AMSAT News

In this edition:

* 42nd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium to Proceed After Hurricane Milton
* 2024 AMSAT-UK Colloquium: A Weekend of Satellite Innovation and Collaboration
* SpaceX Achieves First Super Heavy Booster Catch in Landmark Starship Flight
* NASA’s Europa Clipper Embarks on Epic Journey to Explore Alien Ocean World
* European Spacecraft Launches to Investigate NASA’s Asteroid Defense Test
* Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for October 18, 2024
* ARISS News
* Upcoming Satellite Operations
* AMSAT Ambassador Activities
* Satellite Shorts From All Over

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

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

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

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-294 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 Oct 20

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42nd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium to Proceed After Hurricane Milton

The 42nd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting will take place from October 24-27, 2024, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Tampa Rocky Point Waterfront in Tampa, Florida. Originally at risk due to damage from Hurricane Milton, the hotel has completed repairs, allowing the event to proceed as scheduled. All Symposium activities, including presentations, social events, and the annual banquet, will be held in the same ballroom due to rescheduled events at the venue. While there may be minor schedule adjustments, AMSAT is confident the event will run smoothly.

Registration for the Saturday banquet and Sunday breakfast has closed, but attendees who have secured their spots can look forward to a full weekend of activities. The Symposium kicks off with the AMSAT Board of Directors meeting on October 24-25, followed by paper sessions and the AMSAT Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony on Saturday, October 26. The weekend will conclude with the AMSAT Ambassador Breakfast on Sunday, October 27, offering a relaxed setting for further networking and discussion.

This year’s Symposium will focus on the latest developments in amateur radio satellite communications, with a variety of paper sessions and events throughout the weekend. The Friday night AMSAT Reception and Auction will provide an informal space for participants to connect and exchange ideas. If you have anything of interest that you can donate for the auction, please bring it along! AMSAT remains excited to host the event despite the challenges posed by Hurricane Milton and looks forward to celebrating the community’s passion for space-based communications. More information can be found at https://launch.amsat.org/event-5833792.

[ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information]

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2024 AMSAT-UK Colloquium: A Weekend of Satellite Innovation and Collaboration

The AMSAT-UK Colloquium took place last weekend, bringing together enthusiasts and experts from the amateur satellite community. Held as a dedicated stream within the RSGB Convention, the event featured a range of presentations on the latest advancements in satellite technology and space-related topics. The Colloquium provided an invaluable opportunity for participants to engage with cutting-edge developments and network with fellow amateur radio operators.

One of the highlights of the weekend was the AMSAT-UK Annual General Meeting, where key updates and future plans were discussed. In addition to the technical sessions, attendees enjoyed social gatherings, including the AMSAT Gala Dinner, which fostered further collaboration and exchange of ideas. The event continues to serve as a cornerstone for the amateur satellite community, offering both knowledge and inspiration for future projects.

Presentations from the 2024 AMSAT-UK Colloquium are available on YouTube. Provided below are links to the individual topics from both Saturday and Sunday.

Opening Address	Prof Sir Martin Sweeting, G3YJO	https://www.youtube.com/live/4ve4q43pdF0?t=860s
Getting Started with Satellites	Heather Nickalls, MØHMO	https://www.youtube.com/live/4ve4q43pdF0?t=1535s
Report on Operations via Q0100 from North America	Ravi Gopan, MØXUU & Graham Shirville, G3VZV	https://www.youtube.com/live/4ve4q43pdF0?t=5340s
FUNcube Lite on Jovian-1	David Bowman, GØMRF	https://www.youtube.com/live/4ve4q43pdF0?t=9095s
Surrey and Space Based Solar Power	Professor Craig Underwood, G1WTW	https://www.youtube.com/live/4ve4q43pdF0?t=16110s
FUNcube Update	Dave Johnson, G4DPZ	https://www.youtube.com/live/4ve4q43pdF0?t=19735s
ARISS-UK Update / 40 years of Amateur Radio on Human Space Flight	Ciaran Morgan, MØXTD	https://www.youtube.com/live/4ve4q43pdF0?t=24205s
An SDR Transponder Update	Martin Ling, MØLNG	https://www.youtube.com/live/uOHP2G_-ryU?t=345s
Automated Reception of FUNcube, APRS and Weather Satellite Pictures	Iain Young, G7III	https://www.youtube.com/live/uOHP2G_-ryU?t=4930s
AMSAT-DL Update	Peter Gülzow, DB2OS	https://www.youtube.com/live/uOHP2G_-ryU?t=8515s
AMSAT-NA	Burns Fisher, WB1FJ	https://www.youtube.com/live/uOHP2G_-ryU?t=19305s

[ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information]

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SpaceX Achieves First Super Heavy Booster Catch in Landmark Starship Flight

SpaceX successfully launched its fifth Starship vehicle on October 13, 2024, marking a milestone with the unprecedented recovery of the Super Heavy booster at the launch site. The mission, dubbed “Flight 5” by SpaceX, lifted off from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, at 8:25 a.m. Eastern time. The launch represented a significant step in SpaceX’s long-term goal of achieving rapid reusability for its massive Starship/Super Heavy system.

The key innovation in this test was the planned recovery of the Super Heavy booster, known as Booster 12. After liftoff, the booster performed a series of precise maneuvers to guide itself back to the launch site. The booster was caught by a pair of mechanical arms—often referred to as “chopsticks”—mounted on the launch tower. About seven minutes after liftoff, the arms closed around the top of the booster, just below its grid fins, successfully completing the first-ever “catch” of a returning booster.

SpaceX officials expressed excitement over the achievement, which is critical for the company’s vision of rapid reflight capability. The ability to land the booster directly on the launch pad and prepare it for another flight within days or even hours is a key component of SpaceX’s goal to make space travel more efficient. “I don’t know what to say!” Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX president and chief operating officer, posted on social media along with a video of the landing, capturing the surprise and enthusiasm following the success.

The mission’s second stage, Starship, flew on a suborbital trajectory, reaching a peak altitude of 212 kilometers before reentering the atmosphere. Unlike the booster, Starship was not intended to be recovered. It performed a controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean, where it exploded several seconds after touchdown. SpaceX noted improvements to Starship’s heatshield from previous flights, which allowed it to survive reentry in better condition.

The launch came just hours after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted SpaceX an updated launch license. The revised license, issued after concerns about environmental impacts, allows SpaceX to conduct the next flight—Flight 6—without needing a new authorization. The changes to the license included adjustments to the areas where debris, such as the interstage ring, might land, and an analysis of sonic boom impacts from the returning Super Heavy booster.

The environmental analysis, a requirement for the revised license, determined that there would be no significant impacts from the mission. However, SpaceX is still required to conduct monitoring and take measures to protect the local wildlife surrounding the Boca Chica site. The FAA granted SpaceX the ability to proceed with Flight 6 under the same conditions, but the company must comply with strict regulations, including submitting monitoring data and environmental reports.

[ANS thanks Jeff Foust, SpaceNews.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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NASA’s Europa Clipper Embarks on Epic Journey to Explore Alien Ocean World

NASA’s highly anticipated Europa Clipper mission officially launched on Monday, October 14, 2024, embarking on a journey to explore Jupiter’s moon, Europa. The spacecraft lifted off at 12:06 p.m. Eastern Time aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The launch, described by NASA commentator Derrol Nail as unveiling “the mysteries of an enormous ocean lurking beneath the icy crust of Jupiter’s moon Europa,” marks the beginning of an ambitious astrobiology mission.

