ANS-035 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins for February 4, 2024

AMSAT News Service

ANS-035
February 4, 2024

In this edition:

  • AO-92 Reenters Earth’s Atmosphere
  • The First Amateur Radio Station on the Moon
  • Lunar Excursion Vehicle (LEV-1) Amateur Telemetry Received
  • AMSAT CubeSatSim Beta Release – v1.3
  • VUCC & DXCC Satellite Standing as of February 1, 2024
  • Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for February 2, 2024
  • Request to Reconsider Decommissioning of IO-117 Under Evaluation by Italian Space Agency
  • 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 https://www.amsat.org publishes news of Amateur Radio in Space as soon as our volunteers can post it.

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

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


AO-92 Reenters Earth’s Atmosphere

After just over six years in orbit, Fox-1D, designated as AMSAT-OSCAR 92 (AO92), likely re-entered the Earth’s atmosphere on February 3, 2024 (Space-Track had not issued the final decay message as of the time of this writing.)

AO-92 was a 1U CubeSat developed and built by AMSAT. It carried a single-channel transponder for mode U/v in FM and also had an L-band converter (the AMSAT L-band downshifter experiment), which allowed the FM transponder to be switched to an uplink in the 23 cm band.

In addition to the transponders, the satellite carried the following scientific and technical payloads:

  • High Energy Radiation CubeSat (HERCI) built by the University of Iowa
  • Camera Experiment built by Virginia Tech
  • MEMS GYRO Experiment built by Penn State-Erie

The satellite had a single whip antenna for the 70 cm and 23 cm bands (uplink), as well as an antenna for the 2m band (downlink).

AO-92 was launched on January 12, 2018 at 03:59 UTC on an Indian PSLV XL rocket, along with the main payloads Cartosat-2F, NovaSAR-S, and 31 other small satellites from the Satish Dhawan Space Center, India. At 05:17 UTC, the antennas were deployed over the North Pole and the satellite began to operate. At 05:28 UTC the first telemetry was received.

On the 03:25 UTC pass on January 26, 2018, AMSAT Vice President – Engineering Jerry Buxton, N0JY, announced that AO92 had been commissioned and formally turned the satellite over to AMSAT Operations. AMSAT Vice President – Operations Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, then declared that AO92 was open for amateur use.

Rick Behma, VE4AMU, working AO-92 in Mode L/v with a Kenwood TM-941 mobile transceiver and Comet CYA-1216E yagi crossed with 2 meter Arrow II elements.

In addition to a very popular U/v transponder, the satellite provided a couple of unique capabilities. First was the L-band downshifter experiment, which was generally activated for 24 hours each Sunday while the satellite was able to support it. Pre-launch estimates suggested that approximately 100 watts ERP would be required to access the satellite, but much lower power outputs proved to be usable. Many stations operated through the satellite with radios such as the Alinco DJ-G7T at 1 watt of output into handheld antennas of between between 10 and 16 elements. At least one station reported accessing the satellite with just a simple whip antenna on 23 cm.

The camera, developed by students at Virginia Tech, also proved to be popular and delivered many good pictures, with the last photos received on September 19, 2020. An archive of all of the photos captured by ground stations can be found at https://www.amsat.org/tlm/showImages.php?id=4.

The distance record on AO-92’s U/v mode was 5,011 km – a transatlantic QSO between F4DXV and VE1VOX that took place on August 10, 2020. The record via the L/v mode was 4,202 km between OA4/XQ3SA and XE1MEX on June 3, 2020.

By early 2021, the aging NiCd cells – having been purchased in the early 2010s along with the rest of the Fox-1 battery cells – had degraded to the point where the satellite was entering safe mode on every eclipse. It was rarely operational in recent months. The transponder was occasionally turned on, but usually defaulted into “Safe Mode” at the next eclipse. The last telemetry frame was received from the satellite on October 27, 2023 at 01:36 UTC.

By every measure, AO92 was a tremendously successful amateur radio satellite, providing educational and research benefits to AMSAT’s university partners, as well as providing several years of reliable FM communication for amateurs. Its useful life far exceeded the average operational lifespan for commercial or educational CubeSats.

[ANS thanks Joe Fitzgerald, KM1P, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager, and Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, AMSAT Executive Vice President, for the above information]


The First Amateur Radio Station on the Moon

A rendering of the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) on the lunar surface. [Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, image]
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) successfully landed their Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) on January 19, 2024. Just before touchdown, SLIM released two small lunar surface probes, LEV-1 and LEV-2.

LEV-2 collects data while moving on the lunar surface, and LEV-1 receives the data.

The JAXA Ham Radio Club (JHRC), JQ1ZVI, secured amateur radio license JS1YMG for LEV-1, which has been transmitting Morse code on 437.41 MHz since January 19. The probe uses a 1 W UHF antenna with circular polarization and is transmitting “matters related to amateur business.”

