AMSAT News – Page 9

ANS-351 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

December 17, 2023 by Mitch Ahrenstorff

In this edition:

* ARISS Marks 40th Anniversary of STS-9 with Special Slow Scan Television Event
* HADES-D Satellite: Successful Telecommand Response and FM Repeater Tests Ongoing
* WRC-23 Reaches Acceptable Conclusion on 23-Centimeter Issue
* How the 18th Space Defense Squadron Averts Catastrophe at 17,000 Miles Per Hour
* CubeSat Technology and 3D Printing Combine for Emergency Broadband in Disaster Zones
* Satellite Top 100 Rovers December 2023 Rankings
* Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for December 15, 2023
* ARISS News
* Upcoming Satellite Operations
* Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events
* Satellite Shorts From All Over

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

The news feed on 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-351 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

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

DATE 2023 Dec 17

ARISS Marks 40th Anniversary of STS-9 with Special Slow Scan Television Event

In a collaborative effort spanning ARISS teams worldwide, a special Slow Scan Television (SSTV) event is currently underway to mark the 40th Anniversary of NASA Space Shuttle mission STS-9. SSTV transmissions from the International Space Station (ISS) are being broadcast on 145.800 MHz using the PD120 format. The scheduled times for the event are from December 16 at 10:15 UTC | 5:15 AM ET through December 19 around 1800 UTC | 1:00 PM ET.

On November 28, 1983, the Space Shuttle Columbia carried Owen Garriott, W5LFL (SK), into orbit. He was equipped with a specially customized Motorola MX-340 two-meter handheld radio and an antenna attached to the shuttle’s window. The first amateur radio contact from space took place shortly before crossing the west coast on December 1, 1983, when Columbia executed a roll maneuver exposing the antenna toward Earth. W5LFL began calling CQ, and at 02:38 UTC, Lance Collister, WA1JXN, in Frenchtown, MT, answered the call, marking the first amateur radio QSO with a human in space.

A flurry of QSOs followed over the next several days before Columbia returned to Earth on December 8th. Notable amateur operators in the log included Senator Barry Goldwater, K7UGA, and King Hussein of Jordan, JY1. Slow Scan Television has also been an integral part of Amateur Radio in Human Spaceflight since its early days, with Tony England, WØORE, paving the way by sending ten images via Slow Scan Television on Space Shuttle Challenger mission STS-51F in the summer of 1985.

Answers to your Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about this ISS Slow Scan Television Event, such as how to decode SSTV images and track the ISS, can be found at https://www.spaceflightsoftware.com/ARISS_SSTV/faq.php. You can apply for the ARISS SSTV Award by uploading your decoded image and completing the Application Form using the information provided at https://ariss.pzk.org.pl/sstv. Don’t forget that you can receive a QSL Card from the International Space Station by receiving and decoding a SSTV image. More information about how to obtain a QSL Card can be found at https://www.ariss.org/qsl-cards.html.

ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) hopes that you can participate in another exciting International Space Station SSTV event. This is a great opportunity to share the magic of amateur radio with your friends and family. Watch for event updates to be posted on X (formerly Twitter) at https://twitter.com/ARISS_Intl. Remember to have fun and best of luck with your SSTV image decoding attempts!

[ANS thanks ARISS for the above information]

HADES-D Satellite: Successful Telecommand Response and FM Repeater Tests Ongoing

The HADES-D satellite, launched aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-9 (TR-9) mission on November 11, 2023, has successfully completed a month in orbit. AMSAT-EA reports that, following its separation from the ION SCV-013 Orbital Transfer Vehicle two weeks ago, HADES-D is responding well to telecommands from the ground control station.

Current tests on the FM voice repeater show promising results, demonstrating its effectiveness. However, adjustments to the squelch level are under consideration due to the current configuration requiring increased power for activation. HADES-D’s health status has been confirmed through telemetry, CW, and FM voice beacon receptions from various Earth locations.

Telemetry signals in FSK, CW, and FM voice beacon, operating at 436.666 MHz downlink, transmit to Earth at 0.25 Watts. Demodulation and decoding software for satellite telemetry are available on AMSAT-EA’s website under the Project tab (https://www.amsat-ea.org/proyectos). The FM repeater, with a 40mW power output, may require a robust antenna for optimal receive performance.

Developed alongside the URESAT Antonio de Nebrija, both utilizing the pocketQubes 1.5P platform, HADES-D features advanced solar panels and increased processing capacity. These advancements enable the satellite to transmit telemetry and repeat signals at higher speeds. The incorporation of an FM transponder for voice communications also allows for message retransmission in FSK. Efforts are ongoing to confirm the final Two-Line Elements for streamlined operations.

[ANS thanks AMSAT-EA for the above information]

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

Join the AMSAT President’s Club today and help
Keep Amateur Radio in Space!
https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/
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WRC-23 Reaches Acceptable Conclusion on 23-Centimeter Issue

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) World Radiocommunication Conference 2023 (WRC-23) continues through December 15, 2023, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The International Amateur Radio Union (IARU)’s primary effort focused on Agenda Item 9.1 topic b to address amateur use of the 23-centimeter band and co-frequency use by several radionavigation satellite service (RNSS) systems in the 1240 – 1300 MHz band.

IARU’s work that began four years ago with a preparatory study in the ITU Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) to address this agenda item has finally come to a close. Our concerted engagement in the ITU-R working parties, study groups, and WRC preparatory meetings ensured that the amateur services were properly represented during the development of two published ITU-R reports: M.2513 and M.2532. An ITU-R Recommendation, M.2164, followed these, which formed the basis for the discussions at WRC-23.

During the WRC-23 deliberations, strong positions were expressed by all parties involved.

The result is a well-supported compromise for a footnote in the Radio Regulations regarding amateur and amateur satellite service operation in the 1240 -1300 MHz range. The footnote reminds administrations and amateurs of the need to protect the primary RNSS from interference, and it provides guidance for administrations to allow both services to continue to operate in this portion of the spectrum.

Administrations are the bodies that govern amateur radio in their respective countries, such as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States.