The Falcon Heavy’s 27 first-stage Merlin engines roared to life as the rocket ascended, with the two side boosters detaching about three minutes into flight. Separation of the second stage occurred shortly afterward, and Europa Clipper was deployed on its interplanetary trajectory nearly an hour later. Mission control successfully established communication with the probe, confirming that the spacecraft’s solar arrays had deployed as planned, signaling a smooth start to its mission.

Monday’s launch faced a slight delay due to Hurricane Milton, which made landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast last week, forcing NASA to close the Kennedy Space Center temporarily. Originally scheduled for October 10, the launch was pushed back while teams secured Europa Clipper inside a SpaceX hangar near Pad 39A. This marked the 11th Falcon Heavy launch and only the second time the rocket has been used for an interplanetary mission.

The Europa Clipper mission has faced a long and complex path to the launchpad. Initially, NASA intended to launch the probe using its Space Launch System (SLS), a powerful moon rocket still in development in the mid-2010s. However, repeated delays in the SLS program, along with NASA’s commitment to using the early SLS vehicles for its Artemis moon missions, forced the agency to opt for a commercial alternative. A 2021 budget proposal allowed NASA to choose SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy, though the shift meant the mission’s journey to Jupiter would take nearly six years instead of three.

At the heart of the mission is Europa, a moon thought to harbor a vast subsurface ocean beneath its icy crust. Europa has long intrigued scientists as one of the best places in the solar system to search for signs of life. However, NASA emphasizes that Europa Clipper’s mission is not to find life directly but to assess the moon’s habitability. The spacecraft, carrying a suite of nine science instruments, will study the composition of Europa’s ocean, investigate its icy shell, and look for any signs of recent activity.

After a journey of nearly six years, Europa Clipper is expected to enter orbit around Jupiter in April 2030, where it will begin an extended series of flybys of Europa. Over the course of its mission, the probe will make close passes to the moon, gathering data that could inform future missions, including a potential lander. The mission is set to conclude in 2034, with NASA planning to crash Europa Clipper into Jupiter’s moon Ganymede to avoid contaminating Europa’s pristine environment.

[ANS thanks Josh Dinner, Space.com for the above information]

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European Spacecraft Launches to Investigate NASA’s Asteroid Defense Test

A European spacecraft, along with two CubeSats, has launched to investigate the aftermath of NASA’s first planetary defense mission, known as DART. The European Space Agency’s Hera mission took off on October 7, 2024, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. The mission aims to study the consequences of NASA’s 2022 mission, which deliberately crashed a spacecraft into the asteroid Dimorphos, changing its orbit.

The Hera mission, slated to arrive at Dimorphos and its larger companion asteroid Didymos in 2026, is expected to offer a detailed “crash scene investigation,” according to European scientists. NASA’s DART mission had tested whether a kinetic impact, or crashing a spacecraft into a celestial body at high speeds, could alter the object’s trajectory. While neither asteroid poses a threat to Earth, Dimorphos was chosen for the experiment because of its size, which is comparable to asteroids that could potentially be hazardous in the future.

Observations following DART’s collision with Dimorphos in September 2022 revealed that the spacecraft succeeded in altering the asteroid’s orbital period by about 32 to 33 minutes. However, many questions remain unanswered, such as whether the impact merely left a crater or completely reshaped Dimorphos. The Hera mission is tasked with solving these mysteries by providing detailed data on the structure and composition of both asteroids, which will further refine planetary defense strategies.

Hera is scheduled to reach the Didymos system in late 2026, after a mid-March 2025 flyby of Mars to gain the necessary momentum. During the flyby, Hera will test its suite of instruments and observe Mars’ moon Deimos, capturing data that will support Japan’s upcoming Martian Moons eXploration mission. Once Hera arrives at the Didymos system, it will spend six weeks conducting surveys of both asteroids, using a variety of instruments to study their shapes, masses, and thermal properties.

Hera will also release two CubeSats, Juventas and Milani, to conduct more specific investigations. Juventas will use radar to probe the interior of Dimorphos, while Milani will study the mineral composition and dust environment of both asteroids. These CubeSats will communicate their findings to Hera and relay the data back to Earth, providing scientists with unprecedented insights into the double-asteroid system.

Ultimately, the Hera mission could end with experimental landings on either Didymos or Dimorphos, further extending its ability to study the asteroids up close. Scientists hope the data collected will deepen understanding of how asteroid deflection technology can be used to protect Earth from future threats. As Patrick Michel, principal investigator of the Hera mission, noted, while DART was a success, Hera will complete the story by offering crucial details that could inspire future planetary defense initiatives.

[ANS thanks Ashley Strickland, CNN, for the above information]

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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.
https://amsat.org/product-category/hardware/

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Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for October 18, 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 daily in the first hour of the UTC day. New bulletin files will be posted immediately after reliable elements become available for new amateur satellites. More information may be found at https://www.amsat.org/keplerian-elements-resources/.

The following satellites have been added to this week’s AMSAT TLE distribution:
DORA NORAD Cat ID 61502 IARU coordinated downlink 436.825 MHz
CySat-1 NORAD Cat ID 61501 IARU coordinated downlink 436.375 MHz

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

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ARISS NEWS

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

+ Recently Completed Contacts

Istituto Comprensivo “Elena Lucrezua Corner”, Fossò, Italy, direct via IQ3RW
The ISS callsign was OR4ISS
The scheduled crewmember was Sunita Williams KD5PLB
The ARISS mentor was IZ2GOJ
Contact was successful for: Fri 2024-10-18 09:09:46 UTC

Colegio Cervantes, Torreon. Mexico, Telebridge via K6DUE
The ISS callsign was NA1SS
The scheduled crewmember was Don Pettit KD5MDT
The ARISS mentor was VE3TBD
Contact was successful for: Fri 2024-10-18 16:59:43 UTC

TEACH-NW Charter School, Springfield, OR, direct via KJ7NLL
The ISS callsign was NA1SS
The scheduled crewmember was Sunita Williams KD5PLB
The ARISS mentor was N7GZT
Contact was successful for: Fri 2024-10-18 18:27:52 UTC
Watch for Livestream at https://www.youtube.com/live/Yarcl0FgiA4?t=1860s

+ Upcoming Contacts

The Robert Drake Primary School, Essex, UK, telebridge via K6DUE
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be TBD
The scheduled crewmember is Sunita Williams KD5PLB
The ARISS mentor is MØXTD
Contact is go for: Mon 2024-10-21 09:42:16 UTC

Ceip San Ignacio Del Viar, Alcalá Del Rio, Spain, direct via EG7SIV
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS
The scheduled crewmember is Don Pettit KD5MDT
The ARISS mentor is IK0USO
Contact is go for: Mon 2024-10-21 11:33:54 UTC

Magnet Innovation Center, Inlet Beach, FL, direct via WD9GIU
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS
The scheduled crewmember is Nick Hague KG5TMV
The ARISS mentor is AA4KN
Contact is go for: Thu 2024-10-24 15:23:10 UTC

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Upcoming Satellite Operations

Guyana: Aldir, PY1SAD (ZZ1M), operates from Georgetown as 8R1TM between  Oct. 12 and Nov. 24 on 160-10m (CW, SSB, digital modes) and via satellites. QSL via LoTW, eQSL, qrz.com. (From DXNL 2427 – October 9, 2024)

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]

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AMSAT Ambassador Activities

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

AMSAT Ambassador Clint Bradford, K6LCS, says,

AMSAT Ambassadors delight in spreading the word regarding AMSAT and satellite operations. Think a lively, informative – and FUN – 60-75-minute presentation would be appropriate for YOUR members?

I have three Zoom presentations coming up: Southern CA, Maine, and Germany (!).

175 presentations so far … and each is customized to my audiences. NEVER have I given the exact same show twice! Between 20 and 26 “slides” are unique to each presentation.

