AMSAT News Service

In this edition:

• IO-117 GreenCube to cease operating on February 5
• AMSAT Responds to Scheduled Decommisioning of IO-117
• Apogee View
• New, Portable Antenna Satellite Antenna Design is Perfect for ECOM
• AMSAT Thanks 2023 President’s Club Members
• Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for January 26, 2024
• 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 [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-028 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 JAN 28

IO-117 GreenCube to cease operating on February 5

At 1622 GMT on Thursday, January 25, 2024 @S5Lab posted on X that the GreenCube IO-117 Digipeater would be permanently deactivated on February 5.

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

The S5Lab post on X said:

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

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

AMSAT Responds to Scheduled Decommisioning of IO-117

AMSAT leadership, as were all amateurs, saddened to learn that S5Lab plans to decommission IO-117 (GreenCube) and execute a passivation operation on February 5, 2024. AMSAT stands ready to leverage its 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 its desire to provide any support it 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 for the above information.]

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The 2024 AMSAT President’s Club coins are here now!
Help Support GOLF and Fox Plus

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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Apogee View

As 2023 comes to a close, it is a great time to reflect on where we are, what we have accomplished, and what is waiting for us over the next horizon. 2023 has passed by so quickly. Our presence at Hamcation led right into Hamvention, followed by our annual Symposium. We shared the AMSAT story with attendees at the CubeSat Developers Workshop and developed strategic contacts with others in the space industry. Our engineers on the GOLF team found a solution for an attitude determination and control system – a major sticking point in developing GOLF-TEE. The Fox Plus team made significant progress, with the possibility of being able to launch their first satellite at the end of the coming year. Our volunteers in the ASCENT program developed a new packet radio that will fly on an upcoming Fox Plus mission and started work on a software-defined radio (SDR) that will add greater flexibility to how we communicate in future flights. Additionally, if that was not enough, our Education and CubeSat Simulator team is nearing completion of the new v1.3 AMSAT CubeSat Simulator, which incorporates a Raspberry Pi Pico microprocessor.

AMSAT should…

Not a day goes by when an AMSAT member does not recommend a great idea to advance amateur radio in space, expand our communications footprint, educate new satellite operators, and make our organization more efficient. While I would love to implement each and every one of them, we do not have the resources to make it happen.

While we have never been in a better position financially, we need to have the necessary people to bring all these great ideas and dreams into reality. AMSAT is an all-volunteer organization. As such, we rely on our members to not only invest their hard-earned dollars but also roll up their sleeves to design, build, and launch amateur radio payloads into space.

Being short-staffed is not the end of the world, nor does it mean we must give up on our dreams. We just need to find creative ways to make it happen.

One solution is to partner with other AMSAT organizations worldwide on future satellite projects. We have already proven that together, we can accomplish so much more.

Additionally, we can outsource some of the basic satellite systems and components we have already mastered and focus our limited human resources on developing new technologies and communication methods. When AMSAT was formed in 1969, we were the only game in town. Now, you can’t google satellites without stumbling across a trove of commercial vendors who offer complete, flight-proven satellite packages with just a click of a button.

This same outsourcing principle can be applied not only to building satellites but to our administrative and back-office tasks, as well. We desperately need someone to assist in providing the quality of service that our members deserve, and our website seriously needs a complete makeover and rewrite.

In closing, I want to thank each of our volunteers and members personally. None of this would have been possible without your hard work, dedication, and support. We have an opportunity to achieve so much more with you. As we move forward into the coming year and beyond, I hope your generosity will continue.

Until the next time, 73!

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

New, Portable Antenna Satellite Antenna Design is Perfect for ECOM

Researchers at Stanford University and the American University of Beirut (AUB) have developed a portable antenna that could be quickly deployed in disaster-prone areas or used to set up communications in underdeveloped regions. The antenna, described recently in Nature Communications, packs down to a small size and can easily shift between two configurations to communicate either with satellites or devices on the ground.

“The state-of-the-art solutions typically employed in [disaster] areas are heavy, metallic dishes. They’re not easy to move around, they require a lot of power to operate, and they’re not particularly cost-effective,” said Maria Sakovsky, an assistant professor of aeronautics and astronautics at Stanford.

The antenna designed by Sakovsky and her colleagues at AUB is made of fiber composites (a material often used in satellites) and resembles a child’s finger-trap toy, with multiple strips of material crossing in spirals. Just like any helix-based antenna, conductive material running through the antenna sends out signals, but thanks to its unique structure, the researchers can adjust the pattern and power of those signals in the new antenna by pulling it into longer shapes or shorter shapes.

“Because we wanted the antenna to be able to collapse into a packable shape, we started with this structure that led us to a very untraditional antenna design,” Sakovsky said. At its most compact, the antenna is a hollow ring that stands just over 1 inch tall and about 5 inches across – not much larger than a bracelet – and weighs 1.4 ounces. In this shape, it’s able to reach satellites with a high-power signal sent in a particular direction. When stretched out to about a foot tall, the antenna sends a lower power signal in all directions.

“The frequency you want to operate at will dictate how large the antenna needs to be, but we’ve been able to show that no matter what frequency you operate at, you can scale this design principle to achieve the same performance,” Sakovsky said. To be deployed in the field, the antenna would need to be paired with a transceiver to send and receive signals, a ground plane to reflect radio waves, and other electronics, but the whole package would still only weigh about 2 pounds.

Read the complete story at http://tinyurl.com/ANS-028-Antenna.

[ANS thanks Stanford News and Space Daily 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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AMSAT Thanks 2023 President’s Club Members

AMSAT gratefully recognizes the generous members of the 2023 AMSAT President’s Club. These AMSAT members together contributed $52,542 in 2023 to support AMSAT’s continuing innovations in engineering and educational programs. Since its inception three years ago, President’s Club members have raised well over $150,000 as AMSAT prepares for Amateur Radio’s continued presence in space with the Fox Plus and GOLF programs.

AMSAT invites you to become a member of this select group by visiting the announcement at https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/.

