Mark Johns

ANS-346 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins for Dec. 12

by

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

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/

In this edition:

  • Jonathan Brandenburg, KF5IDY, Appointed Assistant VP, Engineering
  • AMSAT-HB Has Been Established
  • World’s Smallest Lander from Japan will Put Ham Radio on the Moon
  • Analyzing Starlink Satellite Downlink Communications With SDR
  • ARISS Named Amateur Radio Newsline Newsmaker of the Year
  • Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for December 9, 2021
  • ARISS News
  • Upcoming Satellite Operations
  • Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events
  • Satellite Shorts From All Over

ANS-346 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

To: All RADIO AMATEURS
From: Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation
712 H Street NE, Suite 1653
Washington, DC 20002

DATE 2021 Dec 12

Jonathan Brandenburg, KF5IDY, Appointed Assistant VP, Engineering

At a meeting with the Board of Directors on Tuesday, December 7 VP Engineering appointed Jonathan Brandenburg as Assistant Vice President, Engineering to oversee a new program tentatively named “Fox Plus”.

“Jonathan brought a new idea to me, for continuous LEO presence through a refresh of AMSAT’s Fox-1 FM Satellite. In using the basic Fox-1 bus design, the ability to fly not only student STEM experiments but our own radio experiments as well, provides an opportunity to refresh the presence of LEO “Easy-Sat” type communications and bring in new volunteer engineers to develop the new transceiver and power supply needed to resurrect Fox-1 type CubeSats” said Jerry Buxton, VP Engineering.

“In addition, Jonathan has further intentions targeting frequent deliveries of Fox Plus CubeSats into orbit, wide use of open-source in the program, and utilizing the ASCENT platform for development of future iterations of Fox Plus.”

“The Fox Plus working title indicates both the continued Fox-1 type presence in LEO as well as the added growth in technology and human resources that will come with the program. I think it is a well thought, and very suitable name for the new program.”

The 2022 Engineering budget which was also part of the meeting and passed by the Board includes funds for the startup of the new program.

“Jonathan has a good vision and plan for this new program that will generate new engineering opportunities, especially focused on new volunteers working in groups on parts of the whole. Fox Plus will also provide the open source startup that we were seeking, and work on Fox Plus and through ASCENT should provide new technology for use beyond LEO as well, as we continue our course in returning to HEO” Buxton said.

Jonathan has already begun work, and will be reaching out with updates and information on how to volunteer as the program gets into gear in early 2022.

[ANS thanks Jerry Buxton, AMSAT VP Engineering, for the above information]

AMSAT-HB Has Been Established

A new amateur radio satellite organisation AMSAT-HB was formed in Switzerland on November 26, 2021.

With QO-100, interest in amateur radio services via satellites has also risen sharply in Switzerland. But not only the geostationary satellite fascinates the radio amateurs: The ARISS project (space station ISS), low-flying satellites, tracking of scientific deep space missions, etc., are attracting more and more attention. More and more experiments are being carried out with SDR technology in these areas.

But the colleges and universities are also increasingly concerned with the topic and are looking for help from various radio amateurs in Switzerland. These and other radio amateurs were of the opinion that it was time to join forces in Switzerland. For this reason, the AMSAT-HB was founded on Friday, November 26th, 2021 in Nottwil, Lucerne. The association has set itself the goal of promoting the amateur radio service via satellites in Switzerland, but also internationally.

The President of AMSAT-DL, Peter Gülzow – DB2OS, was involved in this project in advance. He suggested the establishment of an AMSAT-HB early on and also used his knowledge to help design it. When it was founded, Peter Gülzow took on the role of godparent and led the founding meeting live from Hanover via Web.

The following radio amateurs were involved as founding members (alphabetically according to callsign – the board positions in brackets)

• DB2OS, Peter Gülzow (founding god and now honorary member of AMSAT-HB)
• HB9ARK, Martin Klaper (Technical Responsible)
• HB9CQK, Frédéric Furrer
• HB9DUN / DH2VA, Achim Vollhardt
• HB9MFL, Armin Rösch
• HB9SKA, Thomas Frey (Actuary and Treasurer ad interim)
• HB9RYZ, Wolfgang Sidler (Vice President)
• HB9WDF, Michael Lipp (President)

One of the first decisions of the association was to apply to the USKA for collective membership.

AMSAT-HB
https://www.amsat-hb.org/
https://twitter.com/Amsat_hb

USKA
https://www.uska.ch/

[ANS thanks Thomas Frey, HB9SKA, Actuary AMSAT-HB for the above information]

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Join the 2021 President’s Club!
Score your 2″ 4-Color Accent Commemorative Coin.
This gold finished coin comes with
Full Color Certificate and Embroidered “Remove Before Flight” Key Tag
Donate today at
https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/
You won’t want to miss it!
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World’s Smallest Lander from Japan will Put Ham Radio on the Moon

Japan’s OMOTENASHI, the world’s smallest moon lander, will have an X-band and UHF communication system, although it will not carry an amateur band transponder. OMOTENASHI is a 6U CubeSat set for launch via a NASA SLS rocket as early as February 2022. It will have a mission period of from 4 to 5 days. The name is an acronym for Outstanding Moon Exploration Technologies demonstrated by Nano Semi-Hard Impactor. Wataru Torii of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Ham Radio Club, JQ1ZVI, said radio amateurs can play a role in gathering data from the spacecraft.

The spacecraft is made up of two separable components, both having independent communication systems — an orbiting module and a surface probe. The orbiting module will take the surface probe to the moon. It will transmit beacon or digital telemetry data on UHF (437.31 MHz). The surface probe — the moon lander — will transmit digital telemetry or three-axis acceleration analog-wave with FM modulation on UHF (437.41 MHz). Transmitter power will be 1 W in both cases.

“If we succeed in receiving the UHF signal from the surface probe, we could know the acceleration data on the impact on the moon and the success of the landing sequence,” Torii explained.

“We already have a station for uplink and downlink at Wakayama in Japan — used as an EME [moonbounce] station. However, if the satellite is invisible from Japan, we cannot receive the downlink signal. So, we need a lot of help from ham radio stations worldwide.”

The orbiting module beacon will transmit on 437.31 MHz using PSK31. The surface probe beacon will transmit on 437.41 MHz using FM, PSK31, and PCM-PSK/PM.

Contact Torii, JQ1ZVI, at torii.wataru [at] jaxa.jp for more information.

[ANS thanks ARRL for the above information]

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Need new satellite antennas? Purchase Arrows, Alaskan Arrows,
and 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/

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Analyzing Starlink Satellite Downlink Communications With SDR

Often, mere curiosity is sufficient to do something. This is also the case with people trying to analyze the communication setup and protocol which SpaceX is using with their Ku-band based Starlink satellites.

One of these fine folk is Christian Hahn, who has recently posted some early findings to r/StarlinkEngineering over at Reddit. Some of the captured data seems to include the satellite ID system that ground-based user stations would presumably use to keep track of overhead Starlink satellites.

For the capturing itself, Christian is using a second-hand dish for capture and a DIY SDR using KC705 FPGA-based hardware – which may have begun its life as crypto mining hardware – along with the usual assortment of filters and other common components with this kind of capture.

Even at this early time, some features of the Starlink protocol seem quite obvious, such as the division into channels and the use of guard periods. Nothing too earth-shattering, but as a fun SDR hobby it definitely checks all the boxes.

Christian has also announced that at some point he’ll set up a website and publish the findings and code that should make Starlink signal analysis easy for anyone with a readily available SDR receiver.

Analyzing Starlink Satellite Downlink Communications With Software Defined Radio

[ANS thanks Stephen Walters, G7VFY, and Southgate ARC for the above information]

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AMSAT’s GOLF Program is about getting back to higher orbits, and it all
begins with GOLF-TEE – a technology demonstrator for deployable solar
panels, propulsion, and attitude control, now manifested for launch on
NASA’s ELaNa 46 mission. Come along for the ride. The journey will be
worth it!

https://tinyurl.com/ANS-GOLF

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ARISS Named Amateur Radio Newsline Newsmaker of the Year

Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) has been named Amateur Radio Newsline Newsmaker of the Year.