The Conference Plenary compromise was formally adopted on December 8 and is not subject to further consideration during the final week of WRC-23. The IARU team continues its work on other WRC issues, including developing agendas for future conferences.

IARU President Tim Ellam, VE6SH, noted, “This is a very good result for the amateur services. The decision reached at WRC-23 on this agenda item makes no change to the table of allocations nor incorporates by reference M.2164 into the Radio Regulations. The addition of a footnote that provides guidance to administrations in the event of interference to the RNSS is a good regulatory outcome for amateurs and the primary users of this band.”

The WRC also agreed to suppress Resolution 774, which closes the issue and satisfies the agenda item. Read more in ARRL News at https://www.arrl.org/news/wrc-23-reaches-acceptable-conclusion-on-23-centimeter-issue

[ANS thanks ARRL for the above information]

How the 18th Space Defense Squadron Averts Catastrophe at 17,000 Miles Per Hour

In the vast expanse of space, where countless manmade objects hurtle through Low Earth Orbit at speeds exceeding 17,000 miles per hour, a dedicated group of guardians stands watch to prevent potential collisions that could disrupt crucial communication, navigation, and scientific satellites. The 18th Space Defense Squadron (SDS), part of the Space Force, operates from its headquarters at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, employing advanced technology and surveillance systems to track and identify potential collision risks in real-time.

The 18th SDS, often referred to as the “lighthouse of space,” utilizes the U.S. Space Surveillance Network (SSN) to monitor over 45,000 objects in Earth’s orbit. Ground-based sensors, including the Ground-Based Electro-Optical Deep Space Surveillance System, capture rapid digital photos of the night sky, revealing satellites as tiny streaks. Computers analyze these streaks to calculate the satellites’ positions, providing vital data for collision risk assessments, as explained in a recent press release from the Space Operations Command.

Key components of the SSN include ground-based radar systems such as the AN/FPS-85 and AN/FYS-3 Phased Array Radars, capable of tracking hundreds of targets simultaneously. The ‘Space Fence,’ located in the Marshall Islands, employs an array system that broadcasts constant bands of energy, tracking objects passing through its coverage. On-orbit platforms like the Space-Based Space Surveillance satellite ensure year-round tracking above earthly obstructions like weather and daylight.

Maintaining an ever-growing catalog of space objects on Space-Track.org, the 18th SDS collaborates with its counterpart, the 19th SDS, to predict satellite trajectories and avert potential collisions. In the crowded expanse of low Earth orbit, the squadron remains vigilant, recognizing the heightened risk posed by unexpected satellite fragments that could lead to disastrous collisions.

Space Operations Command (SpOC) recently outlined four categories of fragmentation events: anomalous debris-causing events, breakup events, collisions, and mission-related events. Anomalous events occur due to factors like corrosion or fatigue, leading to slow-speed fragment dispersal. Breakup events, generating large amounts of rapidly spreading debris, can be unintentional or intentional, as seen in anti-satellite missile tests. Collisions, exemplified by the 2009 incident involving a Russian military satellite and a commercial Iridium satellite, prompt heightened awareness and response. Mission-related events involve the fragmentation of payloads or unintentional separation of non-payload components.

Members of the 18th SDS remain vigilant for changes in orbital parameters, indicators of potential satellite stress or gas release, which could precede fragmentation events. Specialized software assists in tracking satellite trajectories and determining the origin and trajectory of debris in case of fragmentation. Timely warnings to affected satellite operators enable them to make necessary adjustments, minimizing collision risks.

Despite the 18th SDS’s capabilities, over a million objects under 10 cm remain untrackable but pose significant collision threats. The act of maneuvering to avoid collisions consumes satellite fuel and shortens their lifespan. Recognizing the limitations, a recent call by the research group RAND advocates for an international space traffic management system (STM) to enhance coordination and communication among satellite operators.

The current state of managing space objects is described by RAND researchers as “informal, ad hoc, and often ill-coordinated,” approaching a tipping point. Urging proactive governance structures, the researchers emphasize the need for the space community to build systems ensuring the safety and sustainability of critical space assets, services, and activities before a crisis necessitates action.

[ANS thanks David Roza, Senior Editor, Air & Space Forces Magazine for the above information]

CubeSat Technology and 3D Printing Combine for Emergency Broadband in Disaster Zones

Researchers from the Centre Tecnològic de Telecomunicacions de Catalunya (CTTC), the University of Luxembourg, and the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC) have developed a nanosatellite technology aimed at delivering swift emergency broadband connectivity to disaster-stricken regions. This innovative solution combines CubeSat technology with 3D printing, allowing for rapid deployment to enhance communication for emergency services in complex situations.

Professor Carlos Monzo Sánchez of the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya emphasizes the project’s significance, stating, “Our project provides a solution that means a communications network to provide help in emergency situations can be established quickly.” The core technology is the CubeSat standard for nanosatellites, known for their cost-effectiveness and small size, manufactured on a 3D printer in just 90 minutes.

The CubeSats are then elevated above disaster zones using balloons, utilizing LoRa (low-power long-range radio) communication with the ground. Raúl Parada, a researcher at CTTC and the paper’s first author, explains, “Our solution enables communication over long distances and provides a scalable system for a large number of users that is reusable anywhere and at any time.”

The team’s prototypes leverage the Semtech SX1278 LoRa transceiver, connected to a simple metal ruler antenna. The 1U CubeSat, housing the transceiver, is equipped with a sensor package comprising a Bosch Sensortec BME280 environmental sensor, a TDK InvenSense MPU-9250 inertial measurement unit (IMU), a Hanwei MQ-135 air quality sensor, and a Roithner LaserTechnik GUVA-S12SD ultraviolet light sensor. These sensors are linked to an Arduino Nano microcontroller, with a GPS receiver added later to facilitate satellite recovery.

Emphasizing the practicality of their design, Monzo explains, “Our solution is designed to provide a rapid service in complex scenarios, and as such, we have prioritized its ease of deployment over its use as a telecommunications solution in normal situations.” The researchers aim to refine the infrastructure further, focusing on minimizing deployment times and ensuring adaptability to a wide range of situations.

