AMSAT/TAPR Banquet to Feature Ray Roberge, WA1CYB, Update on AMSAT’s SDR Gen2
ARISS SSTV Series 31 “World Space Commemoration” Concludes Successfully
AMSAT Participates in CubeSat Developers Workshop 2026
New 2026 ITU Handbook on Amateur and Amateur-Satellite Services Released
Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for April 3, 2026
Ambassador Events
ARISS News
Satellite Shorts from All Over
The AMSAT(R) 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 .
AMSAT/TAPR Banquet to Feature Ray Roberge, WA1CYB, Update on AMSAT’s SDR Gen2
Ray Roberge, WA1CYB, will be the speaker at the 17th annual AMSAT/TAPR Banquet. Roberge, a member of AMSAT’s Engineering team, will speak about progress on AMSAT’s SDR Gen2 project, including what it does and where it can be used.
AMSAT’s SDR Gen2 is a versatile, programmable GNU Radio transceiver/transponder designed for a 1U CubeSat footprint. The transceiver has 144 MHz – 6 GHz continuous coverage with 10 GHz coverage expected as well. The transceiver will support direct VHF, UHF, L, S, C, and X band operations in all modes – CW, SSB, FT8, NBFM, SSTV, FSTV, etc. and a downlink data rate of up to 1 MBps. This transceiver is being built to fly on GOLF and FoxPlus missions and will be both open source hardware and software.
AMSAT SDR Gen 2 Circuit Board (WA1CYB Graphic)
The 17th annual AMSAT/TAPR Banquet will be held at the Kohler Presidential Banquet Center on Friday, May 15th at 18:30 EDT. This dinner is always a highlight of the TAPR (Tucson Amateur Packet Radio) and AMSAT (Radio Amateur Satellite Corp.) activities during the Dayton Hamvention.
The Kohler Presidential Banquet Center is located at 4548 Presidential Way, Kettering, Ohio – about 20 minutes away from the Greene County Fairgrounds.
Tickets ($75 each) may be purchased from the AMSAT store at https://www.amsat.org/product-category/amsat-at-hamvention/. The banquet ticket purchase deadline is Monday, May 11th at 17:00 EDT / 21:00 UTC. Banquet tickets must be purchased in advance and will not be sold at the AMSAT booth. There will be no tickets to pick up at the AMSAT booth. Tickets purchased on-line will be maintained on a list with check-in at the door at the banquet center. Seating is limited to the number of meals reserved with the Kohler caterers based on the number of tickets sold by the deadline.
[ANS thanks the AMSAT Hamvention team for the above information.]
The 2026 President’s Club Coin is Now Here! Help Support GOLF and FoxPlus.
ARISS SSTV Series 31 “World Space Commemoration” Concludes Successfully
The ARISS Slow Scan Television (SSTV) Series 31 event, themed “World Space Commemoration,” ran from April 10 through April 14, 2026. Transmissions were made on 437.550 MHz FM using the Robot 36 mode from the International Space Station. Images celebrated major space milestones, including Cosmonautics Day and the Space Shuttle program.
ARISS SSTV Award (N0UW Photo)
Amateur radio operators worldwide captured the SSTV pictures and submitted them to the official ARISS SSTV gallery at https://ariss-usa.org/ARISS_SSTV/. Many participants received commemorative certificates for successful receptions. The event provided an excellent opportunity for stations of all experience levels to practice satellite reception techniques and enjoy space-themed imagery.
[ANS thanks ARISS for the above information]
AMSAT Remove Before Flight Key Tags Now Available Yes, These are the Real Thing!
AMSAT Participates in CubeSat Developers Workshop 2026
AMSAT was well represented at the CubeSat Developers Workshop 2026 (CDW26), held April 14–16 at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California. AMSAT President Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, delivered updates on amateur satellite projects and conducted live on-air demonstrations using the RS-44 linear transponder in SSB mode. Workshop attendees were able to listen to and participate in real-time amateur radio satellite contacts, experiencing firsthand the capabilities of the amateur-satellite service.
The annual workshop brings together students, educators, researchers, and industry professionals to share advances in small-satellite technology through presentations, panels, and exhibits. AMSAT’s active participation continues to strengthen connections between the amateur radio community and the broader CubeSat developer ecosystem, opening doors for future collaborative amateur radio payloads.
[ANS thanks Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, AMSAT President, for the above information.]
New 2026 ITU Handbook on Amateur and Amateur-Satellite Services Released
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has published the 2026 edition of the Handbook on Amateur and Amateur-Satellite Services . The updated reference provides comprehensive information on the amateur and amateur-satellite services, including relevant ITU regulatory texts, technical guidelines, and operational practices.
IARU President Tim Ellam, VE6SH/G4HUA, highlighted the handbook’s release, noting its value to national administrations, regulators, and amateur radio organizations worldwide. The document serves as an essential resource for anyone involved in frequency coordination, licensing, or satellite project planning.
Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for April 17, 2026
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 satellites have permanent object numbers assigned:
SAL-E NORAD Cat ID 68458 DISCO 2 NORAD Cat ID 68431 HADES-SA (SpinnyONE) NORAD Cat ID 68446 JACK-002 NORAD Cat ID 68417 PARUS-6U1 NORAD Cat ID 68456
[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.
Successful Contacts Scouts Australia Western Australia Branch, Mount Hawthorn, Western Australia, Australia, telebridge via AB1OC. The ISS callsign was NA1SS. The crewmember was Jack Hathaway, KJ5NIV. The ARISS mentor was Shane Lynd, VK4KHZ. Contact was successful on Friday, April 17, 2026 at 10:22 UTC.
Scheduled Contacts Elementary School “Slava Raskaj”, Ozalj, Croatia, direct via 9A1CUA. The ISS callsign was OR4ISS. The crewmember was Chris Williams, KJ5GEW. The ARISS mentor was Ferrario Gianpietro, IZ2GOJ. Contact was successful on Monday, April 13, 2026 at 08:57 UTC .
University of Bordeaux (IUT de Bordeaux), GEII department, Gradignan, France, direct via F5KBW. The ISS callsign was OR4ISS. The crewmember was Sophie Adenot, KJ5LTN. The ARISS mentor was Joseph Le Moine, F6ICS. Contact is go for Monday, April 20, 2026 at 08:12:45 UTC.
Diamond Harbour School, Christchurch, New Zealand, telebridge via IK1SLD. The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS. The scheduled crewmember is Jack Hathaway, KJ5NIV. The ARISS mentor is Shane Lynd,VK4KHZ. Contact is go for Monday, April 20, 2026 at 09:51:10 UTC.