“This group, based across 15 countries around the world, has been supporting amateur radio from the space station and performing school links around the world to astronauts for over 20 years,” the announcement pointed out. “As well as enthusing youngsters in the magic of space and radio, they have also generated publicity for amateur radio in the mainstream media channels of radio, TV, and newspapers.”

[ANS thanks ARRL for the above information]

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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

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Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for December 9, 2021

The following satellite has decayed from orbit and has removed from this week’s AMSAT TLE Distribution:
EcAMSat – NORAD Cat ID 43019 (Decay date per Space-Track was 12-08-2021)

The following satellite is now End of Mission and has been removed from this week’s AMSAT TLE Distribution:
HO-107 (HuskySat-1) – NORAD Cat ID 45119 (per www.amsat.org)

[ANS thanks Ray Hoad, WA5QGD, 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 unless noted otherwise below.

RECENT CONTACTS:
Notre Dame Jogakuin Junior and Senior High School, Kyoto, Japan, direct via 8N3ND. Contact with crewmember is Raja Chari KI5LIU was scheduled for Thursday 2021-12-09 08:33:35 UTC 83 deg.

DLR_School_Lab Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany, multi-point telebridge via DN2DLR. Contact with crewmember Matthias Maurer, KI5KFH, was scheduled for Friday 2021-12-10 13:50:53 UTC 61 deg.

Savannah River Academy, Grovetown, GA, direct via K4RGK. Contact with crewmember Thomas Marshburn, KE5HOC, was scheduled for Friday 2021-12-10 15:09:58 UTC 54 deg

SCHEDULED CONTACTS:
Wolfgang-Kubelka-Realschule (WKR), Schondorf am Ammersee, Germany, telebridge via IK1SLD. The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS. Contact with crewmember Matthias Maurer, KI5KF, is go for Monday 2021-12-13 09:51:56 UTC 46 deg. Starting about 5 minutes before AOS, watch for Livestream at: www.ariotti.com

Technisches Bildungszentrum Mitte (TBZ Mitte), Bremen, Germany, direct via DN3HB AND Carl Prueter Oberschule, Sulingen, Germany, direct via DN6OE. The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be DPØISS. Contact WITH crewmember is Matthias Maurer, KI5KFH, is go for Thursday 2021-12-16 10:45:25 UTC 74 deg

The next mode change to packet is expected to occur in early December.

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]

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AMSAT, along with our ARISS partners, is developing an Amateur
Radio package, including two-way communication capability, to
be carried on-board Gateway in lunar orbit.

Support AMSAT’s projects today at https://www.amsat.org/donate/

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Upcoming Satellite Operations

K4DCA: Still in planning stages, but has mentioned EM97,EM96, FM07, FM08

Radio Operadores del Este Club (KP3RE) and its FB Ham Satelites Puerto Rico page will be giving away a certificate until December 31, 2021 to all the stations that have contacted Puerto Rico’s 4 grids FK67, FK68, FK77 and FK78 on Sat Mode. Need LOTW evidence (Photos) request via [email protected]

[ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT rover page manager, for the above information]

Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events

AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events.

None currently scheduled.

[ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT Events page manager, for the above information]

Satellite Shorts From All Over

+ The U.S. Senate has confirmed FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel for a new term on the Commission with a vote of 68 – 31. President Joe Biden appointed Rosenworcel as Chair of the FCC in late October. For now, the FCC will continue with two Democrats and two Republicans led by Chairwoman Rosenworcel. (ANS thanks ARRL for the above information)

+ Scientists have developed a hi-tech sleeping bag that could prevent the vision problems that some astronauts experience while living in space. Its development was led by Dr Benjamin Levine, professor of internal medicine at University of Texas (UT) Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, who is working on having the device deployed on the International Space Station (ISS). In zero-gravity, fluids float into the head and squash the eyeball over time. It’s regarded as one of the riskiest medical problems affecting astronauts. The sleeping bag, developed with outdoor equipment manufacturer REI, fits around the person’s waist, enclosing their lower body within a solid frame. A suction device, that works on the same principle as a vacuum cleaner, creates a pressure difference that draws fluid down towards the feet. This prevents it from building up in the brain and applying damaging pressure to the eyeball. (ANS thanks BBC.com for the above information)

+ The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) is once again fully operational after experiencing technical issues. With this latest restoration of operations, Hubble is well on its way to completing 32 years of service. [Not quite matching AO-7, which is approaching the age of 48! – Editor] (ANS thanks Universe Today for the above information)

+ NASA announced Dec. 3 its intent to purchase three more commercial crew missions from SpaceX as a hedge against further delays in the certification of Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner. These missions will be in addition to the six missions that SpaceX won as part of its Commercial Crew Transportation contract in 2014. SpaceX launched the third of those six original missions, Crew-3, to the International Space Station on Nov. 10. It is scheduled to launch the Crew-4 mission in the spring of 2022, likely to be followed by Crew-5 in the fall of 2022. (ANS thanks Space News for the above information)

+ Operators are reminded that the AMSAT Live OSCAR Satellite Status Page is available at https://www.amsat.org/status/ Satellite operators are invited to consult the page for up to date information about which satellites are available and functioning. Operators ar also requested to contribute reports to the Status Page concerning their operations and observations. (ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information)

+ A key member of the WSJT-X development group — where FT8 and other cutting-edge digital amateur radio technology has originated — has died. Bill Somerville, G4WJS, was reported to have passed away earlier this week. He was in his mid-60s, and his death was unexpected. (ANS thanks ARRL for the above information)

+ Not quite a Christmas miracle, nor the star of Bethlehem: Comet Leonard is a rather typical comet going about its typical path around the Sun. However, it might become visible to the naked eye around its close approach. On 12 December at 13:52 UTC, it will make its closest approach to Earth during this rotation, still an enormous 35 million kilometres away. Look low in the southwestern sky about 45 minutes after sunset. (ANS thanks ESA for the above information)

+ Please continue to use AO-91 and AO-92 only when the satellites are illuminated by the sun. AO-92 telemetry and repeater are intermittent. AO-91 telemetry is turned off but the FM repeater works when the satellite is in the sun. Reminder: Satellite in sun is approximately equal to user in daytime. For exact information on eclipse vs. illumination, check software such as SatPC32. (ANS thanks Burns Fisher, WB1FJ, AMSAT operations, 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, K0JM
k0jm at amsat dot org

ANS-339 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins for Dec. 5

by

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

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/

In this edition:

  • New Senior Leadership Team at ARISS
  • FO-29 & FO-99 Operation Schedules For December 2021
  • VUCC Awards-Endorsements for December 1,2021
  • Discussion of PCSAT (NO-84) lifetime: Debris and Orbital Decay
  •  Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution as of December 3, 2021
  • ARISS News
  • Upcoming Satellite Operations
  • Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events
  • Satellite Shorts From All Over

ANS-339 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

To: All RADIO AMATEURS
From: Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation
712 H Street NE, Suite 1653
Washington, DC 20002

DATE 2021 Dec 05

New Senior Leadership Team at ARISS

In May 2020, Amateur Radio on the International Space Station, Inc. (ARISS-USA) created a new 501 (c) (3) non-profit charitable organization to enhance and expand ARISS initiatives in the USA. To support the variety of new functions and roles of this organization, ARISS-USA has augmented its Senior Leadership team by selecting five new members.

Martin Schulman, Associate Director: In this role, Mr. Schulman will work with the Executive Director, delegating routine tasks, enhancing perspective, and serving as a backup to the executive director when necessary. He will also serve as a member of the ARISS-USA board. Mr. Schulman has over 30 years of experience in telecommunications, programming, and computer security, and is also an active volunteer with the Sterling Park Amateur Radio Club in Sterling, Virginia.

