Mark Johns – Page 6

ANS-281 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

October 8, 2023 by Mark Johns

In this edition:

* Symposium Registration Deadlines Drawing Near
* ARISS SSTV Event Rescheduled to October 16-20, 2023
* Amateurs Participate in Annular Solar Eclipse Event on October 14
* NEXUS (FO-99) Operation Schedule and JAMSAT DXpedition
* Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution
* VUCC Satellite Standing October 2023
* ARISS News
* Upcoming Satellite Operations
* Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events
* Satellite Shorts From All Over

The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and information service of AMSAT, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS publishes news related to Amateur Radio in Space including reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building, launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio satellites.

The news feed on http://www.amsat.org publishes news of Amateur Radio in Space as soon as our volunteers can post it.

Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor [at] amsat.org

You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: https://mailman.amsat.org/postorius/lists/ans.amsat.org/

ANS-281 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

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

DATE 2023 Oct 08

Symposium Registration Deadlines Drawing Near

Persons planning to attend the 41st Annual AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting, October 20-21, 2023 – Dallas, TX should be aware of the upcoming deadlines.

+ The deadline for Symposium registrations with tickets to the Saturday evening banquet or the Sunday morning members breakfast is Friday, October 13th. MEALS CANNOT BE ORDERED AFTER THAT DATE.

+ The deadline for the guaranteed group rate has passed but you can call the hotel at 972-929-8400 then press #1. Request “Rodriguez” Reservation Coordinator and ask for rate RADIO AMATEUR SATELLITE. A room at that rate might still be available depending on availability.

The rate for a standard room with two Queen beds is $137.00 plus state and local taxes of 15%. Rooms may be available for check-in on Wednesday, October 18 and check out Sunday, October 22.

The Sheraton DFW Airport is located adjacent to the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and provides complimentary, scheduled shuttle to and from the airport. Complimentary parking is available for those who drive to the Symposium. The hotel address and phone number is:

Sheraton DFW Airport Hotel
4440 W John Carpenter Fwy.
Irving, TX 75063
972-929-8400

+ The deadline for submitting proposals for presentations at the Symposium is NOW. If you have been entertaining submitting a paper at the Symposium, contact Dan Schultz, N8FGV, AMSAT Symposium Proceedings Editor, immediately at n8fgv [at] amsat [dot] org.

We, at AMSAT, are excited to be able to host our 41st annual Symposium this year. We hope that you can join us in celebrating Amateur Radio in Space.

Schedule

Thursday, October 19, 2023
8:00 AM – 6:00 PM AMSAT Board Meeting
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Pre-Registration Check-in

Friday, October 20, 2023
8:00 – 12:00 Noon AMSAT Board Meeting (Closed Session)
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM Registration
1:00 PM – 1:15 PM AMSAT Symposium Kickoff, President’s Welcome
1:15 PM – 5:00 PM Paper Sessions
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM Informal Dinner on your own
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM AMSAT Reception and Auction, Cash Bar Available

Saturday October 21, 2023
8:00 AM – 11:45 AM Registration
8:00 AM – 8:15 AM AMSAT Symposium Welcome
8:15 AM – 12:00 Noon Paper Sessions
1:00 PM – 3:15 PM Paper Sessions
3:30 PM – 4:45 PM AMSAT Annual Meeting & Awards Ceremony
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Attitude Adjustment (Social), Cash Bar
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM AMSAT Banquet, Cash Bar

Sunday October 22, 2023
7:30 AM – 9:00 AM AMSAT Member Breakfast

[ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information]

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Hungary Lil’ Buckaroo?
Make Your Reservation for the Symposium Banquet Today!
(Deadline is is Friday, October 14)
It’s a Belt Bustin’ Texas Style Barbecue with
Smoked BBQ Sliced Brisket and Roasted BBQ Chicken
BBQ Baked Beans, Southern Style Potato Salad, Roasted Corn
Salad Greens, Corn Bread, Pecan Pie and all the fixin’s!
More Info At: https://tinyurl.com/AMSAT2023

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ARISS SSTV Event Rescheduled to October 16-20, 2023

The transmission of images via the SSTV protocol as part of the experiment “About Gagarin from Space” from the International Space Station is postponed to October 16-20, 2023 due to technical problems.

Images will be transmitted from the International Space Station via the SSTV protocol as part of the “About Gagarin from Space” experiment. The topic of the program is the first artificial Earth satellite, amateur radio satellites, school satellites.

SSTV images will be transmitted on 145.800 MHz using a Kenwood TM-D710 transceiver. They are expected to use the PD-120 SSTV format.

The “Russia ISS SSTV” diploma is awarded to radio amateurs (observers) for receiving SSTV (slow-scan television) broadcasts from aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the space experiment (SE) “About Gagarin from Space.” To receive the “Russia ISS SSTV” Diploma, one must receive and decode three images transmitted over a radio channel from on board the ISS using the SSTV protocol only on the days of the experiment. Each image must be at least 90% complete and of acceptable quality. Information on earning the certificate is available at https://r4uab.ru/diplom-iss-sstv/.

AMSAT Argentina is also offering a diploma for reception of ISS SSTV images. Learn more at http://amsat.org.ar/?f=9.

[ANS thanks Ignacio Granados Vega, TI3IES, and R4UAB.ru for the above information]

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The 2023 AMSAT President’s Club coins are here now!
To commemorate the 40th anniversary of its launch
on June 16, 1983, this year’s coin features
an image of AMSAT-OSCAR 10.

Join the AMSAT President’s Club today and help
Keep Amateur Radio in Space!
https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/
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Amateurs Participate in Annular Solar Eclipse Event on October 14

An annular solar eclipse will make its appearance in the skies over parts of North America on October 14, creating a singular spectacle for those in its path — and a rare opportunity for amateurs to contribute to scientific research.

The dazzling celestial event will allow millions of people to witness “the awe and the wonder of seeing a beautiful ring of fire eclipse,” said Peg Luce, acting director of the Heliophysics Division at NASA headquarters.

The “ring of fire” nickname comes from the appearance of annular solar eclipses, which are like total solar eclipses, except the moon is at the farthest point in its orbit from Earth, so it can’t completely block the sun. Instead, the sun’s fiery light surrounds the moon’s shadow, creating the so-called ring of fire.

The annular solar eclipse will begin in the United States at 16:13 UTC (9:13 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time) and pass from the Oregon coast to Texas’ Gulf Coast, appearing in Oregon, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico and Texas. The lunar shadow will also be visible in parts of California, Idaho, Colorado and Arizona.

After leaving the U.S., the eclipse will cross Mexico, Belize, Honduras, Panama and Colombia before ending off South America’s Atlantic coast at Natal, Brazil.

Weather permitting, a cresecent-shaped partial solar eclipse, where only part of the sun is covered by the moon, will be visible October 14 in all 49 continental US states, including Alaska, according to NASA. Use the agency’s interactive eclipse map to check when the eclipse will pass over your area: https://bit.ly/3rCbSz1

For those unable to see the eclipse, NASA will share a live stream beginning at 11:30 a.m. ET on eclipse day, sharing views from Albuquerque, New Mexico, Kirbyville, Texas, and White Sands, New Mexico, according to Kelly Korreck, eclipse program manager at NASA.

“The next annular eclipse seen in this part of the country is actually going to be in 2046,” Korreck said. “It’s going to be a long stretch before we will see this phenomenon again, so we’re really encouraging folks to go out there and observe safely.”

It’s never safe to look directly at the sun without using specialized protection, and there is no phase of an annular eclipse that is safe to view with the naked eye because the sun’s light is never completely blocked.

To view the annular eclipse, wear certified eclipse glasses or use a handheld solar viewer. Sunglasses won’t work in place of eclipse glasses or solar viewers, which are thousands of times darker and held to an international standard, ISO 12312-2.

A Solar Eclipse QSO Party (SEQP) will be held from 1200 – 2200 UTC, and participants may use any band or mode (except WARC bands). Researchers will take the submitted logs and work to derive meaningful observations from the data. All radio amateurs need to do is operate using any mode and any band for all or part of the day, then upload their logs. Participation can be from anywhere; you don’t need to be near the path of the eclipse to contribute valuable data. For SEQP contest and rules, visit www.hamsci.org/contest-info.

For information on the Gladstone Signal Spotting Challenge using CW, WSPR, and FST4W, go to https://www.hamsci.org/contest-info.

ARRL members can find out more about the SEQP by reading “The Solar Eclipse QSO Party: A Fun Way to Support Radio Science” in the September/October 2023 issue of On the Air magazine.

[ANS thanks CNN.com and 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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NEXUS (FO-99) Operation Schedule and JAMSAT DXpedition

The October operating schedule for JAMSAT FO-99 is available at https://www.jamsat.or.jp/?p=2341. However, There is an error in the values shown in the table due to the altitude drop of the satellite. Please use the displayed time as a guide and check “Satellite Tracking” on the JAMSAT website for exact transit times.

