AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-283 The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor- mation service of AMSAT North America, 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.
In this edition:
* AMSAT-NA 2016 Space Symposium Keynote Speaker Announced * RadFxSat Passes Post-Shock Tests * AMSAT Office Closed October 10th * 2016 AMSAT Space Symposium at Sea Registration Still Open * IK1SLD Team Establishes 50 ARISS Telebridge Contacts * ARISS Proposal Window September 1 – November 1, 2016 * AMSAT Events * ARISS News * Satellite Shorts From All Over
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-283.01 ANS-283 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 283.01
From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD.
DATE October 9, 2016 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-283.01
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AMSAT-NA 2016 Space Symposium Keynote Speaker Announced
Peter Guelzow, DB2OS, President of AMSAT-DL, will be the Keynote Speaker at AMSAT-NA’s 2016 Space Symposium. This year’s “Symposium at Sea” takes place on board the CARNIVAL LIBERTY that departs Galveston, TX on Thursday,10 NOV 16.
Peter’s presentation is entitled, “Amateur Radio beyond Earth Orbit”.
AMSAT-NA President Barry Baines, WD4ASW extended the invitation for Peter to speak, noting, "When I approached the AMSAT Board of Directors to seek their input concerning potential banquet speakers, there was unanimous agreement that having Peter as our speaker was a wonderful idea. As President of AMSAT-DL, Peter is in a unique position to provide details about the P4-A project (Es’hail 2) and how it will impact amateur communications from space under its footprint. The evolution of AMSAT-DL and how Peter sees AMSAT-DL’s moving forward in the coming years would be of significant interest to our attendees. Peter has also observed the development of other AMSAT organizations in Europe, the Middle East as well as in the Pacific Rim.
In his acceptance of the invitation to speak, Peter said, “It's indeed quite a while ago since my last visit to the AMSAT-NA Symposium and thus I’m looking very much forward to seeing all good friends again.”
Peter became President of AMSAT-DL in 2001 after the launch of AMSAT OSCAR-40 (P3-D) when he had the role as AMSAT Mission Director Launch Campaign in Kourou, French Guyana.
An amateur radio operator since 1979, Peter has served in a variety of roles with AMSAT-DL since 1983. His professional career as an engineer responsible for production testing of Car Multimedia and Navigation devices for a huge German automotive supplier has included extensive travel around the world, allowing him to interact with amateur radio organizations worldwide, building relationships and support for amateur radio in space.
The relationship between AMSAT-NA and AMSAT-DL is a long one, going back to the 1970s, first with the development of AO-7 and later with the Phase-3 programs through Phase 3-D (AO-40). The decision by Congress to apply ITAR (International Traffic and Arms Regulations, managed by the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls, Dept. of State) to communications satellites forced AMSAT-NA to withhold technical collaboration on amateur satellites with other international AMSAT organizations. Changes in US law in 2014 now makes it easier for potential international collaboration involving AMSAT-NA on future amateur satellite projects should an opportunity arise that is of mutual interest where a launch opportunity is identified.
[ANS thanks 2016 AMSAT Space Symposium Committee for the above information]
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RadFxSat Passes Post-Shock Tests
In a late night session Tuesday, the Short Functional Test was performed on RadFxSat and showed that the CubeSat is functioning well after the shock testing. The test was streamed live on YouTube and the archive is available for viewing, at
http://www.YouTube.com/c/n0jy/live
RadFxSat is the first of the four Fox-1 CubeSats built to date to be subjected to shock testing, which was necessary for qualification to fly on the Delta II ELaNa XIV Mission scheduled to launch March 16, 2017. Being the first shock test experience we were cautious about what the result may be. While Fox-1s have previously been subjected to and passed other tests such as vibration testing, each type of environmental test is significantly different.
The Short Functional Test, along with the previously reported Aliveness Test, is conducted before each environmental test is performed (shock, vibe, bakeout) and after the final environmental test is finished in order to determine that the Fox-1 CubeSat is functioning nominally prior to testing and is still functioning nominally after each test. Short Functional Test (SFT) verifies the operation of the IHU, battery, transmitter, receiver, experiment, telemetry, and command systems through 51 steps of actions, measurements and observations.
With the successful completion of the SFT the Fox Team performed the Preflight Procedure. This procedure places the IHU in the launch state so that it is configured as it will be during launch, for the next environmental test.
It looks like Hurricane Matthew will cooperate with our plans to travel to Boston on Sunday, October 9, so the next stop is NTS in Boxborough, MA for the final environmental testing which includes vibration and bakeout. Live streaming of the environmental tests will not be possible due to ITAR and camera restrictions at the test facility, but streaming of the Short Functional and Aliveness tests and the preparation of RadFxSat for some of the testing may be available from the hotel room if the timing is such that they are performed outside the test facility.
[ANS thanks Jerry Buxton, N0JY, AMSAT Vice Presdient, Engineering for the above information]
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AMSAT Office Closed October 10th
The will be closed on Monday, October 10th in observance of Columbus Day.
[ANS thanks Martha, AMSAT-NA for the above information]
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2016 AMSAT Space Symposium at Sea Registration Still Open
If you are an Individual attending Symposium on board the CARNIVAL LIBERTY departing Galveston, TX on November 10, you must register to attend the AMSAT Space Symposium & Annual Meeting through AMSAT. Cruise arrangements made through Carnival Cruise Lines does not include the registration fee for the Symposium itself.