ASU Preparatory STEM Academy, Mesa, AZ, direct via WB7TJD. The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS. The scheduled crewmember is Chris Williams KJ5GE, Jack Hathaway KJ5NIV, or Sophie Adenot, KJ5LTN. The ARISS mentor is Dale Young, K4RGK and Brian Karley, KM4YHZ. Contact is go for Wednesday, April 23, 2026 at 17:39:24 UTC. Watch for Livestream at https://www.youtube.com/user/ASUPrepAcademy.
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.
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.
[ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team mentors 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.
May 15-17, 2026 Dayton Hamvention Greene County Fair and Expo Center 210 Fairground Road Xenia 45385 https://hamvention.org/
October 8-11, 2026 44th AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual Membership Meeting Crowne Plaza JAX Airport 14670 Duval Road Jacksonville, FL 32218 Details to follow
[ANS thanks Bo Lowrey, W4FCL, Director – AMSAT Ambassador Program, for the above information.]
Satellite Shorts From All Over
FO-29’s full-sunlight period ends on April 21, 2026. The next full-sunlight period begins on approximately May 20th. See ANS-102 for the scheduled activations during the upcoming eclipse period. [ANS thanks JARL for the above information.]
ITU Corporation has purchased the former Linton (Indiana) National Guard Armory to serve as the new manufacturing hub for Hy-gain and Cushcraft. Martin F. Jue, President and founder of MFJ Enterprises, Inc., was pleased to announce the sale of the Hy-gain and Cushcraft antenna, rotator, and communication product lines to ITU Corporation , a 25 year old Indiana engineering and manufacturing company. The designs, tooling, specialized equipment, manufacturing and marketing rights for Hy-gain and Cushcraft antennas and rotators are included in the sale. Read the complete story at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-109-Hy-gain-Cushcraft. [ANS thanks www.lintonnews.com for the above information.]
In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to:
Societies (a recognized group, clubs or organization). Students are eligible for FREE membership up to age 25. 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, Frank Karnauskas, N1UW. f.karnauskas [at] amsat [dot] org
ANS is a service of AMSAT, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, 712 H Street NE, Suite 1653, Washington, DC 20002. AMSAT is a registered trademark of the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation.
AMSAT Satellite Status Page: The Story Behind the New Colors and Satellite Naming Convention
IARU Coordination Requested for VemanaReddySat
FO-29 Update
Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for April 10, 2026
ARISS News
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
The 2026 Dayton Hamvention will be held Friday through Sunday, May 15–17, 2026, at the Greene County Fairgrounds in Xenia, Ohio. AMSAT will once again have a strong presence throughout the event, including booth activities, social gatherings, and the annual AMSAT Forum.
The 17th annual TAPR/AMSAT Banquet will be held Friday, May 15 at 6:30 PM EDT (18:30 EDT) at the Kohler Presidential Banquet Center, 4548 Presidential Way, Kettering, Ohio 45429, located approximately 20 minutes from the Greene County Fairgrounds. This dinner is a highlight of the TAPR (Tucson Amateur Packet Radio) and AMSAT (Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation) activities during Hamvention. The banquet speaker will be announced at a later date.
Tickets are $75 each and may be purchased through the AMSAT store. The deadline to purchase banquet tickets is Monday, May 11 at 17:00 EDT (21:00 UTC). Tickets must be purchased in advance and will not be sold at the AMSAT booth or at the door. There will be no tickets available for pickup at the AMSAT booth. Tickets purchased online will be maintained on a list, with check-in at the door at the banquet center. Seating is limited to the number of meals reserved with the Kohler caterers based on ticket sales by the deadline.
The annual AMSAT “Dinner at Tickets” gathering will take place Thursday, May 14 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT at Tickets Pub & Eatery, 7 W. Main Street, Fairborn, Ohio 45324. Telephone (937) 878-9022. This informal event features no program or speaker, offering an opportunity for conversation and camaraderie. All are welcome, regardless of participation in booth setup or operations. Food may be ordered from the menu, and drinks, including beer, wine, sodas, and iced tea, are available at the bar. No reservations are required.
AMSAT is seeking volunteers to assist at the AMSAT booth, located in Building 1, booths 1007–1010 and 1107–1110. Volunteers are encouraged to contribute as much time as they are able, whether for a few hours or the entire weekend. In 2025, approximately 20 volunteers supported AMSAT’s activities and engagement with attendees.
Those interested in volunteering or requesting additional information may contact Phil Smith, W1EME, AMSAT Hamvention Team Leader, via email at w1eme [at] astrocom.net. Volunteer participation plays an important role in supporting AMSAT’s presence and outreach within the amateur radio community.
The AMSAT Forum will be held Saturday, May 16 from 1:50 PM to 3:10 PM EDT in Forum Room 2.
Additional details, including the banquet speaker announcement, will be provided as they become available.
[ANS thanksthe AMSAT Hamvention team for the above information]
AMSAT Remove Before Flight Key Tags Now AvailableYes, These are the Real Thing!
AMSAT will participate in the CubeSat Developers Workshop 2026 (CDW26), scheduled for April 14–16, 2026, at the Performing Arts Center on the campus of California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) in San Luis Obispo, California.
The CubeSat Developers Workshop is the premier annual gathering for the small satellite community. Hosted by the Cal Poly CubeSat Laboratory, the event typically draws more than 500 industry professionals, researchers, educators, and students. Attendees engage in three days of technical presentations, Q&A panels, exhibit booths, and extensive networking opportunities focused on CubeSat and small satellite design, development, testing, launch, and operations. The workshop is especially valuable for newcomers, offering direct access to experienced developers and lessons learned from real missions.
AMSAT’s presence at CDW26 underscores its long-standing commitment to advancing amateur radio in space through CubeSat platforms. AMSAT members and representatives plan to engage with the broader CubeSat community, share expertise on amateur satellite communications (including transponders, telemetry, and ground station operations), and explore collaboration opportunities with universities, educational groups, and commercial developers. This participation helps strengthen ties between the amateur radio satellite service and the wider smallsat ecosystem, where many university and student projects seek reliable, low-cost communication solutions that align with IARU-coordinated amateur frequencies.
[ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information]
AMSAT Satellite Status Page: The Story Behind the New Colors and Satellite Naming Convention
If you’ve visited the AMSAT Satellite Status page recently, you may have noticed the color scheme and satellite naming convention look a bit different. These changes have prompted some questions from the community, and we wanted to take a moment to explain the reasoning behind the updates.
Accessibility First
We received a request to change “Transponder/Repeater Operational” from blue to green, since green often means “good.” That made sense, so we made the change along with a few other minor color adjustments. When we rolled it out, however, we quickly heard from users who couldn’t distinguish “Transponder/Repeater Operational” from “No Signal Heard.” After some research, we learned that red-green color blindness affects roughly 10% of the population, and that’s just one of three prominent types of color vision deficiency, each affecting a different part of the spectrum.