Radio amateurs have been busy analyzing JS1YMG’s signal, with Daniel Estévez’s, EA4GPZ, blog introducing the method and extraction results for demodulating Morse code from the signal, as well as extracting the code string.

It’s unclear how long signals will be heard. JAXA has said that SLIM was not designed to survive a lunar night, which lasts about 14 days, and is due to return in a few days.

SLIM was launched on September 6, 2023, and landed on January 19, 2024, with the mission of analyzing the composition of rocks to aid research about the origin of the moon. SLIM’s landing made Japan the fifth country to achieve a soft touchdown on the moon. The landing was achieved with exceptional precision — within 180 feet of its targeted touchdown location.

[ANS thanks ARRL News for the above information]


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Lunar Excursion Vehicle (LEV1) Amateur Telemetry Received

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) confirmed on January 20, 2024, that the Lunar Excursion Vehicle (LEV1), a small robot deployed from the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM), successfully conducted activities on the lunar surface. The telemetry data were sent directly from the small robot.

According to telemetry data, after deployment from SLIM, LEV1 executed planned leaping movements and direct communication with ground stations, including inter-robot test radio wave data transmission from the Transformable Lunar Robot (LEV-2, nicknamed “SORA-Q”). On the other hand, image acquisition on the lunar surface has not been confirmed as of now.

Currently, LEV1 has completed its planned operational period on the lunar surface, depleted its designated power, and is in a standby state on the lunar surface. While the capability to resume activity exists contingent on solar power generation from changes in the direction of the sun, efforts will be maintained to continue receiving signals from LEV1.

Both LEV1 and LEV-2 have become Japan’s first lunar exploration robots. Additionally, the small LEV1 with a mass of 2.1 kg (including a 90g communication device), achieved successful direct communication with Earth from the moon. This is considered as the world’s smallest and lightest case of direct data transmission from approximately 380,000 kilometers away.

Furthermore, the accomplishment of LEV1‘s leaping movements on the lunar surface, inter-robot communication between LEV1 and LEV-2, and fully autonomous operations represent groundbreaking achievement. It would be regarded as a valuable technology demonstration for future lunar explorations, and the acquired knowledge and experience will be applied in upcoming missions.

Moreover, the transmission of UHF band radio waves from LEV1 as part of outreach efforts has encouraged participation from amateur radio operators globally, and we have been receiving reports of successful signal receptions. This initiative provided an opportunity for the public to be directly engaged in lunar exploration missions. We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to everyone involved in the LEV1 mission.

LEV1 has an International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) coordinated downlink frequency of 437.410 MHz. A detailed report on receiving and decoding LEV1 telemetry has been prepared by Daniel Estevez, EA4GPZ/M0HXM. It can be found at https://destevez.net/2024/01/trying-to-decode-lev1/  An earlier summary of LEV1 design and specifications is at https://robotics.isas.jaxa.jp/lev/LEV_HAM_Club.html.

[ANS thanks the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Daniel Estevez, EA4GPZ/M0HXM, for the above information]


AMSAT CubeSatSim Beta Release – v1.3

You might have heard about it or seen it at Hamvention or Symposium, but the official release of the new Beta CubeSatSim hardware and software is finally here!!

The new beta PCB board set v1.3 is shown in Figure 1, the new board stack is shown in Figure 2, and the new frame and solar panels is in Figure 3.

 

Figure 1. AMSAT CubeSatSim Beta PCB Board Set.  From left to right, battery board, STEM Payload board, and Solar board (the replacement for the Main board)

Figure 2. AMSAT CubeSatSim Beta Board Stack

 

Figure 3. AMSAT CubSatSim Beta Frame and Solar Panels

Here are some links to information about the Beta release:

The software for the beta release is here:  https://CubeSatSim.org/beta

The beta wiki instructions are here: https://CubeSatSim.org/wiki-beta

The beta Bill of Materials (BOM) is here: https://CubeSatSim.org/bom-beta

The beta hardware files are here: https://CubeSatSim.org/hardware-beta

The beta frame STL files for 3D printing are here: https://github.com/alanbjohnston/CubeSatSim/tree/beta/hardware/frame/v1.3.2

Information about the latest beta software release is here: https://github.com/alanbjohnston/CubeSatSim/releases/tag/v1.3.2

The AMSAT CubeSatSim is a low-cost, fully functional open source model of a CubeSat nano-satellite.  It has the following features:

  • Working solar panels and rechargeable batteries
  • Multi-channel voltage, current, and temperature telemetry transmitted in the Amateur Radio UHF band generated by a Raspberry Pi Zero single board computer
  • Telemetry decoding using AMSAT’s FoxTelem software or APRS software
  • STEM Payload board with Raspberry Pi Pico microcontroller with sensors
  • Tape measure dipole or SMA antenna with integrated Low Pass Filter
  • 3D printed frame

Here is a summary of the changes with the new beta hardware and software:

  • New FM transceiver module for better frequency stability and simple command and control receiver to change telemetry modes using RF
  • More modern and cheaper Raspberry Pi Pico micro controller on STEM Payload board
  • Easily connect additional sensors for the Pico or Pi using the Qwiic connector system (https://www.sparkfun.com/qwiic )
  • SSTV camera images now display callsign and battery status overlay
  • Can be modified to fly as a balloon payload with 500mW FM output for SSTV, APRS, or CW transmissions with software support on Pico for a serial GPS module
  • Lower parts cost and easier to source. All parts can now be sourced from electronics distributors and Amazon including easy to find solar panels.  New BOM uses Octopart electronic part inventory site with one click distributor ordering (https://CubeSatSim.org/bom-beta)
  • Redesigned for blue INA219 voltage and current sensors instead of more expensive purple ones
  • Battery board now has integrated voltage and current sensor
  • Simpler electrical power system with no boost converter or charge control modules
  • Kits can be built with through hole parts except for a few surface mount parts.  Fully assembled boards will hopefully be available in the future using SMT parts
  • Transmit and receive frequencies easily configurable from default 434.9 MHz and 435 MHz

During this beta period, we ask for your help in testing the new hardware and software and making sure that all the instructions and documentation are accurate.  To help with this, I am pleased to announce that past purchasers of the CubeSatSim v1 PCB board sets are eligible for a free beta v1.3.2 set of PCB boards.  Just email me ku2y at arrl.net! I will verify the order and ship you a new set of 3 blank boards.  The boards will have the surface mount components already mounted.  The first one hundred who contact me in the next three months will be eligible to receive them.  For other orders, you will be able to choose between the v1 boards or the new beta v1.3.2 boards.

73,

Alan Johnston, PhD
KU2Y
AMSAT Vice President for Educational Relations

P.S. AMSAT has CubeSatSim Loaners available to ship to your event or presentation or STEM outreach activity – just contact me if you have an upcoming event email at ku2y at arrl.net or on social media at @[email protected]

[ANS thanks Alan Johnston, KU2Y, AMSAT Vice President  – Educational Relations for the above information]


VUCC & DXCC Satellite Standing as of February 1, 2024

VUCC Satellite Award/Endorsement Change Summary
January 01, 2024 to February 01, 2024

Call 1-Jan 1-Feb
WC7V 1451 1457
N8RO 1401 1423
W5CBF 1224 1326
DL5GAC New 1300
DF2ET 1102 1200
KF7R 1075 1100
N0JE 1075 1100
N3GS 986 1038
OZ9AAR 900 1000
N8JCM New 917
EA2AA 875 883
KQ4DO 827 853
W8LR 825 841
W2GDJ 705 822
FG8OJ 737 801
VU2LBW 603 751
WD9EWK (DM43) 734 736
JL1SAM 601 700
N8MR 658 675
AF5CC 646 651
JG6CDH 553 605
N6UTC 551 600
WB7VUF 555 572
N5EKO 500 550
N3CAL 480 525
F6GLJ 400 501
N7ZO 350 501
DL6KBG 331 500
SA0UNX 362 463
LA6OP New 458
AD2DD 356 403
KF2T 111 399
N6PAZ 350 369
JH8RZJ New 328
AG4W 161 314
JI5USJ 236 301
AA0MZ 276 277
NJ2DX 100 260
IK8YTA 162 243
N7GR 205 226
KR7LD New 211
PY2YJ 150 210
WD9EWK (DM22) 198 200
WD9EWK (DM31) 187 195
IK0WRB 123 174
W0SX New 134
WK7G New 118
K7AXA New 104
SP7JS New 104
W6CZ New 103
YO6OEV New 103
BA7LVG New 100

Congratulations to the new VUCC holders!

W6CZ is first VUCC Satellite holder from DM07
W0SX is first VUCC Satellite holder from DM37
LA6OP is First VUCC Satellite holder from JP67
YO6OEV is First VUCC Satellite holder from KN26
SP7JS is First VUCC Satellite holder from KO00
BA7LVG is First VUCC Satellite holder from OL63

DXCC Satellite Award/Endorsement Change Summary
January 01, 2024 to February 01, 2024

Call 1-Jan 1-Feb
HB9BZA         158    188
PS8ET         160    178
F4BKV         150    171
G4GIR         163    167
PA3FWP         127    157
EA2AA         154    156
I3BUI         142    155
AC4G         151    152
OZ9AAR         125    151
EA6VQ         127    145
HB9RYZ         141    145
IK4CIE         133    143
HB9GWJ         129    134
RA3DNC         107    131
W5CBF         100    130
DL2QB         100    120
LA0FA         102    109
N3GS         100    108
IK8YTA         New    100

Congratulations to the new DXCC Satellite holders!