There are three options to register for Symposium:
-Complete and mail to the AMSAT Office the 2016 Symposium Registration Form that was sent to all AMSAT members back in July along with the BoD ballot along with payment;
-Call the AMSAT Office (301-822-4376) and speak with AMSAT Office Manager Martha Saragovitz ; or
-Use the AMSAT Store (store.amsat.org) by selecting the “2016 AMSAT-NA Symposium Registration” link found under “Bestsellers” on the right hand side of the store’s main page.
Registration for the Symposium is $40.00 and includes a copy of the “Proceedings” that contains papers written for the Symposium as well as technical documentation that AMSAT is placing in the public domain. The “Proceedings” will be available to attendees onboard ship. In addition, the registration provides a means to confirm the number of individuals in your party planning to attend the AMSAT Banquet as well as an opportunity to reserve seats for the Field Ops Breakfast. Both meals are open to anyone wishing to attend (AMSAT Registration is not necessary) and there is no charge for either event as food is included in your cruise package. However, by indicating how many individuals will be attending, it helps to ensure that sufficient seating is made available for each activity.
As the AMSAT Office will not be open after Monday, 7 NOV 16 through that week, we ask that your Symposium Registration be received at the AMSAT office by Friday, 4 NOV 16.
[ANS thanks 2016 AMSAT Space Symposium Committee for the above information]
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IK1SLD Team Establishes 50 ARISS Telebridge Contacts
Saturday saw the IK1SLD Team establishing the 50th ARISS Telebridge contact in 6 years of operation. IK1SLD has now established 45 successful Telebridge contacts and 5 successful Direct/Telebridge contacts.
In addition, IK1SLD has also established 5 successful Direct contacts and supported 35 Direct contacts as remote back-up ground station.
Congratulation IK1SLD!
[ANS thanks Francesco, IKØWGF for the above information]
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ARISS Proposal Window September 1 – November 1, 2016
The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Program is seeking formal and informal education institutions and organizations, individually or working together, to host an Amateur Radio contact with a crew member on board the ISS. ARISS anticipates that the contact would be held between July 1, 2017 and December 31, 2017. Crew scheduling and ISS orbits will determine the exact contact dates. To maximize these radio contact opportunities, ARISS is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed education plan.
The deadline to submit a proposal is November 1, 2016. Proposal information and documents can be found at
www.arrl.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact.
[ANS thanks ARISS for the above information]
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AMSAT Events
Information about AMSAT activities at other important events around the country. Examples of these events are radio club meetings where AMSAT Area Coordinators give presentations, demonstrations of working amateur satellites, and hamfests with an AMSAT presence (a table with AMSAT literature and merchandise, sometimes also with presentations, forums, and/or demonstrations).
*Friday and Saturday, 21-22 October 2016 – CopaFest 2016, south of Maricopa AZ
*Saturday, 12 November 2016 – Oro Valley Amateur Radio Club Hamfest in Marana AZ
*Saturday, 3 December 2016 – Superstition Superfest in Mesa AZ
*Saturday, 14 January 2017 – Thunderbird Hamfest 2017 in Phoenix AZ
*Saturday, 4 February 2017 – Palm Springs Hamfest in Palm Springs CA
*Friday-Sunday, 10-12 February 2017 Orlando HamCation in Orlando, FL
*Friday and Saturday, 17-18 February 2017 – Yuma Hamfest in Yuma AZ
[ANS thanks AMSAT-NA for the above information]
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ARISS News
Successful Contacts
* Sekolah Kebangsaan Jalan Pasar 1, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, direct via 9M2RPN The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The scheduled astronaut is Takuya Onishi KF5LKS Contact was successful: Thu 2016-10-06 18:24:00 UTC 46 deg.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qE8a9ik9cI8
* iSPACE, Cincinnati OH, telebridge via IK1SLD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The scheduled astronaut is Kate Rubins KG5FYJ Contact was successful: Sat 2016-10-08 16:15:10 UTC 57 deg.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dV3754OMnjQ
In 2001, iSPACE, a 501(c)(3) organization, incorporated as a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) educational resource for schools throughout the Greater Cincinnati region. The iSPACE mission is to make STEM learning exciting and to promote STEM career awareness, through interactive programs for students, educators and families in the region. iSPACE provides innovative and effective programs, events and learning experiences for students (grades pre-K12), their educators and their families including field trips, outreach, professional development and other programs that stimulate interest and appreciation for STEM. In 2015, iSPACE programs served a diverse population of 24,731 youth and 5,791 adults in more than 500 schools. iSPACE works diligently to collaborate within the regional and their programs are recognized for their effectiveness throughout the STEM community. Through rigorous alignment to national and state standards and the utilization of best practices, iSPACE continues to develop curriculum for educators and inquiry-based educational opportunities for students. iSPACE has made a mark in Greater Cincinnati for our high quality programs that measurably and effectively inspire students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, increase their content knowledge and introduce them to STEM careers.
Upcoming Contacts
* Stephen F. Austin Elementary School, Brazosport ISD, Jones Creek, Texas, telebridge via VK5ZAI The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Takuya Onishi KF5LKS Contact is a go for: Mon 2016-10-10 16:46:00 UTC 50 deg
* University of Nebraska's Peter Kiewit Institute, Omaha NE, telebridge via VK4KHZ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Kate Rubins KG5FYJ Contact is a go for: Sat 2016-10-15 14:00:08 UTC 29 deg
Watch http://www.ariss.org/upcoming-contacts.html for information about upcoming contacts as they are scheduled.
[ANS thanks ARISS, Dave, AA4KN, and Charlie, AJ9N for the above information]
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In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive addi- tional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office.
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 stu- dent rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status. Contact Martha at the AMSAT Office for additional student membership information.
73, This week's ANS Editor, Joe Spier, K6WAO k6wao at amsat dot org