number of activations. Satellite operators are encouraged to upload their LoTW satellite contacts to https://gridmaster.fr in order to provide more accurate data. Updated: 2024-09-27 1 ND9M 26 KX9X 51 N6DNM 76 LU4JVE 2 NJ7H 27 ON4AUC 52 JK2XXK 77 AA8CH 3 JA9KRO 28 KG5CCI 53 EB1AO 78 VE1VOX 4 UT1FG 29 N5BO 54 SM3NRY 79 FG8OJ 5 N5UC 30 K8BL 55 EA4NF 80 PT9BM 6 DL6AP 31 KE4AL 56 JL3RNZ 81 KJ7NDY 7 OE3SEU 32 KB5FHK 57 XE1ET 82 KI7UXT 8 WI7P 33 VE3HLS 58 AA5PK 83 YU0W 9 DP0POL 34 KI0KB 59 DF2ET 84 KB2YSI 10 K5ZM 35 KI7UNJ 60 KI7QEK 85 N6UTC 11 N6UA 36 LA9XGA 61 SP5XSD 86 WA9JBQ 12 HA3FOK 37 F4BKV 62 F4DXV 87 N4DCW 13 WY7AA 38 PA3GAN 63 AD7DB 88 JM1CAX 14 N9IP 39 JO2ASQ 64 VE1CWJ 89 VE3GOP 15 W5PFG 40 N7AGF 65 KE9AJ 90 N0TEL 16 AK8CW 41 BA1PK 66 N8RO 91 KG4AKV 17 DL2GRC 42 VK5DG 67 VA7LM 92 K6VHF 18 AD0DX 43 XE3DX 68 KM4LAO 93 K0FFY 19 F5VMJ 44 KE0WPA 69 W1AW 94 CU2ZG 20 N4AKV 45 PR8KW 70 W8LR 95 VE7PTN 21 WD9EWK 46 K7TAB 71 N4UFO 96 AF5CC 22 ND0C 47 KE0PBR 72 DL4EA 97 VE6WK 23 AD0HJ 48 VA3VGR 73 HB9GWJ 98 W8MTB 24 LU5ILA 49 AC0RA 74 PT2AP 99 DK9JC 25 DJ8MS 50 W7WGC 75 M1DDD 100 BG7QIW [ANS thanks @GridMasterMap<https://x.com/GridMasterMap> for the above information] ________________________________ Need new satellite antennas? Purchase an M2 LEO-Pack from the AMSAT Store!<https://www.amsat.org/shop/> [https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/cm/LEO-Pack1-300x298.png]<https://www.amsat.org/product/m2-leo-pack-antenna-system/> When you purchase through AMSAT, a portion of the proceeds goes towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space. https://amsat.org/product-category/hardware/ ________________________________ Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for September 27, 2024 Two Line Elements or TLEs, often referred to as Keplerian elements or keps in the amateur community, are the inputs to the SGP4 standard mathematical model of spacecraft orbits used by most amateur tracking programs. Weekly updates are completely adequate for most amateur satellites. TLE bulletin files are updated daily in the first hour of the UTC day. New bulletin files will be posted immediately after reliable elements become available for new amateur satellites. More information may be found at https://www.amsat.org/keplerian-elements-resources/. This week there are no additions or deletions to the AMSAT TLE distribution. [ANS thanks AMSAT Orbital Elements page for the above information] ________________________________ ARISS NEWS Amateurs and others around the world may listen in on contacts between amateurs operating in schools and allowing students to interact with astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station. The downlink frequency on which to listen is 145.800 MHz worldwide. + Recently Completed Contacts Amur State University, Blagoveshchensk, Russia, direct via RKØJ The ISS callsign was RSØISS The scheduled crewmember was Ivan Vagner The ARISS mentor is RV3DR Contact was successful for: Tue 2024-09-24 09:24 UTC Tatarstan, Russia, direct via TBD The ISS callsign was RSØISS The scheduled crewmember was Aleksey Ovchinin The ARISS mentor is RV3DR Contact is successful for: Fri 2024-09-27 13:20 UTC Khazar University, Dunya School, Baku, Azerbaijan, direct via 4K6EH The ISS callsign was OR4ISS The scheduled crewmember was Sunita Williams KD5PLB The ARISS mentor is IN3GHZ Contact was successful for: Sat 2024-09-28 09:13:29 UTC + Upcoming Contacts СОНКО АНО "Clean and Simple" and the Cultural and Leisure Center "Flying Saucer", Shchyolkovo, Russia, direct via TBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled crewmember is Alexander Gorbunov The ARISS mentor is RV3DR Contact is go for Fri 2024-10-04 10:50 UTC Girlguiding Surrey West County, Shepperton, UK, direct via GB4GGB The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled crewmember is Sunita Williams KD5PLB The ARISS mentor is MØXTD Contact is go for: Sat 2024-10-05 13:06:22 UTC Watch for Livestream at https://live.ariss.org/ Centre de Formation de la Base Aérienne de Payerne, Payerne, Switzerland, direct via HB9SPACE The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The scheduled crewmember is Mike Barratt KD5MIJ The ARISS mentor is IN3GHZ Contact is go for: Sat 2024-10-05 14:44:48 UTC 213 RCSCC Qu’Appelle (Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corp), Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, telebridge via K6DUE The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled crewmember is Jeanette Epps KF5QNU The ARISS mentor is VE6JBJ Contact is go for: 2024-10-05 16:06:05 UTC The crossband repeater continues to be active (145.990 MHz up {PL 67} & 437.800 MHz down). If any crewmember is so inclined, all they have to do is pick up the microphone, raise the volume up, and talk on the crossband repeater. So give a listen, you just never know. The packet system is also active (145.825 MHz up & down). APRS is currently online, but may be impacted for an experiment in the Service Module after September 27th. As always, if there is an EVA, a docking, or an undocking; the ARISS radios are turned off as part of the safety protocol. Note, all times are approximate. It is recommended that you do your own orbital prediction or start listening about 10 minutes before the listed time. The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html The latest list of frequencies in use can be found at https://www.ariss.org/contact-the-iss.html [ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team mentors for the above information] ________________________________ Upcoming Satellite Operations None currently listed. A growing number of satellite rovers are currently engaged in sharing their grid square activations on https://hams.at. By visiting the website, you gain easy access to comprehensive information about the operators responsible for activating specific grid squares. Additionally, you have the ability to assess the match score between yourself and a particular rover for a given pass, while also being able to identify the upcoming satellite passes that are accessible from your location. [ANS thanks Ian Parsons, K5ZM, AMSAT rover page manager, for the above information] ________________________________ AMSAT Ambassador Activities AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events. AMSAT Ambassador Clint Bradford, K6LCS, says, Just completed presenting my satellite show to the Sandton Amateur Radio Club in South Africa - via Zoom. And what a marvelous group they are! Keith ZS6HI was my contact. Great questions throughout from the Zoom audience. From Keith: "Thank you very much Clint and Karen. Wonderful presentation. You did a lot of research and preparation to put a South African spin on the presentation and spent effort on learning about the SARL, Sandton Club and South African Amateur Radio community beforehand." “SARL” is South Africa's “ARRL.” And there is an active AMSAT Chapter there, too! That was Presentation Number 175 … more are scheduled! Think a lively, informative, and fun presentation on working the “easy” satellites with minimal equipment would be appropriate for your club or convention? Clint Bradford K6LCS AMSAT Ambassador ARRL Affiliated Club Coordinator, benefactor work-sat.com<http://work-sat.com> 909-999-SATS (909-999-7287) North Star Radio Convention - October 5th, 2024 Hennepin Technical College (North Campus) 9000 Brooklyn Boulevard Brooklyn Park, MN 55445 https://conv2023.tcfmc.org/ AMSAT Forum and Information Table / KØJM and ADØHJ Central Kentucky Hamfest - October 5th, 2024 Highlands Baptist Church 2032 Parallel Road Lexington, KY 40502 https://www.facebook.com/w9khz/ AMSAT and Educational Satellites Forum and Information Table / AI4SR and W4FCL Radio Society of Tucson - October 5th, 2024 Calvary Tucson Church 8711 East Speedway Boulevard Tucson AZ 85710 https://k7rst.club/2024/07/tucson-autumn-ham-fest-2024/ N1UW Pacificon 2024, ARRL Pacific Division Conference - October 18th thru 20th, 2024 San Ramon Marriott 2600 Bishop Drive San Ramon, CA 94583 https://www.pacificon.org/ WU0I 2024 AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting - October 25th thru 27th, 2024 Doubletree by Hilton Tampa Rocky Point Waterfront 3050 N Rocky Point Drive West Tampa, FL 33607 https://www.amsat.org/ Stone Mountain Hamfest, ARRL State Convention - November 2nd and 3rd, 2024 Gwinnett County Fairgrounds 2405 Sugarloaf Parkway Lawrenceville, GA 30042 https://stonemountainhamfest.com/ K4RGK Oro Valley Amateur Radio Club - November 9th, 2024 Marana Middle School 11285 West Grier Road Marana, AZ 85653 https://www.tucsonhamradio.org/copy-of-hamfest-2022 N1UW Yuma HAMCON - February 20th thru 22nd, 2025 Yuma, AZ N1UW [ANS thanks Bo Lowrey, W4FCL, Director – AMSAT Ambassador Program, for the above information] ________________________________ Want to fly the colors on your own grid expedition? Get an AMSAT car flag and other neat stuff from our Zazzle store<https://www.zazzle.com/store/amsat_gear>! 25% of the purchase price of each product goes towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space [https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/AMSAT-Car-Flag-e…]<https://www.zazzle.com/amsat_car_flag-256716714380264543> Keeping Amateur Radio in Space https://www.zazzle.com/amsat_gear ________________________________ Satellite Shorts From All Over + Congratulations are in order for Jerry Oliver, KJ4EU for his impressive accomplishments in earning GridMaster Award #70! This esteemed recognition, initiated by Star Comm Group in 2014 and backed by Damon Runion, WA4HFN, and Rick Tillman, WA4NVM, has now been entrusted to AMSAT for the benefit of the entire amateur satellite community. The GridMaster Award celebrates radio amateurs worldwide who achieve two-way communication via amateur satellite with operators in all 488 Maidenhead grids across the contiguous United States of America. For more details on this distinguished award, visit the AMSAT website at https://www.amsat.org/gridmaster/. Jerry, your achievement is truly commendable—well done! (ANS thanks Bruce Paige, KK5DO, AMSAT Director of Contests and Awards for the above information) + Congratulations to Nina Riethmueller, DL2GRC, for her outstanding achievements in providing satellite contacts! Nina has roved an impressive 102 grid squares, earning her the AMSAT VUCC/r Award #18. The Reverse VUCC or VUCC/r Award, originally introduced by the Central States VHF Society and now carried on by AMSAT, recognizes the dedication of satellite rovers like Nina. For more information about this prestigious award, you can visit the AMSAT website at https://www.amsat.org/reverse-vucc-or-vucc-r-award. Keep on roving, Nina, and continue to inspire others in the AMSAT community with your remarkable achievements! (ANS thanks Bruce Paige, KK5DO, AMSAT Director of Contests and Awards for the above information) + NASA’s Voyager 1 spacecraft, which has been in space since 1977, recently experienced issues with its thrusters due to clogged fuel tubes caused by aging. The thrusters, which are essential for keeping the spacecraft pointed toward Earth, use liquid hydrazine that releases in puffs to adjust its orientation. Engineers discovered that one set of thrusters had become clogged with silicon dioxide from the spacecraft’s fuel tank, necessitating a switch to a different set. However, due to power and temperature constraints, turning on the replacement thrusters required careful planning. The team successfully activated non-essential heaters to warm up the thrusters, making the switch on August 27, 2024. This complex operation ensures Voyager 1 can continue its mission, providing valuable data from interstellar space despite its advanced age and limited power. (ANS thanks NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory<https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/> for the above information) + The International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) recently reached a milestone, processing its 1,000th satellite frequency coordination request. This achievement underscores the IARU’s essential role in managing radio frequencies for amateur satellites, ensuring optimal performance and minimal interference with terrestrial services. Since the late 1990s, the IARU’s Satellite Frequency Coordination Panel has collaborated with satellite developers and regulators to facilitate successful amateur communication and educational satellite missions. The rise of CubeSats and the drop in launch costs have increased the demand for careful spectrum management. The dedication of IARU volunteers and the global amateur radio community has made this possible, ensuring continued opportunities for education, communication, and scientific research. As Earth's orbit becomes more crowded, the IARU’s work in frequency coordination will remain critical for future missions. (ANS thanks IARU<https://www.iaru.org/> for the above information) + NASA astronaut Tracy C. Dyson, along with Roscosmos cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub, successfully returned to Earth on September 23, after landing in Kazakhstan aboard the Soyuz MS-25 spacecraft. Dyson spent 184 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of Expeditions 70 and 71, completing 2,944 orbits and covering 78 million miles. Chub and Kononenko, who spent 374 days in space, returned after an extensive mission spanning 5,984 orbits and 158.6 million miles. Notably, Kononenko set a record with over 1,111 cumulative days in space across five missions. The crew undocked from the ISS's Prichal module before their parachute-assisted landing southeast of Dzhezkazgan, Kazakhstan. Following their recovery, Dyson returned to Houston, while Kononenko and Chub headed to Star City, Russia, for post-mission procedures. (ANS thanks SciTechDaily<https://scitechdaily.com/> for the above information) + SpaceX is preparing for a historic test flight of its Starship megarocket, aiming to catch its Super Heavy booster using the "chopstick" arms of the launch tower. This innovative recovery method, practiced at the Starbase site in South Texas, could dramatically reduce refurbishment times compared to traditional landing methods. The company recently showcased these preparations, lifting the booster to its expected catch height. Starship's fifth test flight, slated for late November 2024, follows previous launches where performance has steadily improved. Despite SpaceX's readiness, regulatory delays from the FAA have pushed the launch timeline. SpaceX has expressed frustration with the regulatory process, citing concerns about the pace of environmental impact reviews and modifications assessments. (ANS thanks Space.com<https://www.space.com/> for the above information) ________________________________ Join AMSAT today at https://launch.amsat.org/ In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to: * Societies (a recognized group, clubs or organization). * Primary and secondary school students are eligible for membership at one-half the standard yearly rate. * Post-secondary school students enrolled in at least half-time status shall be eligible for the student rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status. * Memberships are available for annual and lifetime terms. Contact info [at] amsat.org<https://www.amsat.org> for additional membership information. 73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space! This week's ANS Editor, Mitch Ahrenstorff, ADØHJ mahrenstorff [at] amsat.org<https://www.amsat.org>