TITANIUM LEVEL ($4,800+)
Anonymous
Barry Baines, WD4ASW
Alan Biddle, WA4SCA
William Brown, K9LF

PLATINUM LEVEL ($2,400+)
Steve Belter, N9IP
Doug Tabor, N6UA

GOLD LEVEL ($1,200+)
John Botti, KC8OKB
Burns Fisher, WB1FJ
Mark Hammond, N8MH
Frank Karnauskas, N1UW
John Kludt, K7SYS
Glenn Miller, AA5PK
Mary Monteiro
Michael Stipick, KC4RI

SILVER LEVEL ($600+)
Warren Fugate, W3WE
Mark Johns, K0JM
Joseph Lynch, N6CL
Thomas Oates, KQ4FJW
Bruce Paige, KK5DO
Peter Pendergast, W2PP
Scott Shaheen, WB8OOJ
Jason Schwarz, N4JJS

BRONZE LEVEL ($300+)
Allen Kenny, KK4AK
Edward Krome, K9EK
Donald Lum, WA6ICW
Bruce Perens, K6BP
Donald Pettigrew, K9ECT
Barbara Simpson, KA5CFB
Dave Taylor, W8AAS
James Tittsler, 7J1AJH
David Vine, WA1EAW

CORE LEVEL ($120+)
Arlan Arrison, KB2AYU
David Batzie, N2VDY
Randy Berger, WA0D
Alan Boggs, K7IIV
George Carr, WA5KBH
Jim Clary, ND9M
Richard Dittmer, KB7SAT
Todd Dugdale, KD0TLS
Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA
Stephan Greene, KS1G
David Hartrum, WA3YDZ
Brian Lopeman, KI7WXP
Art Payne, VE3GNF
Thomas Schaefer, NY4I
Larry Schroeder, KD4HSL
Martin Shinko, KB3AEV
Paul Stoetzer, N8HM
Stefan Wagener, VE4NSA
Jeremy Wyatt, KA2PFD
David York, N8SGZ

[ANS thanks Frank Karnauskas, N1UW, AMSAT VP – Development 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
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Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for January 26, 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. 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:

DCBB NORAD Cat ID 40912 Decayed from orbit on or about 21 January 2024

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

ARISS NEWS

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

Upcoming Contacts
Omer Cemile Guler Imam Hatip Secondary School, Konya, Selcuklu, Turkey, telebridge via VK4KHZ.
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be TC100ISS.
The scheduled crewmember is Alper Gezeravci, KJ5DIY.
The ARISS mentor is ON6TI.
Contact is go for Tuesday, January 30, 2024 at 13:36:20 UTC.

Bandirma Sehit Guvenc Anatolian High School, Balikesir, Bandirma, Turkey, telebridge via IK1SLD.
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be TC100ISS.
The scheduled crewmember is Alper Gezeravci, KJ5DIY.
The ARISS mentor is ON6TI.
Contact is go for: Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at 12:10:37 UTC.

Bilingual Montessori School of Lund (Stiftelsen BMSL), Lund, Sweden, telebridge via VK4KHZ.
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS.
The scheduled crewmember is Marcus Wandt, KJ5COO.
The ARISS mentor is ON6TI.
Contact is go for: Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at 12:48:03 UTC.

Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering, Huntsville, AL, direct via TBD.
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS.
The scheduled crewmember is Jasmin Moghbeli, KI5WSL.
The ARISS mentor is W4NTR.
Contact is go for: Thursday, February 1, 2024 at 17:31:46 UTC.

Thrive Home School Academy, Colorado Springs, CO, direct via AFØS.
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS.
The scheduled crewmember is Loral O’Hara, KI5TOM.
The ARISS mentor is KD8COJ.
Contact is go for: Friday, February 2, 2024 at 18:17:46 UTC.

Completed Contacts
IC Statale Villa Guardia, Villa Guardia, Italy, telebridge via ZS6JON.
The ISS callsign was NA1SS.
The crewmember was Walter Villadei, IUØRWB.
The ARISS mentor was IZ2GOJ.
Contact was successful on Monday, January 22, 2024 at 09:35 UTC.
Watch the Livestream at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMQUWMww9yE.

Istituto Comprensivo “Anna Rita Sidoti”, Gioiosa Marea, Italy, direct via IT9DBI.
The ISS callsign was IRØISS.
The crewmember was Walter Villadei, IUØRWB.
The ARISS mentor was IKØWGF.
Contact was successful on Wednesday, January 24, 2024 at 14:37 UTC.

Center for Children’s (Youth) Technical Creativity “Young Motorist”, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, direct via UB3T.
The ISS callsign was RSØISS.
The crewmember was Konstantin Borisov.
The ARISS mentor was RV3DR.
Contact was successful on Thursday, January 25, 2024 at 15:30 UTC.

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

The Service Module radio, the Kenwood D710GA, normally operating as a APRS packet repeater is currently 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.

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

None currently listed.

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.

• 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

Satellite Shorts From All Over

• Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) was named Partner of the Month of the International Space Station National Laboratory, which is managed by the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Using amateur radio, ARISS offers students around the world opportunities to talk with astronauts on the International Space Station. A primary goal of ARISS is to inspire interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) subjects and careers among young students. ARISS is a cooperative venture of the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in the United States, and other international space agencies and international amateur radio organizations around the world. [ANS thanks ARRL for the above information.]
• Ingenuity, the little Mars helicopter that could, can’t anymore. At least one rotor broke during the robotic flying machine’s most recent flight last week, NASA officials announced on Thursday. Ingenuity remains in contact with its companion, the Perseverance rover, which has been exploring a dried-up riverbed for signs of extinct Martian life. Ingenuity will now be left behind. [ANS thanks the New York Times for the above information.]
• The International Space Station might keep flying past 2030. A senior NASA official said there is “no big concern” about the health of the International Space Station (ISS) that would require an operational stop six years from now, when the current agreement expires between most of the ISS partners. “There’s nothing magical that happens in 2030,” according to Steve Stich, the manager of the commercial crew program at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. Stich said NASA is eyeing the progress of commercial space stations that will host agency astronauts and science in the 2030s. “We want them [the commercial stations] to be supportive, and then when they’re ready to go, that’s when ISS will move out of the way.” [ANS thanks the 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, Frank Karnauskas, N1UW
n1uw [at] amsat [dot] org

In this edition:

* Microwave Ambitions for GOLF Satellites
* All-Ham Axiom Crew Launched for Commercial Visit to ISS
* AMSAT Argentina Celebrates 34 Years of LUSAT
* AMSAT Volunteers Needed For the Upcoming 2024 Orlando Hamcation
* IO-117 Project Group Presents the IO-117 Code of Conduct
* NASA Program Empowers Students for EZIE-Mag CubeSat Mission
* Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for Jan. 18
* 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-021 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 JAN 21

Microwave Ambitions for GOLF Satellites

Recently AMSAT News Service had the opportunity to interview Zach Metzinger, NØZGO, AMSAT Director and Volunteer Engineer, about the work that is being done to add microwave communication bands to the GOLF satellites.