IK8YTA is first DXCC Satellite holder from JN70

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


Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for February 2, 2024

Two Line Elements or TLEs, often referred to as Keplerian elements or keps in the amateur community, are the inputs to the SGP4 standard mathematical model of spacecraft orbits used by most amateur tracking programs. Weekly updates are completely adequate for most amateur satellites. TLE bulletin files are updated Thursday evenings around 2300 UTC, or more frequently if new high interest satellites are launched. More information may be found at https://www.amsat.org/keplerian-elements-resources/

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

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


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Request to Reconsider Decommissioning of IO-117 Under Evaluation by Italian Space Agency

On Thursday, January 25, 2024 S5Lab posted on X that the GreenCube (IO-117) Digipeater would be permanently deactivated on February 5th.

Designed and developed by students of Sapienza University of Rome, IO-117 is the first satellite to carry an amateur radio payload into a Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) of approximately 6,000 km.

The message from S5Lab read:

Dear Friends,

After one year and a half of operations, it is time to conclude the GreenCube operations with the planned de-commissioning activities. After the conclusion of the nominal experiment and with the digipeater payload active for more than one year, we will perform the passivation operations for the satellite.

The planned passivation operations will be executed on Monday, 5 February 2024, at 00:00 UTC. From that day, GreenCube will be completely passivated and the digipeater will be switched off for good.

We want to thank everyone that endorsed, supported or participated in the mission and the radio amateur community that enthusiastically became a true part of our project. We hope that GreenCube will somehow be part of your memories of radio amateurs, space engineering enthusiasts, and we hope to involve you soon in many more adventures.

Thanks once again for the unbelievable memories shared together… See you soon!

The GreenCube Team at S5Lab

That afternoon, AMSAT sent a letter to S5Lab expressing the organization’s desire to leverage our decades of experience and work with S5Lab, AMSAT Italia, other AMSAT organizations, and the amateur satellite community at large to overcome any obstacles, regulatory or otherwise, to keeping IO-117 in service for as long as possible. AMSAT-DL, AMSAT-F, and other amateur satellite organizations also expressed similar sentiments. Peter Goodhall, 2M0SQL, began a petition on change.org that garnered over 1,500 signatures from amateur radio operators around the world in one week.

On the afternoon of Friday, February 2, 2024, AMSAT Italia made the following announcement:

AMSAT Italia would like to inform the amateur community that its request to the Italian Space Agency, the owner of the GREENCUBE satellite, to reconsider its decision of decommissioning the satellite is under evaluation.

Waiting for its decision, IO-117 is still operational.

The GreenCube satellite was born as a scientific experiment placed in MEO orbit which successfully concluded its mission.

IO-117 is the HAM Radio part of the satellite consisting of a digipeter which was promoted by AMSAT Italia and coordinated by IARU-R1.

At the moment AMSAT Italia is committed to promoting the continuation of the mission for the HAM Radio part of Greencube.

AMSAT Italia BoD

During its lifetime, IO-117 has proved to be a popular resource, allowing amateurs all over the world to obtain ARRL’s Worked All States (WAS) and DX Century Club (DXCC) awards via satellite and to boost their VHF/UHF Century Club (VUCC) grid totals. A strong presence by Japanese amateurs has allowed many to work all the Japanese prefectures. A few DXpeditions, such as TX5S to Clipperton Island, have also brought gear for IO-117 along and provided rare DX entities via satellite. Multiple future DXpeditions also plan IO-117 activities. AMSAT is hopeful that the satellite’s lifetime can be extended.

[ANS thanks AMSAT-UK, AMSAT-DL, AMSAT-IT, AMSAT, Peter Goodhall, 2M0SQL, and S5Lab 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.

Lilburn Elementary School, Lilburn, GA, direct via K4RGK

The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS
The scheduled crewmember is Jasmin Moghbeli KI5WSL
The ARISS mentor is K4RGK

Contact is go for: Wed 2024-02-07 14:24:10 UTC 57 deg

School of Telecommunications Engineering, ETSIT Valencia (Universitat Politecnica de Valencia), Valencia, Spain, direct via EA5RKP

The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS
The scheduled crewmember is Loral O’Hara KI5TOM
The ARISS mentor is IKØUSO

Contact is go for: Fri 2024-02-09 08:12:46 UTC 31 deg

School TBD, Russia, direct via TBD

The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS
The scheduled crewmember is Nikolay Chub
The ARISS mentor is RV3DR

Contact is go for 2024-02-15 08:20 UTC

The Service Module radio is temporarily stowed.

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

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

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

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

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

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


Upcoming Satellite Operations

IO-117!!

JR5JAQ/6 will be QRV from PM53 and PM62 in Oita prefecture for a few days. He will also be active from PM62 in Miyazaki prefecture later in the week. Check  hams.at for individual pass times.

JS3KKT/3 will be QRV from PM74 (prefecture unknown) just one day before the planned passivation of Greencube. Refer to hams.at for additional info.