Clint Bradford K6LCS
AMSAT Ambassador
ARRL Affiliated Club Coordinator, Legacy Circle member
Work-Sat.com
+01 951-533-4984 (cell)

Pacificon 2024, ARRL Pacific Division Conference – October 18th thru 20th, 2024
San Ramon Marriott
2600 Bishop Drive
San Ramon, CA  94583
https://www.pacificon.org/

WU0I

2024 AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting – October 25th thru 27th, 2024
Doubletree by Hilton Tampa Rocky Point Waterfront
3050 N Rocky Point Drive West
Tampa, FL 33607
https://www.amsat.org/

SmallSat Education Conference – October 26th thru 27th, 2024
AMF Center for Space Education, Kennedy Space Center – Visitor Center
M6-306 405 State Road
Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899
http://www.smallsateducation.org

Fredric Raab, KK6NOW, will be presenting “Classroom Activities with the AMSAT CubeSat Simulator” showcasing the work by the CubeSatSim Educational Materials Team: Paul Graveline (sk), K1YUB, Alan Johnston, KU2Y, Fredric Raab, KK6NOW, Mark Samis, KD2XS and David White, WD6DRI.

Stone Mountain Hamfest, ARRL State Convention – November 2nd and 3rd, 2024
Gwinnett County Fairgrounds
2405 Sugarloaf Parkway
Lawrenceville, GA 30042
https://stonemountainhamfest.com/

K4RGK

Oro Valley Amateur Radio Club – November 9th, 2024
Marana Middle School
11285 West Grier Road
Marana, AZ 85653
https://www.tucsonhamradio.org/copy-of-hamfest-2022

N1UW

Yuma HAMCON – February 20th thru 22nd, 2025
Yuma, AZ

N1UW

[ANS thanks Bo Lowrey, W4FCL, Director – AMSAT Ambassador Program, for the above information]

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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

Satellite Shorts From All Over

+ On October 4, United Launch Alliance (ULA) successfully launched its second Vulcan rocket, despite one of the solid-propellant strap-on boosters encountering an anomaly 37 seconds after liftoff. The booster emitted sparks and debris, but the rocket continued its ascent and reached orbit. This mission is part of the certification process for the Vulcan rocket, which will soon carry national security payloads for the U.S. Space Force and the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). ULA included a dummy payload and technology experiments to gather data and validate the rocket’s performance. The booster issue is under investigation, but the key mission objectives were met, according to ULA CEO Tory Bruno. The Vulcan rocket, powered by Blue Origin’s BE-4 engines, will replace ULA’s Delta 4 and Atlas 5 rockets, positioning the company for future success in the competitive space market. (ANS thanks Spaceflight Now for the above information)

+ Four astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) are awaiting their return as mission managers monitor unfavorable weather conditions off the coast of Florida. The Crew-8 mission, which includes NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, Mike Barratt, and Jeanette Epps, along with Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin, is nearing its conclusion after seven months in space. While they prepare for their journey home, the crew spent the week relaxing and engaging in pre-departure activities. A weather briefing occurred on Wednesday, October 16, at 11 a.m. EDT, assessing conditions for their splashdown. Mission managers are now targeting a new undocking time of no earlier than 3:05 a.m. EDT on Sunday, October 20. (ANS thanks SciTechDaily for the above information)

+ The FAA authorized SpaceX to resume Falcon 9 flights on October 11, following a suspension caused by an upper stage anomaly during the Crew-9 mission on September 28. The anomaly occurred when the Merlin engine burned 500 milliseconds longer than planned, resulting in reentry outside its designated zone. SpaceX conducted an investigation, and the FAA approved their corrective actions, though neither disclosed specific details of the findings. A special exception had been made for the European Space Agency’s Hera mission on October 7, as it posed no public safety risk. With the issue resolved, Falcon 9 operations fully resumed on October 15. SpaceX marked its return with a double Starlink mission, launching from both Vandenberg and Cape Canaveral on the same day. (ANS thanks SpaceNews for the above information)

+ Following Hurricane Helene, T-Mobile and Starlink activated their satellite texting service in preparation for Hurricane Milton to ensure Florida residents could stay connected despite potential cellular outages. After the Federal Communications Commission granted emergency approval, the service enabled T-Mobile users to send and receive basic texts, including 911 messages, even if the network went down. Starlink’s Direct to Cell satellites were also employed to send emergency alerts to all phones and carriers in the affected areas. Users could determine if their phone connected to a Starlink satellite by the presence of one to two bars of signal and the network name displaying “T-Mobile SpaceX.” The satellite service worked best outdoors or near windows, although users sometimes had to retry sending messages if they didn’t go through on the first attempt. SpaceX has also delivered over 10,000 Starlink kits in response to Hurricane Helene, as part of ongoing recovery efforts. (ANS thanks Engadget for the above information)

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

In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to:

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

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

73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space!

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

In this edition:

* AMSAT-UK to Provide FUNcube Lite Payload for Jovian-1 Satellite
* AMSAT-EA HADES-R and HADES-ICM planned for Q1 2025
* NASA Gears Up for Europa Clipper Mission to Jupiter’s Icy Moon
* Artificial Star Mission Aims to Help Unlock Secrets of the Universe
* GridMasterMap Satellite Top 100 Rovers October 2024 Rankings
* Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for September 27, 2024
* ARISS News
* Upcoming Satellite Operations
* AMSAT Ambassador Activities
* Satellite Shorts From All Over

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

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

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

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-273 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 Sep 29

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The 42nd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting will be held on Friday through Saturday, October 25-26, 2024
DoubleTree by Hilton Tampa Rocky Point Waterfront in Tampa, Florida. Click Here to Register Now

Rooms can be reserved at https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/radioamateursatellite/
If you’re interested in presenting or submitting a paper, see the Call for Papers webpage

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AMSAT-UK to Provide FUNcube Lite Payload for Jovian-1 Satellite

AMSAT-UK has announced it will provide a FUNcube Lite payload for the Jovian-1 satellite, featuring a U/V FM voice transponder. Jovian-1, a 6U CubeSat, is being developed by Space South Central, a space cluster in the UK. The project is a collaboration between industry and academic institutions aimed at supporting the region’s space sector.

Jovian-1 is part of the JUPITER program, which stands for Joint Universities Programme for In-Orbit Training, Education, and Research. The program involves the universities of Surrey, Portsmouth, and Southampton and offers students direct experience in the space sector. JUPITER prepares participants for careers in space, with a focus on practical training in satellite design and operations.

The FUNcube Lite payload will collect telemetry data from the satellite’s subsystems, including radiation sensor readings and GPS information. The data will be transmitted to schools and colleges using the FUNcube data format. This will help track radiation levels across the satellite’s orbit and assess radiation effects on onboard electronics.

Students from Space South Central will design, build, test, and launch the Jovian-1 satellite. The satellite will use commercial S and X bands for its main communication, through a ground station at Surrey University. The FUNcube Lite payload will operate on UHF and VHF amateur radio frequencies. When not gathering telemetry, it can switch to a U/V mode FM voice transponder, enabling communication for radio amateurs.

The project emphasizes the role of regional space clusters in advancing the UK space industry. Space South Central represents over 170 space-related businesses in the region. The mission allows students to conduct satellite operations from the University of Surrey’s ground station, bridging academic study with hands-on experience.

More information about the Jovian-1 mission and the FUNcube Lite payload will be shared at the AMSAT-UK Colloquium on October 12-13, 2024. The event will provide detailed updates on the satellite’s development and its technical components, offering insights for anyone interested in amateur radio and satellite communications.