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ANS-266 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by Mark Johns, K0JM 22 Sep '24

22 Sep '24

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-266 In this edition: * Registration Continues for the 42nd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium * AMSAT Symposium Call for Papers * Results of the 2024 AMSAT Board of Directors Election * MESAT1 Telemetry and Testing-Update * GreenCube (IO-117) Ceases Functioning Due to Radiation Damage * Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution * ARISS News * Upcoming Satellite Operations * AMSAT Ambassador Activities * Satellite Shorts From All Over The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and information service of AMSAT, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS publishes news related to Amateur Radio in Space including 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. The news feed on http://www.amsat.org publishes news of Amateur Radio in Space as soon as our volunteers can post it. *Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor [at] amsat.org <http://amsat.org>* You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: https://mailman.amsat.org/postorius/lists/ans.amsat.org/ ANS-266 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins To: All RADIO AMATEURS From: Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation 712 H Street NE, Suite 1653 Washington, DC 20002 DATE 2024 Sept. 22 Registration Continues for the 42nd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium & Annual General Meeting The 42nd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting will be held on Friday through Saturday, October 25-26, 2024, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Tampa Rocky Point Waterfront in Tampa, Florida. Highlights of all scheduled events include: - AMSAT Board of Directors Meeting, October 24-25 - 42nd AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting, October 25-26 - Friday Night Social and Auction, October 25 - AMSAT Banquet and Reception, October 26 - AMSAT Ambassador Breakfast (all are welcome), October 27 *Note – if you wish to register guests for the banquet and/or breakfast who are not attending the Symposium sessions, you must register for each event separately and include your guests with your banquet and breakfast tickets.* If you are interested in presenting or submitting a paper for inclusion in the Symposium Proceedings, please see the Call for Papers <https://www.amsat.org/2024-symposium/call-for-papers-2024/>. *IMPORTANT: The deadline for Symposium registrations if you want to include the Saturday evening banquet or Sunday breakfast is Friday, October 18th. Meals cannot be ordered after that date.* Click Here to Register Now <https://launch.amsat.org/event-5833792> Hotel Reservations The rate for a standard room with two Queen beds is $169.00 plus state and local taxes of 14.5%. Rooms may be available for check-in on Wednesday, October 23 and check out Sunday, October 27. Rooms can be reserved at https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/radioamateursatellite/. Reservations may also be made by phone at 813-888-8800. Reference AMSAT to receive the group rate. *Note: If you are planning on driving to the Symposium or renting a car, parking charges are $20 per night for overnight parking. * We, at AMSAT, are excited to be able to host our 42nd annual Symposium this year. We hope that you can join us in celebrating Amateur Radio in Space. Schedule *Thursday, October 24, 2024* 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM AMSAT Board Meeting 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Pre-Registration Check-in *Friday, October 25, 2024* 8:00 AM – 12:00 Noon AMSAT Board Meeting (Closed Session) 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM Registration 1:00 PM – 1:15 PM AMSAT Symposium Kickoff, President’s Welcome 1:15 PM – 5:00 PM Paper Sessions 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM Informal Dinner on your own 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM AMSAT Reception and Auction, Cash Bar Available *Saturday, October 26, 2024* 8:00 AM – 11:45 AM Registration 8:00 AM – 8:15 AM AMSAT Symposium Welcome 8:15 AM – 12:00 Noon Paper Sessions 1:00 PM – 3:15 PM Paper Sessions 3:30 PM – 4:45 PM AMSAT Annual Meeting & Awards Ceremony 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Attitude Adjustment (Social), Cash Bar 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM AMSAT Banquet, Cash Bar *Sunday, October 27, 2024* 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM AMSAT Ambassador Breakfast (All are welcome) *[ANS thanks the AMSAT Symposium Committee for the above information]* ------------------------------ AMSAT Symposium Call for Papers Papers continue to be accepted for the 42nd annual AMSAT Space Symposium to be held on the weekend of October 25-27, 2024 at the Doubletree by Hilton Tampa Rocky Point Waterfront in Tampa, Florida. Proposals for symposium papers and presentations are invited on any topic of interest to the amateur satellite community. We request a tentative title of your presentation as soon as possible, with final copy submitted by October 18 for inclusion in the symposium proceedings. Abstracts and papers should be sent to Dan Schultz, N8FGV at n8fgv(a)usa.net *[ANS thanks Dan Schultz, N8FGV, AMSAT Symposium Proceedings Editor for the above information]* ------------------------------ *2024 Coins Are Still Available! Help Support GOLF and Fox Plus.* *Join <https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/> the AMSAT President’s Club today!* ------------------------------ Results of the 2024 AMSAT Board of Directors Election The 2024 AMSAT Board of Directors Election period ended on September 15, 2024. As a result of the election, Mark Hammond, N8MH, Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, and Bruce Paige, KK5DO, have been duly elected to a two-year term on the Board of Directors. Douglas Tabor, N6UA, and Frank Karnauskas, N1UW, will serve as alternate directors for a term of one year. The results of the voting with 375 ballots cast are as follows: Mark Hammond, N8MH 295 Paul Stoetzer, N8HM 276 Bruce Paige, KK5DO 223 Douglas Tabor, N6UA 163 Frank Karnauskas, N1UW 111 The membership of the AMSAT Board of Directors for 2024-2025 is: Barry Baines, WD4ASW Jerry Buxton, NØJY Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA Mark Hammond, N8MH Zach Metzinger, NØZGO Bruce Paige, KK5DO Paul Stoetzer, N8HM Douglas Tabor, N6UA (1st Alternate) Frank Karnauskas, N1UW (2nd Alternate) Thank you all for participating in this year’s election process. *[ANS thanks Jeff Davis, KE9V, AMSAT Secretary, for the above information]* ------------------------------ MESAT1 Telemetry and Testing-Update The MESAT1 Command and Commissioning Teams wish to thank all that have routinely or even occasionally collected telemetry from MESAT1. Thanks to these reports, the teams are able to make informed and timely decisions about what/when/why/how to do next steps in collaborating with the satellite owners to help with their primary mission. Much is being learned about this new satellite–the University of Maine’s first Cubesat–and AMSAT’s linear transponder onboard. All of the lessons learned will help inform future missions that carry the Linear Transponder Module (or LTM) and the Golf series of satellites. Reports about transponder activities are very helpful, as well. MESAT 1 *[University of Maine]* Amateurs are encouraged to visit this link to see in detail all of the callsigns that have contributed to telemetry collection thus far. It’s a lot of stations, all around the world: https://www.amsat.org/tlm/leaderboard.php?id=10&db=FOXDB&show=all&period=100 Please continue to collect telemetry! We continue to work on taking and downloading earth images from their cameras. In recent days, we are having the satellite send image blocks both in the mornings and evenings. We expect that to continue in the near future. The transmitter could be on for 5 mins, or perhaps even 10 mins, when over the East coast command stations. Every frame helps us to build an image. Testing is intermittent, but it seems to be more regular right now. When the images aren’t being transmitted, MESAT1 is in SAFE mode, sending a couple frames about every 2 minutes. These frames are very important too! *MESAT1 was in HEALTH mode, transmitting telemetry continuously, and the beacon setting is pretty strong as of 11:43z on 19 Sept 2024. The linear transponder was enabled at 0050utc on 20 Sept. 2024. Watch AMSAT-BB for announcements regarding MESAT1 status.* *[ANS thanks Mark Hammond, N8MH, AMSAT Director and Command Station for the above information]* ------------------------------ *Need new satellite antennas?* *Purchase M2 LEO-Packs from the AMSAT Store.* *When you purchase through AMSAT, a portion of the proceeds goes towards* *Keeping Amateur Radio in Space.* *https://amsat.org/product-category/hardware/* <https://amsat.org/product-category/hardware/> ------------------------------ GreenCube (IO-117) Ceases Functioning Due to Radiation Damage The GreenCube satellite, developed by S5LAB, has likely ceased functioning due to radiation damage. After a successful mission that exceeded expectations, the satellite is no longer responding to commands, and its onboard radio is believed to have been compromised by the harsh radiation environment in Medium Earth Orbit (MEO). Approximately ten days ago, GreenCube experienced a reboot, and telemetry data from the event did not indicate any anomalies. However, the S5LAB team now suspects that the satellite’s radio was damaged, leading to the current communication blackout. MEO is notoriously challenging for satellites due to its high radiation levels, and GreenCube was not the only satellite affected. Several other CubeSats launched alongside it only lasted a few days, making GreenCube’s extended mission duration a remarkable achievement. Despite ongoing efforts to send commands and reactivate the satellite, the team remains pessimistic about restoring GreenCube’s functionality. The satellite’s survival in the hostile MEO environment is seen as a testament to its robust design, but the likelihood of recovery is slim. At this time, no successor to GreenCube is planned, primarily due to the infrequency of launch opportunities to MEO. Launches to this orbit are rare, which complicates the prospect of future missions. In response to the satellite’s success and the interest it generated among radio amateurs, S5LAB has promised to host a webinar in collaboration with AMSAT Italia. The event will provide insights into the GreenCube mission, sharing the challenges and triumphs of the satellite’s journey. This is an opportunity for the amateur radio community to learn more about the satellite’s impact and the technical details behind its impressive mission. While GreenCube’s operational life may have ended, its contributions to satellite technology and amateur radio will be remembered as a significant milestone. [Information from Piero IØKPT via Facebooks Greencube Group] *[ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information]* ------------------------------ *Want to fly the colors on your own grid expedition?* *Get your AMSAT car flag and other neat stuff from our Zazzle store!* *25% of the purchase price of each product goes towards* *Keeping Amateur Radio in Space* *https://www.zazzle.com/amsat_gear* <https://www.zazzle.com/amsat_gear> ------------------------------ Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for 20 September Two Line Elements or TLEs, often referred to as Keplerian elements or keps in the amateur community, are the inputs to the SGP4 standard mathematical model of spacecraft orbits used by most amateur tracking programs. Weekly updates are completely adequate for most amateur satellites. TLE bulletin files are updated daily in the first hour of the UTC day. New bulletin files will be posted immediately after reliable elements become available for new amateur satellites. More information may be found at https://www.amsat.org/keplerian-elements-resources/ No changes have been announced for this week. *[ANS thanks Joe Fitzgerald, KM1P, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager for the above information]* ------------------------------ ARISS NEWS Amateurs and others around the world may listen in on contacts between amateurs operating in schools and allowing students to interact with astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station. The downlink frequency on which to listen is 145.800 MHz worldwide. [image: ARISS News] *RECENTLY COMPLETED:* Kordylewski Youth Astronomical Observatory in Niepołomice, Niepołomice, Poland, direct via SP9MOA The ISS callsign was OR4ISS The crewmember was Matthew Dominick KCØTOR The ARISS mentor was SP3QFE Contact successful: Thu 2024-09-19 16:18:02 UTC 53 degrees elevation Sailing Event, Moscow, Russia, direct via TBD The ISS callsign was RSØISS The crewmember was Aleksandr Grebyonkin RZ3DSE The ARISS mentor was RV3DR Contact successful: Sat 2024-09-21 16:25 UTC *UPCOMING:* Amur State University, Blagoveshchensk, Russia, direct via TBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled crewmember is Ivan Vagner The ARISS mentor is RV3DR Contact is go for Tue 2024-09-24 09:25 UTC Tatarstan, Russia, direct via TBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled crewmember is Aleksey Ovchinin The ARISS mentor is RV3DR Contact is go for Fri 2024-09-27 13:20 UTC Khazar University, Dunya School, Baku, Azerbaijan, direct via 4K6EH The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The scheduled crewmember is Matthew Dominick KCØTOR The ARISS mentor is IN3GHZ Contact is go for: Sat 2024-09-28 10:50:21 UTC 28 degrees maximum elevation The crossband repeater continues to be *ACTIVE* (145.990 MHz up {PL 67} & 437.800 MHz down). If any crewmember is so inclined, all they have to do is pick up the microphone, raise the volume up, and talk on the crossband repeater. So give a listen, you just never know. The packet system is currently *MISCONFIGURED* (145.825 MHz up & down). Ham TV is currently *STOWED* (2395.00 MHz down). SSTV is currently *STOWED* (145.800 MHz down). As always, if there is an EVA, a docking, or an undocking; the ARISS radios are turned off as part of the safety protocol. *POWERING OFF FOR SOYUZ UNDOCKING ON SEP 23*. Note, all times are approximate. It is recommended that you do your own orbital prediction or start listening about 10 minutes before the listed time. The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html The latest list of frequencies in use can be found at https://www.ariss.org/contact-the-iss.html *[ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team mentors for the above information]* ------------------------------ Upcoming Satellite Operations None currently listed. A growing number of satellite rovers are currently engaged in sharing their grid square activations on https://hams.at. By visiting the website, you gain easy access to comprehensive information about the operators responsible for activating specific grid squares. Additionally, you have the ability to assess the match score between yourself and a particular rover for a given pass, while also being able to identify the upcoming satellite passes that are accessible from your location. *[ANS thanks Ian Parsons, K5ZM, AMSAT rover page manager, for the above information]* ------------------------------ AMSAT Ambassador Activities AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events. *October 5, 2024* *North Star Radio Convention* Hennepin Technical College (North Campus) Brooklyn Park, Minn. https://conv2023.tcfmc.org/ AMSAT Forum and Information Table KØJM and ADØHJ *October 5, 2024* *Radio Society of Tucson* Calvary Tucson Church 7811 E. Speedway Tucson, AZ https://k7rst.club/2024/07/tucson-autumn-ham-fest-2024/ N1UW *October 18-20, 2024* *Pacificon 2024, ARRL Pacific Division Conference* San Ramon, CA WUØI *October 25-27, 2004* *AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting* Double Tree Rocky Point Waterfront Hotel Tampa Bay, FL *November 2-3, 2024* *Stone Mountain Hamfest, ARRL State Convention* Stone Mountain, GA https://stonemountainhamfest.com/ K4RGK *November 9, 2024* *Oro Valley Amateur Radio Club* Marana Middle School 11285 West Grier Rd. Marana, AZ 85653 https://www.tucsonhamradio.org/copy-of-hamfest-2022 N1UW *February 20-22, 2025* *Yuma HAMCON* Yuma, AZ N1UW *[ANS thanks the AMSAT Events page for the above information]* ------------------------------ Satellite Shorts From All Over + The AMSAT-UK 2024 Colloquium will take place alongside the RSGB Convention at Kents Hill Park Conference Centre, Milton Keynes, MK7 6BZ on the weekend of 12-13 October 2024. Registration for the event is at https://rsgb.org/main/rsgb-2024-convention/ and a limited number of tickets for the AMSAT banquet are on sale via the AMSAT-UK Online Shop https://shop.amsat-uk.org/. Deadline for presentation proposals is imminent — contact Iain Young, G7III, g7iii(a)g7iii.net, if you have a presentation proposal. (ANS thanks Iain Young, G7III, and AMSAT-UK for the above information.) + The FUNcube team are pleased to announce that User Rankings, Realtime Data, and Whole-Orbit Data (WOD) are all now being displayed in FUNcube Data Warehouse after the recent disruption. Access the new site at http://warehouse.funcube.org.uk/. Fitter message display will follow soon as will be the ability to download WOD files. (ANS thanks Dave Johnson, G4DPZ, and the FUNcube Team for the above information.) + NASA astronaut Don Pettit, KD5MDT, alongside Soyuz commander Alexey Ovchinin and cosmonaut Ivan Vagner, arrived at the International Space Station Wednesday, September 11 after launching aboard the Roscosmos Soyuz MS-26 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The trio will join NASA astronauts Tracy C. Dyson, Mike Barratt, KD5MIJ, Matthew Dominick, KCØTOR, Jeanette Epps, KF5QNU, Butch Wilmore, and Suni Williams, KD5PLB, as well as Roscosmos cosmonauts Nikolai Chub, Alexander Grebenkin, and Oleg Kononenko, RN3DX. Expedition 72 will begin Monday, Sept. 23, upon the departure of Dyson, Chub, and off-going station commander Kononenko, completing a six-month stay for Dyson and a year-long expedition for Chub and Kononenko. (ANS thanks NASA for the above information.) + Registration for the 2024 NASA Space Apps Challenge global hackathon (October 5-6) is open and challenges are online at https://www.spaceappschallenge.org/nasa-space-apps-2024/challenges/. (ANS thanks The Orbital Index and NASA for the above information.) + Tracking sleuth Scott Tilley, VE7TIL, has discovered that the orbiter for China’s Chang’e-6 lunar sample return mission is now parked at the second Sun-Earth Lagrange (L2). After delivering the samples to Earth, the orbiter fired its engines to avoid reentering Earth’s atmosphere, setting off on a new trajectory. L2 is located approximately 1.5 million kilometers from Earth, directly on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun. China’s space authorities have yet to provide an update on the orbiter and its plans. However, the Chang’e-6 orbiter’s voyage fits into a pattern of China using Chang’e spacecraft for extended missions as tests for future endeavors. (ANS thanks Space News for the above information.) ------------------------------ Join AMSAT today at https://launch.amsat.org/ In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to: * Societies (a recognized group, clubs or organization). * Primary and secondary school students are eligible for membership at one-half the standard yearly rate. * Post-secondary school students enrolled in at least half time status shall be eligible for the student rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status. * Memberships are available for annual and lifetime terms. Contact info [at] amsat.org for additional membership information. 73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space! This week’s ANS Editor, Mark Johns, KØJM mjohns [at] amsat.org