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]


 Want to fly the colors on your own grid expedition?
Get an AMSAT car flag and other neat stuff from our Zazzle store!
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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 Ambassador Clint Bradford, K6LCS, says,

“Think a 75-minute presentation on “working the easy satellites” would be appropriate for your club or event? Let me know by emailing me at k6lcsclint (at) gmail (dot) com or calling me at 909-999-SATS (7287)!”

Clint has NEVER given the exact same show twice: EACH of the 150+ presentations so far has been customized/tailored to their audiences.

Scheduled Events

Orlando HamCation 2024
Friday February 9th through Sunday February 11th, 2024
Central Florida Fairgrounds and Expo Park
4603 West Colonial Drive
Orlando, Florida 32808
https://www.hamcation.com

40th Anniversary Celebration of the Positive Impact of Amateur Radio on Human Spaceflight
Thursday February 22nd through Saturday February 24th, 2024
Center for Space Education: Astronauts Memorial Foundation
Kennedy Space Center, M6-306 405 State Road, FL 32899
https://www.ariss.org/overview.html

2024 CubeSat Developer’s Workshop
April 23-25, 2024
San Luis Obispo, CA
https://www.cubesatdw.org/

Dayton Hamvention 2024
Friday May 17th through Sunday May 19th, 2024
Greene County Fairgrounds and Expo Center
120 Fairground Road
Xenia, OH 45385
https://hamvention.org

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


Satellite Shorts from All Over

+ NASA announced the crew assignments on January 31 for the SpaceX Crew-9 mission to the International Space Station. They will join Expedition 71 and 72 crew members no earlier than August, and will arrive at the space station for a short duration handover with NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8. Launching aboard the Dragon spacecraft will be NASA astronauts Commander Zena Cardman, Pilot Nick Hague, KG5TMV, and Mission Specialist Stephanie Wilson, KD5DZE, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Mission Specialist Aleksandr Gorbunov. The four crew members are preparing to conduct a wide-ranging set of operational and research activities, including ARISS contacts. (ANS thanks NASA for the above information)

+ After more than 3 years in orbit, AO-109 remains operational and usable for QSOs using modes such as FT4 despite extremely low power output. SSB QSOs are also possible with high gain receive antennas. Due to a failed final power amplifier transistor, the total output power of AO-109 is approximately 8 mW.

+ YouTube channel Ham Radio Crash Course has featured IO-117 in two recent videos. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjW3XOKCmBo and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mn_qPVoue3A


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

In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to:

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

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

73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space!

This week’s ANS Editor,

Paul Stoetzer, N8HM
n8hm [at] amsat.org

ANS is a service of AMSAT, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, 712 H Street NE, Suite 1653, Washington, DC 20002

Request to Reconsider Decommissioning of IO-117 Under Evaluation by Italian Space Agency

AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin

ANS-033
February 2, 2024

In this edition:

  • Request to Reconsider Decommissioning of IO-117 Under Evaluation by Italian Space Agency

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

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

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

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


Request to Reconsider Decommissioning of IO-117 Under Evaluation by Italian Space Agency

Moments ago, the AMSAT News Service received the following announcement from AMSAT Italia regarding IO-117 (GreenCube):

AMSAT Italia would like to inform the amateur community that its request to the Italian Space Agency, the owner of the GREENCUBE satellite, to reconsider its decision of decommissioning the satellite is under evaluation.

Waiting for its decision, IO-117 is still operational.

The GreenCube satellite was born as a scientific experiment placed in MEO orbit which successfully concluded its mission.

IO-117 is the HAM Radio part of the satellite consisting of a digipeter which was promoted by AMSAT Italia and coordinated by IARU-R1.

At the moment AMSAT Italia is committed to promoting the continuation of the mission for the HAM Radio part of Greencube.

AMSAT Italia BoD

[ANS thanks AMSAT Italia for the above information]


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

In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to:

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

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

73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space!

This week’s ANS Contributing Editor,

Paul Stoetzer, N8HM
n8hm [at] amsat.org

ANS is a service of AMSAT, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, 712 H Street NE, Suite 1653, Washington, DC 20002

AMSAT Responds to Planned Decommissioning of IO-117 (GreenCube)

AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin

ANS-025
January 25, 2024

In this edition:

  • AMSAT Responds to Planned Decommissioning of IO-117 (GreenCube)

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

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

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

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


AMSAT Responds to Planned Decommissioning of IO-117 (GreenCube)

We were saddened to learn this morning that S5Lab plans to decommission IO-117 (GreenCube) and execute a passivation operation on February 5, 2024. AMSAT stands ready to leverage our decades of experience and work with S5Lab, AMSAT Italia, other AMSAT organizations, and the amateur satellite community at large to overcome any obstacles, regulatory or otherwise, to keeping IO-117 in service for as long as possible. This afternoon, AMSAT President Robert Bankston, KE4AL, sent the following letter to S5Lab expressing our desire to provide any support we can to keep the satellite in operation.
January 25, 2024