[ANS thanks Y.Ohtani, JH4DHX/3, of the JAMSAT NEXUS operations team for the above information]

JAMSAT also reports that the VK9QO Cocos (Keeling) Island DXpedition coming up in November will include satellite operation on QO-100, IO-117, and RS-44. Unfortunately, there are not likely to be mutual windows when any satellite footprints include the island and North America. However, some amateurs in Hawaii may enjoy brief opportunities for this DX on IO-117.

[ANS thanks Mikio Mouri, JA3GEP/VK9QO, and JAMSAT 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 Oct. 6

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. Elements in the TLE bulletin files are updated daily. TLE bulletin files are updated to add or remove satellites as necessary Thursday evenings around 2300 UTC, or more frequently if new high interest satellites are launched. More information may be found at https://www.amsat.org/keplerian-elements-resources/

The following satellites have been removed from this week’s AMSAT-NA TLE distribution:

Grizu 263a NORAD Cat ID 51025 Decayed from orbit on or about 01 October 2023
PICSAT NORAD Cat ID 43132 Decayed from orbit on or about 01 October 2023
NUSAT-2 Norad Cat ID 41588 Decayed fromorbit on or about 02 October 2023
Suchai 1 NORAD Cat ID 42788 Decayed from orbit on or about 05 October 2023

[ANS thanks AMSAT Orbital Elements page for the above information]

VUCC Satellite Standing October 2023

————————————————————
VUCC Satellite Award/Endorsement Change Summary for
September 01, 2023 to October 01, 2023.
————————————————————

Call	Sept. 1	Oct. 1
AA5PK1	350	1382
N8RO	1342	1356
W5CBF	841	1201
KF7R	1027	1050
N0JE	1000	1025
DF2ET	950	1000
N3GS	932	980
K6FW	825	951
CO6CBF	841	900
XE1L	639	860
EA2AA	800	825
W8LR	783	801
OZ9AAR	700	800
N6UK	707	777
K0JM	601	702
KE8FZT	625	700
N9FN	569	700
KB1HY	521	604
VA7LM	400	600
N8MR	557	581
NM3B	566	572
JL1SAM	410	511
A65BR	455	477
IW7DOL	101	474
HB9GWJ	412	450
KO9A	423	424
N3CAL	352	412
AB1OC	400	407
AG7NR	300	350
F6EQD	130	311
M0SKM	118	300
W1LE	New	300
N6PAZ	262	290
CT1ETE	New	283
AD2DD	175	261
N9XG	151	252
JR0GAS	140	250
ZS2BK	213	244
JA6SZV	205	207
KH6WI	155	203
JQ1TIV	New	201
W6AER	126	201
IK7EOT	New	171
K6VHF	New	151
JF3MKC	103	150
N7GR	113	141
DJ7NT	100	133
W8XCT	New	127
VU2YQ	New	125
K9JKM	New	114
K2HAT	New	103
K2PLL	New	102
N6UTC (DM05)	New	101
XE1BRX	New	100

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Congratulations to the new VUCC holders.
XE1BRX is first VUCC Satellite holder from DL90
CT1ETE is first VUCC Satellite holder from IN51
IK7EOT is first VUCC Satellite holder from JN80
VU2YQ is first VUCC Satellite holder from MK65

[ANS thanks Jon Goering, N7AZ, for the above information]

ARISS NEWS

Amateurs and others around the world may listen in on contacts between amateurs operating in schools and allowing students to interact with astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station. The downlink frequency on which to listen is 145.800 MHz worldwide.

RECENTLY COMPLETED CONTACTS:
149 Secondary School, Baku, Azerbaijan, direct via 4K6EH
The ISS callsign was OR4ISS
The rewmember was Andreas Mogensen KG5GCZ
The ARISS mentor was SP3QFE
Contact was successful: Fri 2023-10-06 08:29:20 UTC 32 degrees elevation
Congratulations to the 149 Secondary School students, Andreas, and mentor SP3QFE!

Technological University Dublin, Dublin, Ireland, direct via EI1ISS
The ISS callsign was OR4ISS
The crewmember was Jasmin Moghbeli KI5WSL
The ARISS mentor was EI8BP
Contact was successful: Fri 2023-10-06 13:11:32 UTC 49 deg
Congratulations to the Technological University Dublin students, Jasmin, and mentor EI8BP!
Watch for Livestream at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E8wZd2gBoo or https://www.youtube.com/@tudublin/

UPCOMING CONTACTS:
Belgian Defence (KSOO), Koninklijke School voor Onderofficieren, Sint-Truiden, Belgium, direct via ON4BAF AND telebridge to IEPSCF Colfontaine, Colfontaine, Belgium
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS
The scheduled crewmember is Jasmin Moghbeli KI5WSL
The ARISS mentor is ON6TI
Contact is go for: Tue 2023-10-10 11:36:29 UTC 78 deg

Sekolah Kebangsaan Wangsa Maju Seksyen 2, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, direct via 9M2RPN
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS
The scheduled crewmember is Andreas Mogensen KG5GCZ
The ARISS mentor is 7M3TJZ
Contact is go for: Wed 2023-10-11 11:12:42 UTC 78 deg

Covenant Christian Academy, West Peabody, MA, direct via N1DQF
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS
The scheduled crewmember is Loral O’Hara KI5TOM
The ARISS mentor is AB1OC
Contact is go for: Fri 2023-10-13 13:51:42 UTC 39 deg
Watch for Livestream at https://vimeo.com/event/3761617

The crossband repeater continues to be active (145.990 MHz up {PL 67} & 437.800 MHz down). If any crewmember is so inclined, all they have to do is pick up the microphone, raise the volume up, and talk on the crossband repeater. So give a listen, you just never know.

The packet system is also active (145.825 MHz up & down).

As always, if there is an EVA, a docking, or an undocking; the ARISS radios are turned off as part of the safety protocol.

Note, all times are approximate. It is recommended that you do your own orbital prediction or start listening about 10 minutes before the listed time.

The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html

The latest list of frequencies in use can be found at https://www.ariss.org/contact-the-iss.html

[ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team mentors for the above information]

Upcoming Satellite Operations

JW7XK (Svalbard Island) will be activated around October 11th to 16th by Halvard Eriksen, LA7XK, on RS-44 and Greencube IO-117 packet satellite. (ANS thanks AMSAT-UK and DX News for the above information)

******

Jonathan, N4AKV, will be QRV ‘from the EM93/EM94 line and the FM03/FM04 line’ on the afternoon of 13th October and all day on the 14th. This will be a LEO/MEO operation. Check hams.at for passes/times.

******

Alex, N7AGF, says he’ll be in DN02 for the solar eclipse on 14th October. -Ed: this is really all I know at the moment. Best suggestion is to watch his X account or keep an eye on hams.at for additional info.

******

Adrian, N8AJM, will be QRV from EM85 (TN) 16th – 20th October. This will be LEO/MEO. Details are available at hams.at

A growing number of satellite rovers are currently engaged in sharing their grid square activations on https://hams.at. By visiting the website, you gain easy access to comprehensive information about the operators responsible for activating specific grid squares. Additionally, you have the ability to assess the match score between yourself and a particular rover for a given pass, while also being able to identify the upcoming satellite passes that are accessible from your location.

[ANS thanks Ian Parsons, K5ZM, AMSAT rover page manager, for the above information]

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.

+ ARRL Minnesota State Convention
Saturday, October 14
Hennepin Technical College
9000 Brooklyn Blvd.
Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
http://mnconvention.org

+ 41st AMSAT Space Symposium & Annual General Meeting
October 20-21, 2023
Sheraton DFW Airport Hotel
4440 W John Carpenter Fwy, Irving, TX 75063
https://tinyurl.com/AMSAT2023

+ ARRL Pacific Division Convention
Friday, October 20 – Sunday, October 22
San Ramon Marriott
2600 Bishop Drive
San Ramon, CA 94583
https://www.pacificon.org

AMSAT Ambassador Clint Bradford, K6LCS, has spoken to these clubs recently …
+ Gallatin Ham Radio Club, Montana
+ London Bridge ARC, Arizona
+ Sevir Amateur Radio Society, Tennessee
+ GOTA HAMS, Southern California
+ Daytona Beach ARA, Florida

This month, he’ll be informally visiting with hams in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands during a personal trip.