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ANS-260 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin - Results of the 2024 AMSAT Board of Directors Election
by Paul Stoetzer 16 Sep '24

16 Sep '24

*AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin* *ANS-260* *September 16, 2024* In this edition: - Results of the 2024 AMSAT Board of Directors Election The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and information service of AMSAT, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS publishes news related to Amateur Radio in Space including 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. The news feed on https://www.amsat.org publishes news of Amateur Radio in Space as soon as our volunteers can post it. Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor [at] amsat.org You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: https://mailman.amsat.org/postorius/lists/ans.amsat.org/ ------------------------------ Results of the 2024 AMSAT Board of Directors Election The 2024 AMSAT Board of Directors Election period ended on September 15, 2024. As a result of the election, Mark Hammond, N8MH, Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, and Bruce Paige, KK5DO, have been duly elected to a two-year term on the Board of Directors. Douglas Tabor, N6UA, and Frank Karnauskas, N1UW, will serve as alternate directors for a term of one year. The results of the voting with 375 ballots cast are as follows: Mark Hammond, N8MH 295 Paul Stoetzer, N8HM 276 Bruce Paige, KK5DO 223 Douglas Tabor, N6UA 163 Frank Karnauskas, N1UW 111 The membership of the AMSAT Board of Directors for 2024-2025 is: - Barry Baines, WD4ASW - Jerry Buxton, N0JY - Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA - Mark Hammond, N8MH - Zach Metzinger, N0ZGO - Bruce Paige, KK5DO - Paul Stoetzer, N8HM - Douglas Tabor, N6UA (1st Alternate) - Frank Karnauskas, N1UW (2nd Alternate) Thank you all for participating in this year's election process. *[ANS thanks Jeff Davis, KE9V, AMSAT Secretary, for the above information]* ------------------------------ Join AMSAT today at https://launch.amsat.org/ In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to: - Societies (a recognized group, clubs or organization). - Primary and secondary school students are eligible for membership at one-half the standard yearly rate. - Post-secondary school students enrolled in at least half time status shall be eligible for the student rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status. - Memberships are available for annual and lifetime terms. Contact info [at] amsat.org for additional membership information. *73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space!* *This week's ANS Contributing Editor,* *Paul Stoetzer, N8HM* *n8hm [at] arrl.net <http://arrl.net>* *ANS is a service of AMSAT, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, 712 H Street NE, Suite 1653, Washington, DC 20002*

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ANS-259 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by Paul Stoetzer 15 Sep '24