ANS: “Zach, I understand that AMSAT will add microwave capability to the new GOLF CubeSat satellites, currently in design and evaluation. Is this correct?”

ZM: “Yes, that is correct! AMSAT had microwave capabilities in earlier satellites such as AO-10 and AO-40 and only a 1.2GHz downshifter on the newer CubeSats, that is the Fox series of satellites.
The GOLF (Greater Orbit Larger Footprint) satellites are currently under development.
GOLF-TEE is the first of these satellites and is the technology demonstrator for the GOLF series, which is in turn the successor to the FOX satellites. GOLF-TEE will have more capability as we increase the capability and functionality of our satellites, including adding microwave bands. “

ANS: “What is driving this increased functionality of the GOLF series?”

ZM: “Due to new orbital debris regulations, the FCC will require us to be able to be able to move as well as deorbit satellites, so we are adding the ability to orient and steer the satellite. While this adds complexity, it will also help us to improve the functionality of the satellite. For example: We will now be able to have the satellite maintain direction and orientation which will allow us to point the antenna for improved gain. This increased functionality is causing the increase in size. The GOLF satellites are a 3U size satellite, that is 30 cm x 10 cm x 10 cm. (The predecessor FOX satellites are 10 cm x 10 cm x 10 cm.) With the increase in size, we can also add other functionality, in this case the microwave capability we are discussing here today.”

ANS: “Can you tell us a little about how this is implemented?”

ZM: “While GOLF-TEE will have the usual 2m uplink and 70 cm downlink bands, it will also have an X-band (10 GHz) downlink transmitter. The 10 GHz SSPA board has already been demonstrated and works well. The 10 GHz SSPA has a peak power of 1 watt.

“We will also use a Software Defined Radio (SDR) which we will purchase. (For the development and demonstration, we have been using the Ettus E310 radio.) This will enable many simultaneous uplink bands, for example 1.2 GHz, 2.4 GHz, 5.7 GHz, etc. The whole system is very flexible. For example, the microwave antenna will support frequencies from 1 GHz to 26 GHz.”

ANS: “It is very exciting to hear about these improved capabilities. What are the next steps?”

ZM: “We continue to test the system and tweak the hardware. We will be ready to be on GOLF-TEE, which is estimated to launch in the second quarter of 2025. If it works well, it could be turned on for general use, but of course we will have to see. We definitely plan to have the microwave bands operational on succeeding GOLF satellites.

One more tidbit of information that folks may find interesting: The orbit for GOLF-TEE will be LEO. The next satellite, GOLF-1, could be LEO or perhaps MEO or HEO.

ANS: “This is an exciting development. How can we learn more?”

ZM: “I gave a 20-minute presentation on this at the AMSAT Annual Space Symposium, which you can see on YouTube.”

ANS: Thank you for your time, Zach!

Link to Zach Metzinger’s presentation is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcO4-h7bbxs&t=2270s

[ANS thanks Zach Metzinger, N0ZGO, AMSAT Director and Volunteer Engineer, and Mark Blackwood, KI5AXK, AMSAT Staff Writer, for the above information.]

All-Ham Axiom Crew Launched for Commercial Visit to ISS

With retired NASA astronaut Michael López-Alegría, KE5GTK, and Italian co-pilot Walter Villadei, IUØRWB, at the controls, flanked by Turkish mission specialists Alper Gezeravci, KJ5DIY, and Marcus Wandt of Sweden, KJ5COO, a SpaceX Falcon 9 thundered to life at 21:49 UTC Thursday and climbed away from historic pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center atop a brilliant jet of flaming exhaust.

A Falcon 9 lifts off from Kennedy Space Center carrying an international crew on a commercial mission to the space station. Image: Adam Bernstein/Spaceflight Now.

Rocketing away along a trajectory paralleling the East Coast of the United States, the 12-minute climb to space got off to a picture-perfect start, thrilling area residents and tourists with a late-afternoon sky show despite low clouds that limited the view.

Adding to the spectacle, the booster’s first stage, heralded by twin sonic booms, flew itself back to a rocket-powered landing at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, chalking up SpaceX’s 43rd landing in Florida and its 265th overall.

A few minutes later, the Crew Dragon capsule was released to fly on its own. SpaceX Chief Engineer Bill Gerstenmaier radioed congratulations to the crew “on a great ride to orbit. I think you’re demonstrating the ultimate in reuse — a reused commander, reused Dragon and a reused Falcon.”

If all goes well, López-Alegría and Villadei will monitor an automated approach to the space station, catching up from behind and below to set up a docking at the lab’s forward port early Saturday.

They’ll be welcomed aboard by the station’s current seven-member crew: Soyuz MS-24/70S commander Oleg Kononenko, RN3DX, and his two crewmates, Nikolai Chub and NASA astronaut Loral O’Hara, KI5TOM, along with NASA Crew-7 commander Jasmin Moghbeli, KI5WSL, European Space Agency astronaut Andreas Mogensen, KG5GCZ, Japanese flier Satoshi Furukawa, KE5DAW, and cosmonaut Konstantin Borisov.

At least two ARISS school contacts are scheduled with Axiom crewmembers, and participants in previous Axiom missions have activated the ARISS equipment on board the Space Station for casual contacts in the past.

Once their experiments are complete, López-Alegría and his crewmates will strap back into their Crew Dragon and undock from the space station on Feb. 3 for a fiery plunge back to Earth and splashdown off the coast of Florida.