For more information:

• Space South Central: spacesouthcentral.com
• University of Surrey: surrey.ac.uk
• University of Portsmouth: port.ac.uk
• University of Southampton: southampton.ac.uk

[ANS thanks Dave Johnson, G4DPZ, Honorary Secretary, AMSAT-UK , for the above information]

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AMSAT-EA HADES-R and HADES-ICM planned for Q1 2025

AMSAT-EA has announced the upcoming launch of two new satellites, HADES-R and HADES-ICM, which will be made available to radio amateurs in early 2025. These satellites are set to replace the current HADES-D (SO-121) satellite in orbit. Unlike HADES-D, which transmits at a power level of 40mW, the new satellites will have variable transmission power, reaching up to theoretical 250mW when fully charged.

The HADES-R and HADES-ICM satellites, classified as 1.5p pocketQubes, will be launched by SpaceX on its Transporter-12 and Transporter-13 missions. The launches will utilize D-Orbit’s ION orbital transfer vehicle (OTV), with mission management provided by Alba Orbital, a Scottish company specializing in satellite launch solutions. As with previous AMSAT-EA projects, these satellites have been developed with the support of private companies and universities.

Both satellites will support a wide range of communications capabilities, including FM voice, FSK, FT-4, and FT-8 modes. They will also be equipped to handle AX.25/APRS communications at both 300 and 1200 bps. The uplink for the satellites will be in the VHF band, while the downlink will operate in the UHF band. Additionally, the satellites will transmit telemetry data, including status updates, voice messages, and CW messages. All communications will be managed through an SDR-based FM and FSK repeater, which will be available at all times, activated by squelch level without the need for a subtone.

In addition to their primary communications functions, both satellites will carry a scientific experiment from the Smart IR/Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC) at the University of Manchester. This experiment will test a very low-power active radiator under space conditions. HADES-ICM has received sponsorship from IcMercury (Interstellar Communication Holdings), based in Florida, and will feature several challenge messages embedded within the FSK telemetry. While the HADES-R satellite has already been coordinated by the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU), HADES-ICM is still pending approval.

[ANS thanks Félix Páez, EA4GQS, President / Mission Manager, AMSAT-EA, for the above information]

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NASA Gears Up for Europa Clipper Mission to Jupiter’s Icy Moon

NASA is set to launch the Europa Clipper mission, a groundbreaking effort to explore Jupiter’s icy moon, Europa. Slated for liftoff as early as October 10, 2024, the spacecraft will be carried into space by a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The mission aims to uncover the mysteries of Europa’s hidden ocean and assess whether the moon could host conditions favorable for life.

Europa Clipper’s journey will take six years to reach the Jupiter system. Once there, it will enter an orbit around Jupiter, performing dozens of flybys of Europa. The spacecraft’s suite of instruments will probe beneath the moon’s icy shell to study its subsurface ocean. By mapping the moon and investigating its potential habitability, NASA hopes to shed light on one of the most intriguing questions in planetary science: whether life could exist on other worlds.

The mission is significant because Europa is thought to possess all the ingredients necessary for life. Beneath its thick ice lies a vast, salty ocean, which may contain more water than all of Earth’s oceans combined. The moon’s subsurface environment could offer the energy, liquid water, and organic compounds required to support life. Although Europa is smaller than Earth’s moon, its potential to harbor a habitable environment makes it a prime target for exploration.

To reach Jupiter, Europa Clipper will rely on two gravity assists. In 2025, it will pass within 1,000 kilometers of Mars to adjust its trajectory, followed by a close flyby of Earth in 2026. These maneuvers will boost the spacecraft’s speed and guide it toward the Jupiter system, where it is expected to arrive in 2030. Instead of orbiting Europa directly, the spacecraft will remain in orbit around Jupiter, occasionally dipping into the planet’s intense radiation field for close encounters with Europa.

Once in the Jupiter system, Europa Clipper will conduct over 40 flybys of Europa, approaching as close as 25 kilometers above its surface. The spacecraft’s instruments are designed to withstand the harsh radiation environment, with most being housed in a protective radiation vault. Each flyby will gather detailed data, providing new insights into the moon’s ice-covered ocean and the possibility of life beneath its surface.

The spacecraft’s science instruments include ice-penetrating radar to map Europa’s icy shell and magnetic sensors to confirm the presence of its ocean. High-resolution cameras and spectrometers will analyze the moon’s surface and search for water vapor plumes that may erupt from below. Although Europa Clipper is not officially a life-detection mission, it promises to transform our understanding of habitability beyond Earth.

[ANS thanks Kate Howells, The Planetary Society, 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/

---

Artificial Star Mission Aims to Help Unlock Secrets of the Universe

NASA is embarking on an ambitious mission that could reshape our understanding of the universe with the help of a small, human-made satellite. Researchers at George Mason University are leading a $19.5 million NASA-funded project to launch an “artificial star” into space. The goal of this satellite, once it reaches orbit, is to appear as a star to telescopes on Earth, allowing scientists to gather more precise data on stellar brightness. The mission could unlock critical insights into the age, size, and scale of stars, offering fresh clues about the expansion of the universe and even the potential for extraterrestrial life.

The so-called artificial star will be positioned in geostationary orbit, approximately 22,236 miles from Earth. While it won’t be visible to the naked eye, telescopes will be able to track the satellite as it moves at the same speed as Earth’s rotation, staying positioned over the U.S. Named in honor of the late astronomer Arlo Landolt, known for his work in stellar calibration, the satellite will spend its first year in space using advanced technology to monitor the brightness of millions of stars. This will allow astronomers to refine existing models for measuring stellar evolution and the universe’s expansion.

Equipped with a sophisticated array of lasers, the satellite will serve as a controlled reference point for researchers on Earth. It will enhance the accuracy of brightness measurements, providing data that cannot be gathered from ground-based telescopes alone. According to Peter Plavchan, the primary investigator of the Landolt NASA Space Mission at George Mason, this mission represents a breakthrough in how stars and even distant supernovae are studied. “Such measurements can only be achieved by a space-based orbiting artificial star,” Plavchan said.

The mission, part of NASA’s Pioneers program, marks a significant milestone for George Mason University. This is the university’s first time leading such a mission, with NASA providing oversight and key technical support. George Mason is collaborating with the National Institute of Standards and Technology and 10 other universities to develop the satellite, which will face significant engineering challenges in high orbit. “Our team will design, build, and integrate the payload,” said Peter Pachowicz, an engineering professor at George Mason. “It’s an incredibly exciting opportunity.”

One of the broader goals of the Landolt mission is to contribute to the search for habitable planets. By analyzing how stars influence planetary environments, the satellite could help scientists better understand where in the universe conditions might be suitable for life. Astronomers are particularly interested in so-called habitable or “Goldilocks” zones, where planets could have the right conditions—neither too hot nor too cold—to support liquid water, a key ingredient for life. Understanding how stars affect these zones is essential to identifying planets that may harbor life.

While the mission has the potential to revolutionize the field of astronomy, it also poses big challenges. Finding definitive evidence of life beyond Earth requires precise measurements of stellar properties, such as how much energy a star emits and how close a planet is to that star. “There are so many big questions in astronomy: How did we get here? Are there other planets like ours? Do aliens exist?” said Jamie Tayar, an astronomer at the University of Florida, a partner in the mission. With the launch of the artificial star planned for 2029, the team hopes to get one step closer to answering these profound questions.

[ANS thanks Eric Lagatta, USA Today, for the above information]

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GridMasterMap Satellite Top 100 Rovers October 2024 Rankings

The October 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 gridmaster.fr website have been validated by a third party. Grid numbers do not directly reflect the exact number of activations. Satellite operators are encouraged to upload their LoTW satellite contacts to https://gridmaster.fr in order to provide more accurate data.