15 Sep '24

*AMSAT News Service* *ANS-259* *September 15, 2024* In this edition: - LAST DAY TO VOTE - AMSAT Board of Directors Election Concludes at 23:59 EDT on September 15th - Registration Continues for the 42nd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium & Annual General Meeting - Call for Papers - F. Brent Abbott, NA7D, Chief Revenue Officer of Rogue Space Systems Corporation, to Keynote AMSAT Space Symposium Banquet - July/August 2024 issue of *The AMSAT Journal *Now Available - Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for September 13, 2024 - ARISS News - Upcoming Satellite Operations - AMSAT Ambassador Activities - Satellite Shorts From All Over The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and information service of AMSAT, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS publishes news related to Amateur Radio in Space including 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. The news feed on https://www.amsat.org publishes news of Amateur Radio in Space as soon as our volunteers can post it. Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor [at] amsat.org You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: https://mailman.amsat.org/postorius/lists/ans.amsat.org/ ------------------------------ LAST DAY TO VOTE - AMSAT Board of Directors Election Concludes at 23:59 EDT on September 15th The nomination period for the 2024 AMSAT Board of Directors Election ended on June 15th. The following candidates have been duly nominated: - Mark Hammond, N8MH - Frank Karnauskas, N1UW - Bruce Paige, KK5DO - Paul Stoetzer, N8HM - Douglas Tabor, N6UA As three seats on the Board of Directors are up for election this year, the three candidates receiving the largest number of votes shall be declared elected to the seats. The two candidates receiving the next largest number of votes shall be declared First Alternate and Second Alternate, respectively. The voting process is now underway and will conclude at 23:59 EDT on September 15th. AMSAT members can find candidate statements and electronic voting information on AMSAT's Wild Apricot Membership Portal <https://launch.amsat.org/2024-BoD-Election>. Results will be announced no later than September 30th. *[ANS thanks Jeff Davis, KE9V, AMSAT Secretary for the above information]* ------------------------------ Registration Continues for the 42nd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium & Annual General Meeting The 42nd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting will be held on Friday through Saturday, October 25-26, 2024, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Tampa Rocky Point Waterfront in Tampa, Florida. Highlights of all scheduled events include: - AMSAT Board of Directors Meeting, October 24-25 - 42nd AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting, October 25-26 - Friday Night Social and Auction, October 25 - AMSAT Banquet and Reception, October 26 - AMSAT Ambassador Breakfast (all are welcome), October 27 *Note – if you wish to register guests for the banquet and/or breakfast who are not attending the Symposium sessions, you must register for each event separately and include your guests with your banquet and breakfast tickets.* If you are interested in presenting or submitting a paper for inclusion in the Symposium Proceedings, please see the Call for Papers <https://www.amsat.org/2024-symposium/call-for-papers-2024/>. *IMPORTANT: The deadline for Symposium registrations if you want to include the Saturday evening banquet or Sunday breakfast is Friday, October 18th. Meals cannot be ordered after that date.* Click Here to Register Now <https://launch.amsat.org/event-5833792>Hotel Reservations The rate for a standard room with two Queen beds is $169.00 plus state and local taxes of 14.5%. Rooms may be available for check-in on Wednesday, October 23 and check out Sunday, October 27. Rooms can be reserved at https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/radioamateursatellite/. Reservations may also be made by phone at 813-888-8800. Reference AMSAT to receive the group rate. *Note: If you are planning on driving to the Symposium or renting a car, parking charges are $20 per night for overnight parking. * We, at AMSAT, are excited to be able to host our 42nd annual Symposium this year. We hope that you can join us in celebrating Amateur Radio in Space. Schedule *Thursday, October 24, 2024* 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM AMSAT Board Meeting 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Pre-Registration Check-in *Friday, October 25, 2024* 8:00 AM – 12:00 Noon AMSAT Board Meeting (Closed Session) 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM Registration 1:00 PM – 1:15 PM AMSAT Symposium Kickoff, President’s Welcome 1:15 PM – 5:00 PM Paper Sessions 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM Informal Dinner on your own 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM AMSAT Reception and Auction, Cash Bar Available *Saturday, October 26, 2024* 8:00 AM – 11:45 AM Registration 8:00 AM – 8:15 AM AMSAT Symposium Welcome 8:15 AM – 12:00 Noon Paper Sessions 1:00 PM – 3:15 PM Paper Sessions 3:30 PM – 4:45 PM AMSAT Annual Meeting & Awards Ceremony 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Attitude Adjustment (Social), Cash Bar 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM AMSAT Banquet, Cash Bar *Sunday, October 27, 2024* 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM AMSAT Ambassador Breakfast (All are welcome) *[ANS thanks the AMSAT Symposium Committee for the above information]* ------------------------------ Call for Papers Papers continue to be accepted for the 42nd annual AMSAT Space Symposium to be held on the weekend of October 25-27, 2024 at the Doubletree by Hilton Tampa Rocky Point Waterfront in Tampa, Florida. Proposals for symposium papers and presentations are invited on any topic of interest to the amateur satellite community. We request a tentative title of your presentation as soon as possible, with final copy submitted by October 18 for inclusion in the symposium proceedings. Abstracts and papers should be sent to Dan Schultz, N8FGV at n8fgv(a)usa.net *[ANS thanks Dan Schultz, N8FGV, AMSAT Symposium Proceedings Editor for the above information]* ------------------------------ F. Brent Abbott, NA7D, Chief Revenue Officer of Rogue Space Systems, to Keynote AMSAT Space Symposium Banquet F. Brent Abbott, NA7D, Chief Revenue Officer of Rogue Space Systems will keynote the AMSAT Space Symposium Banquet, to be held on Saturday, October 26th. Brent has been the Chief Revenue Officer of Rogue Space Systems responsible for growth since July 2022. Before Rogue, Brent stood up the nanosatellite manufacturer NanoAvionics US office and factory as CEO and grew the US business. Before joining NanoAvionics, Brent was the CEO and head of North American operations for AAC/Clyde Space. Prior to that, he helped set up and held several senior roles at Surrey Satellite Technologies US (SST-US). He also started the hosted payload program at SST-US with the world’s first all commercial hosted payload satellite OTB-1 (Orbital Test Bed). Prior to joining Surrey in 2008, Brent served as business development manager at Honeywell Defense & Space and invented their Miniature Momentum Control System using Control Moment Gyros. His background also includes work as an engineer at Honeywell Commercial Aviation. Mr. Abbott is a registered professional engineer and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Iowa State University. Brent, NA7D, is a member of AMSAT and has been an amateur radio operator since 1992. *[ANS thanks the AMSAT Symposium Team for the above information]* ------------------------------ *2024 Coins Are Still Available!Help Support GOLF and Fox Plus.**Join <https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/> the AMSAT President’s Club today!* ------------------------------ July/August 2024 issue of *The AMSAT Journal *Now Available The July/August 2024 issue of *The AMSAT Journal* is now available for AMSAT members to download on the AMSAT Member Portal <https://launch.amsat.org/The_AMSAT_Journal>. Inside the Current Issue: - Apogee View – Robert Bankston, KE4AL - Paul Graveline, K1YUB (SK) - Update: Decoding The Message from "A Sign in Space": A Year-long Journey - SETI Institute - 2024 AMSAT Field Day Results - Bruce Paige, KK5DO - AMSAT Awards - Bruce Paige, KK5DO - The Effects of Space Weather in Ham Radio Communications - Giselle M. Galván Tejada - Desktop Satellite Tracker - Zeke Wheeler, KN7JLL - The Journal Celebrates AO-7 - Paul Stoetzer, N8HM *[ANS thanks Joe Kornowksi, KB6IGK, AMSAT Journal Editor-in-Chief, for the above information]* ------------------------------ Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for September 13, 2024 Two Line Elements or TLEs, often referred to as Keplerian elements or keps in the amateur community, are the inputs to the SGP4 standard mathematical model of spacecraft orbits used by most amateur tracking programs. Weekly updates are completely adequate for most amateur satellites. TLE bulletin files are updated Thursday evenings around 2300 UTC, or more frequently if new high interest satellites are launched. More information may be found at https://www.amsat.org/keplerian-elements-resources/ There are no changes to this week's distribution. *[ANS thanks Joe Fitzgerald, KM1P, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager, for the above information]* ------------------------------ *Need new satellite antennas? Purchase an M2 LEO-Pack from the **AMSAT Store! <https://amsat.org/product-category/hardware/>**When you purchase through **AMSAT, a portion of the proceeds goes towards **Keeping Amateur Radio in Space.* ------------------------------ ARISS News Amateurs and others around the world may listen in on contacts between amateurs operating in schools and allowing students to interact with astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station. The downlink frequency on which to listen is 145.800 MHz worldwide. *Sailing Event, Moscow, Russia, direct via TBD* The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled crewmember is Aleksandr Grebyonkin RZ3DSE The ARISS mentor is RV3DR Contact is go for: Sat 2024-09-21 16:25 UTC *Amur State University, Blagoveshchensk, Russia, direct via TBD * The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled crewmember is Ivan Vagner The ARISS mentor is RV3DR Contact is go for: Tue 2024-09-24 09:25 UTC *Tatarstan, Russia, direct via TBD* The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled crewmember is Aleksey Ovchinin The ARISS mentor is RV3DR Contact is go for Fri 2024-09-27 13:20 UTC As always, if there is an EVA, a docking, or an undocking; the ARISS radios are turned off as part of the safety protocol. The crossband repeater continues to be active (145.990 MHz up {PL 67} & 437.800 MHz down), If any crewmember is so inclined, all they have to do is pick up the microphone, raise the volume up, and talk on the crossband repeater. So give a listen, you just never know. Note, all times are approximate. It is recommended that you do your own orbital prediction or start listening about 10 minutes before the listed time. The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html The latest list of frequencies in use can be found at https://www.ariss.org/contact-the-iss.html *[ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team mentors for the above information]* ------------------------------ Upcoming Satellite Operations A growing number of satellite rovers are currently engaged in sharing their grid square activations on https://hams.at. By visiting the website, you gain easy access to comprehensive information about the operators responsible for activating specific grid squares. Additionally, you have the ability to assess the match score between yourself and a particular rover for a given pass, while also being able to identify the upcoming satellite passes that are accessible from your location. Jim, *WU0I*, will be conducting a rove until Sep. 22. *Jim does NOT do X so if you need to set up a sked or whatever, please use the email address shown below. hams.at <https://hams.at/> *might be worth monitoring, but there was not direct mention of it in his email. *[ANS thanks Ian Parsons, K5ZM, AMSAT Rover Page Manager, for the above information]* ------------------------------ * Want to fly the colors on your own grid expedition?* Get an AMSAT car flag and other neat stuff from our Zazzle store <https://www.zazzle.com/store/amsat_gear>! 25% of the purchase price of each product goes towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space ------------------------------ AMSAT Ambassador Activities AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events. AMSAT Ambassador Clint Bradford, K6LCS, says, "Think a 75-minute presentation on "working the easy satellites" would be appropriate for your club or event? Let me know by emailing me at k6lcsclint (at) gmail (dot) com or calling me at 909-999-SATS (7287)!" Clint has NEVER given the exact same show twice: EACH of the 150+ presentations so far has been customized/tailored to their audiences. Scheduled Events *Central Kentucky Hamfest**October 5, 2024* Lexington, KY AMSAT and Educational Satellites Forum and Information Table AI4SR and W4FCL *North Star Radio Convention**October 5, 2024* Hennepin Technical College (North Campus) Brooklyn Park, Minn. AMSAT Forum and Information Table KØJM and ADØHJ *Radio Society of Tucson* *October 5, 2024* Calvary Tucson Church 7811 E. Speedway Tucson, AZ https://k7rst.club/2024/07/tucson-autumn-ham-fest-2024/ N1UW *Pacificon 2024, ARRL Pacific Division Conference* *October 18-20, 2024* San Ramon, CA WU0I *2024 AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting**October 25-27, 2024* Doubletree by Hilton Tampa Rocky Point Waterfront 3050 N Rocky Point Dr W Tampa, FL 33607 *Stone Mountain Hamfest, ARRL State Convention* *November 2-3, 2024* Stone Mountain, GA K4RGK *Oro Valley Amateur Radio Club* *November 9, 2024* Marana Middle School 11285 West Grier Rd. Marana, AZ 85653 https://www.tucsonhamradio.org/copy-of-hamfest-2022 N1UW *Yuma HAMCON* *February 20-22, 2025* Yuma, AZ N1UW *[ANS thanks Bo Lowrey, W4FCL, Director – AMSAT Ambassador Program, for the above information]* ------------------------------ Satellite Shorts from All Over + PLDSpace is currently offering student satellite launches at no cost. Information can be found at https://spark-program.pldspace.com/en/ (ANS thanks JoAnne, K9JKM, for the tip) + Congratulations to our newest GridMaster! Ryan, KI7QEK, earned award #71. (ANS thanks Bruce Paige, KK5DO, AMSAT Director of Contests & Awards for the information) + Another AMSAT VUCC/r (Reverse VUCC) award was also issued this past week. #17 goes to Leticia, LU5ILA. She has been very active roving in South America with 106 grids activated on satellite. (ANS thanks Bruce Paige, KK5DO, AMSAT Director of Contests & Awards for the information) + AMSAT's Operations team, in coordination with the University of Maine and AMSAT Engineering, continues to work to complete MESAT1's science mission. More telemetry coverage is needed! If you have UHF receive capability, please download FoxTelem <https://www.amsat.org/tlm/> and help us capture more data. (ANS thanks AMSAT for the information) ------------------------------ Join AMSAT today at https://launch.amsat.org/ In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to: - Societies (a recognized group, clubs or organization). - Primary and secondary school students are eligible for membership at one-half the standard yearly rate. - Post-secondary school students enrolled in at least half time status shall be eligible for the student rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status. - Memberships are available for annual and lifetime terms. Contact info [at] amsat.org for additional membership information. *73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space!* *This week's ANS Editor,* *Paul Stoetzer, N8HM* *n8hm [at] arrl.net <http://arrl.net>* *ANS is a service of AMSAT, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, 712 H Street NE, Suite 1653, Washington, DC 20002*