The Axiom flights are sanctioned by NASA, which is trying to encourage private-sector development in low-Earth orbit. The company is using the “private astronaut missions,” or PAMs, to gain experience with orbital operations before launching its own space station modules later this decade.

[ANS thanks spaceflightnow.com for the above information]

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The 2024 AMSAT President’s Club coins are here now!
Help Support GOLF and Fox Plus

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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AMSAT Argentina Celebrates 34 Years of LUSAT

On Jan-22, 34 years ago was launched LO-19, LUSAT, 1st Argentine Satellite, till now emitting on 437.125 KHz.

During ‘LUSAT Week’, from Saturday-20 to Sunday-28 January 2024, AMSAT-LU, several Radio Clubs and collaborators will deliver a QSL commemorative of the 34rd anniversary of LUSAT, see: lusat33qsl.jpg, and the 34rd anniversary silver certificate with 5 (five) contacts or gold with 15 (fifteen) contacts, it will not be mandatory to communicate with LU7AA.

This Certificate complies with all the requirements of Argentine Resolution 3635-E/2017, articles 4.5.4 and 4.6.4, and therefore having LU7AA in force Legal Status and being recognized by ENACOM is valid for category promotions.

It will be operated by radio means of the radio amateur service only, in multiband/multimode, terrestrial HF/VHF/UHF and via active amateur satellites. More information at LU7AA at qrz.com. Collaborators will be calling: ‘LUxxx collaborating station of AMSAT Argentina, grants Commemorative QSL for the 34rd Anniversary of LUSAT’.

Do not miss this Certificate or QSL like the previous ones, it will be a pride to have it and for AMSAT your participation. Radio clubs and radio amateurs were invited to operate as a collaborating station.

To sign up as a Collaborating station see: https://forms.gle/iyEYE5F3gskmRdkQ8

Bases:

To obtain the QSL you must contact a collaborating station, or as a short wave listener receive a QSO between stations related to the 34rd anniversary event of LUSAT.

To obtain the Certificate, it will be necessary to contact (Radio amateurs) or listen (Short Wave Listeners) by radio at least 5 collaborating stations (silver), or 15 stations (gold) in any band and mode.

Finalized contacts or listening and after January 29:

For radio amateurs, go to https://forms.gle/c2RJE5LyBqz5erh7A and inform your contacts, it is not necessary to send QSLs or images.

For Short Wave Listeners, go to https://forms.gle/pkHNsQuWRo4MB21DA and report your listen stations, it is not necessary to send QSLs or images.

Issuance of the Certificate:

The LUSAT 34rd Anniversary Certificate will be issued free of charge, digitally to the email of each applicant. The Certificate can be printed by the recipient if desired.

More information and images: http://amsat.org.ar?f=34

Celebrating its permanence in space, our LUSAT continues to emit a strong carrier after 34 years, receivable at 437.125 KHz. +/- Doppler.

See pass schedules at http://amsat.org.ar/pass?satx=LUSAT

Details: http://amsat.org.ar?f=34 http://qrz.com/db/LU7AA https://www.qrzcq.com/call/LU7AA (also in English)

Collaborating stations registration open at https://forms.gle/iyEYE5F3gskmRdkQ8

LUSAT could be tracked/seen thru http://amsat.org.ar/pass?satx=lusat

Deeply appreciation to AMSAT-NA than in the eighties develop AO-16 & LO-19 novel pacsat protocol and lead on design and launch.

[ANS thanks AMSAT Argentina, LU7AA, 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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AMSAT Volunteers Needed For the Upcoming 2024 Orlando Hamcation

The new year is now upon us and that means the 2024 HamCation in Orlando, Florida (Feb. 9 – 11) is just around the corner. The hamfest began in 1946 and in 2024 celebrates its 78th year having achieved the designation as being the 2nd largest gathering of ham operators in the world annually.

Along with a myriad of popular amateur radio vendors and enormous tailgate area to peruse through, AMSAT will also be on hand and we could sure use your help. If last year’s 21,800 attendees are any indication of what’s ahead, we would greatly appreciate you sharing at least 2 to 4 hours of your time at the AMSAT booth sometime during the three-day event, introducing fellow hams to what amateur satellites are all about, helping those who maybe having problems getting on the air and best of all, connecting face to face with hams you’ve talked to on the satellites.

So if you would like to join us at the AMSAT booth or have any questions about helping out, please contact David Jordan, AA4KN at [email protected].

BTW, the average temp. for Orlando in February is a high 75 deg. and low 54 deg.
… hard to beat that!!

For more details on 2024 HamCation, visit https://www.hamcation.org

[ANS thanks Dave Jordan, AA4KN, AMSAT Ambassador in Central Florida for the above information]

IO-117 Project Group Presents the IO-117 Code of Conduct

A group of amateurs who regularly work the IO-117 satellite has worked to develop a code of conduct for using this popular digipeating resource.

The purpose of the IO-117 Code of Conduct document is to provide suggested operational guidelines that will hopefully optimize everyone’s access to the limited resource single channel digipeater aboard IO-117. If better messaging discipline can be adopted as well as a better understanding of what operating techniques improve or diminish the success of a station’s transmission being digipeated by IO-117, then the entire group of operators on an individual pass will benefit from implementing these standards.

Those involved in this project, in alphabetical order, are: 2MØSQL, DF2ET, FG8OJ, IK3ITB, JH8FIH, JK2XXK, KF7R, KGØD, KH6WI, KIØKB, OZ9AAR, and W8LR.

IO-117 CODE OF CONDUCT

1. LISTEN MORE TRANSMIT LESS – Consider giving the station you are calling several minutes to return Your call before you call again. The use of Greencube Terminal program by OZ9AAR (GC-T) with its “yoU Heard Me” feature (UHM — available in the latest GC-T version, 1.0.0.85) turned on may aid in this process. The software is available for free download at: https://www.moonbounce.dk/hamradio/greencube-terminal-program.html

2. STATIONS SHOULD USE THE MINIMAL POWER NECESSARY TO ACCESS THE SATELLITE.

3. AVOID CALLING CQ MORE THAN ONCE EVERY 5 MINUTES.

4. AVOID DUPE QSOs – Other than occasional contacts with friends and for testing purposes we should discourage repeat contacts with stations already confirmed in your log, particularly for uncommon or rare DX stations.