Think a 75-minute presentation on “working the easy satellites” would be appropriate for your club or event in November or December? Send email to Clint at k6lcsclint (at) gmail (dot) com

[ANS thanks the AMSAT Events page and Clint Bradford, K6LCS, for the above information]

Satellite Shorts From All Over

+ The International Telecommunications Union has released a ‘Handbook on Small Satellites.’ The guide was developed in response to the United Nations agency’s Resolution ITU-R 68 on “Improving the dissemination of knowledge concerning the applicable regulatory procedures for small satellites, including nanosatellites and picosatellites.” It includes a section (5.4) on what types of satellites should qualify for use of amateur radio frequencies. See https://www.itu.int/hub/publication/r-hdb-65-2023/ (ANS thanks the ITU for the above information)

+ The Federal Communications Commission has fined Dish Network $150,000 for failing to properly remove a satellite from geostationary orbit, the U.S. regulator said Oct. 2 in a first for its space debris enforcement action. The settlement includes an admission of liability from Dish for leaving EchoStar-7 at 122 kilometers above its operational geostationary arc, less than halfway to where the satellite broadcaster had agreed. (ANS thanks SpaceNews for the above information)

+ NASA announced on Friday (Sept. 29) that it will extend operations for New Horizons until the spacecraft exits the Kuiper Belt, which is expected in 2028 or 2029. New Horizons launched in January 2006, on a mission to provide the first-ever up-close looks at Pluto, the Kuiper Belt’s most famous resident. NASA extended the mission to include a flyby of another Kuiper Belt object (KBO) — the 21-mile-wide (34 kilometers) Arrokoth. Additional extensions are possible. New Horizons has enough nuclear fuel remaining to continue flying through at least 2040, mission team members have said. (ANS thanks Space.com for the above information)

+ NASA delayed the launch of the Psyche asteroid mission aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy by a week to October 12. The spacecraft will explore the metal-rich asteroid 16 Psyche that orbits between Mars and Jupiter. (ANS thanks The Parabolic Arc for the above information)

+ Amazon has officially joined the race to build massive constellations of satellites that can blanket the globe in internet connectivity — a move that puts the tech company in direct competition with SpaceX and its Starlink system. The first two prototype satellites for Amazon’s network, called Project Kuiper, launched aboard a United Launch Alliance rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Friday, Oct. 6.

+ It was a bad week for small satellite launchers with multiple failures: Galactic Energy’s Ceres-1 suffered its first failure in 10 launches on September 21. The failure lowered the solid-fuel booster’s reliability to 90 percent. Galactic Energy has not revealed the cause of the failure. The failure came two days after a Rocket Lab Electron booster fell back to Earth after its second stage failed to ignite properly. It was the fourth failure in 40 launches for the orbital rocket, whose reliability fell to 90 percent as a result. (ANS thanks The Parabolic Arc for the above information)

Join AMSAT today at https://launch.amsat.org/

In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to:

* Societies (a recognized group, clubs or organization).
* Primary and secondary school students are eligible for membership at one-half the standard yearly rate.
* Post-secondary school students enrolled in at least half time status shall be eligible for the student rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status.
* Memberships are available for annual and lifetime terms.

Contact info [at] amsat.org for additional membership information.

73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space!

This week’s ANS Editor, Mark Johns, KØJM
k0jm [at] amsat.org

ANS-274 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

October 1, 2023October 1, 2023 by Mark Johns

In this edition:

* Apogee View
* Twigggs/Pugh Planning 30 ThinSat Launch for Schools
* Window for Educational/ARISS Contact Proposals Now Open
* SSTV Event Scheduled for ARISS on October 3, 2023
* ARISS News
* Upcoming Satellite Operations
* Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events
* Satellite Shorts From All Over

The news feed on http://www.amsat.org publishes news of Amateur Radio in Space as soon as our volunteers can post it.

Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor [at] amsat [dot]org.

You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: https://mailman.amsat.org/postorius/lists/ans.amsat.org/

ANS-274 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

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

DATE 2023 OCT 01

Apogee View

The end of my summer is marked by a trek up north to “the Friendliest Hamfest in the World” – the Huntsville Hamfest, and this year was no exception. I had the pleasure of spending Saturday at the AMSAT booth, assisting the volunteers to answer questions and share the excitement of amateur radio in space.

Tim Cunningham, N8DEU, an AMSAT Ambassador, has represented AMSAT at the Huntsville Hamfest for as long as I can remember and has been doing a fabulous job. In addition, it was great working and getting the chance to catch up with Peter Spinnelli, N4YOT, Barry Baines, WD4ASW, Jim McCullers, WA4CWI, and Dr. Alan Biddle, WA4SCA.

The following Monday, we got a shout-out on the nationally syndicated radio show, The Rick and Bubba Show. This should not be a surprise as Bill “Bubba” Bussey not only holds the amateur radio call sign, KJ4JJ, but he is also an AMSAT member.

With less than two months to go, our team, led by Zach Metzinger, N0ZGO, and Frank Karnauskas, N1UW, are at a full sprint in planning for the 41st AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting, to be held Friday, October 20th through Saturday, October 21st. This year, we will be in Dallas, Texas, at the Sheraton DFW Airport adjacent to the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.

The Space Symposium will kick off at 1:00 PM on Friday and break at 5:00 PM for dinner on your own, followed by a Friday Night Social and Auction, starting at 7:00 PM. The symposium presentations will begin Saturday at 8:00 AM and end at 3:15 PM, with an hour break in between for lunch. I look forward to presentations as they give us a glimpse into what everyone is working on within the AMSAT community.

Saturday afternoon, we will hold our annual general meeting with our members to report on our progress for the year. Then, we will cap off the symposium Saturday night with our banquet. For those still around Sunday morning, we will have an AMSAT member breakfast to share one last meal before returning home.

Our board of directors holds an in-person meeting before each AMSAT Symposium, and this year is no exception. While the agenda has not been finalized yet, our directors will meet all day Thursday and the first half of Friday to elect officers for the coming year, receive reports from AMSAT Officers, be brought up-to-date on the various programs and projects our volunteers are working on, and discuss new proposals as we continue to create new pathways for amateur radio in space. The Board of Directors Meeting is open to all AMSAT members, so if you arrive early, you are welcome to join us.

I am excited about this year’s AMSAT Space Symposium and look forward to meeting with all of our members. Please attend if you have the opportunity. Until next time, keep reaching for the stars as we continue our path Onward and Upward!

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

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Hungary Lil’ Buckaroo?
Make Your Reservation for the Symposium Banquet Today!

It’s a Belt Bustin’ Texas Style Barbecue with
Smoked BBQ Sliced Brisket and Roasted BBQ Chicken
BBQ Baked Beans, Southern Style Potato Salad, Roasted Corn
Salad Greens, Corn Bread, Pecan Pie and all the fixin’s!
More Info At: https://tinyurl.com/AMSAT2023

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Twigggs/Pugh Planning 30 ThinSat Launch for Schools

Bob Twiggs, KE6QMD, and Nick Pugh, K5QXJ will be partnering with the University of Louisiana and other organizations to apply for a NASA grant to fly a 3U satellite with approximately 30 small thinsats. This program is designed so high schools and universities with minimal satellite experience can have an opportunity to place satellites in low-earth orbit (LEO). This program anticipates schools with budgets of less than $500 to get to space. Bob and Nick will be presenting this initiative at the 41st Annual AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting to be held at the Sheraton DFW Hotel on October 20-21, 2023. See https://amsat.org for more information on the Symposium.

If anyone knows of a school who would like to be part of this program, please contact Nick directly at rjtwiggs [at] gmail [dot]com. They are asking for anyone of this list who has experience in obtaining a FCC license for sub 1U satellites.

[ANS thanks Nick Pugh, K5QXJ, for the above information.]

Window for Educational/ARISS Contact Proposals Now Open

The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Program is seeking formal and informal education institutions and organizations, individually or working together, to host an Amateur Radio contact with a crew member on board the ISS. ARISS anticipates that the contact would be held between July 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024. Crew scheduling and ISS orbits will determine the exact contact dates. To maximize these radio contact opportunities, ARISS is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed education plan.

The deadline to submit a proposal is November 10, 2023. Proposal information and more details such as expectations, proposal guidelines and the proposal form can be found at www.ariss.org. An ARISS Introductory Webinar session will be held on October 5 2023 at 7 PM ET. The Eventbrite link to sign up is: https://ariss-proposal-webinar-fall-2023.eventbrite.com

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.

Amateur Radio organizations around the world with the support of NASA and space agencies in Russia, Canada, Japan and Europe present educational organizations with this opportunity. The ham radio organizations’ volunteer efforts provide the equipment and operational support to enable communication between crew on the ISS and students around the world using Amateur Radio.

Please direct any questions to [email protected].

[ANS thanks ARISS for the above information.]

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Need new satellite antennas? Purchase M2 LEO-Packs
from the AMSAT Store. When you purchase through
AMSAT, a portion of the proceeds goes towards
Keeping Amateur Radio in Space.
https://amsat.org/product-category/hardware/

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SSTV Event Scheduled for ARISS on October 3, 2023

R4UAB reports that from October 3, 2023 to October 5, 2023 images will be transmitted from the International Space Station via the SSTV protocol as part of the “About Gagarin from Space” experiment. The topic of the program is the first artificial Earth satellite, amateur radio satellites, school satellites.

SSTV images will be transmitted on 145.800 MHz using a Kenwood TM-D710 transceiver. They are expected to use the PD-120 SSTV format.

The scheduled start of transmission is October 03, 2023 at approximately 14:40 UTC. The end of transmission is scheduled at October 05, 2023 at approximately 18:15 UTC. The date and time may change.