The team’s work has been published in the journal Aerospace under open-access terms, marking a significant stride in leveraging technology to enhance emergency response capabilities in disaster-stricken areas.

[ANS thanks Gareth Halfacree, Technical Author, writing for hackster.io, 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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Satellite Top 100 Rovers December 2023 Rankings

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

Updated: 2023-12-12


1	ND9M	26	K8BL	51	F4DXV	76	DF2ET
2	NJ7H	27	KE4AL	52	KE9AJ	77	WA9JBQ
3	N5UC	28	LU5ILA	53	JL3RNZ	78	W8LR
4	JA9KRO	29	DL2GRC	54	VE1CWJ	79	K0FFY
5	DL6AP	30	KI7UNJ	55	KM4LAO	80	VE3GOP
6	WI7P	31	VE3HLS	56	PA3GAN	81	OE3SEU
7	HA3FOK	32	KB5FHK	57	VK5DG	82	KJ7NDY
8	N9IP	33	LA9XGA	58	N4UFO	83	KB2YSI
9	N6UA	34	N7AGF	59	SM3NRY	84	CU2ZG
10	WY7AA	35	F4BKV	60	KI7QEK	85	N0TEL
11	AD0DX	36	XE3DX	61	VA7LM	86	DL4EA
12	W5PFG	37	N6DNM	62	N8RO	87	VE6WK
13	K5ZM	38	KE0PBR	63	PT2AP	88	VE7PTN
14	DP0POL	39	KE0WPA	64	W1AW	89	AF5CC
15	AK8CW	40	JO2ASQ	65	XE1ET	90	HB9GWJ
16	UT1FG	41	K7TAB	66	AA8CH	91	PT9ST
17	AD0HJ	42	AC0RA	67	M1DDD	92	DK9JC
18	WD9EWK	43	W7WGC	68	VE1VOX	93	JM1CAX
19	ON4AUC	44	PR8KW	69	VA3VGR	94	KG4AKV
20	KG5CCI	45	JK2XXK	70	FJ8OJ	95	VO2AC
21	KX9X	46	EA4NF	71	PT9BM	96	LW2DAF
22	ND0C	47	SP5XSD	72	KI7UXT	97	KI0KB
23	N5BO	48	AA5PK	73	LU4JVE	98	KC7JPC
24	DJ8MS	49	AD7AB	74	N4DCW	99	AB5SS
25	F5VMJ	50	EB1AO	75	YU0W	100	N6UTC

[ANS thanks @GridMasterMap for the above information]

Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for December 15, 2023

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.

+ Recently Completed

Harbor Creek School, Harborcreek, PA, direct via KC3SGV
The ISS callsign was NA1SS
The scheduled crewmember was Andreas Mogensen KG5GCZ
The ARISS mentor is KD8COJ
Contact was successful: Mon 2023-12-11 13:45:04 UTC
Congratulations to the Harbor Creek School students, Andreas, and mentor KD8COJ!

Primary School of Zipari Kos, Zipari, Greece, direct via SV5BYR
The ISS callsign was OR4ISS
The scheduled crewmember was Andreas Mogensen KG5GCZ
The ARISS mentor is IKØWGF
Contact was successful: Thu 2023-12-14 13:17:31 UTC
Watch the Livestream at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzRrMguN-VI

+ Upcoming Contacts

No upcoming school contacts are scheduled.

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 listed as temporarily stowed. Look for SSTV transmissions on 145.800 MHz between December 16th through December 19th.

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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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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Upcoming Satellite Operations

Jonathan N4AKV will be operating FM, linear, and GreenCube satellite passes in maidenhead grids EM75/76/85/86 (Tennessee) from December 18th through December 20th. Check for passes listed on http://hams.at and watch Jonathan’s Twitter feed for any updates (https://twitter.com/N4AKV_).

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.

+ 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

[ANS thanks the AMSAT Events page for the above information]

Satellite Shorts From All Over

+ AO-73 (FUNcube-1), managed by AMSAT-UK and AMSAT-NL, has reactivated its transponder after a meticulous year of battery management. Launched a decade ago, the satellite faced challenges with its battery struggling to reach the nominal 8.3V charge. Recent efforts, including strategic transmitter shutdowns during eclipse periods, have improved the situation. The battery voltage now varies between 8.13V in sunlight and 7.8V at the end of an eclipse, a significant improvement. AO-73 is currently transmitting low-power BPSK telemetry on 145.935MHz, featuring an inverting mode U/V transponder uplink ranging from 435.130 to 435.150 MHz, with a downlink set at 145.970 to 145.950 MHz. The satellite maintains a high spin rate of approximately 30 rpm, requiring manual tuning for the 70 cm input due to the receiver’s temperature drift. This development reopens exciting opportunities for radio operators interested in exploring AO-73’s capabilities after its temporary hiatus. (ANS thanks David Bowan, G0MRF, AMSAT-UK for the above information)

+ NASA’s Voyager 1 probe, now in interstellar space, is experiencing a communication glitch, preventing the transmission of scientific or systems data. The 46-year-old spacecraft can receive commands, but its flight data system (FDS) is no longer communicating as expected with the telecommunications unit (TMU). The FDS compiles data into a package for transmission, but it’s currently stuck in a repeating pattern of ones and zeros. Voyager’s engineering team is investigating, but a solution may take weeks. The spacecraft’s age and technology from the 1970s present unique challenges, and previous malfunctions required creative software workarounds. Despite past issues, finding solutions for Voyager’s challenges is a slow process, involving consultation of decades-old documents. (ANS thanks Josh Dinner, Content Manager & Writer, Space.com, for the above information)