Tom Henderson, Secretary: In this role, Mr. Henderson will have the primary duty of ensuring that the internal matters of the organization run smoothly and efficiently. He will record and keep the minutes of all meetings of the Board. Mr. Henderson also serves as the custodian of the ARISS-USA Minute Book and additional books and records as the Board may direct. Mr. Henderson’s profession is IT infrastructure and systems security research. He is also current president of the Bloomington, Indiana Amateur Radio Club.

Jena Dunham, Director of Volunteer Resources: Ms. Dunham will be responsible for the recruitment, basic training, and retention of volunteers needed to complete ARISS-USA’s mission. She will also maintain the volunteer database, manage subscriptions to the mailing lists, and generate policies regarding volunteer conduct. Ms. Dunham is an experienced nurse practitioner in the state of Kansas and has served as a volunteer for 4-H and the Stormont Vail hospital system.

Rita DeHart, Director of Public Engagement: Ms. DeHart will be responsible for raising public awareness of the ARISS program. This includes the management of all communication methods with the public (including, but not limited to, website, press releases, articles, and all forms of social media). She will also be responsible for the management of conference participation. Ms. DeHart has 46 years in the electric power industry and is an active member of the Tampa Amateur Radio Club.

Randy Berger, Director of Engineering: Mr. Berger is responsible for planning and executing the development of hardware and software systems that will enhance the primary goals of ARISS-USA, specifically STEM education and backup communications for crew members on human spaceflight vehicles. Mr. Berger’s scope of engineering involvement will support the efforts of ARISS and includes everything within the engineering purview of ARISS, such as ISS, Lunar Gateway, satellite developments, and future government and commercial space ventures. International collaboration and coordination on systems and engineering strategies will be paramount in this role along with the understanding of national and international collaboration laws and constraints (such as ITAR) that is critically important in this role. Mr. Berger is an experienced technology officer and has been involved with amateur radio since the 1970s.

The new team members will join veteran leaders Frank Bauer (Executive Director), Carol Jackson (Treasurer), and Kathy Lamont (Director of Education). The Senior Leadership Team will work closely with long-time ARISS US Delegates Rosalie White (ARRL) and Dave Taylor (AMSAT).

The Director of Business Development and Director of Operations positions currently remain vacant.

[ANS thanks Rita DeHart, KC4RMS, ARISS-USA Director of Public Engagement for the above information]

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Join the 2021 President’s Club!
Score your 2″ 4-Color Accent Commemorative Coin.
This gold finished coin comes with
Full Color Certificate and Embroidered “Remove Before Flight” Key Tag
Donate today at
https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/
You won’t want to miss it!
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FO-29 & FO-99 Operation Schedules For December 2021

The FO-29 transponder will be switched on as the satellite passes over Japan on the following dates and times. It will remain on until the onboard low voltage safety circuit triggers shutdown. Thus, the satellite may or may not be active when passing over areas in eclipse. All dates and times are UTC:

2021 Dec. UTC
3 22:53
4 00:40
10 23:28
12 00:18
18 00:03 23:08
24 22:52
25 00:37
28 22:42
29 00:27 23:32
30 01:18 22:37
31 00:22 23:27

2022 Jan. UTC
1 22:32
2 00:17 23:22
3 01:08 22:27

FO-29 will be fully sunshine from January 29, next year. It is hoped that the transponder can operate normally during the period of full illumination.

The December operating schedule for NEXUS(FO-99) may be found at: https://www.jamsat.or.jp/?p=1678

(ANS thanks Akira Kaneko, JA1OGZ, and JAMSAT for the above information)

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Need new satellite antennas? Purchase Arrows, Alaskan Arrows,
and 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/

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VUCC Awards-Endorsements for December 1,2021

Here are the endorsements and new VUCC Satellite Awards issued by the ARRL for the period November 1, 2021 through December 1, 2021. Congratulations to all those who made the list this month!

CALLNov.December
VE7CEW555600
VE1CWJ335585
MI6GTY462579
N9FN561567
W8LR500526
KS1G484525
PV8DX412423
VE4MM401421
KE8RJU256417
KQ4DO353406
N6UTC348400
EA2AA382396
VE3KY227251
K6SFO129229
KC1MEB207225
HB9GWJ102206
NK1K179194
N8SGZ100150
KB3IAI103125
JH0BBE100112
WD9EWK (DM62)New108
NK0SNew100

If you find errors or omissions. please contact me off-list at <mycall>@<mycall>.com and I’ll revise the announcement. This list was developed by comparing the ARRL .pdf listings for the two months. It’s a visual comparison so omissions are possible. Apologies if your call was not mentioned. Thanks to all those who are roving to grids that are rarely on the birds. They are doing a lot of the work!

[ANS thanks Ron Parsons, W5RKN, for the above information]

Discussion of PCSAT (NO-84) lifetime: Debris and Orbital Decay:

Bob Bruninga, WB4APR reports: “For what it’s worth, since the Russian space littering event, I am getting almost daily Close approach alerts on PCSAT (is a high orbit, originally 800 km high). Alert miss-distances seem to be on the order of 200 to 500 meters. Example Alert below at end.
Another day in space (after 20 years for PCSAT):
Semi-operational: http://aprs.org/pcsat.html
Live downlink (W3ADO-1): http://www1.findu.com/cgi-bin/pcsat.cgi
One minute serial nos (T#xxx), suggest a wake from 1 to 8 minutes per orbit.
PCSAT is unique in that is has no CPU or Operating system. It is just two off-the-shelf KPC9612 TNC’s (chips in sockets, etc) and uses their built-in sysop features for telemetry, command and control.
Follow on APRS satellites page: http://aprs.org/sats.html

“From: …space-track.org>
Date: Tue, Nov 30, 2021 at 2:40 PM
Subject: PCSAT Close Approach Notification
The United States 18th Space Control Squadron has identified a close approach between PCSAT (SCC #26931) and SCC #30230
Time of Closest Approach: 2021-335T02:20:51(UTC)
Probability of Collision (Pc): 0.0003769653
Overall miss distance: 338.0m
<end snip>

Bob follows up in a second post: “Joe, KM1P reminded us of the decay of NO-84 soon. It would be nice to get an assessment of the remaining lifetimes of the remaining APRS satellites listed on http://aprs.org/sats.html. Since I retired (with health issues), I wont be building any replacements and have not been paying attention.”

Mike Rupprecht, DK3WN, has provided a decay prediction that has NO-84 decaying from orbit on December 26, 2021 See: https://bit.ly/3xGWFLP

We still have some live left for NO-84 (PSAT), Cat ID 40654.

Ray Hoad also provided a good illustration: “Based on past experience, when an amateur satellite’s drag rises above the 0.01 magnitude, the satellite is usually getting close to reentry. Some have climbed back up for a while. But, as a rule of thumb, 0.01 drag is the point I start watching a satellite’s drag. Almost all amateur satellites have a mean motion of at least 16 when they decay.

The current TLE shows NO-84 (PSAT), Cat ID 40654, with a drag of 0.00320060 and a mean motion of 15.99945301. Getting close.

For example, here are the drag values for a few satellites the day they deorbited:
SAT Cat ID drag Mean Motion
==================================================
NEPALISAT1 44331 0.04661449 16.30483242
RAVAANA 44329 0.04382427 16.28919678
UGUISU 44330 0.06186538 16.33294840
CP9 44360 0.01594744 16.12399308
TW-1C 40926 0.05243455 16.31196197
MO-105 44832 0.11453400 16.41416157
MO-106 44830 0.14504533 16.46538413
ENDURO SAT ONE 43551 0.12819970 16.45548142
EQUISAT 43552 0.10316869 16.43170683
SWAMPSAT 45115 0.19123998 16.36852634
PWSAT 2 43814 0.25888781 16.21683976

Per above, several have hung on for another order of magnitude of drag. It would be very difficult to estimate a deorbit time based solely on drag. But, all have had a mean motion in excess of 16 when they decayed.”