Updated: 2024-09-27

1	ND9M	26	KX9X	51	N6DNM	76	LU4JVE
2	NJ7H	27	ON4AUC	52	JK2XXK	77	AA8CH
3	JA9KRO	28	KG5CCI	53	EB1AO	78	VE1VOX
4	UT1FG	29	N5BO	54	SM3NRY	79	FG8OJ
5	N5UC	30	K8BL	55	EA4NF	80	PT9BM
6	DL6AP	31	KE4AL	56	JL3RNZ	81	KJ7NDY
7	OE3SEU	32	KB5FHK	57	XE1ET	82	KI7UXT
8	WI7P	33	VE3HLS	58	AA5PK	83	YU0W
9	DP0POL	34	KI0KB	59	DF2ET	84	KB2YSI
10	K5ZM	35	KI7UNJ	60	KI7QEK	85	N6UTC
11	N6UA	36	LA9XGA	61	SP5XSD	86	WA9JBQ
12	HA3FOK	37	F4BKV	62	F4DXV	87	N4DCW
13	WY7AA	38	PA3GAN	63	AD7DB	88	JM1CAX
14	N9IP	39	JO2ASQ	64	VE1CWJ	89	VE3GOP
15	W5PFG	40	N7AGF	65	KE9AJ	90	N0TEL
16	AK8CW	41	BA1PK	66	N8RO	91	KG4AKV
17	DL2GRC	42	VK5DG	67	VA7LM	92	K6VHF
18	AD0DX	43	XE3DX	68	KM4LAO	93	K0FFY
19	F5VMJ	44	KE0WPA	69	W1AW	94	CU2ZG
20	N4AKV	45	PR8KW	70	W8LR	95	VE7PTN
21	WD9EWK	46	K7TAB	71	N4UFO	96	AF5CC
22	ND0C	47	KE0PBR	72	DL4EA	97	VE6WK
23	AD0HJ	48	VA3VGR	73	HB9GWJ	98	W8MTB
24	LU5ILA	49	AC0RA	74	PT2AP	99	DK9JC
25	DJ8MS	50	W7WGC	75	M1DDD	100	BG7QIW

[ANS thanks @GridMasterMap for the above information]

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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.
https://amsat.org/product-category/hardware/

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Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for September 27, 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 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]

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ARISS NEWS

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

+ Recently Completed Contacts

Amur State University, Blagoveshchensk, Russia, direct via RKØJ
The ISS callsign was RSØISS
The scheduled crewmember was Ivan Vagner
The ARISS mentor is RV3DR
Contact was successful for: Tue 2024-09-24 09:24 UTC

Tatarstan, Russia, direct via TBD
The ISS callsign was RSØISS
The scheduled crewmember was Aleksey Ovchinin
The ARISS mentor is RV3DR
Contact is successful for: Fri 2024-09-27 13:20 UTC

Khazar University, Dunya School, Baku, Azerbaijan, direct via 4K6EH
The ISS callsign was OR4ISS
The scheduled crewmember was Sunita Williams KD5PLB
The ARISS mentor is IN3GHZ
Contact was successful for: Sat 2024-09-28 09:13:29 UTC

+ Upcoming Contacts

СОНКО АНО “Clean and Simple” and the Cultural and Leisure Center “Flying Saucer”, Shchyolkovo, Russia, direct via TBD
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS
The scheduled crewmember is Alexander Gorbunov
The ARISS mentor is RV3DR
Contact is go for Fri 2024-10-04 10:50 UTC

Girlguiding Surrey West County, Shepperton, UK, direct via GB4GGB
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS
The scheduled crewmember is Sunita Williams KD5PLB
The ARISS mentor is MØXTD
Contact is go for: Sat 2024-10-05 13:06:22 UTC
Watch for Livestream at https://live.ariss.org/

Centre de Formation de la Base Aérienne de Payerne, Payerne, Switzerland, direct via HB9SPACE
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS
The scheduled crewmember is Mike Barratt KD5MIJ
The ARISS mentor is IN3GHZ
Contact is go for: Sat 2024-10-05 14:44:48 UTC

213 RCSCC Qu’Appelle (Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corp), Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, telebridge via K6DUE
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS
The scheduled crewmember is Jeanette Epps KF5QNU
The ARISS mentor is VE6JBJ
Contact is go for: 2024-10-05 16:06:05 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 is also active (145.825 MHz up & down). APRS is currently online, but may be impacted for an experiment in the Service Module after September 27th.

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

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

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

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

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

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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]

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AMSAT Ambassador Activities

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

AMSAT Ambassador Clint Bradford, K6LCS, says,

Just completed presenting my satellite show to the Sandton Amateur Radio Club in South Africa – via Zoom. And what a marvelous group they are! Keith ZS6HI was my contact. Great questions throughout from the Zoom audience. From Keith: “Thank you very much Clint and Karen. Wonderful presentation. You did a lot of research and preparation to put a South African spin on the presentation and spent effort on learning about the SARL, Sandton Club and South African Amateur Radio community beforehand.” “SARL” is South Africa’s “ARRL.” And there is an active AMSAT Chapter there, too!

That was Presentation Number 175 … more are scheduled! Think a lively, informative, and fun presentation on working the “easy” satellites with minimal equipment would be appropriate for your club or convention?

Clint Bradford K6LCS
AMSAT Ambassador
ARRL Affiliated Club Coordinator, benefactor
work-sat.com
909-999-SATS (909-999-7287)

North Star Radio Convention – October 5th, 2024
Hennepin Technical College (North Campus)
9000 Brooklyn Boulevard
Brooklyn Park, MN 55445
https://conv2023.tcfmc.org/

AMSAT Forum and Information Table / KØJM and ADØHJ

Central Kentucky Hamfest – October 5th, 2024
Highlands Baptist Church
2032 Parallel Road
Lexington, KY 40502
https://www.facebook.com/w9khz/

AMSAT and Educational Satellites Forum and Information Table / AI4SR and W4FCL

Radio Society of Tucson – October 5th, 2024
Calvary Tucson Church
8711 East Speedway Boulevard
Tucson AZ 85710
https://k7rst.club/2024/07/tucson-autumn-ham-fest-2024/

N1UW

Pacificon 2024, ARRL Pacific Division Conference – October 18th thru 20th, 2024
San Ramon Marriott
2600 Bishop Drive
San Ramon, CA  94583
https://www.pacificon.org/

WU0I

2024 AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting – October 25th thru 27th, 2024
Doubletree by Hilton Tampa Rocky Point Waterfront
3050 N Rocky Point Drive West
Tampa, FL 33607
https://www.amsat.org/

Stone Mountain Hamfest, ARRL State Convention – November 2nd and 3rd, 2024
Gwinnett County Fairgrounds
2405 Sugarloaf Parkway
Lawrenceville, GA 30042
https://stonemountainhamfest.com/

K4RGK

Oro Valley Amateur Radio Club – November 9th, 2024
Marana Middle School
11285 West Grier Road
Marana, AZ 85653
https://www.tucsonhamradio.org/copy-of-hamfest-2022

N1UW

Yuma HAMCON – February 20th thru 22nd, 2025
Yuma, AZ

N1UW

[ANS thanks Bo Lowrey, W4FCL, Director – AMSAT Ambassador Program, for the above information]

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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