+ Blue Origin is set to resume New Shepard suborbital launches no earlier than December 18th, marking the vehicle’s first potential flight in over 15 months. The uncrewed mission, NS-24, will follow a mishap in September 2022 when a structural failure in the BE-3PM engine led to a capsule landing safely while the propulsion module crashed. The Federal Aviation Administration closed its investigation in September 2023, outlining 21 corrective actions for Blue Origin, including technical modifications and organizational changes. The delay in resuming flights prompted speculation about the company’s priorities, but it has since won a NASA contract for a lunar lander, introduced an orbital transfer vehicle, and progressed with the New Glenn orbital launch vehicle and Orbital Reef space station projects. During this hiatus, Virgin Galactic began commercial service with its SpaceShipTwo, VSS Unity, but announced plans to shift to quarterly flights in 2024 and eventually halt operations to focus on new suborbital vehicles. (ANS thanks Jeff Foust, writing for SpaceNews, for the above information)

+ NASA astronaut Frank Rubio grew tomatoes in space using hydroponic techniques to demonstrate space agricultural methods on the International Space Station (ISS). After harvesting one of the first tomatoes grown in space, Rubio misplaced it during a public event with school kids, sparking a humorous search on the ISS. In the microgravity environment, anything unanchored can float away, and despite spending hours searching, Rubio never found the tomato. The mystery ended when the remaining ISS crew announced they had located the tomato, clearing Rubio of suspicions that he had eaten it. Rubio’s historic mission on the ISS, lasting over a year, set a record for the longest a US astronaut has spent in microgravity, initially planned for six months. (ANS thanks Jackie Wattles, Space & Science Writer, CNN, for the above information)

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

In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to:

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

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

73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space!

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

ANS-337 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

December 3, 2023December 3, 2023 by Mark Johns

In this edition:

* Update on AMSAT’s Participation in ESA Geostationary Project
* September/October 2023 Edition of The AMSAT Journal Available
* ISS Resupply Will Interrupt ARISS Activity
* ISS SSTV Event December 7-8, 2023
* VUCC & DXCC Satellite Standing December 2023
* Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for December 1, 2023
* ARISS News
* Upcoming Satellite Operations
* Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events
* Satellite Shorts From All Over

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

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

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

ANS-337 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

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

DATE 2023 DEC 03

Update on AMSAT’s Participation in ESA Geostationary Project

Following the recent AMSAT Symposium where David Bowman, G0MRF, presented information on the ESA Geostationary payload investigation, an offer was extended to AMSAT to participate with AMSAT-UK in developing a proposal for submittal to ESA. AMSAT Director and Vice President – Operations Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, volunteered on short notice to represent AMSAT in these initial discussions. An additional Canadian AMSAT representative is desired and welcome to participate in future meetings and discussions.

After a meeting on November 26th, an initial proposal to ESA was being finalized for submittal on December 4th. More information will be forthcoming soon.

[ANS thanks AMSAT Director and Vice President – Operations Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, for the above information.]

September/October 2023 Edition of The AMSAT Journal Available

AMSAT members can now go to the member portal (https://launch.amsat.org/) and download the latest edition on The AMSAT Journal. The AMSAT Journal is published online in full-color. This edition is 38 pages jam-packed with the latest updates on key AMSAT projects. Topics in this issue include:

– Apogee View – Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT President
– AMSAT Awards Update – Bruce Paige, KK5DO, AMSAT Awards Manager
– Education and CubeSat Simulator Update – Alan Johnston, KU2Y, AMSAT VP, Educational Relations
– PACSAT BBS Operations – Chris Thompson, G0KLA/AC2CZ/VE2TCP
– PACSAT Software Architecture – Chris Thompson, G0KLA/AC2CZ/VE2TCP and Burns Fisher, WB1FJ
– ARISS Update – Dave Taylor, W8AAS
– Engineering Update – Jerry Buxton, N0JY; Jonathan Brandenburg, KF5IDY; Zach Metzinger, N0ZGO

Attention AMSAT members: You should receive an email alert that a new edition of The AMSAT Journal is available. If you are not receiving that email, it means your email is not on file in out membership system. You can add or update your email information by logging in the member portal (https://launch.amsat.org/) and updating your profile. If you have trouble doing this, please write info[at]amsat[dot]org and we will assist you.

[ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information.]

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LAST CALL for 2023 AMSAT President’s Club Coins!

The year is almost over and, when it is,
the 2023 coins will no longer be available.

To commemorate the 40th anniversary of its launch
on June 16, 1983, this year’s coin features
an image of AMSAT-OSCAR 10.

ISS Resupply Will Interrupt ARISS Activity

NASA will provide live launch and docking coverage of the Roscosmos Progress 86 cargo spacecraft carrying about three tons of food, fuel, and supplies for the Expedition 70 crew aboard the International Space Station.

The unpiloted spacecraft is scheduled to launch on Friday, December 1,2023 at 09:25 UTC (4:25 A.M. EST) on a Soyuz rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

NASA coverage will begin at 4 A.M. on the NASA+ streaming service via the web <https://plus.nasa.gov/> or the NASA app <https://www.nasa.gov/connect/apps.html>.

The Progress spacecraft will be placed into a two-day, 34-orbit journey to the station, leading to an automatic docking to the Poisk module at 6:14 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 3. Coverage of rendezvous and docking will begin at 5:30 a.m. on NASA Television and the agency’s website. As always, all amateur radio activity aboard the ISS is suspended during docking maneuvers.

The spacecraft will remain at the orbiting laboratory for approximately six months, then undock for a destructive but safe re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere to dispose of trash loaded by the crew.

[ANS thanks NASA for the above information.]

ISS SSTV Event December 7-8, 2023

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

The transmissions are part of the Moscow Aviation Institute SSTV experiment (MAI-75) and will be made from the amateur radio station RS0ISS in the Russian ISS Service module (Zvezda) using a Kenwood TM-D710E transceiver. It appears the theme for this session will highlight one of MAI’s cosmonaut graduates – Yuri Usachov. Currently scheduled days and times are:

Thu 2023-12-07 08:55 UTC to 14:25 UTC
Fri 2023-12-08 08:15 UTC to 14:10 UTC

Days and times are subject to change due to the operational requirements of the ISS.

Reminder – No ARISS award will be available for this session since it is not transmitted globally.

[ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team mentors 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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VUCC & DXCC Satellite Standing December 2023

+ VUCC Satellite Award/Endorsement Change Summary for November 01, 2023 to December 01, 2023.

Call	1-Nov	1-Dec
KO4MA	1933	2000
K8DP	1575	1581
AA5PK	1382	1404
N8RO	1368	1384
DL2GRC	1004	1108
DF2ET	1000	1102
KF7R	1050	1075
PS8ET	925	1000
K9UO	926	950
KE8RJU	905	950
OZ9AAR	800	900
EA2AA	825	856
KQ4DO	808	827
W8LR	818	825
FG8OJ	639	737
HB9AOF	604	725
KS1G	655	703
WA6DNR	457	605
JL1SAM	511	601
W0NBC	437	563
JG6CDH	515	553
A65BR	513	532
XE1UYS	327	505
IK3ITB	400	500
IK7FMQ	453	500
N3CAL	435	471
N6RVI	100	380
SA0UNX	205	362
JR0GAS	250	360
AD2DD	261	356
KG4AKV	254	355
HC2FG	276	350
N6PAZ	326	342
DK3ZL	New	319
KB8CR	New	301
AL7ID	New	261
K6VHF	201	250
N7GR	179	205
K9JKM	114	201
JF3MKC	175	200
JI5RPT/1	101	200
K9AQ	109	200
WD9EWK(DM45)	160	165
N4QX	152	157
AA0DW	New	141
N6UTC(DM15)	New	126
JF1CDX	New	105
KT6CA	New	103
W3TI	101	103
NJ2DX	New	100

Congratulations to the new VUCC holders.
AL7ID is first VUCC Satellite holder from BP64

+ DXCC Satellite Award/Endorsement Change Summary for November 01, 2023 to December 01, 2023.


OE9DGV	208	210
F6BKI	203	207
YO2CMI	169	173
ZS1LS	153	160
EA2AA	152	154
DL6GBM	125	152
HB9RYZ	137	139
LA6OP	123	136
SP3AU	130	136
DL9RAN	100	125
FG8OJ	111	114
SM2OAN	100	109
CT1ETE	New	104
TF1A	100	102
JA0FSB	New	101
K9UO	100	101
EA5RM	New	100
KB9STR	New	100
KN2K	New	100
LA0FA	New	100
N0JE	New	100

Congratulations to the new DXCC Satellite holders.
KN2K is first DXCC Satellite holder from VA

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

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Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for December 1, 2023

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

NEUDOSE NORAD Cat ID 56315 Decayed from orbit on or about 28 November 2023

The following satellites have been added to this week’s AMSAT-NA TLE distribution:

HADES-D NORAD Cat ID 58294 IARU coordinated downlink on 436.666 MHz
VERONIKA NORAD Cat ID 58261 IARU coordinated downlink on 436.680 MHz
KAFASAT NORAD Cat ID 58317 IARU coordinated downlinks 435.835 MHz and 2404.400 MHz

AMSAT thanks Nico Janssen for positively identifying these spacecraft and associating them with object numbers.

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/

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

ARISS NEWS

+ Upcoming Contacts

Carl-Maria-von-Weber-Schule Eutin, Eutin, Germany, direct via DKØOH/Telebridge and Gymnasium in Loekamp, Marl, Germany, telebridge via DKØOH.
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS.
The scheduled crewmember is Andreas Mogensen, KG5GCZ.
The ARISS mentor is IN3GH.
Contact is go for Monday, December 4, 2023 at 11:36 UTC.

Orangeburg Christian Academy, Orangeburg, SC, direct via N7GZT.
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS.
The scheduled crewmember is Jasmin Moghbeli, KI5WSL.
The ARISS mentor is KD8COJ.
Contact is go for Tuesday, December 5, 2023 at 15:19 UTC.
Watch for Livestream at https://www.facebook.com/orangeburgchristianacademy

Obninsk, 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 Wednesday, December 13, 2023 at 09:15 UTC.

+ Completed Contacts

Gagarin From Space Performance Of An Amateur Radio Communication Session With Pupils Of Schools Of Aznakaevsky District Of The Republic Of Kazakhstan. Tatarstan, Russia, direct via RC4P.
The ISS callsign was RSØISS.
The crewmember was Konstantin Borisov.
The ARISS mentor was RV3DR.
Contact was successful on November 25, 2023 at 14:08 UTC.

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.

AMSAT Ambassador Clint Bradford, K6LCS, says, “Think a 75-minute presentation on “working the easy satellites” would be appropriate for your club or event? Let me know by emailing me at k6lcsclint (at) gmail (dot) com or calling me at 909-999-SATS (7287)!” Clint has NEVER given the exact same show twice: EACH of the 150+ presentations so far has been customized/tailored to their audiences.

Satellite Shorts From All Over

+ Eirsat-11 was successfully launched on Friday, December 1, 2023 from Florida aboard a Space X ride. On the first pass over Europe EIRSAT-1 was almost 10 minutes late on the preliminary TLE set and almost 4 minutes early on the projected TLE set. The launch team will try to develop better parameters. Since this was a classified launch, TLEs may not be published by he usual sources, so the team will have to develop its own TLE set. [ANS thanks Nico Janssen, PA0DLO, for the above information.]

+ A fascinating article describes the development of the CubeSat standard by AMSAT member Bob Twiggs, KE6QMD, and co-inventor Jordi Puig-Suari, an aerospace engineering professor at California Polytechnic State University. Searching for a way to simplify the projects—and cut out build time — Twiggs thought, “What if we made [the satellite] a cube and put solar cells on all sides so no matter which way it rotated, it was going to get charged?” With some spare solar cells from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, he went down to a local shop and found a 4 X 4 X 4-in. transparent box. It was also around that time—in 1999—that an infamous error caught Twiggs’ attention. That year a mix-up between Imperial and metric units by a Lockheed Martin engineering team caused NASA’s Mars Climate Orbiter to burn up in the red planet’s atmosphere, ending the mission early. “I said, ‘It’s about time students learn metric,’” he says. “I wonder what this [4-in. box] is in metric? Well, it turned out to be just almost 10 cm.” Read the entire article at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-337-Twiggs. [ANS thanks Aviation Week Network for the above information.]