Sapienza Space Systems and Space Surveillance Laboratory (S5Lab)
Sapienza University of Rome
Via Email

To The GreenCube Team:

Over the past 13+ months, amateur satellite operators around the world have enjoyed the use of the digipeater on GreenCube (IO-117). As amateur radio’s first satellite in a medium earth orbit (MEO), it has opened worldwide long-distance contacts via amateur radio satellite that had not been possible since the loss of AMSAT-OSCAR 40 in 2004. As this letter is being written, a DXpedition to Clipperton Island in the Pacific Ocean has made contact with several hundred amateur operators around the world – the first activation of this rare location on amateur satellite in over 30 years. AMSAT and the amateur satellite community greatly appreciate your team making this wonderful resource available.

Not only has this satellite been a great resource to the amateur community, but the amateur community has also assisted GreenCube’s mission by uploading millions of frames of data received – including much data from when the satellite is not within the primary ground station’s footprint.

Launches above low earth orbit are rarely available for amateur satellite missions. Since the first amateur radio satellite launched in 1962, fewer than ten have gone to orbits beyond LEO and only QO-100 (available to only part of the world) and IO-117 remain in service.

Due to the unique orbit and capabilities, we request that S5Lab postpone the scheduled passivation operation and keep the satellite’s digipeater in service. Amateur satellites have a long tradition of extended lifetimes. Amateur radio operators still utilize AMSAT-OSCAR 7 – launched nearly fifty years ago in 1974 – for communications on a daily basis. Many other amateur radio satellites have been actively used for ten to twenty years. AMSAT stands ready to leverage our 55 years of experience in managing amateur radio satellites and work with S5Lab, AMSAT Italia, other AMSAT organizations, and the amateur satellite community at large to overcome any obstacles, regulatory or otherwise, to keeping GreenCube in service for as long as possible.

Sincerely,

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

[ANS thanks AMSAT President Robert Bankston, KE4AL, 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,

Paul Stoetzer, N8HM
n8hm [at] amsat.org

ANS is a service of AMSAT, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, 712 H Street NE, Suite 1653, Washington, DC 20002

ANS-007 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins for January 7, 2024

AMSAT News Service

ANS-007
January 7, 2024

In this edition:

  • Welcome to the New Look AMSAT News Service
  • 2024 President’s Club Coins Now Available
  • W2RS Memorial AMSAT CW Activity Day Summary
  • VUCC & DXCC Satellite Standing as of January 1, 2024
  • Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for January 5, 2024
  • ARISS and Amateur Radio Featured on the TODAY Show
  • Assistance Requested With CubeSat History Project
  • 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 https://www.amsat.org publishes news of Amateur Radio in Space as soon as our volunteers can post it.

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

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


Welcome to the New Look AMSAT News Service

For over 30 years, the AMSAT News Service has been a text only service. Initially, ANS was distributed via dial-up modems and packet networks. As technology has moved on, the text only format has become a significant limitation. In particular, the text only format was often not responsive on mobile devices in many email clients. We hope this new format improves the readability for our users and makes the content more engaging. We do plan to continue tweaking this format as the year goes on.

We welcome feedback on this change at ans-editor [at] amsat.org

[ANS thanks the AMSAT News Service Team for the above information]


2024 President’s Club Coins Now Available

The 2024 President’s Club coins are now available! This year’s coin features an image of AMSAT’s next satellite – GOLF-TEE.

At all levels of membership – beginning with annual donations of $120 or more – President’s Club donors receive the following recognition:

  • Listing in the AMSAT News Service and The AMSAT Journal
  • Commemorative Coin – A unique 2” metal coin with a highly polished gold finish and four-color accents.  Each year’s coin will feature a different color scheme and different OSCAR satellite.
  • Membership Certificate – An 8.5” x 11” full-color personalized certificate.

Donors at the Silver or higher levels receive even more benefits such as a handsome personalized acrylic desk plaque, tickets to the annual AMSAT Symposium, luncheons and dinners.  See the table below for complete details. (Note that recognition items are provided by an anonymous donor and no member dues are used. 100% percent of your donation is used for AMSAT activities.)

For persons or clubs wanting to make a contribution by check or electronic transfer, please contact Frank Karnauskas, VP-Development at f.karnauskas [at] amsat.org.  Remember, AMSAT is a 501(c)3 corporation and your contribution may be tax deductible. Check with your tax advisor.

For more information and to donate today, visit the AMSAT President’s Club.

[ANS thanks Frank Karnauskas, N1UW, AMSAT Vice President – Development, for the above information]


The 2024 Coins Are Here Now!
Help Support GOLF and Fox Plus.
Join the AMSAT President’s Club today!