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ANS-252 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by Mark Johns, K0JM 08 Sep '24

08 Sep '24

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-252 In this edition: - Registration Continues for the 42nd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium & Annual General Meeting - AMSAT 2024 Space Symposium Call for Papers – A Reminder - One Week Remaining to Vote in AMSAT Board of Directors Election - AMSAT 2024 President’s Club Membership Raises over $36,000 To-Date - FUNcube Data Warehouse Back Online - AMSAT-DL ERMINAZ Mission Postponed to 2025 - Updated Software Available for NOAA Polar and Russian Meteor Weather Satellites - VUCC Satellite Standing September 2024 - Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for September 6, 2024 - ARISS News - Upcoming Satellite Operations - AMSAT Ambassador Activities - Satellite Shorts From All Over The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and information service of AMSAT, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS publishes news related to Amateur Radio in Space including 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. The news feed on http://www.amsat.org publishes news of Amateur Radio in Space as soon as our volunteers can post it. *Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor [at] amsat [dot] org.* You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: https://mailman.amsat.org/postorius/lists/ans.amsat.org/ ANS-252 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins To: All RADIO AMATEURS From: Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation 712 H Street NE, Suite 1653 Washington, DC 20002 DATE 2024 SEP 08 Registration Continues for the 42nd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium & Annual General Meeting The 42nd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting will be held on Friday through Saturday, October 25-26, 2024, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Tampa Rocky Point Waterfront in Tampa, Florida. Highlights of all scheduled events include: AMSAT Board of Directors Meeting, October 24-25 42nd AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting, October 25-26 Friday Night Social and Auction, October 25 AMSAT Banquet and Reception, October 26 AMSAT Ambassador Breakfast (all are welcome), October 27 The complete schedule and registration information can be found at https://launch.amsat.org/event-5833792. IMPORTANT: The deadline for Symposium registrations if you want to include the Saturday evening banquet or Sunday breakfast is Friday, October 18th. Meals cannot be ordered after that date. Hotel Reservations The rate for a standard room with two Queen beds is $169.00 plus state and local taxes of 14.5%. Rooms may be available for check-in on Wednesday, October 23 and check out Sunday, October 27. Note: If you are planning on driving to the Symposium or renting a car, parking charges are $20 per night for overnight parking. Rooms can be reserved at h ttps://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/radioamateursatellite/. Reservations may also be made by phone at 813-888-8800. Reference AMSAT to receive the group rate. AMSAT is excited to be able to host its 42nd annual Symposium this year. They hope that you can join us in celebrating Amateur Radio in Space. [ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information.] ------------------------------ *The 2024 AMSAT President’s Club coins are here now!Help Support GOLF and Fox Plus* *Join the AMSAT President’s Club today and helpKeep Amateur Radio in Space!* *https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/* <https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/> ------------------------------ AMSAT 2024 Space Symposium Call for Papers – A Reminder This is a reminder for the first call for papers for the 42nd annual AMSAT Space Symposium to be held on the weekend of October 25-27, 2024 at the Doubletree by Hilton Tampa Rocky Point Waterfront in Tampa, Florida. Proposals for symposium papers and presentations are invited on any topic of interest to the amateur satellite community. We request a tentative title of your presentation as soon as possible, with final copy submitted by October 18 for inclusion in the symposium proceedings. Abstracts and papers should be sent to Dan Schultz, N8FGV at n8fgv [at] usa [dot]net. [ANS thanks Dan Schultz, N8FGV, AMSAT Symposium Proceedings Editor for the above information] ------------------------------ One Week Remaining to Vote in AMSAT Board of Directors Election – LAST CALL Voting for this year’s Board of Directors election ends on September 15, 2014. If you are an AMSAT member and have not already voted, you are encouraged to exercise your voting right and participate in this election. If you have lost your ballot, no worry, you can still vote! Simply log into the membership portal at https://launch.amsat.org/Sys/Login then click on the “2024 BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION” tab and vote. Candidate statements are included with your ballot. Duly nominated candidates, listed in alphabetical order are: Mark Hammond, N8MH Frank Karnauskas, N1UW Bruce Paige, KK5DO Paul Stoetzer, N8HM Douglas Tabor, N6UA As three seats on the Board of Directors are up for election this year, the three candidates receiving the largest number of votes shall be declared elected to the seats. The two candidates receiving the next largest number of votes shall be declared First Alternate and Second Alternate, respectively. The voting period is now open and shall conclude on September 15, 2024. Results will be announced no later than September 30, 2024. [ANS thanks Jeff Davis, KE9V, AMSAT Secretary for the above information] ------------------------------ *Need new satellite antennas?Purchase M2 LEO-Packs from the AMSAT Store.* *When you purchase through AMSAT, a portion of the proceeds goes towardsKeeping Amateur Radio in Space.* *https://amsat.org/product-category/hardware/* <https://amsat.org/product-category/hardware/> ------------------------------ AMSAT 2024 President’s Club Membership Raise over $36,000 To-Date AMSAT would like to recognize those members whose generous gifts to the AMSAT 2024 President’s Club help move its educational and engineering programs to fulfillment. President’s Club members have contributed over $36,000 to-date during the 2024 year. Frank Karnauskas, N1UW, AMSAT VP-Development comments, “It’s really gratifying to see AMSAT membership continue to support AMSAT projects during what some people consider to be ‘quiet years’ – those years following the retirement of some of our most popular satellites and the year or so before our next family of satellites are flight ready. “In fact, things are far from quiet. AMSAT engineering teams for both Fox-Plus and the Golf-Tee are moving quickly so the wait for a new family of birds won’t be all that long. The ASCENT engineering team is also charging ahead with new payloads for packet and SSTV operation. And, to keep AMSAT in the game as satellite licensing becomes more strict, work on propulsion systems for CubeSat-class vehicles is benefitting from the experience of a fresh team of experienced aerospace engineers. A lot is happening behind the scenes.” AMSAT is pleased to recognize the following President’s Club members who have contributed to date: *Titanium ($4,800+)* Barry Baines, WD4ASW Alan Biddle, WA4SCA Williamm Brown, K9LF *Platinum ($2,400+)* Ray Crafton, KN2K Quarter Century Wireless Association *Gold ($1,200+)* Anonymous Burns Fisher, WB1FJ Mark Hammond, N8MH John Kludt, K7SYS Glenn Miller, AA5PK *Silver ($600+)* Donald Coker, KM6TRZ Richard Dittmer, KB7SAT Warren Fugate, W3WE Mark Johns, K0JM Joseph, Lynch,N6CL Bruce Paige, KK5DO Peter Prendergast, W2PP Jason Schwarz, N4JJS *Bronze ($300+)* Keith Baker, KB1SF Edward Krome, K9EK Donald Pettigrew, K9ECT Dave Taylor, W8AAS *Core ($120+)* Oscar Alonzo, N6PAZ David Batzle, N2VDY Robert Beatty, WB4SON Alan Boggs, K7IIV James Gallagher III, KB3SQS George Gallis, AL7BX David Hartrum, WA3YDZ Steven Husey, KB1UOJ Doug Papay, K8DP William Pesci, N4WLP Martin Shinko, KB3AEV Paul Stoetzer, N8HM Owen Trott, KF5BLK Stefan Wagener, VE4SW Wayne Wagner, AG1A Persons interested in joining this elite group of donors can join either through the AMSAT Store at https://www.amsat.org/product-category/amsat-presidents-club-donations/ or by making a donation via the membership portal. Anyone with questions or comments on joining the President’s Club or donating in general are asked to contact Frank at f.karnauskas [at] amsat [dot] org. [ANS thanks Frank Karnauskas, N1UW, AMSAT VP-Development for the above information.] ------------------------------ FUNcube Data Warehouse Back Online Dave Johnson, G4DPZ, reports, “The FUNcube Data Warehouse is now successfully ingesting packets from the FUNcube Dashboards. We are now successfully storing real time, whole orbit data and fitter messages in the warehouse after the move to the new Virtual Machine. The warehouse was shut down on the August 31 and the first packet in the new warehouse was on September 3, during which time we have collected 5382 packets. “Our thanks to all those that left their dashboards connected during the outage and our thanks to the following for their assistance in bringing the warehouse back to life: HB9MFL KC0BMF VK5HI WA7FWF G4BIP TUDelft VK5GU Goonhilly_Earth_Station F1GRR VA3ROM DF7SC K4OZS N8MH DL9DAK PA3WEG N1MIW JJ1WTK “If you collected any bin files during the past 5 days they can be uploaded too. If you are still experiencing errors. Please back up the session to a bin file, stop and start the dashboard and load the bin file. Then restart again if the upload works. “We will continue to work on the UI over the next two days and it is likely that we will restore the ability to download WOD.” Dave also remarks, “FC1 is now nearly 11 years old and is operating in low power telemetry mode with the transponder, in order to manage the battery capacity. “We still encourage ground stations to attempt reception of the telemetry. If you have lost your registration details for your ground station please email operations(a)funcube.org.uk Please watch http://data.funcube.org.uk for updates and the new user interface.” [ANS thanks Dave Johnson, G4DPZ, on behalf of the FUNcube Team for the above information.] ------------------------------ AMSAT-DL ERMINAZ Mission Postponed to 2025 On Monday evening, August 19, 2024, just a few weeks before the planned launch date of the ERMINAZ payload, Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) conducted a “hot fire” test of the first rocket stage at its launch site at SaxaVord Spaceport on the Shetland Islands, during which all 9 engines were ignited. Unfortunately, this resulted in a serious anomaly that led to the complete loss of the first rocket stage. The repair work, fault analysis, qualification and delivery of a new first rocket stage will take some time, so that RFA now officially expects a launch in 2025. The Erminaz mission is a joint effort between AMSAT-DL, AMSAT-EA and the Libre Space Foundation, with each organization flying its own satellites and jointly using the PicoBus deployer developed by Libre Space in the ERMINAZ mission. Examples of the payloads include UNNE-1 and MARIA-G 1.5P PocketQubes from AMSAT-EA in Spain. They are both based on the HADES-D (SO-121) hardware currently in orbit and provide a repeater service for voice and data communications in FM and FSK modes. They were developed and built by AMSAT-EA in collaboration with private sector companies and with the participation of universities and educational centers. Both satellites will provide licensed radio amateurs around the world with the ability to conduct FM and FSK QSOs, including FT modes such as FT-4 and FT-8 or AX.25/APRS. The satellites will also transmit telemetry with their status, voice messages and CW. Both satellites have the amateur radio special call sign AM1HAD. For detailed information on this ambitious and collaborative mission including the capabilities of all the various satellites included in this project, go to https://amsat-dl.org/en/erminaz-mission-postponed-to-2025/. [ANS thanks AMSAT-DL for the above information.] ------------------------------ Updated Software Available for NOAA