5. AVOID 2X – 3X IDENTICAL TRANSMISSIONS IN BACK TO BACK TO BACK DIGIPEATS BY ANY MEANS. The
Use of GC-T/UHM ABSOLUTLEY helps you avoid this problem.

6. WHEN CALLING A STATION, TIME YOUR TX TO WHEN THEY WILL MOST LIKELY BE LISTENING FOR NEW CALLS. AFTER THEY SEND A CQ OR SEND ANOTHER STATION THEIR R73 TX.

7. KEEP MESSAGES AS SHORT AS POSSIBLE – Every millisecond saved does make a difference. Four character grids only, not six characters.

8. AVOID SENDING SUPERFLUOUS DATA – 599 is irrelevant on a digipeater. Avoid sending operator names. Use 2-Letter ID for states; don’t include city or regional quantifiers (ie: “SoCal”, just send “CA”). You can shorten “UR 599, DN84fj, Sturgis South Dakota, LoTW, QSL?” to “DN84 SD” with no loss of relevant information for the QSO.

9. CALLING FOR A SPECIFIC STATE IS UNNECESSARY AND UNPRODUCTIVE – That info is available on GC-T and the Greencube Reporter: https://oscarwatch.org/greencube/.

10. WHEN A STATION DECLARES “SKED” IN THE TX MESSAGE DO NOT CALL THAT STATION UNTIL THEY HAVE FINISHED THEIR SCHEDULED CONTACT – Both stations should use SKED GRID in message & use COSI (Callsign of Special Interest).

11. WHEN WORKING A RARE CALL/GRID STATION THAT IS USING THE GC-T MULTICALL FEATURE THEIR “R73” TRANSMISSION SHOULD BE ADEQUATE TO FINISH THE QSO: GC F/H Mode: similar to FT8 F/H mode.

12. FOR ROVERS, PUTTING YOUR ROVING GRID IN THE “R73” TRANMISSION IS ACCEPTABLE, AS WELL AS BEING HELPFUL, TO ALL STATIONS COMING INTO THE FOOTPRINT.

13. SUGGESTED MESSAGE FORMAT: FT8 Format (GC F/H Mode) and GRID Format: 4 Characters only NOT 6
Calling Message:
P5ABC CQ PM39
P5ABC 3Y0ABC PM39.
P5ABC 3Y0ABC/R/P PM39
Response 73 Message: 3Y0ABC P5ABC R73 or RR73
3Y0ABC/R/P P5ABC R73 JD15

14. AS A FORM OF COURTESY, THE R73 EXCHANGE IS USUALLY BILATERAL BUT ONE MUST TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE CURRENT SITUATION OF THE SATELLITE, SO THE LAST R73 MAY BE WELCOMED BUT NOT MANDATORY – The use of GC-T/UHM may aid you in this decision process.

15. ROVERS SHOULD ATTEMPT TO PROVIDE THE BEST POSSIBLE STATION, TO INCLUDE THE USE OF THE GC-T/UHM FEATURE WHEN INTERNET ACCESS IS AVAILABLE, IN ORDER TO MAKE AN IO-117 ACTIVATION PRODUCTIVE AS POSSIBLE FOR ALL STATIONS INVOLVED.

[ANS thanks Jeff Schwartz, KI0KB, and the IO-117 Project Group 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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NASA Program Empowers Students for EZIE-Mag CubeSat Mission

The Electrojet Zeeman Imaging Explorer (EZIE) team at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) is extending an invitation to citizen scientists, schools, and researchers to actively participate in NASA’s CubeSat mission set to capture the magnetic signatures of Earth’s upper atmosphere. The project, known as EZIE-Mag, is distributing 700 Raspberry Pi-powered experimentation kits, providing an unprecedented opportunity for enthusiasts to contribute valuable ground-based readings to the mission.

Dr. Nelli Mosavi-Hoyer, project manager for EZIE at Johns Hopkins APL, emphasizes the importance of citizen scientists’ involvement, stating, “EZIE-Mag provides the mission with a unique opportunity to engage citizen scientists in this important research. Measurements made by these kits will be complementary to data collected by the three EZIE spacecraft.”

The core of NASA’s Electrojet Zeeman Imaging Explorer program consists of three CubeSats, scheduled for launch in the late stages of 2024. These CubeSats will play a pivotal role in recording the magnetic fingerprints of Earth’s auroral electrojets – electrical currents flowing between the outer limits of the atmosphere and surrounding space. While the CubeSats map these currents, the EZIE-MAG initiative aims to enhance the mission with additional ground-based data.

Adebayo Eisape, second from left, an electrical engineering doctoral student at Johns Hopkins University, watches as high school students with the Lab’s ASPIRE program assemble the EZIE-Mag kit. (Image credit: Ed Whitman/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory)

Dr. Jesper Gjerloev, EZIE project scientist, stresses the inclusive nature of involving citizen scientists in the project, highlighting that it was previously considered unfeasible due to the high costs of custom equipment, ranging from $25,000 to $500,000. The innovative solution involved creating a low-cost sensor connected to a Raspberry Pi Zero single-board computer.

EZIE ground systems engineer Rob Barnes, inspired by a science fair project with his niece and nephew, developed prototypes for the EZIE-Mag kits. These kits, priced at just $200, include a low-cost magnetometer sensor paired with GPS for accurate time and location data, connected to a Raspberry Pi Zero. The cost reduction allows the team to distribute the kits to schools free of charge.

Barnes explains, “When we distribute EZIE-Mags, the data that’s going to come in from all these schools and places is actually going to be included as part of the mission database. We’re going to do real science with it. You get all the parts and they just snap together, and you’re done.”

The EZIE team will make and freely distribute approximately 700 EZIE-Mag kits to teachers and students across the United States, with a specific focus on Indigenous schools. (Image credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Ed Whitman)

The EZIE-Mag program has also formed partnerships with the Indigenous Education Institute and Little Singer Community School, establishing five Indigenous-based collaborative workspaces equipped with EZIE-Mag kits. In total, up to 700 kits will be distributed to schools in underserved communities.