W2RS Memorial AMSAT CW Activity Day Summary

N6UA operating during the 2024 W2RS Memorial AMSAT CW Activity Day
The W2RS Memorial AMSAT CW Activity Day occurred on January 1st. Reports of activity were received on the AMSAT-BB from several stations. Steve Nordahl, NS3L, in Nazareth, PA reported making 13 CW QSOs on RS-44 and JO-97:
RS-44: W3AVP, W0BZ, KD4O, N6UA, NU1U, KE8RJU/7, NM3B, VA3NNA, N8MR. NA1ME, KN2K
JO-97: WA8FXQ, WB2TQE
Steve Greene, KS1G, in northern Virginia, reported that he worked NM3B, N8MR, and WA3FIR on the 1350Z pass of RS-44. He did hear NS3L work NM3B, but didn’t find him later in the pass to work him too.
Scott Davis, K5TA, reported working N6UA and KA0WKQ on RS-44 and WA8FXQ on AO-7.
Doug Tabor, N6UA, operated portable with a key attached to his leg. He operated on two passes of RS-44 – one from the back deck and one from the driveway. He worked NS3L, K5TA, and NA1ME and heard both WB7VUF and KE8RJU/7.
Thanks to all for participating in this annual event!
In March 2022, the AMSAT community lost one of our pioneers when Ray Soifer, W2RS, became a silent key. In addition to his numerous contributions to AMSAT and the worldwide amateur satellite community, Ray was also the long time organizer of AMSAT’s CW Activity Day – previously AMSAT Straight Key Night – held in conjunction with the ARRL’s event on New Year’s Day. In recognition of Ray’s long time service to AMSAT and his keen interest in CW operating via satellite, AMSAT’s CW Activity Day is now known as the W2RS Memorial AMSAT CW Activity Day.

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


VUCC & DXCC Satellite Standing as of January 1, 2024

VUCC Satellite Award/Endorsement Change Summary
December 01, 2023 to January 01, 2024

Call 1-Dec 1-Jan
K8DP      1581  1629
WC7V      1426  1451
AA5PK      1404  1426
N8RO      1384  1401
DL2GRC      1108  1166
N0JE      1057  1075
KC9ELU       254  1056
DG7RO       285  1005
AC9O       836  1001
XE1L       860   915
EA2AA       856   875
KG0D       700   801
JN2QCV       507   726
KJ7DZ       600   700
KK4YEL       589   674
N8MR       617   658
KB1HY       604   648
W8MTB       600   620
KC4CJ       126   602
JA1QJI       253   600
A65BR       532   554
EA3TA       400   503
JS1LQI       436   500
HP2VX       481   496
N3CAL       471   480
HB9GWJ       450   476
JA1GZK       350   435
KP3V       310   402
AG7NR       350   400
N9ZTS       302   400
DL8GAM       351   375
N6PAZ       342   350
N7ZO       304   350
AL7ID       261   320
K8BL       300   310
N7UJJ       250   308
ZS2BK       244   305
W6AER       201   302
HL1WP       New   300
KH6WI       252   300
K6VHF       250   276
K9AQ       200   250
WD9EWK (DM41)       225   229
WA8ZID       202   226
KG4AKV (FM14)       New   217
YV1DIG       200   213
JS2GGD       157   204
WD9EWK (DM23)       195   200
JL3OUW       123   187
AK2S       New   152
N6UTC (DM15)       126   150
K9MU       100   129
N6UTC (DM14)       110   128
KB4DSL       New   127
WD9EWK (DM13)       109   116
N8XHF       New   106
EA3HAH       New   100
WA1JAY       New   100

Congratulations to the new VUCC holders!
HL1WP is first VUCC Satellite holder from PM37
N8XHF is first VUCC Satellite holder from FM16

DXCC Satellite Award/Endorsement Change Summary
December 01, 2023 to January 01, 2024

Call 1-Dec 1-Jan
S57NML         125     175
OE6MDF         143     169
VU2LBW         152     162
YO3APJ         149     162
SV8CS         150     153
LA6OP         136     143
HB9RYZ         139     141
SP3AU         136     137
KB1HY         131     135
YO9HP         108     131
F6AOJ         125     129
IK6GZM         101     124
IK4DRY         107     122
IW7DOL         116     122
K8DP         112     122
A65BR         104     112
CT1EEB         111     112
KC9ELU         101     112
AA5PK         100     110
LA7XK         New     106
TF1A         102     103
LA0FA         100     102
UW8SM         New     102
EA5RM         100     101
W8LR         New     100

Congratulations to the new DXCC Satellite holders!
UW8SM is first DXCC Satellite holder from KN59

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


Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for January 5, 2024

Two Line Elements or TLEs, often referred to as Keplerian elements or keps in the amateur community, are the inputs to the SGP4 standard mathematical model of spacecraft orbits used by most amateur tracking programs. Weekly updates are completely adequate for most amateur satellites. TLE bulletin files are updated Thursday evenings around 2300 UTC, or more frequently if new high interest satellites are launched. More information may be found at https://www.amsat.org/keplerian-elements-resources/

The following satellite has been added to this week’s AMSAT-NA TLE distribution:

BeliefSat-0 NORAD Cat ID 58695 IARU coordinated downlink on 145.980 MHz

The following satellite has been removed from this week’s AMSAT-NA TLE distribution:

VENTA 1 NORAD Cat ID 42791 Decayed from orbit on or about 03 January 2024

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


Need new satellite antennas?
Purchase an M2 LEO-Pack from the
AMSAT Store!