[ANS thanks Bob Brununga, WB4APR Mike Rupprecht, DK3WN, and Ray Hoad, WA5QGD, AMSAT-NA Orbital Elements Manager for the above information]

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AMSAT’s GOLF Program is about getting back to higher orbits, and it all
begins with GOLF-TEE – a technology demonstrator for deployable solar
panels, propulsion, and attitude control, now manifested for launch on
NASA’s ELaNa 46 mission. Come along for the ride. The journey will be
worth it!

https://tinyurl.com/ANS-GOLF

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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

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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.

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2021-12-02 15:30 UTC

South-Western State University, Kursk, Russia, direct via TBD (Anton Shkaplerov) Tues 2021-12-07 13:05 UTC

Notre Dame Jogakuin Junior and Senior High School, Kyoto, Japan, direct via 8N3ND (Raja Chari KI5LIU) Thu 2021-12-09 08:33:35 UTC 83 deg

DLR_School_Lab Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany, multi-point telebridge via DN2DLR (Matthias Maurer KI5KFH) Fri 2021-12-10 13:50:53 UTC 61 deg

Savannah River Academy, Grovetown, Georgia, direct via K4RGK (Thomas Marshburn KE5HOC) Fri 2021-12-10 15:09:58 UTC 54 deg

​Columbus Module radios:
– IORS (Kenwood D710GA) – STATUS – Configured. Supporting cross band repeater (145.990 MHz up {PL 67} & 437.800 MHz down) . Next planned mode change is to packet operation (145.825 MHz up & down) targeting early December.​​
Power down for postponed US EVA on Dec. 2. OFF Nov. 29 at 18:05 UTC. ON Dec. 3 at 09:25 UTC.
Power down for upcoming Soyuz docking on Dec. 08.
Supporting USOS scheduled voice contacts, packet and voice repeater ops.

Service Module radios:
Kenwood D710E – STATUS – Radio usually off.​ ​​
​Power down for postponed US EVA on Dec. 2. OFF Nov. 29 at 18:05 UTC.
MAI SSTV activation Dec 1 and TBD. See http://ariss-sstv.blogspot.com/ for details.
Power down for upcoming Soyuz docking on Dec. 08.
Supporting ROS scheduled voice contacts and SSTV.

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]

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AMSAT, along with our ARISS partners, is developing an Amateur
Radio package, including two-way communication capability, to
be carried on-board Gateway in lunar orbit.

Support AMSAT’s projects today at https://www.amsat.org/donate/

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Upcoming Satellite Operations

Major Roves: none scheduled

Quick Hits:
– K4DCA: Still in planning stages, but has mentioned EM97, EM96, FM07, FM08

– AD7DB: Mini rove Dec 3, 4, 5 2021. DM23 planned on 12/3 & 5, possible operation in PHX area 12/4 including Superstition Superfest in Mesa. FM sats. Follow @ad7db for updates.

– FG8OJ: Heading to FK88. 12/3 – 12/5; Schedule is here: Link

Events:

Radio Operadores del Este Club (KP3RE) and its FB Ham Satelites Puerto Rico page will be giving away until December 31, 2021 all the stations that have contacted Puerto Rico’s 4 grids FK67, FK68, FK77 and FK78 on Sat Mode. Need LOTW evidence (Photos) request via [email protected]

[ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT rover page manager and Hideo Kambayashi, JH3XCU, for the above information]

Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events

Winterfest, the ARRL Midwest Division Convention
Collinsville, IL Jan 22 2022

ARRL National Convention and Orlando Hamcation Feb 10-13 2022
Registration details at http://www.arrl.org/arrl-expo
Updates may be found at: https://www.amsat.org/other-events/

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, makes online presentations to Amateur Radio clubs and other interested organizations. Contact Clint at http://www.work-sat.com or by phone at 909-999-SATS (7287) to arrange a presentation.

[ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT Events page manager, and Clint Bradford, K6CLS for the above information]

Satellite Shorts From All Over

+ Please continue to use AO-91 and AO-92 only when the satellites are illuminated by the sun. AO-92 telemetry and repeater are intermittent. AO-91 telemetry is turned off but the FM repeater works when the satellite is in the sun. Reminder: Satellite in sun is approximately equal to user in daytime. For exact information on eclipse vs. illumination, check software such as SatPC32. (ANS thanks Burns Fisher, WB1FJ, AMSAT operations, for the above information)

+ The TOLIMAN Telescope. A semi-privately funded space telescope is being planned to search the Alpha Centauri system for Earth-like planets. A transliteration of the ancient Arabic name for our Sun’s nearest stellar neighbor (and the official IAU name for Alpha Centauri B), Toliman could launch as soon as 2023 to observe Alpha Centauri A and B for the tell-tale wobbles that would confirm a suspected habitable-zone exoplanet orbiting Alpha Centauri A (paper) and search for more. https://bit.ly/3xOeWXr (ANS thanks the Orbital Index for the above information)

+ Japan to recruit first new astronauts in 13 years to support Artemis program. Japan’s space agency is set to recruit astronaut candidates for the first time in 13 years as part of efforts to support the NASA-led Artemis lunar exploration program. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) announced the recruitment plan Nov. 19, saying successful candidates would be assigned to work long-term at the International Space Station (ISS), the Japanese experiment module “Kibo” attached to ISS, or NASA’s lunar orbit outpost Gateway. JAXA, under an agreement with NASA, is set to provide several capabilities for the Gateway’s International Habitation module (I-Hab), which will provide the heart of Gateway life support capabilities and additional space where crew will live, work, and conduct research during Artemis missions. https://bit.ly/3EmNKl2 (ANS thanks Park Si-soo of Space News for the above information.)

+ Northrop Grumman Corporation has signed a Space Act Agreement with NASA under the Commercial Low-Earth Orbit Development program for $125.6 million to design a safe, reliable and cost-effective commercial free-flying space station in low Earth orbit (LEO). Northrop Grumman’s commercial space station design will use current flight systems and advanced crew-focused technology under development that allows for rapid deployment with modular expansion to meet the growing needs of the space economy. “Under this agreement, the Northrop Grumman team will deliver a free flying space station design that is focused on commercial operations to meet the demands of an expanding LEO market,” said Steve Krein, vice president, civil and commercial space, Northrop Grumman. “Our station will enable a smooth transition from International Space Station-based LEO missions to sustainable commercial-based missions where NASA does not bear all the costs, but serves as one of many customers.” https://bit.ly/3DkhOg7 (ANS thanks SpaceRef for the above information.)

+The December PDF of the GEO Newsletter weather satellite publication produced by the Group for Earth Observation is now available for free download. The Group for Earth Observation’s aim is to enable amateur reception of weather and earth imaging satellites that are in orbit or planned for launch in the near future. Membership of GEO is free.
This edition includes:
• The ISS Sally Ride EarthKAM
• Sea Ice forming in Kuskokwim Bay
• La Palma Volcano: How Satellites help us Monitor Eruptions
• Currently Active Weather Satellites and Frequencies
Download the GEO Newsletter from
http://leshamilton.co.uk/GEO/newsletter.htm
(ANS thanks Southgate Amateur Radio 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, Jack Spitznagel, KD4IZ
kd4iz at frawg dot org

ANS-332 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins for Nov. 28

by

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

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/

In this edition:

  • The AMSAT Journal, September/October 2021 Now Available
  • AMSAT President’s Apogee View Celebrates 2020-2021
  • FUNcube-1 (AO-73) Celebrating Eight Years in Orbit!
  • ISS SSTV December 1-2, 2021 on 145.800 MHz FM
  • Dayton Hamvention Expects to be Live Event in 2022
  • ARISS News
  • Upcoming Satellite Operations
  • Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events
  • Satellite Shorts From All Over

ANS-332 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

To: All RADIO AMATEURS
From: Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation
712 H Street NE, Suite 1653
Washington, DC 20002

DATE 2021 November 28

The AMSAT Journal, September/October 2021 Now Available

The September/October 2021 issue of The AMSAT Journal is now available to members on AMSAT’s Member Portal. The AMSAT Journal is a bi-monthly digital magazine for amateur radio in space enthusiasts, published by the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT). Each issue is your source for hardware and software projects, technical tips, STEM initiatives, operational activities, and news from around the world. Inside this issue:

– Apogee View – Robert Bankston, KE4AL
– The Life and Legacy of Tom Clark, K3IO (SK) – Bob McGwier, N4HY
– Dr. Thomas A. Clark, K3IO – Remembering a Superstar – Richard M. Hambly, W2GPS
– Remembering Tom Clark – Barry A. Baines, WD4ASW
– Mourning the Passing of Dr. Thomas A. Clark – Frank Bauer, KA3HDO
– Full Function Remote Control of a Satellite Base Station – Mark Johns, K0JM

Members can read this issue and all back issues of the AMSAT Journal by logging in at https://launch.amsat.org/The_AMSAT_Journal.