Dr. Gjerloev applauds the active participation of schools, stating, “They’re actively participating, providing data that is used in our solutions. As a middle schooler or high schooler, you can say, ‘I’m actually providing data and making measurements that are important and being used for a NASA mission.’ That’s the way it should be. It’s much more exciting than sending out a flyer.”

For those interested in joining the EZIE-Mag project, further information and an application form for the kit are available on the project website: https://ezie.jhuapl.edu/outreach/ezie-mag.

[ANS thanks Gareth Halfacree, hackster.io, for the above information]

Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for Jan. 18

Two Line Elements or TLEs, often referred to as Keplerian elements or keps in the amateur community, are the inputs to the SGP4 standard mathematical model of spacecraft orbits used by most amateur tracking programs. Weekly updates are completely adequate for most amateur satellites. TLE bulletin files are updated daily in the first hour of the UTC day. New bulletin files will be posted immediately after reliable elements become available for new amateur satellites. More information may be found at https://www.amsat.org/keplerian-elements-resources/.

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

[ANS thanks AMSAT Orbital Elements page 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.

IC Statale Villa Guardia, Villa Guardia, Italy, telebridge via ZS6JON
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS
The scheduled crewmember is Walter Villadei, IUØRWB
The ARISS mentor is IZ2GOJ
Contact is go for: Mon 2024-01-22 09:35:49 UTC 44 degrees elevation
Watch for Livestream at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMQUWMww9yE

Istituto Comprensivo “Anna Rita Sidoti”, Gioiosa Marea, Italy, direct via IT9DBI
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be IRØISS
The scheduled crewmember is Walter Villadei, IUØRWB
The ARISS mentor is IKØWGF
Contact is go for: Wed 2024-01-24 14:37:22 UTC 40 degrees elevation

Youth Group, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, direct via TBD
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS
The scheduled crewmember is Konstantin Borisov
The ARISS mentor is RV3DR
Contact is go for Thu 2024-01-25 15:30 UTC

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

The packet system Temporarily stowed. (145.825 MHz up & down). SSTV Status is OFF.

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

None scheduled at this time.

[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.

+ 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

+ 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 the AMSAT Events page for the above information]

Satellite Shorts From All Over

+ Congratulations to Lyle Hood, WB7VUF, for being awarded GridMaster Award #63! This prestigious award, introduced by Star Comm Group in 2014 and sponsored by Damon Runion, WA4HFN, and Rick Tillman, WA4NVM, is now entrusted to AMSAT for the benefit of the entire AMSAT community. The GridMaster Award recognizes amateurs worldwide who establish two-way communication via amateur satellite with operators in all 488 Maidenhead grids in the contiguous United States of America. More information about this award can be found on the AMSAT website at https://www.amsat.org/gridmaster. Well done on this remarkable achievement Lyle! (ANS thanks Bruce Paige, KK5DO, AMSAT Director of Contests and Awards for the above information)

+ Kudos to Tom Kenny, NJ2DX, on achieving AMSAT Century Award #60! This distinguished recognition entails confirming satellite contacts with a mix of one hundred USA states, Canadian provinces, or DXCC entities. Tom met the requirements for the AMSAT Satellite Communications Achievement Award and AMSAT Sexagesimal Award by respectively establishing satellite contacts with twenty and sixty distinct entities from within a 40-kilometer radius of the same location, paving the way for eligibility for this distinguished honor. For more information about this award, please visit the AMSAT website at https://www.amsat.org/awards. Once again, congratulations to Tom on this exceptional accomplishment! (ANS thanks Bruce Paige, KK5DO, AMSAT Director of Contests and Awards for the above information)

+ Astrobotic’s Peregrine moon lander was launched on January 8 under an experimental new partnership between NASA and private industry intended to reduce costs for American taxpayers and seed a lunar economy. But it experienced an explosion shortly after separating from its rocket and had been leaking fuel, making it impossible to reach its destination. Astrobotic announced that it had lost contact with its spacecraft shortly before 2100 GMT Thursday, January 18, indicating a “controlled re-entry over open water” as it had predicted. Engineers had executed a series of small engine burns to position the golf cart-sized robot over the South Pacific to “minimize the risk of debris reaching land.” (ANS thanks Space Daily for the above information)

+ After a leisurely, fuel-efficient trip to the Moon, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) SLIM lander (aka “Moon Sniper”) attempted a pinpoint landing at 15:20 UTC on Jan. 19. Pinpoint in this context means shooting for a landing area ellipse of 100 x 100 meters after a 20-minute autonomous descent process. That’s a smaller target area than ever attempted by a lunar lander, though China’s Chang’e 3 lander managed to land 89 meters from the center of its 6,000 x 6,000 meter target in 2013. While the soft landing was a success, JAXA is still analyzing data to determine the precision of the landing. (ANS thanks The Orbital Index and JAXA for the above information)

+ The Chinese Academy of Sciences, ESA, and the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics in Germany collaborated on the Einstein Probe, an X-ray telescope that launched last week on a Long March 2C. The telescope will observe X-ray bursts from energetic sources such as neutron star mergers and black holes and will monitor how these change over time. It will orbit Earth at 600 km and carry two instruments. The Wide-field X-ray Telescope (WXT) uses hundreds of thousands of square fibers “inspired by the eyes of lobsters” which can collectively image almost a tenth of the celestial sphere at a time. Once sources are identified, they can be imaged in more detail with the narrower but more sensitive, two-module Follow-up X-ray Telescope (FXT). (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, Mark Johns, KØJM
k0jm [at] amsat.org

In this edition:

* ARISS Announces NASA Astronaut Tony England WØORE as Speaker for 40th Anniversary Celebration
* AMSAT Seeks Volunteers to Assist with AMSAT Booth at 2024 HamCation in Orlando Florida
* Vulcan Centaur Triumphs in Maiden Voyage, Peregrine Lander Faces Lunar Setback
* GridMasterMap Satellite Top 100 Rovers January 2024 Rankings
* Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for January 12, 2024
* 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

ANS-014 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 Jan 14

ARISS Announces NASA Astronaut Tony England WØORE as Speaker for 40th Anniversary Celebration

Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) has announced NASA astronaut Tony England WØORE as the latest addition to the esteemed lineup for the “40th Anniversary Conference: Celebrating the Positive Impact of Amateur Radio on Human Spaceflight” event at Kennedy Space Center, set to occur from February 22 to 24, 2024. Tony England will be the third astronaut speaker at the event, in addition to Richard Garriott, W5KQW, and Bill McArthur, KC5ACR.