After further research, we adopted the IBM Colorblind Palette, which allows 99.998% of people to reliably distinguish between five colors. While some users have suggested alternative color schemes, many of those proposals would reintroduce the same accessibility conflicts we set out to solve.
Handling Multiple Modes
As satellites grow more capable, many now carry multiple operating modes. Rather than assigning a separate color to each mode, which quickly becomes impractical when a single satellite may support five or six, we’ve given each mode its own line on the Status page. To accommodate this, we updated the naming convention from just the satellite name to the satellite name plus mode. For example, SSTV operations on the International Space Station now appear as ISS_[SSTV]. This approach scales cleanly as new multi-mode satellites come online.
We also renamed “Transponder/Repeater Operational” to “Satellite Active,” which simply means the mode you selected to report on is active. We made this change because “Transponder” and “Repeater” are two-way modes, and an increasing number of satellites are now being launched with interesting one-way modes other than just telemetry and beacons.
We’re always open to suggestions, but please remember, we are all volunteers at AMSAT!
[ANS thanks David Spoelstra, N9KT, AMSAT Web Manager, for the above information]
The 2026 President’s Club Coin is Now Here!Help Support GOLF and FoxPlus.
A new 1U CubeSat project from Vemana Institute of Technology in Bengaluru, India, has submitted a frequency coordination request to the IARU.
VemanaReddySat represents a student-led effort focused on educational and technology demonstration objectives. The project involves collaboration with the institute’s engineering departments, building on Vemana Institute of Technology’s growing interest in satellite image processing, CubeSat development, and space-data analytics.
According to the coordination application dated April 9, 2026, the satellite is planned as a 1U CubeSat carrying:
A UHF downlink for telemetry and occasional Robot 36 SSTV image transmissions.
LoRa capability intended for inter-satellite or experimental links.
The primary downlink will use 9k6 GFSK modulation. The mission aims to provide hands-on experience for students in spacecraft systems, communications, and payload operations while demonstrating low-cost amateur radio techniques in space.
Launch and Orbit Plans
The team targets a mid-2026 rideshare launch opportunity aboard an ISRO PSLV or SSLV vehicle. The planned orbit is approximately 450–500 km altitude with an inclination in the range of 35–60 degrees.
[ANS thanks the IARU for the above information]
Need new satellite antennas?Purchase M2 LEO-Packs from the AMSAT Store.
Fuji-OSCAR 29 (FO-29 / JAS-2), the long-lived Japanese amateur radio satellite launched in 1996, continues to operate its V/U inverting analog linear transponder under the control of the Japan Amateur Radio League (JARL). Because the onboard batteries have failed years ago, the satellite depends entirely on solar power and can only function when its solar panels are illuminated.
Current Status (April 2026)
FO-29 entered a full-sunlight orbit around March 9, 2026. During full-sunlight periods, the satellite experiences no or negligible eclipses, allowing the analog transponder to operate continuously on illuminated passes without scheduled command activations.
The first full-sunlight window began in early March 2026 and lasted approximately 40 days.
According to the JARL schedule, this continuous operation ends around April 21, 2026, after which the satellite will enter an eclipse period for about one month.
A second, longer full-sunlight period is expected from approximately May 20 to mid-November 2026, during which continuous operation should resume.
Transponder Details
Mode: V/U inverting linear transponder (SSB and CW only)
Uplink: 145.900 – 146.000 MHz (LSB)
Downlink: 435.800 – 435.900 MHz (USB)
CW Beacon: 435.795 MHz (typically 100 mW)
Digitalker: 435.910 MHz FM (rarely activated)
The digital BBS (1k2/9k6) remains non-operational.
Important Restriction: Digital modes are generally not permitted on the linear transponder due to licensing and operational constraints.
Operating Procedure
During eclipse periods (or the transition out of full sunlight), the JARL control team sends specific commands to activate the transponder at designated UTC times. If the transponder does not turn on within about 2 minutes of the command start, the team terminates the attempt.
During confirmed full-sunlight periods, no regular command schedule is needed — the transponder stays active whenever the satellite is in sunlight.
Operators should always check real-time status via AMSAT Live Satellite Status, OSCAR Status pages, or recent community reports, as voltage instability in the aging satellite can occasionally cause unexpected behavior.
April 2026 Specifics
In early-to-mid April 2026 (while still in the March full-sunlight window), expect the transponder to be available on most or all illuminated passes with no fixed on/off times. After approximately April 21, operation will shift back to scheduled command activations until the next full-sunlight season begins in late May.
The scheduled activations for the eclipse period are:
Follow linear transponder etiquette (listen before transmitting, keep signals clean).
Limit uplink power to avoid overloading the transponder (typically no more than a few watts with a modest antenna).
The JARL page provides the detailed historical and upcoming command schedules for eclipse periods across 2025–2026. For the absolute latest status and any updates from the Japanese control team, monitor the official JARL FO-29 page, AMSAT.org, and AMSAT bulletins.
FO-29’s continued operation nearly 30 years after launch remains a testament to robust engineering and the dedication of the JARL team.
[ANS thanks JARL for the above information]
Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for April 10, 2026
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/.
There are no changes to this week’s TLE distribution.
[ANS thanks Joe Fitzgerald, KM1P, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager, for the above information]
Join AMSAT or Renew Now. . . Download a Free ‘Getting Started with Amateur Satellites’ Book!
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.
Scheduled Contacts
Elementary School “Slava Raskaj”, Ozalj, Croatia, direct via 9A1CUA
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The scheduled crewmember is Chris Williams KJ5GEW The ARISS mentor is IZ2GOJ
Contact is go for: Mon 2026-04-13 08:55:30 UTC 28 deg
Scouts Australia Western Australia Branch, Mount Hawthorn, Western Australia, Australia, telebridge via AB1OC
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled crewmember is Jack Hathaway KJ5NIV The ARISS mentor is VK4KHZ
Contact is go for: Fri 2026-04-17 10:20:48 UTC 71 deg
Many times a school may make a last minute decision to do a Livestream or run into a last minute glitch requiring a change of the URL but we at ARISS may not get the URL in time for publication. You can always check https://live.ariss.org/ to see if a school is Livestreaming.
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 crew member 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. Service Module radio: Not in APRS configuration; only being used for voice contacts at this time. Default mode is for packet operations (145.825 MHz up & down) but occasionally used for SSTV (145.800 MHz down).
Ham TV – Configured. Default mode is for scheduled digital amateur television operations (2395.00 MHz). 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]
Want to fly the colors on your own grid expedition? Get an 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
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.
May 15-17, 2026 Dayton Hamvention Greene County Fair and Expo Center 210 Fairground Road Xenia 45385 https://hamvention.org/
October 8-11, 2026 44th AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual Membership Meeting Crowne Plaza JAX Airport 14670 Duval Road Jacksonville, FL 32218 Details to follow
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
+ ARISS SSTV Series 31 “World Space Commemoration” kicked off on April 10, 2026, on 437.550 MHz FM using Robot 36 mode. Transmissions run through April 14 and feature images honoring Cosmonautics Day, the 100th anniversary of liquid-fueled rockets, the first Space Shuttle launch, and SuitSat. Operators worldwide are actively tracking passes and sharing receptions.