Polar and Russian Meteor Weather Satellites Tracking and downloading images from NOAA Polar and Russian Meteor weather satellites are an excellent way to introduce young persons to the world of amateur satellites and radio communications. True, they are not amateur radio satellites. But, they are loud and always on. Using a SDR dongle costing less than $50, a laptop computer that every kid already owns and free software, youth can get their first taste of tracking a satellite across the sky using a smart phone app, recording a downlink and printing out pictures of their own weather in real time. From there it is a simple jump to listening to voice communications and printing APRS packet conversations from the ISS – another easy-to-hear and predictable source of signals from space. Historically, WXtoIMG has been the software of choice for the popular hobby of decoding NOAA APT weather satellite images with RTL-SDR and other SDRs. However, the software has unfortunately been abandoned by its authors for several years, and can now only be found on third-party websites which increases the possibility of downloading a virus. Jacopo Cassinis, IU1QPT, author of SatDump, and Robin Slovacek, OK2AWO, for sharing their thoughts about switching to SatDump which now has full feature parity with WXtoIMG and additional features, too. SatDump is available on Windows, MacOS, Linux, and even on Android. Read their comments at https://www.rtl-sdr.com/. An up-to-date guide for receiving APT pictures with SatDump can be found at https://www.a-centauri.com/articoli/noaa-poes-satellites-reception. Also available to watch on the rtl-sdr website is a short video on setting up a simple v-dipole for NOAA weather satellite reception with the SDR-Dongle. (The video uses the out-of-date WXtoIMG software but the overall procedure for setting up the station is usable.) If you need to get more ideas on weather satellite picture reception, just go to YouTube and search “NOAA weather satellite reception” and be prepared to watch several hours worth of useful videos. Copying NOAA weather satellites is easy to do and a fun way to introduce youngsters to space communications. It could be the first step to getting that Technician ticket! [ANS thanks rtl-sdr.com and AMSAT for the above information.] ------------------------------ VUCC Satellite Standing September 2024 VUCC Satellite Award/Endorsement Change Summary for August 01, 2024 to September 01, 2024. Edit <https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-admin/admin.php?page=tablepress&action=e…> *CALL**Aug**Sept* WC7V 1575 1611 DL5GAC 1413 1576 DL2GRC 1426 1501 N8RO 1461 1490 N9EAT 1029 1127 K9UO 1001 1030 EA2AA 954 982 KQ4DO 906 952 JL1SAM 804 905 JG6CDH 734 777 HB9AOF 725 743 KC4CJ 650 702 N3CAL 653 686 IK7FMQ 626 651 SA0UNX New 617 N5EKO 581 599 KH6WI 400 530 N9ZTS 400 501 PA7RA 409 495 N8URE (FM19) 430 450 W9FF 400 450 JI5USJ 355 425 W3VHF 250 406 JO4JKL 188 401 N8HRZ 298 337 W0PR 276 327 N4QWF 255 325 AA0K 200 253 DF5SF New 217 9A2GA New 202 NK0S 167 169 XE2/CO6LAR New 129 NC0Q New 108 AE5AU New 101 4A2MAX New 100 Congratulations to the new VUCC Satellite holders. NC0Q is first VUCC Satellite holder from EN11 9A2GA is first VUCC Satellite holder from JN75 DXCC Satellite has still not been updated since May [ANS thanks Jon Goering, N7AZ, for the above information.] ------------------------------ *Want to fly the colors on your own grid expedition?Get your AMSAT car flag and other neat stuff from our Zazzle store!* *25% of the purchase price of each product goes towardsKeeping Amateur Radio in Space* *https://www.zazzle.com/amsat_gear* <https://www.zazzle.com/amsat_gear> ------------------------------ Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for September 6, 2024 Two Line Elements or TLEs, often referred to as Keplerian elements or keps in the amateur community, are the inputs to the SGP4 standard mathematical model of spacecraft orbits used by most amateur tracking programs. Weekly updates are completely adequate for most amateur satellites. TLE bulletin files are updated daily in the first hour of the UTC day. New bulletin files will be posted immediately after reliable elements become available for new amateur satellites. More information may be found at https://www.amsat.org/keplerian-elements-resources/. - The following satellite has been removed from this week’s AMSAT TLE distribution: RoseyCubesat 1 NORAD Cat ID 56212 Decayed from orbit on or about 01 September 2024 - The following satellite has been added to this week’s AMSAT TLE distribution: SR-0 DemoSAT NORAD Cat ID 60455 IARU coordinated downlink 437.400 MHZ 9k6 FSK AX25 , 4FSK SSDV and 38k4 LoRa CosmoGirlSat NORAD Cat ID60953 IARU coordinated downlink 437.120 MHz and 145 825 MHz Sakura NORAD Cat ID 60954 IARU coordinated downlink 145.825 MHz and 437.375 MHz Binar 2 NORAD Cat ID 60956 IARU coordinated downlink 437.700 MHz Binar 3 NORAD Cat ID 60957 IARU coordinated downlink 437.850 MHz Binar 4 NORAD Cat ID 60952 IARU coordinated downlink 437.925 MHz [ANS thanks Joe Fitzgerald, KM1P, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager, for the above information.] ------------------------------ ARISS NEWS Amateurs and others around the world may listen in on contacts between amateurs operating in schools and allowing students to interact with astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station. The downlink frequency on which to listen is 145.800 MHz worldwide. [image: ARISS News] - Upcoming Contacts Instituto de Aplicacao Fernando Rodrigues da Silveira (CAp-UERJ) and The State University of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, direct via PY1AX. The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS. The scheduled crewmember is Sunita Williams, KD5PLB. The ARISS mentor is Steven McFarlane, VE3TBD. Contact is go for Friday, September 13, 2024 at 17:25:47 UTC. The crossband repeater continues to be active (145.990 MHz up {PL 67} & 437.800 MHz down). If any crewmember is so inclined, all they have to do is pick up the microphone, raise the volume up, and talk on the crossband repeater. So give a listen, you just never know. The packet system is also active (145.825 MHz up & down). As always, if there is an EVA, a docking, or an undocking; the ARISS radios are turned off as part of the safety protocol. Note, all times are approximate. It is recommended that you do your own orbital prediction or start listening about 10 minutes before the listed time. The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html The latest list of frequencies in use can be found at https://www.ariss.org/contact-the-iss.html [ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team mentors for the above information.] ------------------------------ Upcoming Satellite Operations No operations are currently listed. A growing number of satellite rovers are currently engaged in sharing their grid square activations on https://hams.at. By visiting the website, you gain easy access to comprehensive information about the operators responsible for activating specific grid squares. Additionally, you have the ability to assess the match score between yourself and a particular rover for a given pass, while also being able to identify the upcoming satellite passes that are accessible from your location. [ANS thanks Ian Parsons, K5ZM, AMSAT Rover Page Manager, and Alex Ners, K6VHF, for the above information.] ------------------------------ AMSAT Ambassador Activities AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events. October 5, 2024 North Star Radio Convention Hennepin Technical College (North Campus) Brooklyn Park, MN. https://conv2023.tcfmc.org/ AMSAT Forum and Information Table KØJM and ADØHJ October 5, 2024 Central Kentucky Hamfest Highlands Baptist Church 2032 Parallel Road Lexington, KY 40502 https://www.facebook.com/w9khz/ AMSAT and Educational Satellites Forum and Information Table AI4SR and W4FCL October 5, 2024 Radio Society of Tucson Calvary Tucson Church 7811 E. Speedway Tucson, AZ https://k7rst.club/2024/07/tucson-autumn-ham-fest-2024/ N1UW October 18-20, 2024 Pacificon 2024, ARRL Pacific Division Conference San Ramon, CA WUØI https://www.pacificon.org/ October 25-27, 2004 AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting Double Tree Rocky Point Waterfront Hotel Tampa Bay, FL https://www.amsat.org/2024-symposium/ November 2-3, 2024 Stone Mountain Hamfest, ARRL State Convention Stone Mountain, GA K4RGK November 9, 2024 Oro Valley Amateur Radio Club Marana Middle School 11285 West Grier Rd. Marana, AZ 85653 https://www.tucsonhamradio.org/copy-of-hamfest-2022 N1UW February 20-22, 2025 Yuma HAMCON Yuma, AZ N1UW Interested in becoming an AMSAT Ambassador? AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events. For more information go to: https://www.amsat.org/ambassador/ [ANS thanks Bo Lowrey, W4FCL, Director – AMSAT Ambassador Program for the above information.] ------------------------------ Satellite Shorts From All Over - Yaesu has announced the upcoming FTX-1F HF/6/144/440 portable transceiver, presumably a replacement for the FT-816/817 series of transceivers that were very popular among satellite operators. The transceiver is said to have two independent SDR receivers that provide simultaneous dual-band operation, whether in the same or in different bands. (Editor’s note: This does not necessarily mean that the transceiver will operate in full duplex mode.) It will provide 6W of power output with the included 5670mAh Lithium-ion battery pack or up to 10W with external power. Average CW/SSB operating time in the VHF/UHF bands is quoted as up to 8 hours. SSB, CW, AM, FM and C4FM operation is available. USB ports support CAT operation, audio input/output and TX control. The FTX-1F has not been formally been released for sale in the United States but should be available early 2025. [ANS thanks Yaesu for the above information.] - JAXA officially ended the mission of SLIM, the country’s first Moon lander, last week. Originally only expected to operate for a single lunar day and then feared to be doomed after it landed in the incorrect orientation after losing an engine bell, the mission managed to survive 3 lunar nights and complete all pre-mission success criteria. SLIM is the first lunar lander to successfully perform a “pinpoint” landing, arriving within 10 meters of its selected landing site. [ANS thanks The Orbital Index for the above information.] - The average age of a GPS satellite is now 13 years, with half of them exceeding their designed lifespan. The USA-132 satellite broke the record for the oldest GPS satellite in history, having completed 27+ years in operation. While the record is an indicator of the reliability and robust engineering of the GPS satellite, it also means that the service still relies on hardware built in the 1990s. 31 GPS satellites are in operation today, down from 36 in 2016. The GPS system was primarily designed for military purposes but was opened up to wide-scale civilian use in 1983. Since then, GPS has grown into one of the most widely used services in the world, with billions of people using GPS on a daily basis today. The overall GPS network still works well. But the aging satellites, coupled with the delays in the launch schedule for new satellites, threaten its competitive edge as international rivals bring into service their own GNSS systems and private companies develop alternatives. (ANS thanks PayloadSpace.com for the above information. Fact-filled full article available at: https://payloadspace.com/rise-and-stall-of-gps-the-average-age-of-gps-satel… . ------------------------------ Join AMSAT today at https://launch.amsat.org/ In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to: - Societies (a recognized group, clubs or organization). - Primary and secondary school students are eligible for membership at one-half the standard yearly rate. - Post-secondary school students enrolled in at least half time status shall be eligible for the student rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status. - Memberships are available for annual and lifetime terms. Contact info [at] amsat [dot] org for additional membership information. 73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space! This week’s ANS Editor, Frank Karnauskas, N1UW f.karnauskas [at] amsat [dot] org