Tony England, the second astronaut to make ham radio contacts from space and the first to engage in Slow-Scan Television (SSTV) transmissions from orbit, brings a wealth of experience to the event. Selected as a scientist-astronaut by NASA in August 1967 at the age of 25, he holds the distinction of being the youngest candidate selected up to that time. England completed rigorous academic and flight training, earning his wings with distinguished honors in April 1969.

His contributions to space missions include serving as a support crewman for Apollo 13 and 16 flights. Notably, England played a crucial role during the Apollo 16 mission as the Extra-Vehicular Activity (EVA) Capcom, providing instructions to astronauts exploring the lunar surface. His expertise also extended to the development and communication of instructions for constructing lithium hydroxide canisters on Apollo 13.

In the summer of 1985, England was a part of the STS-51-F mission, which carried a seven-man crew and Spacelab-2. This mission marked the first pallet-only Spacelab mission and the debut of the Spacelab Instrument Pointing System (IPS). England’s responsibilities included activating and operating Spacelab systems, operating the IPS and the Remote Manipulator System, assisting with experiment operations, and being prepared for a contingency Extra-Vehicular Activity if needed. The mission successfully completed 126 orbits of the Earth.

Richard Garriott W5KQW, a second-generation space traveler, ARISS veteran, and entrepreneur, has been announced as the keynote conference speaker. The 40th Anniversary Celebration event will also feature other distinguished speakers, including Bill McArthur, KC5ACR, a NASA Astronaut with experience on the Shuttle, Mir, and the International Space Station (ISS), and Mike Kincaid, NASA Associate Administrator for the Office of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Engagement.

The 40th Anniversary Conference is scheduled to occur at the Center for Space Education, located next to the NASA Kennedy Space Center Visitor’s Center in Florida. This event is not only a reflection on past achievements but also a platform to showcase the exciting potential of amateur radio in future human spaceflight endeavors. The discussions will encompass potential operations on commercial space stations, lunar exploration, and even ventures toward Mars. The celebration is poised to offer a retrospective of notable achievements and delve into the evolving role of amateur radio in shaping the trajectory of human space exploration. More details can be found on the ARISS website at https://www.ariss.org/overview.html.

[ANS thanks Amateur Radio on the International Space Station for the above information]

AMSAT Seeks Volunteers to Assist with AMSAT Booth at 2024 HamCation in Orlando Florida

As the new year unfolds, the spotlight shifts to HamCation 2024, scheduled for February 9th to 11th in Orlando, Florida. Celebrating its 78th year since its establishment in 1946, HamCation proudly holds the distinction of being the second-largest annual gathering of ham operators globally.

Hosted at the Central Florida Fairgrounds and Expo Park, the 87-acre lakefront fairground transforms into a bustling center for radio-centric activities during HamCation. This cornerstone event in the amateur radio community is sponsored by the Orlando Amateur Radio Club and supported by volunteers from radio clubs across the region. For a detailed itinerary and logistical information about the 2024 HamCation, interested individuals are encouraged to visit the official website at https://www.hamcation.org.

One of the standout features of HamCation is the rich variety of attractions it offers. Participants have the opportunity to navigate through a vast tailgate area, browse exhibits presented by well-known amateur radio vendors, participate in informative forums, and establish connections with individuals who share similar interests. Beyond merely showcasing equipment, the event places a strong emphasis on fostering connections, exchanging knowledge, and celebrating the collective passion for radio communication.

AMSAT extends a warm invitation to all attendees to visit their booth, where the fascinating world of amateur radio satellites can be discovered. With last year’s attendance reaching an impressive 21,800 participants, AMSAT is actively seeking volunteers from their membership to dedicate at least two to four hours of their time during the three-day event. Volunteer tasks include introducing fellow hams to the world of amateur radio satellites, assisting those facing challenges in getting on the air, and best of all, connecting face to face with hams that you have talked to on the satellites.

Robert Bankston, KE4AL, President of AMSAT, will be presenting information on Saturday, February 10th at 1:00 PM EST. His presentation, titled “AMSAT – Shaping the Amateur Radio Satellite World of Tomorrow,” will involve an open discussion on designing the next generation of amateur radio satellites. The HamCation Forums and Speakers Guide are continually being updated with the latest information and can be viewed online at https://www.hamcation.com/forums-speakers.

For those eager to be part of AMSAT’s presence at HamCation or request more information about volunteering, David Jordan, AA4KN, serves as the point of contact. Interested individuals can drop him an email at aa4kn [at] amsat.org to express their interest or seek clarification on any questions they may have. Your involvement goes beyond contributing to the event; it’s an opportunity to contribute to the vibrant community spirit that defines amateur radio.

[ANS thanks Dave Jordan, AA4KN for the above information]

The 2024 AMSAT President’s Club coins are here now!
Help Support GOLF and Fox Plus

Join the AMSAT President’s Club today and help
Keep Amateur Radio in Space!
https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/

Vulcan Centaur Triumphs in Maiden Voyage, Peregrine Lander Faces Lunar Setback

Vulcan Centaur, a new heavy-lift booster developed by United Launch Alliance (ULA), successfully completed its inaugural flight. However, the mission took a bittersweet turn as the Peregrine lander, set to be the first American spacecraft to touch down on the lunar surface since 1972, faced significant challenges shortly after separation from the Centaur upper stage.

United Launch Alliance (ULA), known for its 100% mission success rate with the Atlas V and Delta IV rockets since 2006, faced a changing commercial launch landscape by the early 2010s. SpaceX’s Falcon 9 was offering cheaper alternatives, prompting ULA to develop a more cost-effective and agile solution. The result was the Vulcan Centaur, a combination of a new first stage and an evolved Centaur III second stage.