Note yet a member? Start reading the Journal today by joining at https://launch.amsat.org/Membership.

[ANS thanks Joe Kornowski, KB6IGK, AMSAT Journal Editor-in-Chief.]

AMSAT President’s Apogee View Celebrates 2020-2021

Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT President writes:

“This issue of The AMSAT Journal marks my first year as AMSAT President, so I thought I would take this opportunity to update you on what we’ve been working on, where we are now, and what we will focus on in the coming year.

“Our Engineering team has been making significant progress on our GOLF program, and we hope to see the launch of GOLF-TEE in the latter half of next year. Under the leadership of our Vice-President of Engineering, Jerry Buxton, N0JY, our volunteer engineers have worked tirelessly to develop, prototype, and test GOLF-TEE’s systems. I thank each and every one of them for donating their time and expertise.

“Not to be outdone, our Educational Relations team completed its beta testing on the CubeSat Simulator and launched the CubeSat Simulator printed circuit board set on the AMSAT Store. Dr. Alan Johnston, KU2Y, and his team have done a phenomenal job. In addition, as announced at this year’s symposium, they have not only developed and released the new CubeSatSim Lite version, but Dr. Johnston and his team have begun to experiment with high altitude balloon launches to take the CubeSatSim concept to the next level of educational initiatives.

“Behind the scenes, we have been busy modernizing back-office tasks, finding ways to more efficiently do business, and ensuring the AMSAT machine runs smoothly. To be honest, running AMSAT without Martha has been a significant challenge.

“Our modernization efforts, which really began with the May 2020 launch of our online member management system, have been the key to our overall success this year. Transforming a 52 year old organization from brick and mortar to virtual was no easy task and not without a few hiccups along the way, but we are better positioned moving forward. It was a sad day packing up the AMSAT office in Kensington, Maryland, in May and putting everything in storage. To touch all that history reaffirmed why we do what we do.

“I look forward to both the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. AMSAT is in a very solid position from both a financial and a membership perspective. We have a strong fiscal foundation, an excellent governance and management team, generous volunteers who freely donate their time and expertise, and a diverse membership base who truly care about keeping amateur radio in space.

“Financially, we are on a solid footing, with over $950,000 in cash and liquid investments. Our revenues are down from last year, as is the rest of the U.S. economy; however, we are on track to exceed our profitability margin over last year because of the cost-cutting measure we implemented. In 2020, $0.82 of every dollar went to pay overhead. In 2021, that amount was reduced to $0.56 for every dollar we brought in – a 31% reduction. This means a lot more of your membership dues and revenues we develop from other sources are going towards building satellites and expanding our educational efforts.

“AMSAT membership has consistently been over 4,000 the past year, with 4,045 current members as of this writing. AMSAT’s membership is diverse, representing 76 countries. While each comes for varied reasons (builders and operators, scientists and educators, HEO and LEO), we all come together for a single purpose: to keep amateur radio in space. So, what’s next? With over 52 years of success, what are we going to do now?

“We have an ambitious, forward-thinking plan (www.amsat.org/strategicplan/) that’s ready to be put into action. Central to this plan are the needs to modernize how we manage projects and explore ways to collaborate with our international partners, given current ITAR/EAR restrictions.

“In addition, as an all-volunteer member organization, we need help. While we have a solid core of volunteers now, expanding our programs will require additional human resources and added expertise. I will be addressing this in the next issue of The AMSAT Journal, but if you cannot wait, please feel free to contact me directly. We would love to have you join our team.

“Our greatest threat right now is the ever-tightening regulatory environment. It is one thing to hope to return to higher orbits and even beyond, but all of this will be for naught if we can’t get a satellite licensed in orbit above LEO. Proposed orbital debris mitigation regulations will require orbits above 600 kilometers to have a flight-proven, low-risk transfer orbit, long-term reentry capability, and/or improved move-away-and-stay-away storage options for orbital lifespans more than 25 years. However, proving you can get there and operate responsibly will not be enough. Every mission will be closely evaluated to ensure it serves the greater benefit of all, which, at this time, strongly favors commercial, scientific and educational interests. Thankfully, our engineers had the foresight to develop the GOLF program for this very purpose.

“While we await the FCC’s final ruling, we cannot sit idly by and be content with mediocrity. Instead, we must continue to push Onward and Upward. We should focus our efforts on new communication systems that more efficiently allow us to communicate in space and spacecraft which will take us towards and beyond the next space horizon. At the same time, we must establish and maintain a path of sustainability that not only introduces space communications using amateur radio to the public but also nurtures them to be the next generation of satellite builders and operators.

“On a side note, I had the pleasure of attending and speaking at the 2021 AMSAT-UK Space Colloquium on October 24th. It was an incredible event, and AMSAT-UK did a phenomenal job of hosting the virtual event. In addition to the extraordinary work being done by the Surrey Space Center team on their STAR-XL project, the operators chasing QO-100, and Peter, 2M0SQL’s, roving efforts in Northern Scotland, we were treated to presentations on IARU Amateur Satellite co-ordination by Hans Blondeel Timmerman, PB2T, and an AMSAT-DL update, by Peter Guelzow, DB2OS. If you missed the AMSAT-UK Colloquium, I encourage you to view it on AMSAT-UK’s YouTube Channel, www.youtube.com/user/AMSATUK/videos.

“Let me close with personally thanking all of our members, who generously donated to the AMSAT President’s Club this year, and our Vice-President of Development, Frank Karnauskas, N1UW, who single-handedly resurrected this program and managed to raise over $33,000. I look forward to what Frank can do for next year.”

[ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT President for the above information.]

FUNcube-1 (AO-73) Celebrating Eight Years in Orbit!

November 21, 2021, marks the eighth birthday of the FUNcube-1 CubeSat. Remarkably the tiny spacecraft, launched from Russia on November 21, 2013, continues to work well having travelled more than a billion kilometers in space.

During the past couple of months, the spacecraft’s orbits have been running just along the edge of the terminator. Initially it had effectively full sun with no eclipses but at the beginning of this month it appears that the solar panels were not receiving enough solar radiation to keep the battery fully charged.

FUNcube-1 was transmitting continuous high-power telemetry and was therefore consuming maximum power. The FUNcube Dashboard showed the rapid decline in the bus voltage from an already below normal 8.0V down to 7.8V. The spacecraft was switched to safe mode on the afternoon of November 18, 2021. This reduced to total power consumption by almost 50% and the spacecraft is again in a happy power positive situation.

Although safe mode provides less than 20mW of downlink RF, it is remarkable how many stations are still receiving and decoding the 1k2 BPSK telemetry. This is a good point at which to say a massive thank you to the many stations around the world who, even after eight years, are continuing to submit their data to the FUNcube Data Warehouse. It really is valuable to the team and has really helped us to understand what is going on up there.

The team will continue to monitor the telemetry over the next few weeks and plan to return FUNcube-1 to nominal autonomous operation, with the transponder on when the spacecraft is in eclipse, as soon as possible.