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ANS-245 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by Mark Johns, K0JM 01 Sep '24

01 Sep '24

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-245 In this edition: * Seven Cubesats Deploy From ISS * AMSAT Mail Alias Service to End — FINAL NOTICE! * Japanese Company Takes First Step Toward Removing Space Junk * Halibut Electronics Releases New EggNOGS Kit for Satellite Antennas * UNNE-1 and MARIA-G Launch Delayed Until 2025 * Paul D. Graveline, K1YUB, Silent Key * Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution * ARISS News * Upcoming Satellite Operations * AMSAT Ambassador Activities * Satellite Shorts From All Over The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and information service of AMSAT, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS publishes news related to Amateur Radio in Space including 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. The news feed on http://www.amsat.org publishes news of Amateur Radio in Space as soon as our volunteers can post it. *Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor [at] amsat.org <http://amsat.org>* You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: https://mailman.amsat.org/postorius/lists/ans.amsat.org/ ANS-245 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins From: Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation DATE: 2024 Sept 01 *The 42nd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting will be held on Friday through Saturday, October 25-26, 2024* *DoubleTree by Hilton Tampa Rocky Point Waterfront in Tampa, Florida. Click Here to Register Now <https://launch.amsat.org/event-5833792>* *Rooms can be reserved at https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/radioamateursatellite/ <https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/radioamateursatellite/>* *If you’re interested in presenting or submitting a paper, see the Call for Papers webpage <https://www.amsat.org/2024-symposium/call-for-papers-2024/>* Seven Cubesats Deploy From ISS Seven CubeSats deployed from Japanese Experiment Module “Kibo” on Thursday, August 29. According to the IARU Amateur Satellite Frequency Coordination, six of these satellites, CosmoGirl-Sat, SaganSat0, SAKURA, Binar2, Binar3 and Binar4, operate on the amateur bands. Three of them carry APRS digipeaters operating on the world-wide APRS frequency of 145.825 MHz. *Image by Cosmo Girls Amateur Radio Club* *CosmoGirl-Sat* 145.825MHz, 437.120MHz APRS VHF, callsign JS1YOI CW, 4k8 GMSK UHF A 1U cubesat built by Cosmo Girls Amateur Radio Club, a group of Japanese women established under the theme of “Getting closer to the universe.” The satellite also carries a high-resolution camera for earth imaging, as well as a short message UHF store-and-forward system. *SaganSat0* 145.825MHz, 437.050MH APRS VHF GMSK 4k8, CW UHF A 1U cubesat built by students at various high schools in the Saga Prefecture of Japan. The satellite also carries an infrared camera and gamma ray detector. *SAKURA* 145.825MHz, 437.375MHz APRS VHF GMSK 4k8 UHF A 1U cubesat built by the Chiba Institute of Technology, a university in Narashino, Japan. The satellite also carries experiments designed to monitor sunspots and solar flares, as well as to assess environmental damage on earth. *Binar-2* 437.700MHz, *Binar-3* 437.850MHz, *Binar-4* 437.925MHz CW, OQPSK 100/38.4kbps, GFSK 19.2/9.6/1.2kbps Three cubesats built by Curtin University in Australia designed to test radiation shielding materials and modeling of re-entry data from LEO. Info from 7 CubeSats were deployed from “Kibo” on Thursday, August 29, 2024. https://humans-in-space.jaxa.jp/en/biz-lab/news/detail/004129.html <https://humans-in-space.jaxa.jp/en/biz-lab/news/detail/004121.html> [ANS thanks Masa Arai, JN1GKZ, for the above information.] ------------------------------ *The 2024 AMSAT President’s Club coins are here now!* *Help Support GOLF and Fox Plus* *Join the AMSAT President’s Club today and help* *Keep Amateur Radio in Space!* *https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/* <https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/> ------------------------------ AMSAT Mail Alias Service to End — FINAL NOTICE! A long-standing member service, the AMSAT Mail Alias Service was scheduled to end on August 31, 2024, but a day or two of grace period has been added. Members should understand that the email alias service, the news and bulletin board subscription lists and the membership portal are three separate systems. *Persons using the Mail Alias Service should immediately migrate to a different email account so they do not lose receipt of personal emails. Notify your friends and business accounts of the change.* *Persons wishing to continue to receive AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins and AMSAT-BB posts or official messages from AMSAT itself should update their subscription addresses at *https://mailman.amsat.org/ *Members are especially asked to make sure they are NOT using a callsign(a)amsat.org <callsign(a)amsat.org> as their registered email address in the AMSAT membership portal. Members can easily change their registered member email address by logging into the portal and updating their profile at *https://mailman.amsat.org/. A mail alias on AMSAT.ORG permitted people to send an email to members without knowing their actual internet email address. They just needed to know their amateur radio callsign. Unfortunately, the unchecked rise in domain name hacking and email account high-jacking has made it impossible to sustain this service at a cost-effective level. The number of callsign(a)amsat.org email accounts that had been hijacked and converted to zombie spam accounts over the years had led many internet service providers and gateway centers to ban all @ amsat.org email addresses, including those business accounts of AMSAT officers and officials. The tireless efforts of AMSAT’s all volunteer IT staff has worked for years to repair much of the damage, but AMSAT still get complaints from members who are not getting their personal emails, ANS bulletins or AMSAT-BB posts because of persistent delivery problems. It has come to the point where the AMSAT volunteer IT staff can no longer keep up with the maintenance requirements to keep the alias mail list clean and to work with email gateways to remove blocks. And, after considerable investigation into alternative paid email services, AMSAT leadership decided that the money required to keep an email alias system alive would be better spent on building and flying satellites for its members. [ANS thanks the AMSAT IT Team for the above information] ------------------------------ Japanese Company Takes First Step Toward Removing Space Junk There are more than 2,000 mostly intact dead rockets circling the Earth, but until this year, no one ever launched a satellite to go see what one looked like after many years of tumbling around the planet. In February, a Japanese company named Astroscale sent a small satellite into low-Earth orbit on top of a Rocket Lab launcher. A couple of months later, Astroscale’s ADRAS-J (Active Debris Removal by Astroscale-Japan) spacecraft completed its pursuit of a Japanese rocket stuck in orbit for more than 15 years. ADRAS-J photographed the upper stage of an H-IIA rocket from a range of several hundred meters and then backed away. This was the first publicly released image of space debris captured from another spacecraft using rendezvous and proximity operations. *Astroscale’s ADRAS-J spacecraft captured these views of the H-IIA rocket upper stage on July 15. [Credit: Astroscale]* Since then, Astroscale has pulled off more complex maneuvers around the H-IIA upper stage, which hasn’t been controlled since it deployed a Japanese climate research satellite in January 2009. Astroscale attempted to complete a 360-degree fly-around of the H-IIA rocket last month, but the spacecraft triggered an autonomous abort one-third through the maneuver after detecting an attitude anomaly. ADRAS-J is the first mission to approach a piece of space debris, which comes with more challenges. The H-IIA upper stage lacks laser reflectors and targeting aids that would help an approaching spacecraft navigate its way closer. A few years ago, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) cinched a public-private partnership with Astroscale to demonstrate technologies the private sector could use to remove large pieces of space debris littering low-Earth orbit. The same robotic technologies could also apply to satellite servicing or refueling missions. With more financial assistance from JAXA, Astroscale is developing a follow-on mission called ADRAS-J2 to dock with the same H-IIA rocket visited by the ongoing mission, then steer it on a trajectory to reenter the atmosphere. Astroscale hopes a successful demonstration of this capability on the ADRAS-J2 mission will lead to more contracts from commercial or government operators to remote large pieces of space junk from orbit. An H-IIA upper stage similar to the one visited by Astroscale’s demo mission broke apart in 2019, creating more than 70 new debris fragments in low-Earth orbit. A predicted close flyby by one of the pieces from the H-IIA upper stage prompted the International Space Station to fire its engines to move out of its path in 2020. [ANS thanks Ars Technica for the above information. Read the full article at https://bit.ly/4cFO0vW.] ------------------------------ *Need new satellite antennas?* *Purchase M2 LEO-Packs from the AMSAT Store.* *When you purchase through AMSAT, a portion of the proceeds goes towards* *Keeping Amateur Radio in Space.* *https://amsat.org/product-category/hardware/ <https://amsat.org/product-category/hardware/>* ------------------------------ Halibut Electronics Releases New EggNOGS Kit for Satellite Antennas Halibut Electronics has announced the release of its latest product, the EggNOGS kit, designed to facilitate the construction of Egg Beater antennas. This kit is aimed at amateur radio enthusiasts and satellite operators who wish to enhance their communication capabilities, particularly with the SatNOGS network. Priced at $79.00, EggNOGS is available for purchase through Halibut Electronics’ website at https://electronics.halibut.com/product/eggnogs/. The EggNOGS kit is engineered to address the complexity of building Egg Beater antennas, which are known for their use in satellite communications. The kit includes a range of specialized components that are not typically available at local hardware stores. These components feature a band-specific phasing board that creates a 90-degree phase shift, a critical element in the construction of effective quadrature-fed antennas. *The parts kit. [Credit: Halibut Electronics]* Currently, the EggNOGS kit supports several frequency bands: 137.5MHz, 145.9MHz, 388.0MHz, 401.0MHz, and 436.5MHz. However, due to high demand, the kits for the 137.5MHz and 145.9MHz bands are temporarily out of stock and are expected to be back in inventory by August 28th. Customers can place back orders for these bands in the interim. The EggNOGS kit is designed to be versatile, compatible with various types of quadrature-fed antennas beyond just Egg Beaters. It can be used with turnstiles, helicals, and other balanced VHF/UHF antennas. Additionally, it works with any radio system, including low-power transmitters, making it a flexible option for a range of communication needs. *Antenna closeup [Credit: Halibut Electronics]* The kit includes essential parts such as circuit boards for signal routing and phasing, a common mode current choke, and stainless steel mounting hardware. Builders will need to source additional materials, such as a section of PVC pipe and materials for the aerial loops and ground plane, from local hardware stores. The default feed point connector is SMA, but there is an option to upgrade to BNC or Type-F connectors. The EggNOGS kit is capable of handling moderate transmit power, with the upper limit still being determined but expected to range between 15W and 50W. The kit is confirmed to handle up to 10W without issues. Halibut Electronics invites feedback from users who may need phasing boards for additional frequencies not currently offered, with the possibility of expanding the product line based on customer demand. [ANS thanks Halibut Electronics, for the above information] ------------------------------ UNNE-1 and MARIA-G Launch Delayed Until 2025 Due to the significant damage to the RFA’s One launcher stage during the static firing test at SaxaVord’s spaceport in the Shetland Islands, Scotland (UK) on August 19th, AMSAT-EA’s UNNE-1 and MARIA-G satellites launch will be delayed. They were originally planned for launch on September 30th, and now it is not expected before 2025. Video of the BBC’s coverage of the incident is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgEn6-8ekJQ UNNE-1 and MARIA-G are both based on the currently orbiting HADES-D (SO-121) hardware, providing a repeater service for voice and data communications in FM and FSK-derived modes. They have been designed and built by AMSAT-EA together with private sector companies and with the collaboration of Universities and educational centres. Both satellites will offer licensed radio amateurs around the world the opportunity to make FM and FSK QSOs, including FT modes, such as FT-4 and FT-8, or AX.25/APRS. The satellites will also transmit telemetry with their status, voice messages and CW. UNNE-1 includes an Arduino-based board with software from Nebrija University of Madrid. The students have developed a small decoding game with a space story as a background. The satellite sends a clue each week in its FSK telemetry so that radio amateurs can solve the challenge. This game will be detailed on the AMSAT EA website and on the Nebrija University one. MARIA-G also includes