Satellite Shorts From All Over

+  Congratulations are in order for Jerry Oliver, KJ4EU for his impressive accomplishments in earning GridMaster Award #70! This esteemed recognition, initiated by Star Comm Group in 2014 and backed by Damon Runion, WA4HFN, and Rick Tillman, WA4NVM, has now been entrusted to AMSAT for the benefit of the entire amateur satellite community. The GridMaster Award celebrates radio amateurs worldwide who achieve two-way communication via amateur satellite with operators in all 488 Maidenhead grids across the contiguous United States of America. For more details on this distinguished award, visit the AMSAT website at https://www.amsat.org/gridmaster/. Jerry, your achievement is truly commendable—well done! (ANS thanks Bruce Paige, KK5DO, AMSAT Director of Contests and Awards for the above information)

+ Congratulations to Nina Riethmueller, DL2GRC, for her outstanding achievements in providing satellite contacts! Nina has roved an impressive 102 grid squares, earning her the AMSAT VUCC/r Award #18. The Reverse VUCC or VUCC/r Award, originally introduced by the Central States VHF Society and now carried on by AMSAT, recognizes the dedication of satellite rovers like Nina. For more information about this prestigious award, you can visit the AMSAT website at https://www.amsat.org/reverse-vucc-or-vucc-r-award. Keep on roving, Nina, and continue to inspire others in the AMSAT community with your remarkable achievements! (ANS thanks Bruce Paige, KK5DO, AMSAT Director of Contests and Awards for the above information)

+ NASA’s Voyager 1 spacecraft, which has been in space since 1977, recently experienced issues with its thrusters due to clogged fuel tubes caused by aging. The thrusters, which are essential for keeping the spacecraft pointed toward Earth, use liquid hydrazine that releases in puffs to adjust its orientation. Engineers discovered that one set of thrusters had become clogged with silicon dioxide from the spacecraft’s fuel tank, necessitating a switch to a different set. However, due to power and temperature constraints, turning on the replacement thrusters required careful planning. The team successfully activated non-essential heaters to warm up the thrusters, making the switch on August 27, 2024. This complex operation ensures Voyager 1 can continue its mission, providing valuable data from interstellar space despite its advanced age and limited power. (ANS thanks NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory for the above information)

+ The International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) recently reached a milestone, processing its 1,000th satellite frequency coordination request. This achievement underscores the IARU’s essential role in managing radio frequencies for amateur satellites, ensuring optimal performance and minimal interference with terrestrial services. Since the late 1990s, the IARU’s Satellite Frequency Coordination Panel has collaborated with satellite developers and regulators to facilitate successful amateur communication and educational satellite missions. The rise of CubeSats and the drop in launch costs have increased the demand for careful spectrum management. The dedication of IARU volunteers and the global amateur radio community has made this possible, ensuring continued opportunities for education, communication, and scientific research. As Earth’s orbit becomes more crowded, the IARU’s work in frequency coordination will remain critical for future missions. (ANS thanks IARU for the above information)

+ NASA astronaut Tracy C. Dyson, along with Roscosmos cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub, successfully returned to Earth on September 23, after landing in Kazakhstan aboard the Soyuz MS-25 spacecraft. Dyson spent 184 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of Expeditions 70 and 71, completing 2,944 orbits and covering 78 million miles. Chub and Kononenko, who spent 374 days in space, returned after an extensive mission spanning 5,984 orbits and 158.6 million miles. Notably, Kononenko set a record with over 1,111 cumulative days in space across five missions. The crew undocked from the ISS’s Prichal module before their parachute-assisted landing southeast of Dzhezkazgan, Kazakhstan. Following their recovery, Dyson returned to Houston, while Kononenko and Chub headed to Star City, Russia, for post-mission procedures. (ANS thanks SciTechDaily for the above information)

+ SpaceX is preparing for a historic test flight of its Starship megarocket, aiming to catch its Super Heavy booster using the “chopstick” arms of the launch tower. This innovative recovery method, practiced at the Starbase site in South Texas, could dramatically reduce refurbishment times compared to traditional landing methods. The company recently showcased these preparations, lifting the booster to its expected catch height. Starship’s fifth test flight, slated for late November 2024, follows previous launches where performance has steadily improved. Despite SpaceX’s readiness, regulatory delays from the FAA have pushed the launch timeline. SpaceX has expressed frustration with the regulatory process, citing concerns about the pace of environmental impact reviews and modifications assessments. (ANS thanks Space.com for the above information)

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

In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to:

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

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

73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space!

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

In this edition:

• Registration Continues for the 42nd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium & Annual General Meeting
• AMSAT 2024 Space Symposium Call for Papers – A Reminder
• One Week Remaining to Vote in AMSAT Board of Directors Election
• AMSAT 2024 President’s Club Membership Raises over $36,000 To-Date
• FUNcube Data Warehouse Back Online
• AMSAT-DL ERMINAZ Mission Postponed to 2025
• Updated Software Available for NOAA Polar and Russian Meteor Weather Satellites
• VUCC Satellite Standing September 2024
• Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for September 6, 2024
• ARISS News
• Upcoming Satellite Operations
• AMSAT Ambassador Activities
• Satellite Shorts From All Over

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

The news feed on 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-252 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 SEP 08

Registration Continues for the 42nd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium & Annual General Meeting

The 42nd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting will be held on Friday through Saturday, October 25-26, 2024, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Tampa Rocky Point Waterfront in Tampa, Florida.

Highlights of all scheduled events include:

AMSAT Board of Directors Meeting, October 24-25
42nd AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting, October 25-26
Friday Night Social and Auction, October 25
AMSAT Banquet and Reception, October 26
AMSAT Ambassador Breakfast (all are welcome), October 27

The complete schedule and registration information can be found at https://launch.amsat.org/event-5833792.

IMPORTANT: The deadline for Symposium registrations if you want to include the Saturday evening banquet or Sunday breakfast is Friday, October 18th. Meals cannot be ordered after that date.

Hotel Reservations
The rate for a standard room with two Queen beds is $169.00 plus state and local taxes of 14.5%. Rooms may be available for check-in on Wednesday, October 23 and check out Sunday, October 27. Note: If you are planning on driving to the Symposium or renting a car, parking charges are $20 per night for overnight parking.

Rooms can be reserved at https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/radioamateursatellite/. Reservations may also be made by phone at 813-888-8800. Reference AMSAT to receive the group rate.

AMSAT is excited to be able to host its 42nd annual Symposium this year. They hope that you can join us in celebrating Amateur Radio in Space.

[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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AMSAT 2024 Space Symposium Call for Papers – A Reminder

This is a reminder for the first call for papers for the 42nd annual AMSAT Space Symposium to be held on the weekend of October 25-27, 2024 at the Doubletree by Hilton Tampa Rocky Point Waterfront in Tampa, Florida.

Proposals for symposium papers and presentations are invited on any topic of interest to the amateur satellite community. We request a tentative title of your presentation as soon as possible, with final copy submitted by October 18 for inclusion in the symposium proceedings. Abstracts and papers should be sent to Dan Schultz, N8FGV at n8fgv [at] usa [dot]net.

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

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One Week Remaining to Vote in AMSAT Board of Directors Election – LAST CALL

Voting for this year’s Board of Directors election ends on September 15, 2014. If you are an AMSAT member and have not already voted, you are encouraged to exercise your voting right and participate in this election.

If you have lost your ballot, no worry, you can still vote! Simply log into the membership portal at https://launch.amsat.org/Sys/Login then click on the “2024 BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION” tab and vote. Candidate statements are included with your ballot. Duly nominated candidates, listed in alphabetical order are:

Mark Hammond, N8MH
Frank Karnauskas, N1UW
Bruce Paige, KK5DO
Paul Stoetzer, N8HM
Douglas Tabor, N6UA

As three seats on the Board of Directors are up for election this year, the three candidates receiving the largest number of votes shall be declared elected to the seats. The two candidates receiving the next largest number of votes shall be declared First Alternate and Second Alternate, respectively. The voting period is now open and shall conclude on September 15, 2024. Results will be announced no later than September 30, 2024.