Interestingly, it appears that the satellite will not be having any more full sunlight periods for the foreseeable future. However, those that we have experienced have provided some good data on how hot a 1U CubeSat can become in such circumstances!

[ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information.]

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Join the 2021 President’s Club!
Score your 2″ 4-Color Accent Commemorative Coin.
This gold finished coin comes with
Full Color Certificate and Embroidered “Remove Before Flight” Key Tag
Donate today at
https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/
You won’t want to miss it!
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ISS SSTV December 1-2, 2021 on 145.800 MHz FM

Russian cosmonauts on the International Space Station (ISS) are planning to transmit Slow Scan TV images on 145.800 MHz FM using the SSTV mode PD-120.

The transmissions are part of the Moscow Aviation Institute SSTV experiment (MAI-75) and will be made from the amateur radio station RS0ISS in the Russian ISS Service module (Zvezda) using a Kenwood TM-D710 transceiver.

– December 1, 2021 (Wednesday) from 12:10 GMT until 19:10 GMT*
– December 2, 2021 (Thursday) from 11:40 GMT until 17:20 GMT*

Dates and times subject to change.

The signal should be receivable on a handheld with a 1/4 wave whip. If your rig has selectable FM filters try the wider filter for 25 kHz channel spacing.

You can get predictions for the ISS pass times at https://www.amsat.org/track/

[ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information.]

Dayton Hamvention Expects to be Live Event in 2022

Dayton Hamvention organizers are planning to mount the first in-person show in 2022, following 2 years of COVID-related cancellations. The event is set for May 20 – 22 at the Greene County Fairgrounds and Expo Center in Xenia, Ohio. Last January, Hamvention organizers from the sponsoring Dayton Amateur Radio Association (DARA) announced they were calling off the 2021 event after considerable planning was already under way. The Hamvention Executive Committee cited lagging COVID-19 vaccine distribution in the US and the emergence of a more communicable form of the virus.

Southgate Amateur Radio News quotes Hamvention General Chairman Rick Allnutt, WS8G, as saying that Hamvention committees have been meeting, and volunteers are committed to making up for the time lost to pandemic cancellations.” The Hamvention website is already accepting bookings from vendors and inside exhibitors, and individual visitors can already buy tickets, which Allnutt said, “are all printed and ready to go.”

Nominations for the 2022 Hamvention Awards opened on November 1. Hamvention seeks ‘the best of the best” nominees for its Technical Achievement, Special Achievement, Amateur of the Year, and Club of the Year awards. Nominations close on February 15, 2022. Submit nomination forms via email or USPS to Hamvention Awards Committee, Box 964, Dayton, OH 45401-0964

[ANS thanks Southgate Amateur Radio News for the above information.]

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AMSAT’s GOLF Program is about getting back to higher orbits, and it all
begins with GOLF-TEE – a technology demonstrator for deployable solar
panels, propulsion, and attitude control, now manifested for launch on
NASA’s ELaNa 46 mission. Come along for the ride. The journey will be
worth it!

https://tinyurl.com/ANS-GOLF

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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.

Upcoming Contacts

+ Amur State University, Blagoveshchensk, Russia, direct via TBD.
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RS0˜ISS.
The downlink frequency is presently scheduled to be 145.800 MHz.
The scheduled crewmember is Anton Shkaplerov.
Contact is go for Monday, November 11, 2021 at 08:20 UTC.

+ Colegio Pumahue Temuco, Temuco, Chile, direct via CE6TC.
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS.
The downlink frequency is presently scheduled to be 145.800 MHz.
The scheduled crewmember is Raja Chari KI5LIU.
Contact is go for: Monday, November 2021 at 13:53:37 UTC.

+ Berufliche Schule Direktorat 1 Nürnberg, Nuremberg, Germany, telebridge via IK1SLD.
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS.
The downlink frequency is presently scheduled to be 437.525 MHz.
The scheduled crewmember is Matthias Maurer KI5KFH.
Contact is go for: Thursday, December 2, at 13:38:56 UTC.

+ Wolfgang-Kubelka-Realschule (WKR), Schondorf am Ammersee, Germany, telebridge via VK4KHZ.
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS.
The downlink frequency is presently scheduled to be 437.525 MHz.
The scheduled crewmember is Matthias Maurer KI5KFH.
Contact is go for: Thursday, December 2, 2021 at 14:16:35 UTC.

+ Hino Elementary School & Canna Project-Canna School Contact Team, Suzaka, Japan, direct via 8NØCAN.
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS.
The downlink frequency is presently scheduled to be 145.800 MHz.
The scheduled crewmember is Kayla Barron KI5LAL.
Contact is go for: Friday, December 3, 2021 at 10:02:22 UTC.

Please note, two of the contacts are using the UHF public downlink frequency.

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]

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AMSAT, along with our ARISS partners, is developing an amateur
radio package, including two-way communication capability, to
be carried on-board Gateway in lunar orbit.

Support AMSAT’s projects today at https://www.amsat.org/donate/

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Upcoming Satellite Operations

FN51: November 27-28, 2021
KC1MEB on Cape Cod, MA. No schedule as of this time.

EM86, November 20-30, 2021
WY7AA: DM RJ for a sched.

[ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT rover page manager, for the above information]

Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events

ARRL National 2022 Convention & Orlando Hamcation
February 11-13, 2021
Central Florida Fairgrounds and Expo Park, Orlando, Florida

[ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT Events page manager, for the above information]

Satellite Shorts From All Over

+ Congratulations to Chris Polena, AA8CH, in EN62vp48, and Jose Rodriguez, EB1AO, in IN52pe28, for setting the new AO-27 distance record of 6,125 km on November 20, 2021 at 21:30 UTC! Distance records may be seen at https://www.amsat.org/satellite-distance-records/.
[ANS thanks Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, AMSAT Executive VP, for the above information.]

+ Satellite trackers have been working overtime to figure out just how much dangerous debris Russia created when it destroyed one of its own satellites early Monday – and the picture they’ve painted looks bleak. Computer visualizations of the debris cloud can be viewed at https://bit.ly/3FNuFZU.
[ANS thanks The Verge for the above information.]

+ CaribouLite is an affordable, open-source, dual-channel software-defined radio (SDR) platform”and an SDR-focused FPGA development framework” implemented as a Raspberry Pi (RPi) HAT. CaribouLite turns a Raspberry Pi single-board computer (SBC) into a self-contained, dual-channel radio Tx/Rx that spans a wide tunable frequency spectrum up to 6 GHz. The full version comes with two TX/RX half-duplex channels, with channel one covering 30 MHz to 6 GHz, and channel two covering sub 1 GHz only. Both channels use a 13-bit ADC, capable of a bandwidth of up to 2.5 MHz maximum. The unit is capable of up to 14 dBm of transmit power. More information at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-332-CaribouLite.
[ANS thanks RTL-SDR.com for the above information.]

+ GNU Radio Conference 2021 was a great success, with around 100 in-person attendees and over 1000 remote attendees!
Talks were split between in-person and remote (pre-recorded). All talks are now available to watch on YouTube. A playlist that includes all videos can be seen at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-332-GRCON.
[ANS thanks gnuradio.org for the above information.]

+ Russia’s Prichal docking module linked up with the International Space Station Friday, November 26, 2021 adding the final planned piece of the Russian segment of the outpost to provide a new connection for future crew and cargo ships. The spherical, ball-shaped docking node launched Wednesday on top of a Russian Soyuz-2.1b rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. More information at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-332-PRICHAL.
[ANS thanks spaceflightnow.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 for additional membership information.

73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space!