The “Russia ISS SSTV” diploma is awarded to radio amateurs (observers) for receiving SSTV (slow-scan television) broadcasts from aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the space experiment (SE) “About Gagarin from Space.” To receive the “Russia ISS SSTV” Diploma, one must receive and decode three images transmitted over a radio channel from on board the ISS using the SSTV protocol only on the days of the SE. Each image must be at least 90% complete and of acceptable quality. Information on earning the certificate is available at https://r4uab.ru/diplom-iss-sstv/.

AMSAT Argentina is also offering a diploma for reception of ISS SSTV images. Learn more at http://amsat.org.ar/?f=9.

[ANS thanks AMSAT Argentina and R4UAB for the above information.]

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ARISS NEWS

Completed Contacts

+ Southwest State University (SWSU), Kursk, Russia, direct via UB3WCL.
The ISS callsign was RSØISS.
The crewmember was Sergey Prokopyev.
The ARISS mentor was RV3DR.
Contact was successful on September 21, 2023.

+ Escuela Preparatoria La Salle, Torreon Coah, Mexico, telebridge via IK1SLD.
The ISS callsign was OR4ISS.
The scheduled crewmember was Jasmin Moghbeli, KI5WSL.
The ARISS mentor was VE3TBD.
Contact was successful on September 22, 2023.
(This was the first ARISS contact with Mexico.)

+ Colegio Educación del Talento, Yerba Buena, Tucumán, Argentina, direct via LU5KHF.
The ISS callsign was NA1SS.
The scheduled crewmember was Andreas Mogensen, KG5GCZ, or Jasmin Moghbeli, KI5WSL.
The ARISS mentor was VE6JBJ.
Contact was successful on September 25, 2023.

+ MAEI “School No. 16 of Blagoveshchensk, Amur State University, Blagoveshchensk, Russia, direct via RKØJ.
The ISS callsign was RSØISS.
The crewmember was Oleg Kononenko.
The ARISS mentor was RV3DR.
Contact was successful on September 28, 2023.

Upcoming Contacts

+ 149 Secondary School, Baku, Azerbaijan, direct via 4K6EH.
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS.
The scheduled crewmember is Andreas Mogensen, KG5GCZ.
The ARISS mentor is SP3QFE.
Contact is go for Friday, October 6, 2023- at 08:31:05 UTC.

+ Technological University Dublin, Dublin, Ireland, direct via EI1ISS.
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS.
The scheduled crewmember is Jasmin Moghbeli, KI5WSL.
The ARISS mentor is EI8BP.
Contact is go for Friday, October 6, 2023 at 13:13:17 UTC.

The packet system is also active (145.825 MHz up & down).

As always, if there is an EVA, a docking, or an undocking; the ARISS radios are turned off as part of the safety protocol.

Note, all times are approximate. It is recommended that you do your own orbital prediction or start listening about 10 minutes before the listed time.

The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html

The latest list of frequencies in use can be found at https://www.ariss.org/contact-the-iss.html

[ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team mentors for the above information.]

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The 2023 AMSAT President’s Club coins are here now!

To commemorate the 40th anniversary of its launch
on June 16, 1983, this year’s coin features
an image of AMSAT-OSCAR 10.
Join the AMSAT President’s Club today and help
Keep Amateur Radio in Space!
https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/
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Upcoming Satellite Operations

[ANS thanks Ian Parsons, K5ZM, 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.

+ ARRL Minnesota State Convention
October 14, 2023
Hennepin Technical College
9000 Brooklyn Blvd.
Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
More information at http://mnconvention.org.

+ 2023 AMSAT-UK Colloquium & RSGB Convention
October 14-15, 2023
Kents Hill Park Conference Centre
Milton Keynes MK7 6BZ, United Kingdom
More information at https://amsat-uk.org/.

+ 41st AMSAT Space Symposium & Annual General Meeting
October 20-21, 2023
Sheraton DFW Airport Hotel
4440 W John Carpenter Fwy, Irving, TX 75063
More information at https://launch.amsat.org/event-5363188.

[ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information.]

Satellite Shorts From All Over

+ Fredric Raab, KK6NOW, will present the AMSAT CubeSat Simulator in his presentation entitled: “Adopt a Satellite: Using SatNOGS in the Classroom” at the SmallSat Education Conference, Kennedy Space Center, 28-39 October 2023. More information at www.smallsateducation.org. [ANS thanks Fredric Raab, KK6NOW, for the above information.]

+ WSJT-X has released a beta version with full duplex, ideal for use on RS-44, AO-109, and other linear satellites. It also includes many other useful satellite operating features. Download at https://sourceforge.net/projects/wsjt-x-improv [ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information.]

Join AMSAT today at https://launch.amsat.org/

In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to:

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-267 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

September 23, 2023September 23, 2023 by Mark Johns

In this edition:

* 2023 AMSAT Symposium Keynote Speakers Announced
* 41st Annual AMSAT Space Symposium Call for Papers
* Russian Soyuz MS-24 Launches Crew to International Space Station
* Imperial College Develops Miniature Rocket Thruster for CubeSats
* GOES-U Successfully Completes Environmental Testing for 2024 Launch
* Sentinel-1 Satellite Reveals Shifts from Morocco Earthquake
* Satellite Top 100 Rovers September 2023 Rankings
* Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for September 21, 2023
* ARISS News
* Upcoming Satellite Operations
* Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events
* Satellite Shorts From All Over

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/

ANS-267 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

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

DATE 2024 September 24

2023 AMSAT Symposium Keynote Speakers Announced

Bob Twiggs, KE6QMD, considered to be the “father” of the CubeSat form factor, will be a keynote speaker at the 41st Annual AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting banquet.

Bob is a retired professor of Astronautics and Space Science at Morehead State University. He is responsible, along with Jordi Puig-Suari of California Polytechnic State University, for co-inventing the CubeSat reference design for miniaturized satellites which became an industry standard for design and deployment of the satellites.

Twiggs earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the University of Idaho in 1961 and a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering with a concentration in microwave devices from Stanford University in 1964.

From 1985 to 1994, Twiggs was the director of the Weber State University Center for Aerospace Technology. He served as a consulting professor in the Stanford University Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics from 1994 to 2008. At Stanford, he established the Space Systems Development Laboratory. Bob Twiggs became a professor at Morehead State University in 2009 in an effort to push the PocketQube standard leveraging the university’s large aperture (21m) space tracking system, and to help develop a space economy in the state of Kentucky.

In 2019, Twiggs designed and proposed another smaller, simpler satellite form factor called ThinSat which could enable high school students to design and build satellites.

Joining Bob in the presentation will be Nick Pugh, K5QXJ. A native of Lafayette, Louisiana, Nick is credited with establishing the first microwave loop in the Gulf of Mexico just two years after his graduation from University of Southwestern Louisiana (now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette). His pioneering leadership with telecommunications technology in and around the Gulf of Mexico over the years has spurred regional economic development.

Nick is also a longtime community volunteer. He directed University of Louisiana Lafayette’s successful effort to become the first college team in Louisiana to build and launch satellites. He also advised the David Thibodaux STEM Magnet Academy’s high school student team, which placed a biological experiment on the International Space Station. Nick is also a member of the Acadiana Area Radio Association and the Lafayette Computer Club, and a founding member of Acadiana Open Channel.

Nick has served as chair of Habitat for Humanity Lafayette. He was a member of Leadership Lafayette Class XXVII and is a 1998 graduate of Harvard’s Owner/President Management program. He is also the founder of the Pugh Family Foundation, a philanthropic venture focused on helping to create a world-class public education system in the Acadiana region.

[ANS thanks AMSAT and Wikipedia for the above information.]

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Reserve Your Symposium Hotel Room Now!
Symposium Guaranteed Room Rates End Tuesday, September 26th
Make Your Reservations While our Special Group Rate is in Effect!
More Info At: https://tinyurl.com/AMSAT

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41st Annual AMSAT Space Symposium Call for Papers

Papers are now being accepted for the 41st annual AMSAT Space Symposium to be held on the weekend of October 20-21, 2023 at the Sheraton DFW Airport in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas.

Proposals for Symposium papers and presentations are invited on any topic of interest to the amateur satellite community. We request a tentative title of your presentation as soon as possible, with final copy submitted by October 12 for inclusion in the symposium proceedings. Abstracts and papers should be sent to Dan Schultz, N8FGV at n8fgv at amsat.org.

[ANS thanks Dan Schultz, N8FGV, AMSAT Symposium Proceedings Editor, for the above information]

Russian Soyuz MS-24 Launches Crew to International Space Station

Russian spacecraft Soyuz MS-24, carrying two Russian cosmonauts and a U.S. astronaut, successfully blasted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Friday, September 15th, with live TV footage capturing the launch. This mission marked the 85th launch of the Soyuz 2.1a in 2023 and the 6th launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in the same year, contributing to the 149th orbital launch attempt of 2023.