+ Amateur radio operators continued supporting NASA’s Artemis II lunar flyby mission. A network of 34 ARISS- and AMSAT-affiliated stations is providing supplementary tracking of the Orion spacecraft’s S-band signals, with notable contributions from experienced satellite tracker Scott Tilley, VE7TIL. The mission splashed down on April 10th in the Pacific Ocean.
+ A new version of the UZ7HO SoundModem software for HADES-SA/SpinnyONE is now available, with bug fixes and supporting tools for SSDV image decoding and CODEC2. Downloads are posted on the AMSAT-EA website.
In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to:
Societies (a recognized group, clubs or organization).
Students are eligible for FREE membership up to age 25.
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] amsat.org
ANS is a service of AMSAT, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, 712 H Street NE, Suite 1653, Washington, DC 20002. AMSAT is a registered trademark of the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation.
44th AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual Membership Meeting Announced
ARISS Solicits School Contacts for 2007
VUCC & DXCC Standings April 2026
ARISS and AMSAT: On Track to Track Artemis 2
GridMasterMap Satellite Top 100 Rovers April 2026 Rankings
Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for April 3, 2026
ARISS Plans SSTV Event for April
Ambassador Events
ARISS News
Satellite Shorts from All Over
The AMSAT(R) 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 .
44th AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual Meeting Announced
Save the dates October 8-11, 2026 for the 44th AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual Membership Meeting. The site of the meeting will be in Jacksonville, Florida at the Crowne Plaza JAX Airport.
Credit: Crowne Plaza JAX Airport
While an exact schedule will be available in the weeks ahead, you can tentatively plan on this Symposium and Annual Membership meeting per the customary format:
Thursday, October 8, 0800-1700: Board of Directors Meeting Friday, October 9, 0800-1100: Board of Directors Feeing Friday, October 9, 1300-1700: Symposium Presentations Saturday, October 10, 0800-1500: Symposium Presentations Saturday, October 10, 1500-1700: Annual Membership Meeting Sunday, October, 11, 0700-0900: Membership Breakfast
Rooms will be available at a very affordable $109 per night! A link for room reservations will be available shortly. But, no need to wait! Mark your calendar now for the highlight of the AMSAT year with an opportunity to catch up with old friends and make new ones, too. Follow AMSAT News Service for updates as they happen!
[ANS thanks Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, AMSAT President, for the above information.]
The 2026 President’s Club Coin is Now Here! Help Support GOLF and FoxPlus.
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 January 1, 2027 – June 30, 2027. 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.
This proposal is due to ARISS by May 22, 2026 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time. Proposal information and more details such as expectations, proposal guidelines and the proposal form can be found at https://www.ariss.org. An informational webinar will be held at 8 PM ET on April 30. The zoom link for that webinar is https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/3yid9dxzRkmYfVroIP0nWA .
Crew members aboard the International Space Station will participate in scheduled Amateur Radio contacts. These radio contacts are approximately 10 minutes in length and allow students to interact with the astronauts through a question-and-answer session.
An ARISS contact is a voice-only communication opportunity via Amateur Radio between astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the space station and classrooms and communities. ARISS contacts afford education audiences the opportunity to learn firsthand from astronauts what it is like to live and work in space and to learn about space research conducted on the ISS. Students also will have an opportunity to learn about satellite communication, wireless technology, and radio science. Because of the nature of human spaceflight and the complexity of scheduling activities aboard the ISS, organizations must demonstrate flexibility to accommodate changes in dates and times of the radio contact.
[ANS thanks the ARISS-USA for the above information.]
AMSAT Remove Before Flight Key Tags Now Available Yes, These are the Real Thing!
Your $20 Donation Goes to Help Fly a FoxPlus Satellite Includes First Class Postage (Sorry – U.S. Addresses Only) Order Today at https://www.amsat.org/product/amsat-remove-before-flight-keychain
VUCC & DXCC Standings April 2026
This is the VUCC Satellite Award/Endorsement Change Summary for March 01, 2026 to April 01, 2026.
EA2AA
1170
1206
JH8FIH
505
869
JN1BPM
630
804
JI5USJ
450
505
OH3DP
401
451
JI5RPT/1
200
300
IK0WRB
213
242
W0PR
224
230
WD9EWK (DM22)
200
204
PY3YO
100
160
PP5BY
New
100
Congratulations to new VUCC Satellite holder PP5BY. PP5BY is first VUCC Satellite holder from GG53
No DXCC standings, DXCC-SAT nor any of the other DXCC awards have been updated since Feb 5, 2026
[ANS thanks Jon Goering, N7AZ, for the above information.]
Join AMSAT or Renew Now. . . Download a Free ‘Getting Started with Amateur Satellites’ Book!
When the Artemis 2 mission with four astronauts departs for deep space sometime in April, a team of ARISS and AMSAT volunteers will be “watching” from afar. Specifically, our experts will use a multinational network of ground station receivers to capture the Orion capsule’s one-way S-band communications with mission control as a secondary means of tracking the spacecraft.
While NASA’s Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) program will depend on the Near Space and Deep Space Network for primary tracking of the Orion during its 10-day mission around the moon and back, it has also selected 34 individuals and groups (including an ARISS and AMSAT consortium) across 14 countries to provide an independent source of tracking data using the radio waves generated by normal communications.
(Credit: NASA/John Kraus)
The concept works. For Artemis 1, an uncrewed launch into low-Earth orbit in 2022, 10 individuals successfully tracked Orion throughout its mission. Based on lessons learned from that experience, SCaN now has data standards that Artemis 2 passive trackers will use when sending the data to NASA.
Another lesson SCaN learned from Artemis 1 was that there is a lot of interest in passive tracking. SCaN in August 2025 issued an official request for information (RFI) to government agencies, companies, amateur radio organizations and enthusiasts to participate in Artemis 2 tracking. According to NASA, those chosen through the RFI will use 47 ground assets in 14 countries to help the agency “better assess the broader aerospace community’s tracking capabilities and identify ways to augment future Moon and Mars mission support.”
ARISS and AMSAT are teamed up under the auspices of the AREx (Amateur Radio Exploration) Ground Station Consortium. AREx is a joint ARISS and AMSAT international effort to develop and operate amateur radio systems for deep space, starting at the moon and later to Mars. The team will provide one-way doppler tracking of the S-band signals from space, recording the data and delivering it to SCaN in the proper format.