+ An innovative experiment flying aboard NASA’s Psyche mission just hit its first major milestone by successfully carrying out the most distant demonstration of laser communications. The tech demo could one day help NASA missions probe deeper into space and uncover more discoveries about the origin of the universe. The experiment beamed a laser encoded with data from far beyond the moon for the first time. The test data was sent from nearly 10 million miles (16 million kilometers) away and reached the Hale Telescope at the California Institute of Technology’s Palomar Observatory in Pasadena, California. Read the entire article at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-337-Laser. [ANS thanks CNN.com for the above information.]

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

In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to:

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

73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space!

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

ANS-330 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

November 26, 2023November 26, 2023 by Mark Johns

In this edition:

* Happy 10th Birthday FUNcube-1 (AO-73)
* AMSAT Servers Back In Service After Brief Outage
* HERON Mk. II Reaches Orbit
* Starship Flies Higher
* ITU RS-23 Adopts Resolution for Space Spectrum
* Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for November 24
* ARISS News
* Upcoming Satellite Operations
* Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events
* Satellite Shorts From All Over

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

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

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

ANS-330 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

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

DATE 2023 Nov 26

Happy 10th Birthday FUNcube-1 (AO-73)

November 21, 2023, marks the tenth birthday of our very first CubeSat mission, FUNcube-1 (AO-73).

A very short time after the launch from Yasny in Russia and within a few minutes from deployment, the very first frame of data from the low power transmitter on board, was detected and decoded by ZS1LS in South Africa. He was able to relay the data over the internet from his Dashboard to the Data Warehouse and the numbers, appeared, as if by magic, at the launch party being held at the RSGB National Radio Centre at Bletchley Park.

After a very brief check out, the FUNcube team were able to switch the transmitter to full power, again at the very first attempt, and were quite amazed at the strength of the signal from the 300mW transmitter on 145.935 MHz. The transponder was then switched on and successfully tested, the first contact was between G6LVB and M5AKA who were both operating from the Bletchley Park car park.

The team finished the day with a request to AMSAT-NA for an Oscar number and were delighted to receive the AO73 Oscar 73 designation!

Since then, FUNcube-1, with a launch mass of less than 1kg, has operated continuously with only a very few interruptions. In excess of 53,500 orbits, 1.3 billion miles travelled, 61 million telemetry data packets transmitted, and with more than 10.9 million unique data packets downloaded and stored in the Data Warehouse.

The FUNcube team still receive many requests for Fitter message uploads for school events…please contact us by email to [email protected] giving us at least two weeks notice.

The FUNcube team continue to be very grateful to all the many stations around the world that continue to upload the telemetry that they receive to our Data Warehouse. They really need this data to provide a continuous resource for educational outreach.

FUNcube Data Warehouse and the Dashboard software
https://funcube.org.uk/working-documents/funcube-telemetry-dashboard/

FUNcube email group https://groups.io/g/FUNcube

FUNcube Website http://www.funcube.org.uk/

[ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information]

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

AMSAT Servers Back In Service After Brief Outage

At approximately 21:04 UTC Tuesday November 21, our vendor Linode detected a failing disk on the hardware that runs our web, telemetry, source code control and Echolink servers and began to effect emergency data protection operations. AMSAT’s Engineering department is clearly working hard, because within 10 minutes they alerted the AMSAT IT department that they were having trouble accessing the server that holds the source code for our satellite projects.

Meanwhile Linode proceeded to “evacuate” our servers from the failing hardware, and migrated them to new hardware.

All services were restored by approximately 21:20 UTC and the servers appear to be happily settling in to their new home.

There is no sign of any data loss, but as always if you see anything out of the ordinary please write [email protected]

[ANS thanks Joe Fitzgerald, KM1P, of the AMSAT IT Team for the above information]

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HERON Mk. II Reaches Orbit

The University of Toronto Aerospace Team (UTAT) Space Systems’ HERON Mk. II satellite lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, aboard a Falcon 9 rocket of the SpaceX Transporter-9 mission.

As a rideshare mission to space, the Transporter-9 delivered HERON Mk. II — alongside 89 other small satellites — to an orbit approximately 540 kilometres above Earth’s surface. Marking the culmination of nearly a decade of work by student Space Systems engineers, the HERON Mk. II’s path to the launch pad was one of dedication and perseverance.

The UTAT are a team composed primarily of engineering students that designs and builds small satellites known as CubeSats. Team’s first satellite, HERON Mk. I — short for Human Experiment Relay On Nanosatellite — was a CubeSat developed from 2014–2016. For various reasons, the project did not end in a launch opportunity, and so HERON Mk. I was retired.

Since our team was performing work that required members to be on campus, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted our original spacecraft assembly plans.

Any organization wishing to send a satellite into space and communicate with it via radio waves first needs to obtain the appropriate radio frequency (RF) licenses from Innovation Science and Economic Development Canada. Unfortunately, the process of obtaining these licenses for the HERON Mk. II satellite took significantly longer than expected and delayed the launch. Because of the delay, the team was forced to abandon the original biological mission.

Therefore, the team decided to shift the primary focus of the HERON Mk. II mission toward validating UTAT Space Systems’ RF communications capabilities and providing amateur radio and satellite operations experience to our members.

While waiting for the frequency licenses to be issued, a group of our teammates began designing an amateur ultra-high frequency (UHF) ground station. This is the apparatus that allows us to communicate with HERON Mk. II from the ground, via radio waves at a frequency of 437.12 megahertz. Now fully operational, the ground station currently resides on the sixth-floor roof of the Bahen Centre for Information Technology.

In September, a few team members travelled to Spaceflight’s facilities in Bellevue, Washington, where they placed HERON Mk. II inside its deployer that would later be mounted inside the Falcon 9 rocket for the SpaceX Transporter-9 mission.