The Soyuz MS-24 mission, also known as Expedition 70/71, had initially been scheduled for March 16, 2023. However, due to technical issues with the docked Soyuz MS-22 spacecraft, the crewed mission was reassigned to Soyuz MS-24. The spacecraft, designated Soyuz MS-24, carried American astronaut Loral O’Hara along with Russian cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub.

The mission launched under the auspices of the Russian space agency, ROSCOSMOS, utilizing the Soyuz 2.1a launch vehicle. The lift-off took place from Launch Complex 31/6 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The spacecraft’s destination was the International Space Station (ISS), situated in a low Earth orbit approximately 400 kilometers above Earth’s surface at a 51.66° inclination.

The crew of Soyuz MS-24, upon reaching the ISS, would join the existing station crew members, which included NASA astronauts Frank Rubio and Jasmin Moghbeli, KI5WSL, Russian cosmonauts Dmitry Petelin, Konstantin Borisov, Sergei Prokopyev, as well as Denmark’s Andreas Mogensen, KG5GCZ, and Japan’s Satoshi Furukawa, KE5DAW.

The Soyuz MS-24 crew was composed of Commander Oleg Kononenko, Flight Engineer 1 Nikolai Chub from ROSCOSMOS, and Flight Engineer 2 Loral O’Hara from NASA. Commander Oleg Kononenko, RN3DX, had previously completed four spaceflights and accumulated 916 days in space, exceeding the previous record of 878 days held by Gennady Padalka.

Nikolai Chub, on the other hand, was embarking on his first journey to space as Flight Engineer 1, having been selected as a Roscosmos cosmonaut in 2012. Loral O’Hara, KI5TOM, Flight Engineer 2, was an astronaut candidate with NASA’s 2017 Astronaut Candidate Class, making Soyuz MS-24 her maiden spaceflight.

Soyuz, introduced in 1966, has long served as the multi-use medium-lift launch vehicle for the Soviet/Russian space program. Its versatile capabilities encompass launching civilian and military satellites, cargo, and crewed missions to the ISS. The Soyuz-2 rocket stands approximately 46.3 meters tall, with a diameter of 2.95 meters, and a total lift-off mass of about 312,000 kilograms. Its payload capacity to low-Earth orbit ranges from 6,600 to 7,400 kilograms.

The Soyuz MS spacecraft, in this case, Soyuz MS-24, is the latest iteration of Russia’s renowned three-person spacecraft. Although its external appearance has remained relatively consistent since its first flight in the 1960s, internal systems and capabilities have been modernized over time.

The spacecraft consists of three sections: the orbital module, the descent module, and the service module. The orbital module is where the crew primarily resides while in orbit and docks with the ISS. The descent module is the section that returns to Earth intact, carrying the crew during launch and reentry. The service module houses the main engine for orbital maneuvers, thrusters for docking, and life support systems.

The Soyuz MS-24 mission docked with the ISS approximately three hours and 15 minutes after liftoff, adding to the station’s international crew and enabling further scientific research in the unique environment of space.

[ANS thanks Mariia Kiseleva, writing for Everyday Astronaut for the above information]

Imperial College Develops Miniature Rocket Thruster for CubeSats

Researchers at Imperial College have designed a miniature rocket thruster so small that it can only be fabricated using techniques originally intended for creating silicon microchips. Named the “Iridium Catalysed Electrolysis CubeSat Thruster” or ICE-Cube Thruster, this innovation holds the promise of revolutionizing the propulsion systems for small satellites, particularly CubeSats, by offering a compact, efficient, and eco-friendly solution.

Satellites weighing under 10 kilograms, constituting approximately 90% of today’s satellite launches, present a unique set of challenges when it comes to developing components for them. Among the most critical challenges is designing rocket thrusters tailored to the limitations of CubeSats. These thrusters must not only be diminutive in size but also uncomplicated, unpressurized, low-power, and devoid of toxic materials.

Funded by the European Space Agency (ESA), the ICE-Cube Thruster meets these stringent criteria, with its primary attribute being its diminutive size. The entire thruster chip, comparable in length to a human fingernail, features a combustion chamber and nozzle measuring a mere 1 millimeter. It demands a mere 20 watts of electric current to operate. A test campaign achieved 1.25 millinewtons of thrust at a specific impulse of 185 seconds. To provide a sense of scale, this thrust output is roughly half a billion times less powerful than the engines used on the Space Shuttle.

However, the true innovation of the ICE-Cube Thruster lies in its propellant choice, ordinary water. Water, known for its non-explosive and non-flammable properties, is utilized as the propellant of choice. An onboard electric current induces electrolysis within the thruster, breaking down the water into hydrogen and oxygen. These gases are then fed into the combustion chamber, where they ignite, producing the necessary thrust to maneuver the CubeSat.

This utilization of water as propellant not only aligns with sustainability goals but also reduces overall payload requirements. The absence of the need for pressurization in storing the propellant streamlines storage and handling systems, making them lighter and more straightforward. However, the challenge lay in fabricating the combustion chamber and nozzle for the thruster, a task that required adopting a technique akin to microelectronics. The researchers utilized Micro-Electrical Mechanical Systems (MEMS) techniques, typically used for machining silicon wafers for processors to sub-micrometer tolerances.

The successful testing of the ICE-Cube Thruster was conducted through an ESA General Support Technology Programme De-Risk activity, validating its feasibility in a controlled laboratory environment. The data acquired during this testing phase will serve as a vital guide in the development of a flight-representative “Engineering Model” of the propulsion system, including the electrolyser. This development is slated to be led by URA Thrusters in collaboration with Imperial College.

[ANS thanks the European Space Agency for the above information]

GOES-U Successfully Completes Environmental Testing for 2024 Launch

NOAA’s upcoming satellite, GOES-U, the final addition to the GOES-R Series of advanced geostationary satellites, has completed a rigorous battery of tests to ensure its readiness for the challenges of launch and its mission in space. The year-long testing process concluded with GOES-U proving its resilience to the harsh conditions of space, situated 22,236 miles above Earth.

The testing regimen, which commenced in November 2022, involved subjecting GOES-U to extreme temperatures ranging from a scorching 188 degrees Fahrenheit (87 degrees Celsius) to a bone-chilling minus 67 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 55 degrees Celsius). This thermal vacuum testing aimed to simulate the harsh temperature fluctuations during both launch and its mission in the space environment.

Following this, in February 2023, the satellite underwent vibration testing to ensure its structural integrity during the stresses of launch. It then faced the intense sounds of 138.4 decibels during acoustic testing, replicating the noise levels experienced during launch.

March 2023 witnessed the successful completion of shock testing, confirming GOES-U’s ability to withstand the separation from the launch vehicle and the deployment of its solar panels. Subsequently, in August 2023, electromagnetic interference and compatibility (EMI/EMC) testing ensured that the satellite’s operations would remain unaffected by various forms of electromagnetic radiation.

Notably, GOES-U’s large five-panel solar array, initially folded during launch, was verified to deploy correctly upon reaching geostationary orbit. These solar panels will serve as the primary source of power, converting sunlight into electricity to operate the satellite’s instruments, computers, data processors, sensors, and telecommunications equipment.

The exhaustive testing program was conducted at Lockheed Martin’s facility in Littleton, Colorado, where GOES-U was built. Simultaneously, as the satellite was being prepared for the rigors of launch and space, the GOES-U mission operations team engaged in critical rehearsals to test launch procedures and communication systems between the satellite and ground facilities.

These rehearsals encompassed a wide range of scenarios, including normal operations and contingency procedures in case of unexpected events. The team also conducted tests for compatibility with the Compact Coronagraph-1 (CCOR-1) instrument, which will monitor the sun’s corona as part of NOAA’s Space Weather Follow-On mission.

GOES-U remains on schedule for its planned April 2024 launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, utilizing a Falcon Heavy launch vehicle. Following its successful journey to geostationary orbit, it will be renamed GOES-19 and undergo a series of on-orbit instrument and systems checkouts, followed by the validation of its data products.

The GOES-R Series is hailed as the Western Hemisphere’s most advanced weather and environmental monitoring system. Comprising four satellites, the program includes GOES-R (GOES-16), GOES-S (GOES-17), GOES-T (GOES-18), and GOES-U. These satellites play a pivotal role in providing crucial data for weather forecasts, environmental hazard detection, and monitoring solar activity and space weather.

The GOES-R Series is set to operate into the 2030s. In parallel, NOAA and NASA are collaboratively working on the Geostationary Extended Observations (GeoXO) mission, ushering in the next generation of geostationary satellites to address future environmental challenges for U.S. weather, ocean, and climate operations. This collaborative effort between NOAA and NASA continues to advance environmental monitoring and scientific research from space.

[ANS thanks NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center for the above information]

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Sentinel-1 Satellite Reveals Shifts from Morocco Earthquake

In the wake of the devastating earthquake that struck Morocco on September 8th, satellite data is proving to be a vital asset for emergency response teams. The International Charter ‘Space and Major Disasters,’ which offers rapid support during major crises, quickly deployed Earth observation assets to assist rescue efforts.