[ANS thanks Jeff Davis, KE9V, AMSAT Secretary 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 2024 President’s Club Membership Raise over $36,000 To-Date

AMSAT would like to recognize those members whose generous gifts to the AMSAT 2024 President’s Club help move its educational and engineering programs to fulfillment. President’s Club members have contributed over $36,000 to-date during the 2024 year. Frank Karnauskas, N1UW, AMSAT VP-Development comments, “It’s really gratifying to see AMSAT membership continue to support AMSAT projects during what some people consider to be ‘quiet years’ – those years following the retirement of some of our most popular satellites and the year or so before our next family of satellites are flight ready.

“In fact, things are far from quiet. AMSAT engineering teams for both Fox-Plus and the Golf-Tee are moving quickly so the wait for a new family of birds won’t be all that long. The ASCENT engineering team is also charging ahead with new payloads for packet and SSTV operation. And, to keep AMSAT in the game as satellite licensing becomes more strict, work on propulsion systems for CubeSat-class vehicles is benefitting from the experience of a fresh team of experienced aerospace engineers. A lot is happening behind the scenes.”

AMSAT is pleased to recognize the following President’s Club members who have contributed to date:

Titanium ($4,800+)
Barry Baines, WD4ASW
Alan Biddle, WA4SCA
Williamm Brown, K9LF

Platinum ($2,400+)
Ray Crafton, KN2K
Quarter Century Wireless Association

Gold ($1,200+)
Anonymous
Burns Fisher, WB1FJ
Mark Hammond, N8MH
John Kludt, K7SYS
Glenn Miller, AA5PK

Silver ($600+)
Donald Coker, KM6TRZ
Richard Dittmer, KB7SAT
Warren Fugate, W3WE
Mark Johns, K0JM
Joseph, Lynch,N6CL
Bruce Paige, KK5DO
Peter Prendergast, W2PP
Jason Schwarz, N4JJS

Bronze ($300+)
Keith Baker, KB1SF
Edward Krome, K9EK
Donald Pettigrew, K9ECT
Dave Taylor, W8AAS

Core ($120+)
Oscar Alonzo, N6PAZ
David Batzle, N2VDY
Robert Beatty, WB4SON
Alan Boggs, K7IIV
James Gallagher III, KB3SQS
George Gallis, AL7BX
David Hartrum, WA3YDZ
Steven Husey, KB1UOJ
Doug Papay, K8DP
William Pesci, N4WLP
Martin Shinko, KB3AEV
Paul Stoetzer, N8HM
Owen Trott, KF5BLK
Stefan Wagener, VE4SW
Wayne Wagner, AG1A

Persons interested in joining this elite group of donors can join either through the AMSAT Store at https://www.amsat.org/product-category/amsat-presidents-club-donations/ or by making a donation via the membership portal. Anyone with questions or comments on joining the President’s Club or donating in general are asked to contact Frank at f.karnauskas [at] amsat [dot] org.

[ANS thanks Frank Karnauskas, N1UW, AMSAT VP-Development for the above information.]

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FUNcube Data Warehouse Back Online

Dave Johnson, G4DPZ, reports, “The FUNcube Data Warehouse is now successfully ingesting packets from the FUNcube Dashboards. We are now successfully storing real time, whole orbit data and fitter messages in the warehouse after the move to the new Virtual Machine. The warehouse was shut down on the August 31 and the first packet in the new warehouse was on September 3, during which time we have collected 5382 packets.

“Our thanks to all those that left their dashboards connected during the outage and our thanks to the following for their assistance in bringing the warehouse back to life:

HB9MFL
KC0BMF
VK5HI
WA7FWF
G4BIP
TUDelft
VK5GU
Goonhilly_Earth_Station
F1GRR
VA3ROM
DF7SC
K4OZS
N8MH
DL9DAK
PA3WEG
N1MIW
JJ1WTK

“If you collected any bin files during the past 5 days they can be uploaded too. If you are still experiencing errors. Please back up the session to a bin file, stop and start the dashboard and load the bin file. Then restart again if the upload works.

“We will continue to work on the UI over the next two days and it is likely that we will restore the ability to download WOD.”

Dave also remarks, “FC1 is now nearly 11 years old and is operating in low power telemetry mode with the transponder, in order to manage the battery capacity.

“We still encourage ground stations to attempt reception of the telemetry. If you have lost your registration details for your ground station please email [email protected] Please watch http://data.funcube.org.uk for updates and the new user interface.”

[ANS thanks Dave Johnson, G4DPZ, on behalf of the FUNcube Team for the above information.]

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AMSAT-DL ERMINAZ Mission Postponed to 2025

On Monday evening, August 19, 2024, just a few weeks before the planned launch date of the ERMINAZ payload, Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) conducted a “hot fire” test of the first rocket stage at its launch site at SaxaVord Spaceport on the Shetland Islands, during which all 9 engines were ignited. Unfortunately, this resulted in a serious anomaly that led to the complete loss of the first rocket stage. The repair work, fault analysis, qualification and delivery of a new first rocket stage will take some time, so that RFA now officially expects a launch in 2025.

The Erminaz mission is a joint effort between AMSAT-DL, AMSAT-EA and the Libre Space Foundation, with each organization flying its own satellites and jointly using the PicoBus deployer developed by Libre Space in the ERMINAZ mission.

Examples of the payloads include UNNE-1 and MARIA-G 1.5P PocketQubes from AMSAT-EA in Spain. They are both based on the HADES-D (SO-121) hardware currently in orbit and provide a repeater service for voice and data communications in FM and FSK modes. They were developed and built by AMSAT-EA in collaboration with private sector companies and with the participation of universities and educational centers. Both satellites will provide licensed radio amateurs around the world with the ability to conduct FM and FSK QSOs, including FT modes such as FT-4 and FT-8 or AX.25/APRS. The satellites will also transmit telemetry with their status, voice messages and CW. Both satellites have the amateur radio special call sign AM1HAD.

For detailed information on this ambitious and collaborative mission including the capabilities of all the various satellites included in this project, go to https://amsat-dl.org/en/erminaz-mission-postponed-to-2025/.

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

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Updated Software Available for NOAA Polar and Russian Meteor Weather Satellites

Tracking and downloading images from NOAA Polar and Russian Meteor weather satellites are an excellent way to introduce young persons to the world of amateur satellites and radio communications. True, they are not amateur radio satellites. But, they are loud and always on. Using a SDR dongle costing less than $50, a laptop computer that every kid already owns and free software, youth can get their first taste of tracking a satellite across the sky using a smart phone app, recording a downlink and printing out pictures of their own weather in real time. From there it is a simple jump to listening to voice communications and printing APRS packet conversations from the ISS – another easy-to-hear and predictable source of signals from space.

Historically, WXtoIMG has been the software of choice for the popular hobby of decoding NOAA APT weather satellite images with RTL-SDR and other SDRs. However, the software has unfortunately been abandoned by its authors for several years, and can now only be found on third-party websites which increases the possibility of downloading a virus.

Jacopo Cassinis, IU1QPT, author of SatDump, and Robin Slovacek, OK2AWO, for sharing their thoughts about switching to SatDump which now has full feature parity with WXtoIMG and additional features, too. SatDump is available on Windows, MacOS, Linux, and even on Android. Read their comments at https://www.rtl-sdr.com/.

An up-to-date guide for receiving APT pictures with SatDump can be found at https://www.a-centauri.com/articoli/noaa-poes-satellites-reception.