Once the Falcon 9 rocket reached its intended orbit in space, HERON Mk. II was ejected from the rocket at 3:04 pm EST, and soon deployed its UHF antenna. The UHF antenna plays a crucial role in preventing any electromagnetic interference with the other satellites, which might otherwise distort the signals sent between HERON Mk. II and the ground station.

During the initial commissioning period, we will be actively trying to establish the first communications via the ground station. Afterward, HERON Mk. II will begin a year of regular operations during which the team will regularly monitor the satellite’s health.

The lessons learned from mission operations and monitoring the satellite’s health will inform the development of future satellite missions undertaken by UTAT Space Systems.

With the launch of HERON Mk. II, UTAT Space Systems has lowered the barrier to entry for space programs even further by becoming the first organization in Canada to receive the entirety of its satellite development funding from a student levy. This marks yet another paradigm shift in the industry, demonstrating that students are capable of sourcing their own space mission funding, rather than solely relying on government grants or commercial sponsorships.

From an educational perspective, the HERON Mk. II mission will enable team members to learn more about satellite operations and amateur radio and to gain knowledge that will carry forward to UTAT Space Systems’ future missions.

[ANS thanks The Varsity, student newspaper of the University of Toronto, for the above information]

Starship Flies Higher

Seven long months after Starship’s first integrated flight test in April, Ship 25 launched atop Booster 9 on a second test flight, again targeting a ballistic trajectory with a planned splashdown north of Hawai’i.

This time, all 33 Raptor 2 engines on Booster 9 completed a full first-stage burn, producing a 300-meter-long exhaust plume and roughly twice the thrust of any other object flown by humanity.

The 121-meter monster rocket also completed what appeared to be a successful hot stage separation, with B9 shutting down all but three of its Raptors (which were throttled to 50%) followed by S25’s six engines starting up to push the ship away from the booster.

Hot staging reduces gravity losses and keeps the upper stage continuously under thrust for fuel settling.

After stage separation, B9 completed a somewhat vigorous flip and, perhaps due to propellant slosh or damage, had trouble relighting its Raptor engines. (Engines that ingest tank pressurization gas instead of propellant generally end up functioning quite destructively.)

After several “high energy” events at the aft end of Booster 9, an explosion originating from its common bulkhead rapidly disassembled the booster.

After separation, Starship’s upper stage burned until seconds before entering its planned coast phase—climbing to an altitude of 148 km and over 6.7 km/s, reaching space and very nearly hitting orbital velocity.

However, S25 appeared to trigger its automated flight termination system during terminal guidance, possibly due to a leak in its oxygen tank—debris from the explosion were caught on NOAA radar extending past Puerto Rico.

The thermal protection system (TPS) made up of 18,000 tiles, appeared to lose a significant number of tiles during the launch, especially ones that were glued on near weld points, making the ship unlikely to have survived reentry even if the flight had made it that far.

S28’s TPS tiles are said to have an improved adhesion process that has been tested with a suction cup plus force meter to verify attachment. One additional clear success was the performance of SpaceX’s much improved “stage zero”—the water deluge system appeared undamaged and very little other damage and debris have been spotted by ever-vigilant tank watchers.

Due to a complete loss of both stages, the FAA will conduct another mishap investigation, although many hope it will be significantly more streamlined due to the improved FTS functionality and better performance of the launch system—in particular, the Fish and Wildlife Service may not be involved this time.

The always-optimistic Musk suggests a next test flight for Starship in 3-4 weeks, and with plenty of hardware waiting in the wings (S28 and B10 are likely up next), the timeline will probably be determined yet again by the mishap investigation and mitigation process. NASA seems keen to get on with it though as the agency believes its lunar lander mission may take up to 20 Starship launches

[ANS thanks The Orbital Index for the above information]

ITU RA-23 Adopts Resolution for Space Spectrum

The ITU Radiocommunication Assembly 2023 (RA-23), a precursor to the World Radiocommunication Conference, WRC-23, wrapped up on November 17 with a lot of new resolutions covering 6G standards, sustainable usage of space spectrum and gender equality.

RA-23, which was held last week in Dubai, adopted the new Recommendation ITU-R M. 2160 on the “IMT-2030 Framework,” which sets the basis for development of 6G, a.k.a. IMT-2030. The next phase will be the definition of relevant requirements and evaluation criteria for potential radio interface technologies.

The assembly also adopted a a new resolution on space sustainability to facilitate the long-term sustainable use of radio spectrum and associated satellite orbit resources used by space services, in in accordance with Resolution 219 (Bucharest, 2022). The ITU says this resolution will benefit the satellite sector and support further cooperation with other United Nations organizations.

RA-23 also finished a new ITU-R Recommendation on the protection of the radio navigation-satellite service and amateur satellite services, and adopted a a new resolution on the use of IMT technologies for fixed wireless broadband.

The assembly also agreed to revise ITU-R Resolution 65 to facilitate studies looking at the compatibility of current regulations with potential 6G IMT radio interface technologies for 2030 and beyond.

Resolution ITU-R 8-3 was also revised to promote the participation of engineers and scientists from developing countries in radiowave propagation campaigns in tropical and subtropical regions with limited data monitoring.

The RA-23 resolutions arrive just ahead of WRC-23, which commenced November 20 in Dubai and will run until 15 December 2023. Hot items on the agenda include the ongoing battle between the satellite and mobile sectors for 5G spectrum, especially as non-terrestrial networks become part of 3GPP’s 5G standards, the development of direct-to-device satellite services, and revisiting rules about satellite power limits for LEO satellites, to name a few.

To learn more about the WRC-23, visit https://www.itu.int/wrc-23/about/about-wrcs/.

[ANS thanks DevelopingTelecoms.com for the above information]

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Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for November 24

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

COMPLETED CONTACT:
National Research Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod (UNN), Nizhny Novgorod, direct via UB1QBM. The ISS callsign was RSØISS, and the crewmember was Konstantin Borisov. The ARISS mentor was RV3DR. Contact was successful at Wed 2023-11-22 16:40 UTC.
Congratulations to the National Research Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod students, Konstantin, and mentor RV3DR!