Additionally, radar measurements from Europe’s Copernicus Sentinel-1 satellite mission are being utilized to assess ground shifts caused by the earthquake. This information not only aids in planning reconstruction efforts but also advances scientific research.

The powerful 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit the Atlas Mountains, about 75 kilometers from Marrakesh, Morocco in an area rarely affected by such seismic events.

Tragically, the earthquake resulted in significant loss of life, building collapses, and infrastructure damage. The impact was felt as far as the country’s northern coast.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, along with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, invoked the International Charter Space & Major Disasters. This initiative allows for the swift provision of satellite imagery to define the extent of the disaster, enhancing rescue operations.

Satellites play a crucial role in rapid damage assessment and disaster management. Recognizing this, the European Space Agency (ESA) and France’s CNES space agency established the International Charter Space and Major Disasters in 1999 to foster international collaboration in disaster response.

In alignment with this collaboration, the Copernicus Emergency Mapping Service was activated to share satellite data in response to the Moroccan earthquake. High-resolution images from France’s Pléiades satellites were used to create detailed damage maps, aiding rescue teams in their operations.

These maps assist in identifying safe routes and bridges, ensuring the safety of responders. Philippe Bally, ESA representative of the International Charter, emphasized the urgency of delivering satellite data promptly to support relief efforts.

While the response to Morocco’s disaster continues, scientists are using measurements from the Copernicus Sentinel-1 mission to assess ground changes using a technique called ‘interferometry.’ This helps to understand the earthquake’s impact and potential future hazards.

The Copernicus Sentinel-1 mission’s radar capabilities allow scientists to observe and analyze the precise effects of earthquakes on the land surface. This information is crucial for post-disaster restoration efforts.

As Morocco works toward recovery, international space agencies and initiatives like the International Charter, alongside satellite missions such as Sentinel-1, are playing a crucial role in easing the burden on emergency responders and advancing our understanding of seismic events. These efforts contribute significantly to global disaster mitigation.

[ANS thanks the European Space Agency for the above information]

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Hungary Lil’ Buckaroo?
Make Your Reservation for the Symposium Banquet Today!

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Satellite Top 100 Rovers September 2023 Rankings

The September 2023 rankings for the Top 100 Rovers (Mixed LEO/MEO/GEO) in satellite operations, as determined by @GridMasterMap on Twitter, has been released. The ranking is determined by the number of grids and DXCC entities activated, taking into account only those grids where a minimum number of QSOs logged on the gridmaster.fr website have been validated by a third party. Grid numbers do not directly reflect the exact number of activations. Satellite operators are encouraged to upload their LoTW satellite contacts to https://gridmaster.fr in order to provide more accurate data.

Updated: 2023-09-08

1	ND9M	26	KE4AL	51	OE3SEU	76	DF2ET
2	NJ7H	27	LU5ILA	52	KE9AJ	77	N0TEL
3	N5UC	28	VE3HLS	53	VE1CWJ	78	KB2YSI
4	JA9KRO	29	KI7UNJ	54	JL3RNZ	79	KJ7NDY
5	DL6AP	30	KB5FHK	55	KM4LAO	80	CU2ZG
6	HA3FOK	31	LA9XGA	56	N4UFO	81	VE6WK
7	N9IP	32	N7AGF	57	VA7LM	82	VK5DG
8	WY7AA	33	XE3DX	58	N8RO	83	VE7PTN
9	WI7P	34	N6DNM	59	SM3NRY	84	AF5CC
10	N6UA	35	F4BKV	60	FG8OJ	85	YU0W
11	AD0DX	36	DL2GRC	61	PT2AP	86	W1AW
12	W5PFG	37	KE0PBR	62	AA8CH	87	PT9ST
13	DP0POL	38	K7TAB	63	AM1SAT	88	DK9JC
14	K5ZM	39	KE0WPA	64	F5VMJ	89	VO2AC
15	AD0HJ	40	W7WGC	65	KI7QEK	90	W8LR
16	AK8CW	41	JO2ASQ	66	VE1VOX	91	DL4EA
17	WD9EWK	42	EA4NF	67	M1DDD	92	KG4AKV
18	ON4AUC	43	AC0RA	68	VA3VGR	93	LW2DAF
19	KX9X	44	PR8KW	69	LU4JVE	94	HB9GWJ
20	KG5CCI	45	AA5PK	70	KI7UXT	95	KC7JPC
21	N5BO	46	JK2XXK	71	N4DCW	96	XE1ET
22	DJ8MS	47	EB1AO	72	PT9BM	97	AB5SS
23	ND0C	48	F4DXV	73	WA9JBQ	98	A41ZZ
24	K8BL	49	SP5XSD	74	VE3GOP	99	K4DCA
25	UT1FG	50	AD7DB	75	K0FFY	100	WN9Q

[ANS thanks @GridMasterMap for the above information]

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Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for September 21, 2023

This week there are no additions or deletions to the AMSAT TLE distribution.

[ANS thanks AMSAT Orbital Elements page for the above information]

ARISS NEWS

+ Upcoming Contacts

Colegio Educación del Talento, Yerba Buena, Tucumán, Argentina, direct via LU5KHF
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS
The scheduled crewmember is Andreas Mogensen KG5GCZ or Jasmin Moghbeli KI5WSL
The ARISS mentor is VE6JBJ
Contact is for: Mon 2023-09-25 15:08:45 UTC

Amur State University, Blagoveshchensk, Russia, direct via TBD
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS
The scheduled crewmember is Oleg Kononenko
The ARISS mentor is RV3DR
Contact is for: Thu 2023-09-28 08:45 UTC

ARISS planned radio outage next week. In support of the Soyuz undocking planned for Wed. 9/27 the Voice Repeater & Digipeater will be off for the event.
Current Schedule:
Radios off: Tue. Sep. 26 about 12:20 UTC | 8:20 AM ET
Radios on: Thu. Sep. 28 about 07:45 UTC | 3:45 AM ET

The packet system is also active (145.825 MHz up & down).

As always, if there is an EVA, a docking, or an undocking; the ARISS radios are turned off as part of the safety protocol.

Note, all times are approximate. It is recommended that you do your own orbital prediction or start listening about 10 minutes before the listed time.

The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html

The latest list of frequencies in use can be found at https://www.ariss.org/contact-the-iss.html

[ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team mentors for the above information]

Upcoming Satellite Operations

K5Z will be active on IO-117 from DL88 on September 25-27. See the updated pass schedule at https://www.qrz.com/db/KI0KB/P.

Doug, VA7LM will be active on IO-117 for the final time this year from CO44 on 24th September at 0102z.

[ANS thanks Ian Parsons, K5ZM, 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.

+ ARRL Minnesota State Convention
October 14, 2023
Hennepin Technical College
9000 Brooklyn Blvd.
Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
http://mnconvention.org

+ 2023 AMSAT-UK Colloquium & RSGB Convention
October 14-15, 2023
Kents Hill Park Conference Centre
Milton Keynes MK7 6BZ, United Kingdom

+ 41st AMSAT Space Symposium & Annual General Meeting
October 20-21, 2023
Sheraton DFW Airport Hotel
4440 W John Carpenter Fwy, Irving, TX 75063

[ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information]

Satellite Shorts From All Over

+ Virgin Galactic successfully completed its third commercial suborbital spaceflight, known as “Galactic 03,” on September 8, carrying three private astronauts. The VSS Unity spaceplane, attached to the VMS Eve mothership, took off from Spaceport America in New Mexico and reached an altitude of 88.6 kilometers before landing back at the spaceport. Unlike previous flights, the company kept the identities of the private astronauts secret until after the landing, revealing them as Ken Baxter, Timothy Nash, and Adrian Reynard. Virgin Galactic did not provide a webcast of the mission but updated the public via social media. The company plans to continue its monthly cadence of missions with “Galactic 04” in early October. [ANS thanks The Orbital Index for the above information.]

+ The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has announced an end of critical phases for two of its recently launched space missions. The Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) has concluded its critical operation phase, demonstrating the normal functionality of its equipment through telemetry data. SLIM will now transition to an Earth orbit phase, where it will further test its onboard systems before embarking on its lunar journey. Simultaneously, the X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM) also completed its critical phase, with normal operations in power generation, communication, and attitude control. XRISM is now entering a commissioning period to verify its onboard equipment’s functions. These missions, launched on September 6, 2023, mark Japan’s ambitious foray into lunar exploration with SLIM and its deep space investigations with XRISM, advancing our understanding of both the Moon and the universe. [ANS thanks the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency for the above information.]