The AREx worldwide consortium includes teams in the United States (University of Southern California, and Dayton, Ohio); the UK (Goonhilly); Germany, and Poland. Other AREx team members who supported the Artemis I initiative are also participating separately. ARISS operations team member Daryl Young is serving as the Project Manager for the Artemis 2 tracking project.
For the latest updates on Artemis 2 and other exciting ARISS news, please follow our Facebook, X, Instagram, BlueSky, Mastodon, LinkedIn, YouTube and Discord social media channels.
[ANS thanks ARISS-USA for the above information.]
GridMasterMap Satellite Top 100 Rovers April 2026 Rankings
The April 2026 rankings for the Top 100 Rovers (Mixed LEO/MEO/GEO) in satellite operations, as determined by @GridMasterMap on Twitter, has been released as of April 3, 2026.
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 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.
1
ND9M
26
BA1PK
51
K7TAB
76
M1DDD
2
NJ7H
27
KG5CCI
52
KE0WPA
77
N8RO
3
UT1FG
28
KX9X
53
KE0PBR
78
VA7LM
4
JA9KRO
29
DJ8MS
54
XE3DX
79
DL4EA
5
N5UC
30
N5BO
55
WD5GRW
80
SP5XSD
6
F5VMJ
31
K8BL
56
LU4JVE
81
N6UTC
7
DL6AP
32
ON4AUC
57
W7WGC
82
N4UFO
8
DP0POL
33
KE4AL
58
PR8KW
83
VE7PTN
9
WI7P
34
AC0RA
59
JK2XXK
84
PT2AP
10
K5ZM
35
KB5FHK
60
EA4NF
85
VE1VOX
11
OE3SEU
36
PA3GAN
61
EB1AO
86
AA8CH
12
WY7AA
37
JO2ASQ
62
XE1ET
87
KB2YSI
13
LU5ILA
38
F4BKV
63
N6DNM
88
KI7UXT
14
N6UA
39
KI0KB
64
W8LR
89
AF5CC
15
HA3FOK
40
KI7UNJ
65
W1AW
90
KJ7NDY
16
W5PFG
41
VA3VGR
66
SM3NRY
91
BI1MHK
17
OH2UDS
42
VE3HLS
67
KI7QEK
92
PT9BM
18
N9IP
43
BG7QIW
68
KE9AJ
93
FG8OJ
19
AK8CW
44
LA9XGA
69
F4DXV
94
BG5CZD
20
AD0DX
45
HJ5LVR
70
VE1CWJ
95
YU0W
21
AD0HJ
46
VK5DG
71
HB9GWJ
96
PU4CEB
22
DL2GRC
47
BA8AFK
72
AA5PK
97
W8MTB
23
N4AKV
48
N7AGF
73
PU6JBN
98
N4DCW
24
WD9EWK
49
DF2ET
74
AD7DB
99
PS8BR
25
ND0C
50
JL3RNZ
75
KM4LAO
100
WA9JBQ
[ANS thanks @GridMasterMap and Mitch Ahrenstorff, AD0HJ, 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!
Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for April 3, 2026
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 satellites have been added to this week’s AMSAT TLE distribution. They have provisional object numbers that will change once official USSF/NORAD numbers are assigned
HADES-SA/SpinnyONE Provisional ID 71958 LILIUM-4 Provisional ID 71922 PARUS-6U1 Provisional ID 71919 JACK-002 Provisional ID 71927 SAL-E Provisional ID 71904 DISCO-2 Provisional ID 71908
[ANS thanks Joe Fitzgerald, KM1P, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager for the above information.]
ARISS Plans SSTV Event for April
ARISS is planning for a 70cm (437 MHz) event for the week of April 12, 2026.
The ARISS teams are preparing a new series of SSTV transmissions for the event. The SSTV Series 31 images will pay tribute to Cosmonautics Day, the 100th anniversary of liquid-fueled rockets, the inaugural Space Shuttle launch and SuitSat.
Exact times, frequencies and modes will be announced closer to the event. Follow ARISS social media for updates.
[ANS thanks the ARISS-USA 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.
+ Completed Contacts Aznakaevsky District, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, direct via RC4P. The ISS callsign was RSØISS. The crewmember was Andrey Fedyaev. The ARISS mentor was A.R.C. ENERGIA, RV3DR. Contact was successful on Monday, March 30, 2026 at 11:55 UTC.
Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys The Langton, Canterbury, United Kingdom, direct via GB4SLS. The ISS callsign was NA1SS. The crewmember was Jack Hathaway, KJ5NIV. The ARISS mentor was Ciaran Morgan, MØXTD . Contact was successful on Monday, March 30, 2026 at 13:28 UTC.
Istituto Comprensivo “Gabriele D’Annunzio” Lanciano, Chieti, Italy, direct via IQ6LN. AND Istituto Comprensivo “Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi”, Pontedera, Italy, telebridge via IQ6LN. The ISS callsign was OR4ISS. The crewmember was Sophie Adenot KJ5LTN The ARISS mentorwas Francesco De Paolis, IKØWGF Contact was successful on Wednesday, April 1, 2026 at 11:56:09 UTC.
Walnut Grove Elementary School, Suwanee, GA, direct via KR4HPC. The ISS callsign was NA1SS. The crewmember was Chris Williams, KJ5GEW. The ARISS mentor was, Daryl Young, K4RGK. Contact was successful on Thursday, April 2, 2026 at 15:41:23 UTC.
+ Upcoming Contacts Emporia State University, School of Science & Mathematics, Emporia, KS, direct via KØESU. The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS. The scheduled crewmember is Sophie Adenot, KJ5LTN. The ARISS mentor is Ryan Krenzischek, W4NTR. Contact is go for Wednesday, April 8, 2026 at 14:10:31 UTC.
Lycée du Vimeu, Friville-Escarbotin, France, direct via F6KVJ. The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS. The scheduled crewmember is Sophie Adenot, KJ5LTN. The ARISS mentor is Joseph Le Moine, F6ICS. Contact is go for Thursday, April 9, 2026 at 10:27:02 UTC.
Albert Camus Middle School, La Norville, France, telebridge via ON4ISS. The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS. The scheduled crewmember is Jack Hathaway, KJ5NIV. The ARISS mentor is Joseph Le Moine, F6ICS. Contact is go for Thursday, April 9, 2026 at 12:04:25 UTC.
Memorial Complex of Soviet Pilot-Cosmonaut A.G. Nikolaev, Chuvashia, Russia. The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS. The scheduled crewmember is Sergey Mikaev. The ARISS mentor is A.R.C. ENERGIA, RV3DR. Contact is go for Friday, April 10, 2026 at 10 08:10 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.
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.
[ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team mentors 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.