Originally planned for launch in 2019, the Vulcan program encountered delays, primarily due to the slower-than-expected development of the BE-4 engines by Blue Origin. Despite setbacks and an explosion during Centaur upper stage testing in March 2023, the January 8th launch marked a significant achievement for ULA. Powered by liquid methane and liquid oxygen (methalox), the Vulcan Centaur demonstrated successful flight, a milestone for American orbital rockets using this propellant combination.

ULA’s CEO Tory Bruno expressed satisfaction with the launch, labeling it one of the smoothest in his career. The successful flight positions ULA to compete more effectively in the evolving space launch market.

While the Vulcan Centaur celebrated success, the fate of the Peregrine lander took a dramatic turn. Developed by Astrobotic Technology, Peregrine had ambitious plans, including bringing memorials, time capsules, scientific instruments, the Iris rover, and small robots to the lunar surface.

Initial reports suggested a promising start when Peregrine separated from the Centaur and established communications with ground control. However, soon after enabling its propulsion systems, the lander faced difficulties maintaining its orientation, leading to a rapid depletion of its batteries. Astrobotic attempted to stabilize the craft, but it was confirmed that a leak was destabilizing Peregrine and draining essential propellants needed for a lunar landing.

Astrobotic ruled out any possibility of a lunar landing, and as of the latest update, the team faces the challenge of navigating Peregrine as close to the Moon as possible before its propellant runs out. With communication uncertain, the fate of the lander remains uncertain.

January 8th showcased both success and setbacks in space exploration. The Vulcan Centaur’s triumphant launch demonstrated progress in rocket technology, while the Peregrine’s struggles highlighted the inherent difficulties of space missions. As technology advances, the moon remains an enticing destination, with the upcoming Nova-C lander’s launch in February offering renewed hope for successful lunar exploration. The events of this day remind us that despite the challenges, the pursuit of space exploration continues unabated.

[ANS thanks Tom Nardi, Hackaday.com, for the above information]

GridMasterMap Satellite Top 100 Rovers January 2024 Rankings

The January 2024 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 GridMasterMap 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: 2024-01-01

[ANS thanks @GridMasterMap for the above information]

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

Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for January 12, 2024

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 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 Service Module radio is temporarily stowed. Targeting return to service once a new computer has been delivered for SSTV use with this system.

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 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]

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.

+ 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

+ 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 the AMSAT Events page for the above information]

Want to fly the colors on your own grid expedition?
Get your AMSAT car flag and other neat stuff
from our Zazzle store!

25% of the purchase price of each product goes
towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space
https://www.zazzle.com/amsat_gear

Satellite Shorts from All Over

+ Liftoff of Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3) is scheduled for 22:11 UTC Wednesday, Jan. 17, from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crew will travel to the orbiting outpost aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft after launching on the company’s Falcon 9 rocket. The Ax-3 crew members are Commander Michael López-Alegría, KE5GTK, Pilot Walter Villadei, IU0RWB, of Italy, Mission Specialist Alper Gezeravcı, KJ5DIY, of Turkey, and ESA (European Space Agency) project astronaut Marcus Wandt, KJ5COO, of Sweden. Watch live coverage of prelaunch and launch activities, as well as docking operations on the NASA+ streaming service at https://plus.nasa.gov. (ANS thanks NASA for the above information.)

+ ARISS is calling for proposals from U.S. educational institutions to host an Amateur Radio contact with ISS crew members between July 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024. They seek organizations drawing large participation to integrate the contact into an education plan. Proposals are due by February 29, 2024, with details at https://www.ariss.org. A 10-minute Q&A session with astronauts provides students a firsthand experience of space life and research. Amateur Radio organizations worldwide, with support from NASA and international space agencies, facilitate these contacts. An ARISS Introductory Webinar on January 17, 2024, at 7 PM ET via Zoom is available for those interested. Inquiries can be directed to education [at] ariss-usa.org. ARISS aims to promote STEM exploration through radio contacts between ISS crew members and students. (ANS thanks Dave Jordan, AA4KN, ARISS Public Relations, for the above information)

+ India has marked another significant milestone in space exploration with the successful placement of the Aditya L-1 spacecraft into a periodic Halo orbit approximately 1.5 million kilometers from Earth. This accomplishment follows India’s pioneering achievement of landing an unmanned spacecraft on the moon’s southern polar region four months earlier. Named after the Hindu god of the sun, Aditya-L1 is strategically positioned at Lagrange Point 1, providing an uninterrupted five-year study of the sun’s outer layer. This achievement underscores India’s unique capability to travel vast distances in space, setting it apart as the first in Asia to do so. With a focus on understanding space weather, the spacecraft is equipped with seven scientific instruments to monitor solar wind particles and magnetic fields. (ANS thanks Anjana Pasricha, Voice of America, for the above information)

+ NASA has announced delays to its Artemis program, pushing back the anticipated return of astronauts to the moon to 2026. The Artemis 2 mission, originally scheduled for November 2024, is now set for September 2025, while the Artemis 3 moon-landing mission, initially targeted for late 2025, is rescheduled for September 2026. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson emphasized that safety is the top priority, allowing more time for teams to address challenges with first-time developments, operations, and integration. Jim Free, NASA’s associate administrator, underscored the decision’s focus on crew safety. Various new systems and technologies, such as facilities at Kennedy Space Center and improvements to the Orion capsule, are still being tested ahead of Artemis 2. Despite setbacks, NASA remains enthusiastic about Artemis 2, seeing it as a representation of national and global achievements in space exploration. (ANS thanks Brett Tingley, Space.com, for the above information)

+ The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has successfully inserted the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) into lunar orbit on December 25, 2023, at 16:51 (JST). SLIM’s elliptical lunar orbit, connecting the Moon’s north and south poles, has a 6.4-hour period, ranging from approximately 600km at perilune (closest point to the Moon) to 4,000km at apolune (furthest point). The orbit adjustment proceeded as planned, and the spacecraft is currently in normal condition. Over the next few weeks until mid-January 2024, SLIM’s apolune point will be lowered, transitioning the orbit to a circular one at around 600km altitude. Subsequently, preparations for landing will commence, with the perilune point scheduled to be lowered to 15km on January 19, initiating the descent towards the lunar surface around 00:00 AM (JST) on January 20, and landing expected at approximately 00:20 AM (JST) on the same day. (ANS thanks Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) for the above information)

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

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73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space!

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