+ ESTCube-2 is set to launch aboard Vega C flight VV23 in the coming weeks, marking Europe’s final launch of 2023. This 3U CubeSat is a joint project between the Estonian Student Satellite Foundation and UT Tartu Observatory. It will test Coulomb drag propulsion, specifically E-sails, by using a positively charged wire to deflect solar wind protons and generate thrust. Additionally, it will experiment with a plasma brake to accelerate satellite deorbiting. ESTCube-2 will also conduct tests in low Earth orbit (LEO) on an electron emitter to prepare for future deep space missions. The mission includes Earth observation (EO) payloads and materials testing for LEO’s atomic oxygen environment. The team is planning a lunar mission for actual E-sailing. The Vega C launch will carry a Thai EO satellite, a Taiwanese weather satellite, and various smallsats for diverse missions such as water monitoring, tech demonstrations, IoT, and more. [ANS thanks SpaceNews for the above information.]

+ NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission is gearing up for a historic moment on September 24, 2023, when it will return valuable samples from asteroid Bennu to Earth, with the landing scheduled for 10 a.m. EDT (1400Z) in Utah. Launched in 2016, the mission faced unexpected challenges as Bennu’s surface differed from predictions, requiring reprogramming for a successful sample collection in 2020. Inside the descent capsule is a trove of precious asteroid material. As the spacecraft enters Earth’s atmosphere at high speed, it will deploy parachutes to ensure a controlled landing. This event marks the culmination of OSIRIS-REx’s 7-year mission, promising crucial insights into the solar system’s history and composition. [ANS thanks Space.com for the above information.]

Join AMSAT today at https://launch.amsat.org/

In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to:

* Societies (a recognized group, clubs or organization).
* Primary and secondary school students are eligible for membership at one-half the standard yearly rate.
* Post-secondary school students enrolled in at least half-time status shall be eligible for the student rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status.
* Memberships are available for annual and lifetime terms.

Contact info [at] amsat.org for additional membership information.

73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space!

This week’s ANS Editor, Mitch Ahrenstorff, ADØHJ
ad0hj [at] amsat.org

ANS-246 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

September 3, 2023 by Mark Johns

In this edition:

* Astronaut Hams Complete ISS Crew Transition
* AMSAT SA Space Symposium to be Held Online
* All South African Grids Roved on Satellite
* VUCC Satellite Standings — September 2023
* Japan Scrubs Launch of X-Ray Telescope and Moon Lander
* India’s Luner Lander Sparks Interest in the Moon
* ARISS News
* Upcoming Satellite Operations
* Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events
* Satellite Shorts From All Over

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/

ANS-246 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

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

DATE 2023 Sep 03

Astronaut Hams Complete ISS Crew Transition

The eleven orbital residents aboard the International Space Station (ISS) spent this week gearing up for a crew split as the four newest members continue to settle into their daily routines in weightlessness and four other Expedition 69 crew members prepare for their ride home to Earth.

Two crews are in the process of swapping places as NASA astronauts Woody Hoburg, KB3HTZ, and Stephen Bowen, KI5BKB, along with UAE (United Arab Emirates) Flight Engineer Sultan Alneyadi, KI5VTV, and Roscosmos Flight Engineer Andrey Fedyaev, spent most of their time handing over responsibilities, including training new crew members on station procedures and the use of station exercise equipment.

Sunday, August 27 saw the arrival of NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli, KI5WSL, Danish ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen, KG5GCZ, JAXA astronaut Satoshi Furukawa, KE5DAW, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Konstantin Borisov to the station as the SpaceX Dragon Endurance Spacecraft docked to the Harmony module. The international quartet is quickly adjusting to orbital tasks and spent some of Thursday on the firsts of many science and maintenance activities they’ll perform in microgravity during their six-month stay.

The four Crew-6 members — Hoburg, Bowen, Alneyadi and Fedyaev — are nearing the end of their six-month research mission and spent the afternoon prepping and packing SpaceX’s Dragon Endeavour spacecraft for departure no earlier than Sept. 2. This will bring the space station’s population down to seven before further crew swaps take place in September.

[As always, amateur radio operations on the ISS are suspended during docking and undocking maneuvers, as well as during spacewalks (EVAs). Amateurs on earth should expect interruptions of the ARISS FM repeater and ARISS digipeater this weekend.]

Astronaught Frank Rubio, and cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dimitri Petelin will soon reach a year in space after arriving to the station on Sept. 21, 2022, and are gearing up for their trek home in late September. The three long-time station residents continued to help with crew handover activities on Thursday and completed some station maintenance tasks of their own.

[ANS thanks NASA for the above information]

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The 2023 AMSAT President’s Club coins are here now!

AMSAT SA Space Symposium to be Held Online

AMSAT South Africa has announced that the 2023 AMSAT SA Space Symposium will be held on Saturday, 23 September 2023.

It will be a virtual event opening participation to people anywhere in the world. The event will be hosted on the Bluejeans platform from 09:00 – 15:00 SAST (07:00 – 13:00 UTC). Those registered will receive an email with logon details.

The aim of the AMSAT SA Space symposium is to take amateur radio into space, encourage more amateur satellite operation, development, and research.

Registration is required and will be free but a donation to the AMSAT SA managed SARL Next Generation Beacon fund would be appreciated. Registration opened 24 August at bit.ly/45SynOJ

Call for papers

Proposals for papers are invited. Send a summary of the proposed paper in MS word to [email protected]. The closing date for paper proposals is 4 September 2023. The final programme will be published on on 6 September 2023.

[ANS thanks AMSAT SA for the above information]

All South African Grids Roved on Satellite

Tom Ambrose, ZS1TA, has done one of those difficult roves that took several years to complete. He has worked All South African Grids which has never been done before on any band or mode let alone satellite.

Although there is no award, he has roved from 83 different ZS grids. Tom roved from the mountains to the sea and coast to coast. He used various antennas in including small Yagi’s and dual band verticals. The satellites PRIMARILY used were AO-91 and AO-92, with occasional contacts on SO-50, using FM to encourage new satellite operators.

FO-29 and AO-07 also featured in the mix. There are not that many satellite operators in ZS however, when he started
operating many old and new hams got on to make a contact and follow him on his trips.

Now comes the more difficult part. In order to receive VUCC/r, Tom has to go to another country to do some roves. Tom is
looking at going through Namibia for that.

Congratulations to Tom for this feat and looking forward to processing his VUCC/r which will be a first for a ZS station.

[ANS thanks Bruce Paige, KK5DO, AMSAT Board Member and Director Contests and Awards, for the above information]

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VUCC Satellite Standings — September 2023

VUCC Satellite Award/Endorsement Change Summary for August 01, 2023 to September 01, 2023.
————————————————————

	Aug.	Sept.
K8DP	1500	1555
WC7V	1383	1400
N8RO	1323	1342
KF7R	1000	1027
DL2GRC	842	1004
N0JE	975	1000
DF2ET	862	950
K9UO	875	926
KE8RJU	825	905
AA8CH	855	876
YO2CMI	502	820
EA2AA	778	800
W8LR	751	783
W2GDJ	465	705
KG0D	600	700
OZ9AAR	600	700
FG8OJ	635	639
VU2LBW	513	603
KJ7DZ	500	600
JN2QCV	428	507
JH8FIH	214	505
N5EKO	349	500
JG6CDH	401	468
IK7FMQ	426	453
KO9A	321	423
N8URE (FM19)	389	409
EA3TA	350	400
F6GLJ	312	400
IK3ITB	300	400
N3CAL	270	352
JA1GZK	300	350
JH0BBE	321	322
JS1LQI	259	318
N9ZTS	231	302
K3HPA	275	300
W7YED	254	300
HC2FG	239	276
N6PAZ	247	262
KC9ELU	251	254
OE7BJT	200	250
ZS4TX	New	241
XE1YDK	100	217
JE1LFX	New	216
ZS2BK	186	213
ON4CCN	New	208
XE2YWH/1	New	207
JA6SZV	110	205
DL1BM	100	202
JI5USJ	152	200
PU5DDC	181	200
N8URE (EL95)	163	179
AD2DD	150	175
KP4MV	100	175
NK0S	164	167
KH6WI	102	155
ZS1TA	New	152
JA9OJM	100	128
N8URE (EN61)	102	121
XE1BMG	New	120
N7GR	New	113
N2UO	New	108
JF3MKC	New	103
KE1IU	New	102
DJ7NT	New	100
HB9HZC	New	100

————————————————————

Congratulations to the new VUCC holders.
ON4CCN is first VUCC Satellite holder from Belgium
ZS1TA is first VUCC Satellite holder from JF95
DJ7NT is first VUCC Satellite holder from JO30
JF3MKC is first VUCC Satellite holder from PM74
ZS4TX is first VUCC Satellite holder from KG30

[ANS thanks Jon Goering, N7AZ, for the above information]

Japan Scrubs Launch of X-Ray Telescope and Moon Lander

JAXA, the Japanese space agency, is attempting to launch two very different space missions from one rocket: a new X-ray telescope that will look at some of the hottest spots in our universe, and a small experimental robotic moon lander. But the missions have had difficulty getting off the ground.

The telescope is called X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission, or XRISM for short (pronounced like the word “chrism”). The lunar mission is called Smart Lander for Investigating Moon, or SLIM. XRISM and SLIM were expected to launch from an H-IIA rocket from Japan’s Tanegashima Space Center on Monday, August 28 at 00:26 UTC.