April 17-19, 2026 Southeastern VHF Society Conference Holiday Inn Macon North 3953 River Place Dr Macon, Georgia 31201 https://svhfs.org/wp/2026-2/ W4FCL
April 11, 2026 Tucson Area Spring Hamfest Radio Society of Tucson Calvary Tucson Church 8711 East Speedway Tucson, AZ 85710 https://k7rst.club/ N1UW
May 15-17, 2026 Dayton Hamvention Greene County Fair and Expo Center 210 Fairground Road Xenia 45385 https://hamvention.org/
October 8-11, 2026 44th AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual Membership Meeting Crowne Plaza JAX Airport 14670 Duval Road Jacksonville, FL 32218 Details to follow
[ANS thanks Bo Lowrey, W4FCL, Director – AMSAT Ambassador Program, for the above information.]
Satellite Shorts From All Over
The two-hour launch window of the Artemis II mission provided a practical example of the effects of space debris and satellite crowding. During the launch window, NASA was required to respect approximately 156 “cuts.” A cut is a period when the rocket could not be launched due to the risk of collision with a satellite or trackable debris in low-earth orbit. Each cut can last from one to twenty-three seconds. The NASA-TV commentator noted that it wasn’t many years earlier when the number of cuts for this type of mission was only in the forties. [ANS thanks NASA-TV for the above information.]
A new version of the Andy UZ7HO SoundModem program for HADES-SA SpinnyONE is now available, fixing several detected bugs. You can download it at: https://www.amsat-ea.org/app/download/14224014/UZ7HO_Soundmodem_for_HADES_SA_SpinnyONE.zip. Additionally, tools for decoding SSDV images and CODEC2 (Windows versions) are available at: https://www.amsat-ea.org/app/download/14224021/AMSAT-EA_HADES-SA_SpinnyONE_SSDV_utilities.zip https://www.amsat-ea.org/app/download/14224194/AMSAT-EA_HADES-SA_SpinnyONE_CODEC2_utilities.zip. [ANS thanks Félix EA4GQS for the above information.]
In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to:
Societies (a recognized group, clubs or organization). Students are eligible for FREE membership up to age 25. 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
ANS is a service of AMSAT, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, 712 H Street NE, Suite 1653, Washington, DC 20002. AMSAT is a registered trademark of the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation.
* AMSAT Announces Full Lineup of Events and Activities for Hamvention 2026
* AMSAT CubeSatSim Lite Available Again for Purchase Through AMSAT Store
* New “Ground Station” Software Streamlines Satellite Tracking and Decoding
* KrakenRF Announces Discovery Drive Az/El Rotator for Satellite Operations
* Artemis II to Deploy International CubeSats into High Earth Orbit
* Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for March 27, 2026
* ARISS News
* 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
AMSAT Announces Full Lineup of Events and Activities for Hamvention 2026
The 2026 Dayton Hamvention will be held Friday through Sunday, May 15–17, 2026, at the Greene County Fairgrounds in Xenia, Ohio. AMSAT will once again have a strong presence throughout the event, including booth activities, social gatherings, and the annual AMSAT Forum.
The 17th annual TAPR/AMSAT Banquet will be held Friday, May 15 at 6:30 PM EDT (18:30 EDT) at the Kohler Presidential Banquet Center, 4548 Presidential Way, Kettering, Ohio 45429, located approximately 20 minutes from the Greene County Fairgrounds. This dinner is a highlight of the TAPR (Tucson Amateur Packet Radio) and AMSAT (Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation) activities during Hamvention. The banquet speaker will be announced at a later date.
Tickets are $75 each and may be purchased through the AMSAT store. The deadline to purchase banquet tickets is Monday, May 11 at 17:00 EDT (21:00 UTC). Tickets must be purchased in advance and will not be sold at the AMSAT booth or at the door. There will be no tickets available for pickup at the AMSAT booth. Tickets purchased online will be maintained on a list, with check-in at the door at the banquet center. Seating is limited to the number of meals reserved with the Kohler caterers based on ticket sales by the deadline.
The annual AMSAT “Dinner at Tickets” gathering will take place Thursday, May 14 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT at Tickets Pub & Eatery, 7 W. Main Street, Fairborn, Ohio 45324. Telephone (937) 878-9022. This informal event features no program or speaker, offering an opportunity for conversation and camaraderie. All are welcome, regardless of participation in booth setup or operations. Food may be ordered from the menu, and drinks, including beer, wine, sodas, and iced tea, are available at the bar. No reservations are required.
AMSAT is seeking volunteers to assist at the AMSAT booth, located in Building 1, booths 1007–1010 and 1107–1110. Volunteers are encouraged to contribute as much time as they are able, whether for a few hours or the entire weekend. In 2025, approximately 20 volunteers supported AMSAT’s activities and engagement with attendees.
Those interested in volunteering or requesting additional information may contact Phil Smith, W1EME, AMSAT Hamvention Team Leader, via email at w1eme [at] astrocom.net. Volunteer participation plays an important role in supporting AMSAT’s presence and outreach within the amateur radio community.
The AMSAT Forum will be held Saturday, May 16 from 1:50 PM to 3:10 PM EDT in Forum Room 2.
Additional details, including the banquet speaker announcement, will be provided as they become available.
[ANS thanks Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, Executive Vice President for the above information]
AMSAT CubeSatSim Lite Available Again for Purchase Through AMSAT Store
The AMSAT CubeSatSim Lite, a low-cost, fully assembled satellite simulator, is once again available for purchase through the AMSAT Store. The device is designed to help users learn about satellite communications by transmitting simulated telemetry signals that can be received with common amateur radio equipment.
Operating on the 70 cm amateur band at 434.900 MHz, the CubeSatSim Lite allows users to receive and decode signals using a wide range of radios and software-defined radio (SDR) setups. Digital telemetry and images can be decoded using software such as FoxTelem, APRS decoders, or SSTV applications.
The CubeSatSim Lite provides a low-cost platform for simulated satellite telemetry and experimentation. [Credit: AMSAT]Once powered, the unit immediately begins transmitting simulated telemetry in seven different modes, including FUNcube and a cross-band repeater mode.
The CubeSatSim Lite comes fully assembled and includes:
Raspberry Pi Zero 2W with preloaded microSD card
SMA antennas
USB sound card
Pi Camera
USB power cable and power supply
The unit includes a pushbutton and LED indicators for control and status. Users can also connect the CubeSatSim Lite to a network via the built-in Wi-Fi capability of the Raspberry Pi, allowing for configuration changes, mode selection, and further customization.
The CubeSatSim Lite is priced at $150, including shipping to U.S. addresses. Additional information, including documentation and operating details, is available through the CubeSatSim Wiki and README resources.
[ANS thanks Alan Johnston, KU2Y, for the above information]
New “Ground Station” Software Streamlines Satellite Tracking and Decoding
A new open-source software project called “Ground Station” is gaining attention among amateur satellite operators as a unified platform for tracking, receiving, and decoding satellite signals. The software combines multiple functions typically handled by separate tools into a single system, offering a more streamlined approach to satellite operations.