This week’s ANS Editor, Frank Karnauskas, N1UW
n1uw at amsat dot org

ANS-318 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins for Nov. 14

by

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

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/

In this edition:

* AMSAT is looking for Volunteers
* Z-Sat launched 8 November 2021, Communication established
* IARU Work Group Works to Protect 23 cm Amateur Band
* Space Physics Professor Seeks Radio Amateurs’ Help in Making Space Physics Data Audible
* Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution as of November 11, 2021
* ARISS News
* Upcoming Satellite Operations
* Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events
* Satellite Shorts From All Over

ANS-318 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

To: All RADIO AMATEURS
From: Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation
712 H Street NE, Suite 1653
Washington, DC 20002

DATE 2021 Nov 14

AMSAT is looking for Volunteers

Keeping Amateur Radio in Space is a team effort and the work of AMSAT is carried out entirely by volunteers. AMSAT needs people with a wide range of technical and non-technical skills. In short, WE NEED YOU! There is no pay, but a great deal of satisfaction in knowing that you are helping make something happen.

AMSAT has volunteer openings in several senior leadership roles, including

• Vice President of User Services
• Secretary
• Volunteer Coordinator
• Public Information Officer

In addition, we have several volunteer opportunities to support functions within AMSAT to include Engineering, News Services, and Administration.

Submit resume or CV with a cover letter explaining what position(s) you are interested in, to Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, Executive Vice President or email info [AT] amsat.org

73,

Robert Bankston, KE4AL
President
Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT)

[ANS thanks the Robert Bankston, KE4AL, President and Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, Executive Vice President, AMSAT for the above information]

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Join the 2021 President’s Club!
Score your 2″ 4-Color Accent Commemorative Coin.
This gold finished coin comes with
Full Color Certificate and Embroidered “Remove Before Flight” Key Tag
Donate today at
https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/
You won’t want to miss it!
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Z-Sat launched 8 November 2021, Communication Established

Yasutaka Narusawa, JR2XEA, of the Komaki Amateur SATCOM Club reports the satellite Z-Sat was launched on an Epsilon rocket on November 8 Nov 2021 Uchinoura Space Center. The 50 kg class infrared observation microsatellite was developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. It was part of an 8 mission payload that included RAISE-2, DRUMS- a unique debris removal satellite, and four cubesats that also included Nanodragon and KOSEN-1. The Z-Sat CW beacon signal (145.875MHz) contains information such as satellite battery voltage and is very important to monitor for survival information immediately after the satellite is put into orbit. Komaki Amateur SATCOM Club would appreciate reports sent to jr2xea <at> nagoya.so-net.jp or via Twitter at @KOMAKI_AMSATCOM

Initial TLE is as follows;
1 99999U 00000A 21313.08704961 .00000000 00000-0 00000-0 0 00003
2 99999 097.6003 012.6148 0016801 247.1903 152.6649 15.02606103005884

Early reception reports came in from Pedro Converso, LU7ABF and Bob Stricklin, N5BRG.
Bob Stricklin commented: “I also copy Z-Sat at 15:16 to 15:27 UTC Nov 9. Copied HELLO WORLD. and S2 00 86 83 00. S1 line was difficult to copy. CW seem to speed up a lot. Will keep trying. I notice I could still hear beacon over ~2 minutes past calculated window based on Sat32 tracking so Keplerian data may need to be improved. Beacon Frequency at my LOS was 145,872,150 Hz. Signal was strong for me.”
Later Bob added: “Z-Sat is CW Beacon only now, 20 to 25 WPM. I have not read any plans for Z-Sat to do anything else. Has a nice signal. Frequency is 145.875 MHz. Starts out at about 145.877 and finishes at about 145.873 or so with Doppler. I think they would like all the reports they can get in these early few days to establish conditions on bird. Just copied it on a pass at my QTH.”

Nov 10 03:21 to 03:44 UTC
S1 2C BC BC 7D
S2 00 7F 7F 00
Battery 1 Voltage 22.12 V
Battery 2 Voltage 22.12 V
Vref 11.20 V
Battery Temp 12.10 Deg C
Radio Temp 12.10 Deg C
Z Plane Current 0 <— May be a problem here. Voltage is dropping and temp is also.

Follow Z-Sat at: https://twitter.com/KOMAKI_AMSATCOM. Editors note: The TLE for other sats in the payload are in the weekly changes report from Ray Hoad, WA5QGD, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager elsewhere in this newsletter.

[ANS thanks Yasutaka Narusawa, JR2XEA of the Komaki Amateur SATCOM Club and Bob Stricklin, N5BRG for the above information]

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Need new satellite antennas? Purchase Arrows, Alaskan Arrows,
and 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/

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IARU Work Group Works to Protect 23 cm Amateur Band

A work group from the International Amateur Radio Union Region 1 is preparing reports to help protect the 23 cm amateur band (1.2 GHz) when the 2023 World Radiocommunication Conference meets to consider remedies to interference with radionavigation systems.

The working party is considering simulations provided by two administrations to estimate the interfered area that might exist around a 23cm band amateur service transmitter. A number of amateur station configurations are under consideration identified as “Home Station 1”, “Home Station 2” and “Permanent Station” (e.g. Repeater station) based on characteristics developed and contributed by the IARU. Both narrowband and wideband emissions are considered. Two further scenarios are included in which “Home Station 1” operates with antenna uptilt as an amateur satellite uplink station and in which “Home Station 2” operates with antenna uptilt as an E-M-E station.

The IARU representatives contributed to an off-line email discussion to ensure the amateur station parameters used are more representative than those that had been proposed in the original contribution papers. The studies were revised based on these negotiations during the meeting and are reflected in the draft working document. The interim results show interference distances of up to several km depending on the antenna and power level assumed. Work on these studies will continue into the next meeting.

The IARU is working to ensure the amateur services are realistically represented in the studies as they move forward and remain consistent with the information developed in WP5A. It remains vital that national amateur communities present their views on the importance of this band to their national regulators in a consolidated and consistent manner.

The work on this topic will continue throughout the year both in ITU R and in the regional telecommunications organisations and the IARU is committed to ensure every group hears the amateur position on this important microwave band.

The summary report from the WP4C meeting can be found at: https://bit.ly/3c4Rco0

[ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information]

Space Physics Professor Seeks Radio Amateurs’ Help in Making Space Physics Data Audible

Professor Martin Archer of Imperial College London wants to know the best approach to making space physics data audible. Archer is the UKRI (UK Research and Innovation) Stephen Hawking Fellow in Space Physics and Public Engagement and is working in the fields of citizen science and data sonification. He is seeking individuals to complete a survey, the results of which may help him to determine the best way to give space physics data a voice. See: https://imperial.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_295iuL4yxfaQ0Qu

“Our sense of sound can be a powerful tool in exploring and analyzing data collected from satellites. But what is the best way to make this data audible?” Archer asks. Space science researchers at Imperial College London are asking for input from communities with relevant expertise — such as those involved with audio, citizen science, music, public engagement, and science communication. HamSCI Founder Nathaniel Frissell, W2NAF, believes the list could also include radio amateurs.

“Given the connection between radio propagation and geomagnetic disturbances, along with the fact that hams are so used to listening to signals in noise, we think the amateur community would have valuable input,” he said.

Specifically, the project seeks the best method of making ultra-low-frequency waves around Earth audible. Archer believes feedback from radio amateurs and others could help space scientists to improve science communication, public engagement, and citizen science.

Completing the survey should take no longer than 10 minutes. A participant information sheet offers greater detail. Direct questions should be sent to Archer via email m.archer10 at imperial dot ac dot uk.

[ANS thanks the ARRL for the above information]

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AMSAT’s GOLF Program is about getting back to higher orbits, and it all
begins with GOLF-TEE – a technology demonstrator for deployable solar
panels, propulsion, and attitude control, now manifested for launch on
NASA’s ELaNa 46 mission. Come along for the ride. The journey will be
worth it!

https://tinyurl.com/ANS-GOLF

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Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution as of October 14, 2021

The following satellites have been added to this week’s AMSAT TLE
Distribution:
LEDSAT – NORAD Cat ID 49069 (Thanks to Nico Janssen, PA0DLO for ID)
Binar-1 – NORAD Cat ID 49272 (Thanks to Space-Track for ID)
TeikyoSat 4 – NORAD Cat ID 49396 (Thanks to Nico Janssen, PA0DLO for ID)
Z-Sat – NORAD Cat ID 49399 (Thanks to Nico Janssen, PA0DLO for ID)
KOSEN 1 – NORAD Cat ID 49402 (Thanks to Nico Janssen, PA0DLO for ID)

Nico Janssen, PA0DLO, reports NO SIGNAL from NanoDragon as yet.