But less than 30 minutes before the scheduled launch, JAXA announced that the launch had been canceled for the day “due to inclement weather.” While JAXA had moments before said the weather appeared “calm,” winds at higher altitudes above the launch site were too severe for a safe launch according to a social media post by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, which built and operates the rocket that is being used for the flight.

Poor weather had also led to an earlier postponement of the flight on Saturday. The Japanese space agency has not yet announced when the next launch attempt would occur. But it has a reserved launch period through Sept. 15.

XRISM is a telescope about the size of a bus. JAXA is collaborating with NASA on the mission, with additional participation from the European Space Agency. XRISM will study cosmic X-rays, which unlike other wavelengths of light can only be detected from above Earth’s atmosphere, which shields us from the harmful radiation.

SLIM is a compact robotic moon lander that weighs more than 1,500 pounds at launch. The lander’s mission is not primarily scientific. Rather, it is to demonstrate a pinpoint navigation system, aiming to set down within about the length of a football field of a targeted landing site. Developing better landing technology would enable future spacecraft to land closer to rugged terrain that is of scientific interest.

The space telescope will be placed in an orbit approximately 350 miles above Earth. Once there, researchers will spend the next few months turning the instruments on and running tests of their performance. Science operations will begin in January, and initial results from this data are expected in about a year.

SLIM is headed toward the Shioli crater on the moon’s near side. The spacecraft will be taking a long, roundabout journey of at least four months that requires less propellant. SLIM will take several months to reach lunar orbit, then spend a month circling the moon before attempting to set down on the surface.

[ANS thanks The New York Times for the above information]

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Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for Sept. 1

This week there are no additions or deletions to the AMSAT TLE distribution.

[ANS thanks Joe Fitzgerald, KM1P, AMSAT Orbital Elements page manager, for the above information]

India’s Lunar Lander Sparks Interest in the Moon

Chandrayaan-3’s lander and rover are safely on the Moon and their scientific work has begun. On August 23, the Vikram lander completed a successful autonomous descent and landing to touch down near the Moon’s south pole, only about 350 meters away from its target. On August 26, the Pragyan successfully rolled onto the lunar surface and navigated its first small crater.

With this success, India became the fourth nation (after the U.S., Soviet Russia, and China) to soft-land on the Moon. Not only is this mission a success for India, but is humanity’s closest landing to the lunar south pole — an area of great interest to science, as there is speculation that water ice may be found in this area of the moon.

Landing a bit after sunrise on a lunar day, the Vikram lander with its four science payloads, and its onboard six-wheeled Pragyan rover with an additional two 2 payloads, have 14 Earth days to do some serious science together. All payloads have now been switched on, including ChaSTE onboard the lander, which measures the change in temperature with depth — from ~50° C at the surface to -10° C over a depth of 8 cm in an initial test.

India’s successful landing took place just days after Luna 25, Russia’s first post-Soviet lunar lander, suffered an anomaly during an orbit-lowering maneuver and crashed into the Moon. That leaves scientist eager for data from the Chandrayaan-3 mission.

[ANS thanks The Orbital Index for the above information]

ARISS NEWS

COMPLETED CONTACTS
Augusta Preparatory Day School, Augusta, GA, direct via K4RGK
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS
The scheduled crewmember is Steve Bowen KI5BKB
The ARISS mentor is AA4KN
Contact was successful: Thu 2023-08-31 13:51:28 UTC 64 degrees maximum elevation
Congratulations to the Augusta Preparatory Day School students, Steve, K4RGK, and mentor AA4KN!

UPCOMING CONTACTS
Egemen Yildiz Secondary School, İzmir, Turkey, telebridge via K6DUE
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS
The scheduled crewmember is Jasmin Moghbeli KI5WSL
The ARISS mentor is IZ2GOJ
Contact is go for: Wed 2023-09-06 10:35:27 UTC 73 degrees maximum elevation

The packet system is also active (145.825 MHz up & down).

As always, if there is an EVA, a docking, or an undocking; the ARISS radios are turned off as part of the safety protocol.

Note, all times are approximate. It is recommended that you do your own orbital prediction or start listening about 10 minutes before the listed time.

The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html

The latest list of frequencies in use can be found at https://www.ariss.org/contact-the-iss.html

[ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team mentors for the above information]

Upcoming Satellite Operations

No rovers have reported any upcoming operations.

To include your satellite roving plans in the AMSAT News Service Weekly bulletins, send them to Ian, K5ZM at k5zm (at) comcast (dot) net at least a couple of weeks in advance. Upcoming satellite operations are updated weekly on the AMSAT Upcoming Satellite Operations page but may expire before the next AMSAT News Service bulletin is released. You can watch for the latest roving information to become available at https://www.amsat.org/satellite-info/upcoming-satellite-operations.

[ANS thanks Ian Parsons, K5ZM, 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.

+ AMSAT-DL Festive Conference & Symposium (50 Years)
September 15-17, 2023
Bochum Observatory
Blankensteiner Str. 200A, 44797 Bochum, Germany

+ 2023 AMSAT SA Space Symposium (online only)
Saturday, 23 September 2023
Registration at https://bit.ly/45SynOJ

+ 2023 AMSAT-UK Colloquium & RSGB Convention
October 14-15, 2023
Kents Hill Park Conference Centre
Milton Keynes MK7 6BZ, United Kingdom

+ ARRL Minnesota State Convention
Saturday, October 14
Hennepin Technical College
9000 Brooklyn Blvd.
Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
http://mnconvention.org

+ 41st AMSAT Space Symposium & Annual General Meeting
October 20-21, 2023
Sheraton DFW Airport Hotel
4440 W John Carpenter Fwy, Irving, TX 75063

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.

[ANS thanks Clint Bradford, K6LCS, and AMSAT for the above information]

Satellite Shorts From All Over

+ Congratulations to Jérôme Lecuyer, F4DXV in JN04JR35PD, and Bill Attwood, VE6WK in DO20WV58DO, on setting the new FO-29 distance record on August 26, eclipsing the prior record set by KE9AJ and EB1AO by 46 km! See https://www.amsat.org/satellite-distance-records/ for the complete list of current satellite distance records. (ANS thanks Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, AMSAT Executive VP and Records Manager, for the above information)

+ Since satellite operators all have VHF and UHF equipment and antennas of some sort, you might try aiming at the horizon for a while on the weekend of September 9-11, and seeing what contacts can be made without a bird overhead. The ARRL Septmeber VHF Contest begins at 1800z on Saturday and ends at 0259z on Monday (actually, Sunday night in North America). There is even a category for FM only. For details, see https://www.arrl.org/september-vhf?_zs=s8mxl&_zl=lcFg2 (ANS thanks ARRL for the above information)

+ Curbing methane release is crucial to slowing climate change and requires detecting methane leaks via space and air-based sensors, and holding emitters accountable. This week, Orbital Sidekick utilized its hyperspectral satellite constellation GHOSt to detect methane plumes from oil well pads. And, data from JPL’s EMIT sensor on the ISS spotted 22 methane plumes released during an extreme heat wave in Texas. There are more methane sleuthing satellites on the horizon: GHGSat is adding 4 more satellites to their constellation that monitor facility leaks with ~25m spatial resolution today, and MethaneSat, set to launch in early 2024, is planning to observe state-sized areas to identify specific sources of methane from anywhere in the world, and will also freely release the data, where it can be post-processed by AI. (ANS thank The Orbital Index for the above information)

+ Virgin Galactic’s announced on August 28 that it is targeting Friday, Sept. 8 for the launch of Galactic 03, its third commercial spaceflight and eighth space mission overall. Galactic 03 will take three paying customers to and from suborbital space from Spaceport America in New Mexico. Virgin Galactic hasn’t identified those passengers yet, but we know they’ve been ticket-holders for a long time. They’ll fly with Colin Bennett, one of Virgin Galactic’s astronaut instructors. (ANS thanks Space.com for the above information)

+ NASA officials sounded an alarm Tuesday, August 29, about the agency’s Deep Space Network, a collection of antennas in California, Spain, and Australia used to maintain contact with missions scattered across the Solar System. Everything from NASA’s Artemis missions to the Moon to the Voyager probes in interstellar space rely on the Deep Space Network (DSN) to receive commands and transmit data back to Earth. There are currently around 40 missions that rely on the DSN’s antennas to stay in communication with controllers and scientists back on Earth. Another 40-plus missions will join the roster over the next decade or so, and many of the 40 missions currently using time on the network will likely still be operating over that time. “We have reached a really critical point on the DSN’s aging infrastructure,” said Sandra Cauffman, deputy director of NASA’s astrophysics division. (ANS thanks ARS Technica for the above informaton)

Join AMSAT today at https://launch.amsat.org/

In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to:

Contact info [at] amsat.org for additional membership information.

73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space!

This week’s ANS Editor, Mark Johns, KØJM
k0jm [at] amsat.org