Tracking programs, SDR control software, recording tools, and decoding utilities are often used together, sometimes requiring manual setup for each pass. “Ground Station” aims to simplify this process by automating the workflow from pass prediction through signal reception and decoding.
At its core, the software provides real-time satellite tracking using orbital data, along with automatic updates of satellite elements. It supports a variety of software-defined radios, allowing users to monitor and record signals from multiple satellites. The system also includes automated antenna rotator control and Doppler correction, helping keep signals centered during a pass.
The Ground Station satellite tracking view displays real-time position, orbital data, and pass predictions. [Credit: Ground Station GitHub]The platform is capable of scheduling and executing satellite observations automatically, reducing the need for operator intervention. During a pass, it can record IQ or audio data and process common digital modes, including telemetry formats used by many amateur satellites. This is useful for operators interested in telemetry collection, CubeSat monitoring, and general satellite experimentation.
In addition to amateur radio satellites, the software integrates with tools such as SatDump to decode weather satellite transmissions, including NOAA APT and other imaging formats. This expands its usefulness beyond traditional amateur satellites to include weather satellite reception and other downlink services commonly monitored by the amateur community.
“Ground Station” is an early-stage, actively developed open-source project available on GitHub at https://github.com/sgoudelis/ground-station. Users can learn more about the software and access installation instructions there. As development continues, it offers a path toward more fully integrated ground stations, lowering the barrier to entry for satellite reception while providing experienced operators with a flexible new tool to explore.
KrakenRF Announces Discovery Drive Az/El Rotator for Satellite Operations
KrakenRF has announced its Discovery Drive, a motorized azimuth/elevation antenna rotator now in a crowdfunding campaign on Crowd Supply. As of late March, the project has raised more than $117,000 toward its $314,550 goal, reaching approximately 37 percent of its funding goal with several weeks remaining in the campaign.
Discovery Drive is designed as a turnkey solution for satellite tracking using directional antennas such as dishes and Yagis. The unit arrives fully assembled and weatherproof, eliminating the need for mechanical assembly or custom controller integration. Setup consists of mounting the rotator to a mast or tripod, applying 12 V power, connecting via Wi-Fi or USB, and aligning the system to true north.
The rotator is intended to support a range of satellite operations, including polar-orbiting weather satellites such as METEOR-M2 and MetOp, as well as CubeSat and amateur radio satellite tracking. KrakenRF also highlights additional experimental applications, including hydrogen line radio astronomy using compatible dish systems and software such as Stellarium.
Discovery Drive azimuth/elevation rotator shown with a Discovery Dish for automated tracking applications. [Credit: KrakenRF]A recent video review from the SaveItForParts YouTube channel demonstrates a prototype unit in operation, including setup with a Discovery Dish and reception of multiple weather satellites. The video also shows use with a handheld Yagi antenna, with future testing of amateur radio satellites anticipated. The review is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7FiVWaXuXE.
Discovery Drive integrates with commonly used satellite tracking software through a rotctl-compatible network interface, allowing automatic control from applications such as SatDump, GPredict, and Look4Sat. It also supports USB serial control using the EasyComm II protocol via Hamlib. A browser-based web interface provides direct manual control and system configuration.
According to published specifications, the unit provides approximately ±1.5 degrees of pointing accuracy, with an azimuth range of ±360 degrees and elevation from 0 to 90 degrees. The system delivers up to 108 lb-in (12.25 N·m) of torque, supporting antennas up to approximately 11 pounds (5 kilograms). During the campaign, Discovery Drive is priced at $699, with a planned increase to at least $799 following the funding period. KrakenRF estimates a manufacturing timeline of approximately two months, followed by one to two months for fulfillment and delivery to backers.
Artemis II to Deploy International CubeSats into High Earth Orbit
When Artemis II lifts off on NASA’s Space Launch System in early April, four international CubeSats will be carried into space inside the Orion stage adapter. The satellites will be deployed into High Earth Orbit approximately five hours after launch, following separation from the upper stage and the Orion spacecraft.
The CubeSats will ride within a ring-shaped adapter structure that connects NASA’s Orion spacecraft to the SLS interim cryogenic propulsion stage. After Orion separates and establishes a safe distance, an onboard avionics unit inside the adapter will control deployment, releasing each CubeSat at one-minute intervals. This system ensures the satellites are deployed safely and without interference as the stage continues on its trajectory.
Although Artemis II’s primary objective is to send four astronauts on a crewed lunar flyby, the CubeSats will carry out independent scientific and technology demonstration missions. By flying as secondary payloads, these satellites provide additional research opportunities without affecting the main objectives of the mission.
Artemis II will carry four international CubeSats that deploy into High Earth Orbit after Orion fully separates. [Credit: NASA]Participating space agencies include the German Aerospace Center, the Korea Aerospace Administration, the Saudi Space Agency, and Argentina’s National Commission on Space Activities. The four CubeSats are named TACHELES from Germany, K-RadCube from South Korea, Space Weather CubeSat-1 from Saudi Arabia, and ATENEA from Argentina.
Each satellite is designed to carry out a unique mission. Germany’s TACHELES will study the effects of the space environment on electrical components, helping inform future deep-space systems. Other payloads will focus on radiation measurements, space weather monitoring, and validation of new technologies in a High Earth Orbit environment.
NASA officials note that CubeSats offer a relatively low-cost method for testing new technologies, though their small size presents challenges for long-duration missions. The Artemis II CubeSat program highlights the growing role of international cooperation under the Artemis Accords, while expanding access to space and enabling new scientific investigations beyond Earth orbit.
Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for March 27, 2026
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 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.