[ANS thanks Ray Hoad, WA5QGD, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager for the above information]

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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

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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.

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2021-09-15 15:30 UTC

None reported.

​Columbus Module radios:
– IORS (Kenwood D710GA) – STATUS – Configured. Supporting cross band repeater (145.990 MHz up {PL 67} & 437.800 MHz down) . Next planned mode change is to packet operation (145.825 MHz up & down) targeting early December.​​
– Power down for COL experiment on Nov 24, Progress docking Nov 25 and 6R module docking on Nov 26. OFF Nov. 24 at 09:45 and ON Nov 26 at TBD UTC.
– Power down for upcoming US EVA on Nov. 30.
– Supporting USOS scheduled voice contacts, packet and voice repeater ops.

Service Module radios:
Kenwood D710E – STATUS – Radio usually off.​ ​​
– Power down Progress docking Nov 25 and 6R module docking on Nov 26. OFF Nov. 24 at 09:45 UTC.
– Power down for upcoming US EVA on Nov. 30.
Supporting ROS scheduled voice contacts and SSTV.
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]

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AMSAT, along with our ARISS partners, is developing an Amateur
Radio package, including two-way communication capability, to
be carried on-board Gateway in lunar orbit.

Support AMSAT’s projects today at https://www.amsat.org/donate/

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Upcoming Satellite Operations

Quick Hits:
AD0HJ: Check out his Twitter for details passes, and sickening good handwriting.
EN01/11: 11/13
EN00/10:11/14
DN90/91: 11/14
DN80/81: 11/15

Major Roves:
NA-008. (Zone 2) After being silent for 18 months, operators Alex/VE1RUS and Pierre/VE3TKB will once again be active as VY0ERC from the Eureka Weather station this October. This station is operated by the Eureka Amateur Radio Club [probably the most northerly located amateur radio club in the world] from Eureka, Nunavut. The VY0ERC team (VE1RUS and VE3KTB) is now in preparation to be active from the Polar Environment Atmospheric Research Laboratory between October 12th and November 22nd, (time and weather conditions permitting). They plan to participate in CQWW DX SSB and the ARRL Sweepstakes Contests. Outside of the contests, the suggested bands are 40 and 20 meters (possibly 80m), as well as FM satellites (from ER60, EQ79) using SSB, the Digital modes (FT8 and RTTY) and very slow CW. Activity will be limited to their spare time. QSL via M0OXO, OQRS or direct. For updates, see: https://twitter.com/vy0erc
[ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT rover page manager, for the above information]

Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events

Winterfest, the ARRL Midwest Division Convention
Collinsville, IL Jan 22 2022

ARRL National Convention and Orlando Hamcation Feb 10-13 2022
Registration details at http://www.arrl.org/arrl-expo
Updates may be found at: https://www.amsat.org/other-events/

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, makes online presentations to Amateur Radio clubs and other interested organizations. Contact Clint at http://www.work-sat.com or by phone at 909-999-SATS (7287) to arrange a presentation.

[ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT Events page manager, and Clint Bradford, K6CLS for the above information]

Satellite Shorts From All Over

+ AMSAT Ambassador Daryl Young (K4RGK) and his wife Lori (K4UPI) represented AMSAT at the Stone Mountain Hamfest on 11/6/2021. The hamfest is the largest in the state of Georgia and serves as the ARRL Georgia Section state convention. (ANS thanks Joe Domaleski, KI4ASK, for the above information)

+ In light of of the successful launch of the Z-Sat, Mike Sartoretti, KC2SYF reminds all S.A.T. device users to autoupdate their devices in order to acquire the new TLE. (ANS thanks Mike Sartoretti, KC2SYF, of CSN Technologies for the above information.)

+ Paul Stoetzer Tweeted: “Congratulations to @KE9AJ and @FG8OJ on the new CAS-4A record of 4,978 km!”. https://amsat.org/satellite-distance-records/ Joe Werth, KE9AJ, announced the feat on Nov 6, 2021 via Twitter: “Amazing QSO this morning on CAS-4A with my friend Bertrand, @FG8OJ from the Colorado mountain summit in DM79iq, for a new #AMSAT distance record of 4978.0 km. Thanks Bertrand!” (ANS thanks Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, for the above information.)

+ The International Space Station performed a short engine burn on Wednesday to avoid potentially hitting a chunk of space junk. At 2015 UTC, the thrusters on Russia’s Progress MS-18 transport cargo vehicle, which is docked to the ISS, fired for 361 seconds to perform the small nudge, Roscosmos said. The agency confirmed on Twitter it had successfully performed the shift, and that the ISS is now safe from a fragment of China’s Fengyun-1C weather satellite that was whizzing by. [Note: Amateurs using the ARISS repeater will want to update their keps following this change in orbit.] (ANS thanks TheRegister for the above information)

+Raja Chari, KI5LIU, a veteran U.S. Air Force test pilot and combat veteran, is the first rookie astronaut to command a NASA space mission since the final crew blasted off to the Skylab space station in 1973. The 44-year-old Air Force colonel was in command of the brand new SpaceX Dragon, named, “Endurance,” that docked to the International Space Station on Thursday for a nearly six-month expedition. Aboard the station, Chari and his crewmates will perform scientific experiments and maintain the orbiting research lab alongside another NASA astronaut and two Russian cosmonauts who launched on Russian Soyuz spaceships. (ANS thanks Space Flight Now for the above information)

+ The European Space Agency’s RadCube, for surveying space weather in low-Earth orbit, has completed its rigorous commissioning phase, culminating in the extension of a magnetometer boom longer than the miniature satellite itself. RadCube is a mission to demonstrate miniaturised technologies for measuring this space radiation environment as well as magnetic field strength. RadCube is a ‘3-unit’ CubeSat, very similar to the planned AMSAT GOLF spaceframes. It was developed for ESA by C3S in Hungary. (ANS thanks Space Daily for the above information)

+ Two NASA astronauts will venture outside the International Space Station on Tuesday, Nov. 30, for a spacewalk to replace a faulty antenna system. NASA astronauts Thomas Marshburn, KE5HOC, and Kayla Barron, KI5LAL, will exit the Quest airlock around 12:10 UTC to replace an S-band Antenna Subassembly (SASA) with a spare already available on the station’s truss structure. The space station transmits low-rate voice and data with flight controllers on the ground over the S-band of radio frequencies. (ANS thanks NASA for the above information)

+ Two Chinese taikonauts completed a space walk on Monday outside the core module of a future space station, with 41-year-old Wang Yaping becoming the first Chinese woman to perform the maneuver, state media reported. Zhai Zhigang, 55, mission commander of Shenzhou-13, opened the hatch of the core cabin Tianhe at 18:51 p.m. (1051 GMT) on Sunday, and was joined by Wang for a space walk that lasted 6-1/2 hours. (ANS thanks Reuters for the above information)

+ John Grant, a Lecturer in Soil Science, Southern Cross University in Lismore, Australia, has calculated that the Moon’s surface “regolith” is made up of approximately 45% oxygen — enough oxygen to support all eight billion people on Earth for somewhere around 100,000 years. But that oxygen is tightly bound into the minerals that can only be released by electrolysis, which requires a great deal of energy. This process is commonly used in manufacturing, such as to produce aluminium. In this case, the oxygen is produced as a byproduct. On the Moon, the oxygen would be the main product and the aluminium (or other metal) extracted would be a potentially useful byproduct. (ANS thanks Space Daily 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, Jack Spitznagel, KD4IZ
kd4iz at frawg dot org