When you purchase through AMSAT, a portion of the proceeds goes towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space.


ARISS and Amateur Radio Featured on the TODAY Show

On January 5, 2024, the TODAY Show featured Harry Smith of NBC News going behind the scenes of last month’s QSO between Harbor Creek School in Pennsylvania and the ISS. Video of the segment can be seen on YouTube.

ARISS International Chair Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, said of the segment: “What a phenomenal story of a breathtaking ARISS educational experience. Our heartiest congratulations to the Harbor Creek School: the Advanced Technology Group students, educators, families and Leader/Assistant Principal/ARISS Educator Drew Mortensen. WOW!!”

[ANS thanks the TODAY Show and ARISS for the above information]


Assistance Requested With CubeSat History Project

A general announcement to the AMSAT community!

Prof. Robert “Bob” Twiggs KE6QMD and Dr. Aaron Zucherman KM6CHY (a former student of his) are working on gathering and publishing a series on the history of the creation and adoption of the CubeSat, including its direct SmallSat forebears (AMSAT, WeberSat, OPAL, etc.) and educational picosat successors (CanSats, PocketQubes and ThinSats). While outstanding technical accounts have been written on the subject, we plan on focusing on the underreported human stories and drama during this early history. 

You can see our announcement here: 

 
We specifically wanted to reach out to the AMSAT community to find those who worked on the early educational smallsat missions and AMSAT members who were mentors to many of the earliest (pre-2010) CubeSat mission teams. However, if you feel you have something else to contribute to CubeSat’s history, we want to hear about it!
 
A list of missions we are hoping to find AMSAT members from includes:
  • WeberSAT (Weber-OSCAR 18, WO-18, Microsat-3)
  • OPAL (OPAL-OSCAR 38, OO-38, StenSat,)
  • JAWSAT (Weber-OSCAR 39, WO-39)
  • SSETI-Express (XO-53, eXpress-OSCAR 53)
  • CUTE-1 (CO-55, CubeSat-OSCAR 55)
  • CUTE-1.7 (CO-56, CubeSat-OSCAR 56)
  • CUBESAT XI-IV (CO-57, CubeSat-OSCAR 57)
  • CUBESAT XI-V (CO-58, CubeSat-OSCAR 58)
  • Delfi-C3 (DO 64, Delfi-OSCAR 64)
Please feel free to contact azucherman [at] gmail.com if you are interested in contributing.

[ANS thanks Aaron Zucherman, PhD, KM6CHY, 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.

No contacts have been scheduled from 2023-12-21 to 2024-01-14. The complete schedule page has been updated as of 2023-12-21 05:00 UTC.

The Service Module radio is temporarily stowed.

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

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

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

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

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

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


Upcoming Satellite Operations

No scheduled operations are listed at this time.

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]


 Want to fly the colors on your own grid expedition?
Get an AMSAT car flag and other neat stuff from our Zazzle store!
25% of the purchase price of each product goes towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space


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 Ambassador Clint Bradford, K6LCS, says,

“Think a 75-minute presentation on “working the easy satellites” would be appropriate for your club or event? Let me know by emailing me at k6lcsclint (at) gmail (dot) com or calling me at 909-999-SATS (7287)!”

Clint has NEVER given the exact same show twice: EACH of the 150+ presentations so far has been customized/tailored to their audiences.

Scheduled Events

ARISS 40th Anniversary Conference: Celebrating the Positive Impact of Amateur Radio on Human Spaceflight

Center for Space Education, Adjacent to NASA Kennedy Space Center Visitor’s Center, Florida, USA
February 22-24, 2024

More information is available at https://www.ariss.org/overview.html

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


Satellite Shorts from All Over

+ The ARRL has published Logbook of the World configuration file version 11.27, adding support for QSOs made through SO-121.

+ The SaxaVord Spaceport on the Scottish island of Unst in the Shetland Islands was approved to launch rockets in 2024, the first fully licensed orbital spaceport in Western Europe. (ANS thanks The Orbital Index for the above information)

+ China launched 4 weather satellites and a pair of Beidou satellites… but again dropped a booster full of highly toxic hypergols on someone’s house. Video at https://bit.ly/3vo9mhu (ANS thanks The Orbital Index 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,

Paul Stoetzer, N8HM
n8hm [at] amsat.org

ANS is a service of AMSAT, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, 712 H Street NE, Suite 1653, Washington, DC 20002