Scheduled Contacts
+ Recently Completed
Vauban, Ecole et Lycée français de Luxembourg, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg, direct via LX26LV
The ISS callsign was scheduled to be OR4ISS
The scheduled crewmember was Sophie Adenot KJ5LTN
The ARISS mentor was ON6TI
Contact was successful: Wed 2026-03-25 15:47:34 UTC
Amur State University, Blagoveshchensk, Russia, direct via TBD
The ISS callsign was scheduled to be RSØISS
The scheduled crewmember was Andrey Fedyaev
The ARISS mentor was RV3DR
Contact was successful: Thu 2026-03-26 08:50 UTC
MOBU, Ufa, Republic of Bashkortostan, Russia, direct via TBD
The ISS callsign was scheduled to be RSØISS
The scheduled crewmember was Sergey Kud-Sverchkov
The ARISS mentor was RV3DR
Contact was successful: Thu 2026-03-26 13:30 UTC
Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University, Kaliningrad, Russia, direct via TBD
The ISS callsign was scheduled to be RSØISS
The scheduled crewmember was Sergey Mikaev
The ARISS mentor was RV3DR
Contact was successful: Fri 2026-03-27 15:50 UTC
+ Upcoming Contacts
Aznakaevsky District, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, direct via TBD
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS
The scheduled crewmember is Andrey Fedyaev
The ARISS mentor is RV3DR
Contact is go for: Mon 2026-03-30 11:55 UTC
Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys The Langton, Canterbury, United Kingdom, direct via GB4SLS
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS
The scheduled crewmember is Jack Hathaway KJ5NIV
The ARISS mentor is MØXTD
Contact is go for: Mon 2026-03-30 13:28:38 UTC
Watch for Livestream at https://live.ariss.org/ AND watch HamTV at https://live.ariss.org/hamtv/
Istituto Comprensivo “Gabriele D’Annunzio” Lanciano, Chieti, Italy, direct via IQ6LN
Istituto Comprensivo “Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi”, Pontedera, Italy, telebridge via IQ6LN
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS
The scheduled crewmember is Sophie Adenot KJ5LTN
The ARISS mentor is IKØWGF
Contact is go for: Wed 2026-04-01 11:55:45 UTC
Watch for Livestream at:
Lanciano: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUtvnVa2NBo
Pontedera: http://www.youtube.com/live/KrEtbdTEAfA
Walnut Grove Elementary School, Suwanee, GA, direct via KR4HPC
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS
The scheduled crewmember is Chris Williams KJ5GEW
The ARISS mentor is K4RGK
Contact is go for: Thu 2026-04-02 15:40:55 UTC
Watch for Livestream at https://youtube.com/live/J1XJHvr4UlU? and/or https://live.ariss.org/
Many times, a school makes a last-minute decision to do a Livestream or runs into a last-minute glitch requiring a change of the URL, but we at ARISS may not get the URL in time for publication. You can always check https://live.ariss.org/ to see if a school is Livestreaming.
As always, if there is an EVA, a docking, or an undocking; the ARISS radios are turned off as part of the safety protocol.
ARISS has announced that SSTV Series 31 is being planned for April 10–14, 2026, on 437.55 MHz (± Doppler shift). Transmissions are expected to use Robot 36 mode with approximately 10 watts of transmit power, operating on a schedule of 36 seconds on and 2 minutes off. The SSTV Series 31 images are expected to include tributes to Cosmonautics Day, the 100th anniversary of liquid-fueled rockets, the inaugural Space Shuttle launch, and SuitSat. Additional details and confirmation of the event schedule are expected as planning continues.
The crossband repeater remains configured in the Columbus Module (145.990 MHz up {PL 67} & 437.800 MHz down). If a crewmember decides to pick up the microphone and turn up the volume, you may hear them on the air—so keep listening, as you never know when activity might occur.
Kenwood D710GA in the Zvezda Service Module – Call sign RS0ISS. Please note we’re still in the process of troubleshooting and testing this radio. HamTV in the Columbus Module is configured for scheduled digital amateur television operations on 2395.00 MHz.
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.
[ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team mentors 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,
“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
Tucson Area Spring Hamfest – April 11, 2026
Radio Society of Tucson
Calvary Tucson Church
8711 East Speedway
Tucson, AZ 85710 https://k7rst.club/
N1UW
Southeastern VHF Society Conference – April 17-19, 2026
Holiday Inn Macon North
3953 River Place Drive
Macon, Georgia 31201 https://svhfs.org/wp/2026-2/
W4FCL
+ Roscosmos launched Progress 94 cargo spacecraft at 11:59 UTC (7:59 a.m. EDT) on Sunday, March 22, aboard a Soyuz rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, carrying approximately three tons of food, fuel, and supplies for the Expedition 74 crew aboard the International Space Station. The spacecraft was originally expected to dock autonomously at the space-facing port of the Poisk module on Tuesday, March 24, following a two-day flight. Shortly after reaching orbit, one of its two KURS automated rendezvous antennas failed to deploy as planned, though all other systems continued to operate normally. As a result, cosmonaut Sergey Kud-Sverchkov manually piloted the spacecraft during final approach using the TORU remote control system from inside the Zvezda Service Module. Progress 94 successfully docked at 13:40 UTC (9:40 a.m. EDT) on Tuesday, March 24, completing the resupply mission despite the earlier anomaly. The spacecraft is expected to remain docked for about six months before departing the station for a planned destructive re-entry, disposing of trash loaded by the crew. (ANS thanks NASA for the above information)
+ About a month after an onboard anomaly caused a loss of contact with the Proba-3 Coronagraph spacecraft, mission controllers have successfully re-established communication. The Villafranca ground station in Spain, operated by the European Space Agency (ESA), received telemetry from the spacecraft, confirming it is once again transmitting health and status data. The Coronagraph is currently in a stable safe mode while engineers conduct detailed system checks to assess any potential damage. Its solar panel is properly oriented toward the Sun, allowing essential systems to remain powered and the battery to recharge. After weeks exposed to extreme cold, the spacecraft’s components will require time to warm up before normal operations can resume. Mission officials say the recovery is an encouraging milestone, though careful analysis and gradual recovery steps will be required before the mission can fully return to nominal activities. (ANS thanks the ESA for the above information)
+ NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission has demonstrated that a kinetic impact can alter the motion of an asteroid system, with new analysis confirming effects beyond the initial impact. The 2022 impact into the small asteroid Dimorphos not only shortened its orbit around the larger asteroid Didymos, but also slightly changed the motion of the entire binary system around the Sun. Scientists measured a change in orbital speed of about 11.7 microns per second, a tiny shift that could have significant long-term implications for planetary defense. The impact generated a cloud of ejecta that enhanced the momentum transfer, effectively doubling the push delivered by the spacecraft. Observations from both professional and amateur astronomers, including stellar occultation campaigns, were critical in confirming these results. Researchers note that even such small orbital changes, if applied early enough, could be sufficient to deflect a potentially hazardous asteroid away from Earth. (ANS thanks Space.com for the above information)
+ A unique NASA astronomy satellite may soon undergo an unprecedented rescue attempt as it faces an early end in orbit. The Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, launched in 2004 to study gamma-ray bursts, has been out of operation for more than a month and is gradually losing altitude due to atmospheric drag. NASA has awarded a $30 million contract to Katalyst Space Technologies to develop a robotic servicing spacecraft that will attempt to rendezvous with Swift and raise its orbit, extending the mission’s life. The planned rescue mission, scheduled for launch as early as June, would mark one of the first commercial attempts to dock with and service a satellite not originally designed for in-orbit repair. Engineers face significant challenges, including tight timelines, uncertain spacecraft conditions, and the risks associated with docking two large objects in low-Earth orbit. If successful, the mission could demonstrate a lower-cost approach to satellite servicing while preserving a valuable scientific asset. (ANS thanks Ars Technica for the above information)
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AMSAT is a registered trademark of the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation.