two CW reception games/challenges implemented by students from the María Guerrero high school in Collado Villalba, also from the region of Madrid. One of the games consists of receiving the coordinates of a significant place on Earth (for example a city, a monument…) and the other about receiving a code that will correspond to a question about Science. Both games will have a dedicated web page. MARIA-G also includes a small experiment, developed by the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft research center in Germany. It consists of a proof of concept for the transmission of a TS-UNB waveform from a low Earth orbit. Therefore, it will transmit a TS-UNB message according to the ETSI-TS-103-357 standard. It is intended solely as a research and development project with no commercial intention. The ITU modulation classification would be 100K W2DWW but the bandwidth will be reduced. The operation of this experiment will be carried out by AMSAT-EA. The UNNE-1 and MARIA-G satellites are part of the Erminaz mission, a joint effort of AMSAT-DL, AMSAT-EA and LibreSpace Foundation, each organization flying its own satellites and using LibreSpace’s PicoBus deployer. The mission management with the German Space Agency (DLR) and the launcher (RFA), as well as with the UK authorities, has been carried out jointly, with AMSAT DL leading it. [ANS thanks Felix Páez, EA4GQS, AMSAT EA, for the above information.] ------------------------------ Paul D. Graveline, K1YUB, Silent Key With heavy hearts, AMSAT and The AMSAT Journal mourn the passing of Journal assistant editor, Paul D. Graveline, K1YUB, on August 19, 2024. Paul served as an assistant editor for the past seven years, starting with the July/August 2017 issue. In addition to his editing and authoring contributions to the Journal, Paul also served as an active member of the CubeSatSim Educational Materials Team for AMSAT’s Educational Relations program. Here is how Paul described his ham radio exploits: “Like many future hams in the 1960s, I became interested in radio by listening to shortwave stations on my grandfather’s old huge Philco radio. “In 1960, I got a Hallicrafters S120 short wave receiver for Christmas, and I was hooked. A year later, K1DEN got me interested in ham radio. I was issued KN1YUB as a novice, and in 1963, I upgraded to General and K1YUB, which I still use today. Most of my ham operating has been using CW. “By 1973, I passed my Advanced and Extra which required 20 wpm skills. “In the 1980s, I worked and taught Novice and General license courses at Tufts Radio in Medford, MA. My time at Tufts included numerous ham conventions from Denver to Clearwater. “Along with K1TW, I helped reestablish the shortwave focused Boston Area DXers which met on the third Friday of every month. Nearly 35 years later, we still do! “More recently, I have been spending time in activities to support ham radio. “For a number of years, I’ve been an Assistant Editor for The AMSAT Journal as well as being engaged, along with KU2Y, KD2XS , KK6NOW and WD6DRI, on an AMSAT project developing the CubeSat Simulator as a learning tool. “I began following the space weather bulletins from Dr. Tamitha Skov, WX6SWW, better known as “The Space Weather Woman,” a few years back and now am a member of her steering committee, as well as being the Coordinator for her new Super Community project with the objective of sharing space weather knowledge across stakeholder communities like Aurora Chasers and Ham Radio operators. I did a cover story of Dr. Skov in The AMSAT Journal.” Paul’s good humor, dedication, enthusiasm and many contributions to AMSAT and the larger amateur radio community will be greatly missed. [ANS thanks Joe Kornowski, KB6IGK, AMSAT Journal Editor-in-Chief, for the above information] ------------------------------ *Want to fly the colors on your own grid expedition?* *Get your AMSAT car flag and other neat stuff from our Zazzle store!* *25% of the purchase price of each product goes towards* *Keeping Amateur Radio in Space* *https://www.zazzle.com/amsat_gear <https://www.zazzle.com/amsat_gear>* ------------------------------ Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution Two Line Elements or TLEs, often referred to as Keplerian elements or keps in the amateur community, are the inputs to the SGP4 standard mathematical model of spacecraft orbits used by most amateur tracking programs. Weekly updates are completely adequate for most amateur satellites. TLE bulletin files are updated daily in the first hour of the UTC day. New bulletin files will be posted immediately after reliable elements become available for new amateur satellites. More information may be found at https://www.amsat.org/keplerian-elements-resources/. No changes have been announced for this week. [ANS thanks Joe Fitzgerald, KM1P, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager for the above information] ------------------------------ ARISS NEWS Amateurs and others around the world may listen in on contacts between amateurs operating in schools and allowing students to interact with astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station. The downlink frequency on which to listen is 145.800 MHz worldwide. Would your group like to have an ARISS contact? Here are some upcoming deadlines for be aware of: For U.S. contacts, proposals are due by 6-Sept. Contacts would be in the first half of 2025. For Europe, Africa, and the Middle East applications are due by 27-October for second half of 2025. See https://www.ariss.org/apply-to-host-an-ariss-contact.html for details. *COMPLETED:* Fasta Villa Eucaristica School, Cordoba City, Argentina, direct via LU1HKO The ISS callsign was presently scheduled to be NA1SS The crewmember was Jeanette Epps, KF5QNU. The ARISS mentor was VE3TBD. Contact was successful: Fri 2024-08-30 15:29:39 UTC 42 degrees maximum elevation. Congratulations to the Fasta Villa Eucaristica School students, Jeanette, mentor VE3TBD, and ground station LU1HKO! Livestream URL was provided to ARISS https://youtube.com/live/2oQkA6vqdu4?feature=share The crossband repeater continues to be active (145.990 MHz up {PL 67} & 437.800 MHz down). If any crewmember is so inclined, all they have to do is pick up the microphone, raise the volume up, and talk on the crossband repeater. So give a listen, you just never know. The packet system is also active (145.825 MHz up & down). The HamTV system (2395 MHz down), and the SSTV system (145.800 MHz down) are both currently STOWED and not in operation. As always, if there is an EVA, a docking, or an undocking; the ARISS radios are turned off as part of the safety protocol. Note, all times are approximate. It is recommended that you do your own orbital prediction or start listening about 10 minutes before the listed time. The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html The latest list of frequencies in use can be found at https://www.ariss.org/contact-the-iss.html [ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team mentors for the above information] ------------------------------ Upcoming Satellite Operations Tom, KB5FHK, will be heading home to Mississippi on Labor Day weekend. His main focus is EM41. He already posted a couple of passes on hams.at. Mitch, AD0HJ, will be heading up to Fargo/Grand Forks over Labor Day weekend “for some more gridline fun.” Look for him to activate EN06 EN07 EN08 EN16 EN17 EN18 on RS-44. Pass schedule is available on hams.at. Zach, K8ZRY, will be doing a POTA activation on the EN83/EN84 gridline over the Labor Day holiday. Pass schedule is available on hams.at. A growing number of satellite rovers are currently engaged in sharing their grid square activations on https://hams.at. By visiting the website, you gain easy access to comprehensive information about the operators responsible for activating specific grid squares. Additionally, you have the ability to assess the match score between yourself and a particular rover for a given pass, while also being able to identify the upcoming satellite passes that are accessible from your location. [ANS thanks Ian Parsons, K5ZM, AMSAT rover page manager, for the above information] ------------------------------ AMSAT Ambassador Activities AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events. September 7, 2024 *Greater Louisville Hamfest* Shepherdsville, KY AMSAT Forum and Information Table W4FCL October 5, 2024 *North Star Radio Convention* Hennepin Technical College (North Campus) Brooklyn Park, Minn. https://conv2023.tcfmc.org/ AMSAT Forum and Information Table KØJM and ADØHJ October 5th, 2024 *Central Kentucky Hamfest* – Highlands Baptist Church 2032 Parallel Road Lexington, KY 40502 https://www.facebook.com/w9khz/ AMSAT and Educational Satellites Forum and Information Table AI4SR and W4FCL October 5, 2024 *Radio Society of Tucson* Calvary Tucson Church 7811 E. Speedway Tucson, AZ https://k7rst.club/2024/07/tucson-autumn-ham-fest-2024/ N1UW October 18-20, 2024 *Pacificon 2024, ARRL Pacific Division Conference* San Ramon, CA WUØI October 25-27, 2004 *AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting* Double Tree Rocky Point Waterfront Hotel Tampa Bay, FL November 2-3, 2024 *Stone Mountain Hamfest, ARRL State Convention* Stone Mountain, GA K4RGK November 9, 2024 *Oro Valley Amateur Radio Club* Marana Middle School 11285 West Grier Rd. Marana, AZ 85653 https://www.tucsonhamradio.org/copy-of-hamfest-2022 N1UW February 20-22, 2025 *Yuma HAMCON* Yuma, AZ N1UW [ANS thanks the AMSAT Events page for the above information] ------------------------------ Satellite Shorts From All Over + The FUNcube Data Warehouse will be going off line on Saturday, August 31, as it transitions to a new server. The service may be down for about three days as the team has to migrate the large amount of data collected over 11 years and ensure that the service is running correctly. The dashboards will catch up if they are left connected, once the service comes on line. The team will probably turn on the collection service before the UI so that there is not to much data loss. (ANS thanks Dave Johnson, G4DPZ, of the FUNcube Team for the above information.) + NASA will return Boeing’s Starliner to Earth without astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, KD5PLB, aboard the spacecraft, the agency announced last week. The uncrewed return allows NASA and Boeing to continue gathering testing data on Starliner during its upcoming flight home, while also not accepting more risk than necessary for its crew. Wilmore and Williams, who flew to the International Space Station in June aboard NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test, have been busy supporting station research, maintenance, and Starliner system testing and data analysis, among other activities. They will continue their work formally as part of the Expedition 71/72 crew through February 2025, and will fly home aboard a Dragon spacecraft with two other crew members assigned to the agency’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission. Starliner is expected to depart from the space station and make a safe, controlled autonomous re-entry and landing in early September. (ANS thanks NASA for the above information.) + NASA astronaut Nick Hague, KG5TMV, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov will launch no earlier than Tuesday, Sept. 24, on the agency’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission to the International Space Station. NASA astronauts Zena Cardman, KJ5CMN, and Stephanie Wilson, KD5DZE, previously announced as crewmates, are eligible for reassignment on a future mission. The updated crew complement follows NASA’s decision to return the agency’s Boeing Crew Flight Test uncrewed and launch Crew-9 with two unoccupied seats. NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, KD5PLB, who launched aboard the Starliner spacecraft in June, will fly home with Hague and Gorbunov in February 2025. (ANS thanks NASA for the above information.) + The U.S. National Science Foundation National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NSF NRAO), and its administrator Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI), have created SuperKnova, an online educational platform that provides inclusive, equitable access to radio technology learning and training. Thanks to a generous grant from Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC), learners can now enroll in two self-paced courses to learn the fundamentals of radio communications. The Technician Amateur Radio License and EMS Course introduces learners to the electromagnetic spectrum using amateur (ham) radio as a vehicle. (ANS thanks the National Radio Astronomy Observatory for the above information.) + Alick Gardiner, 2E0HDV, has undertaken a “retro radio” project to utilize the APRS packet digipeater aboard the International Space Station with equipment dating back to the 1980s! Alick documents how he resurrected a Commodore 64 computer and a 30+ year old AEA PK-232 “Pakratt” TNC in his blog at http://www.alickgardiner.com/c64-packet-radio/ (ANS thanks AMSAT-UK and Alick Gardiner, 2E0HDV, for the above information.) ------------------------------ Join AMSAT today at https://launch.amsat.org/ In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to: * Societies (a recognized group, clubs or organization). * Primary and secondary school students are eligible for membership at one-half the standard yearly rate. * Post-secondary school students enrolled in at least half time status shall be eligible for the student rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status. * Memberships are available for annual and lifetime terms. Contact info [at] amsat.org for additional membership information. 73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space! This week’s ANS Editor, Mark Johns, KØJM mjohns [at] amsat.org

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