Also available to watch on the rtl-sdr website is a short video on setting up a simple v-dipole for NOAA weather satellite reception with the SDR-Dongle. (The video uses the out-of-date WXtoIMG software but the overall procedure for setting up the station is usable.) If you need to get more ideas on weather satellite picture reception, just go to YouTube and search “NOAA weather satellite reception” and be prepared to watch several hours worth of useful videos.

Copying NOAA weather satellites is easy to do and a fun way to introduce youngsters to space communications. It could be the first step to getting that Technician ticket!

[ANS thanks rtl-sdr.com and AMSAT for the above information.]

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VUCC Satellite Standing September 2024

VUCC Satellite Award/Endorsement Change Summary for August 01, 2024 to September 01, 2024.

CALL	Aug	Sept
WC7V	1575	1611
DL5GAC	1413	1576
DL2GRC	1426	1501
N8RO	1461	1490
N9EAT	1029	1127
K9UO	1001	1030
EA2AA	954	982
KQ4DO	906	952
JL1SAM	804	905
JG6CDH	734	777
HB9AOF	725	743
KC4CJ	650	702
N3CAL	653	686
IK7FMQ	626	651
SA0UNX	New	617
N5EKO	581	599
KH6WI	400	530
N9ZTS	400	501
PA7RA	409	495
N8URE (FM19)	430	450
W9FF	400	450
JI5USJ	355	425
W3VHF	250	406
JO4JKL	188	401
N8HRZ	298	337
W0PR	276	327
N4QWF	255	325
AA0K	200	253
DF5SF	New	217
9A2GA	New	202
NK0S	167	169
XE2/CO6LAR	New	129
NC0Q	New	108
AE5AU	New	101
4A2MAX	New	100

Congratulations to the new VUCC Satellite holders.
NC0Q is first VUCC Satellite holder from EN11
9A2GA is first VUCC Satellite holder from JN75

DXCC Satellite has still not been updated since May

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

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

25% of the purchase price of each product goes towards
Keeping Amateur Radio in Space

https://www.zazzle.com/amsat_gear

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Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for September 6, 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 daily in the first hour of the UTC day. New bulletin files will be posted immediately after reliable elements become available for new amateur satellites. More information may be found at https://www.amsat.org/keplerian-elements-resources/.

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

RoseyCubesat 1 NORAD Cat ID 56212 Decayed from orbit on or about 01 September 2024

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

SR-0 DemoSAT NORAD Cat ID 60455 IARU coordinated downlink 437.400 MHZ 9k6 FSK AX25 , 4FSK SSDV and 38k4 LoRa
CosmoGirlSat NORAD Cat ID60953 IARU coordinated downlink 437.120 MHz and 145 825 MHz
Sakura NORAD Cat ID 60954 IARU coordinated downlink 145.825 MHz and 437.375 MHz
Binar 2 NORAD Cat ID 60956 IARU coordinated downlink 437.700 MHz
Binar 3 NORAD Cat ID 60957 IARU coordinated downlink 437.850 MHz
Binar 4 NORAD Cat ID 60952 IARU coordinated downlink 437.925 MHz

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

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ARISS NEWS

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

• Upcoming Contacts
  Instituto de Aplicacao Fernando Rodrigues da Silveira (CAp-UERJ) and The State University of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, direct via PY1AX.
  The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS.
  The scheduled crewmember is Sunita Williams, KD5PLB.
  The ARISS mentor is Steven McFarlane, VE3TBD.
  Contact is go for Friday, September 13, 2024 at 17:25:47 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 is also active (145.825 MHz up & down).

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

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

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

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

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

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Upcoming Satellite Operations

No operations are 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, and Alex Ners, K6VHF, for the above information.]

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AMSAT Ambassador Activities

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

October 5, 2024
North Star Radio Convention
Hennepin Technical College (North Campus)
Brooklyn Park, MN.
https://conv2023.tcfmc.org/
AMSAT Forum and Information Table
KØJM and ADØHJ

October 5, 2024
Central Kentucky Hamfest
Highlands Baptist Church
2032 Parallel Road
Lexington, KY 40502
https://www.facebook.com/w9khz/
AMSAT and Educational Satellites Forum and Information Table
AI4SR and W4FCL

October 5, 2024
Radio Society of Tucson
Calvary Tucson Church
7811 E. Speedway
Tucson, AZ
https://k7rst.club/2024/07/tucson-autumn-ham-fest-2024/
N1UW

October 18-20, 2024
Pacificon 2024, ARRL Pacific Division Conference
San Ramon, CA
WUØI
https://www.pacificon.org/

October 25-27, 2004
AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting
Double Tree Rocky Point Waterfront Hotel
Tampa Bay, FL
https://www.amsat.org/2024-symposium/

November 2-3, 2024
Stone Mountain Hamfest, ARRL State Convention
Stone Mountain, GA
K4RGK

November 9, 2024
Oro Valley Amateur Radio Club
Marana Middle School
11285 West Grier Rd.
Marana, AZ 85653
https://www.tucsonhamradio.org/copy-of-hamfest-2022
N1UW

February 20-22, 2025
Yuma HAMCON
Yuma, AZ
N1UW

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

For more information go to: https://www.amsat.org/ambassador/

[ANS thanks Bo Lowrey, W4FCL, Director – AMSAT Ambassador Program for the above information.]

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Satellite Shorts From All Over

• Yaesu has announced the upcoming FTX-1F HF/6/144/440 portable transceiver, presumably a replacement for the FT-816/817 series of transceivers that were very popular among satellite operators. The transceiver is said to have two independent SDR receivers that provide simultaneous dual-band operation, whether in the same or in different bands. (Editor’s note: This does not necessarily mean that the transceiver will operate in full duplex mode.) It will provide 6W of power output with the included 5670mAh Lithium-ion battery pack or up to 10W with external power. Average CW/SSB operating time in the VHF/UHF bands is quoted as up to 8 hours. SSB, CW, AM, FM and C4FM operation is available. USB ports support CAT operation, audio input/output and TX control. The FTX-1F has not been formally been released for sale in the United States but should be available early 2025. [ANS thanks Yaesu for the above information.]
• JAXA officially ended the mission of SLIM, the country’s first Moon lander, last week. Originally only expected to operate for a single lunar day and then feared to be doomed after it landed in the incorrect orientation after losing an engine bell, the mission managed to survive 3 lunar nights and complete all pre-mission success criteria. SLIM is the first lunar lander to successfully perform a “pinpoint” landing, arriving within 10 meters of its selected landing site. [ANS thanks The Orbital Index for the above information.]
• The average age of a GPS satellite is now 13 years, with half of them exceeding their designed lifespan. The USA-132 satellite broke the record for the oldest GPS satellite in history, having completed 27+ years in operation. While the record is an indicator of the reliability and robust engineering of the GPS satellite, it also means that the service still relies on hardware built in the 1990s. 31 GPS satellites are in operation today, down from 36 in 2016. The GPS system was primarily designed for military purposes but was opened up to wide-scale civilian use in 1983. Since then, GPS has grown into one of the most widely used services in the world, with billions of people using GPS on a daily basis today. The overall GPS network still works well. But the aging satellites, coupled with the delays in the launch schedule for new satellites, threaten its competitive edge as international rivals bring into service their own GNSS systems and private companies develop alternatives. (ANS thanks PayloadSpace.com for the above information. Fact-filled full article available at: https://payloadspace.com/rise-and-stall-of-gps-the-average-age-of-gps-satellites-hits-13-years/.

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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 [dot] org for additional membership information.

73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space!

This week’s ANS Editor, Frank Karnauskas, N1UW
f.karnauskas [at] amsat [dot] org