Note that due to the recent debris avoidance maneuver, that was performed on Nov. 10, some of the pass times have significantly shifted. It is suggested that you use the very latest Kep data.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Upcoming Satellite Operations

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.

None scheduled at this time.

[ANS thanks the AMSAT Events page for the above information]

Satellite Shorts From All Over

+ EIRSAT-1 is expected to launch on a Space X Falcon 9 rocket from the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, USA, on November 29, 2023. It will have a downlink on the IARU coordinated frequency of 437.100 MHz, see https://iaru.amsat-uk.org/finished_detail.php?serialnum=639. Information on the beacon can be found at https://github.com/ucd-eirsat-1/beacon. EIRSAT-1 was built by students from University College Dublin under the framework of ESA Academy’s Fly Your Satellite! programme (FYS). (ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information)

+ The European Space Agency conducted a long-duration firing of an Ariane 6 prototype Nov. 23, one of the final tests before the agency is ready to set a date for the rocket’s inaugural launch. ESA said Ariane 6 “passed” the test in a statement shortly afterwards, describing it as a “seven-minute full firing” of the engine, rather than the nearly eight minutes advertised beforehand. (ANS thanks SpaceNews.com for the above information)

+ The tool bag recently lost by NASA astronauts during a spacewalk is now orbiting Earth and is surprisingly visible to stargazers. The object can appear as bright as a 6th-magnitude star. The tool bag changes slightly in brightness, suggesting the object is tumbling as it orbits our planet. Although the tool bag was ahead of the International Space Station (ISS) by about a minute or two shortly after the incident, it is gradually appearing farther ahead of the ISS as it loses altitude. By mid-November, the tool bag should be ahead by about ten minutes. (ANS thanks EarthSky.org for the above information)

+ With the Sun in the way of our messages, Curiosity and Perseverance, along with Ingenuity, MRO, Odyssey, and MAVEN, are hunkered down during the Mars solar conjunction communication blackout. Curiosity has now spent 4,000 sols exploring the red planet and has driven 32 km. (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:

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

73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space!

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

ANS-323 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

November 19, 2023 by Mitch Ahrenstorff

In this edition:
* 2023 AMSAT Space Symposium & Annual General Meeting Proceedings Now Available
* SpaceX Launches Ninth Rideshare Mission: Over 100 Satellites Deployed with Falcon 9
* AMSAT-EA’s HADES-D Satellite Awaiting Deployment from ION Orbital Transfer Vehicle
* ROM-3 Romanian High School Team’s Satellite Soars to Success in Latest SpaceX Launch
* Veronika: Spacemanic’s Pink CubeSat Successfully Launches Aboard SpaceX Transporter-9
* Satellite Top 100 Rovers November 2023 Rankings
* Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for November 17, 2023
* ARISS News
* Upcoming Satellite Operations
* Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events
* Satellite Shorts From All Over

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-323 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

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

DATE 2023 NOV 19

2023 AMSAT Space Symposium & Annual General Meeting Proceedings Now Available

AMSAT has announced that the 2023 AMSAT Space Symposium & Annual General Meeting Proceedings are now available online. AMSAT members may access both the Symposium Proceedings and Presentations by logging into their AMSAT Membership and Event Portal account (https://launch.amsat.org/), selecting ‘Member Resources’ from the options on the top of the page, and then ‘AMSAT Symposium Proceedings’. Click on the ‘2023’ box to the left of ‘Irving, Texas – Sheraton DFW…’ to access this year’s Symposium Proceedings or the ‘Presentations’ box to the right of this line to access the Presentations slides in Adobe Acrobat PDF format. For a real blast from the past, check out Symposium Proceedings going all the way back to 1986 under the same ‘AMSAT Symposium Proceedings’ webpage. Direct links to the Symposium Proceedings, Presentations, and YouTube livestreams were also recently mailed to AMSAT members and are also included below for your convenience.

2023 AMSAT Symposium Proceedings:
https://launch.amsat.org/resources/Documents/Proceedings/AMSAT_Proceedings_2023.pdf

2023 AMSAT Symposium Presentations:
https://launch.amsat.org/resources/Documents/Proceedings/AMSAT_Presentations_2023.pdf

2023 AMSAT Symposium Livestream Day One:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcO4-h7bbxs

2023 AMSAT Symposium Livestream Day Two:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzKKHTBxyY8

Thank you to all who attended the 2023 AMSAT Space Symposium & Annual General Meeting. We hope you had a great time at this year’s event and look forward to seeing you next fall in Florida. If you could not make it to Texas this year, we hope to see you next year!

[ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information]

SpaceX Launches Ninth Rideshare Mission: Over 100 Satellites Deployed with Falcon 9

In another milestone for SpaceX’s rideshare program, the aerospace company successfully launched its ninth dedicated smallsat rideshare mission, dubbed Transporter-9, from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on November 11.

The Falcon 9 rocket carrying the payload lifted off at 18:49 UTC (10:49 p.m. PST), with the booster making a return to the launch site approximately seven and a half minutes after liftoff. This particular booster had already seen action on eleven previous missions, including Transporter-8 back in June.

The mission, lasting around half an hour, saw the deployment of 90 payloads, though initial confirmations of successful deployment were lacking for several satellites. Those payloads included several orbital transfer vehicles that will later deploy their satellites. Overall, the launch added more than 110 satellites to the ever-growing constellation in low Earth orbit.

Leading the pack in terms of payload contributions was Planet, with 36 of its Dove imaging CubeSats, collectively named Flock 4Q. It also flew Pelican-1, a tech demo satellite for its future Pelican and Tanager high-resolution and hyperspectral imaging satellites.

Spire, specializing in weather and vessel tracking data, joined other satellite constellation operators on Transporter-9. Their satellite set featured three GHGSat satellites, one of which became the first commercial satellite dedicated to tracking carbon dioxide emissions. Additionally, synthetic aperture radar imaging companies Iceye and Umbra were among the participants in this rideshare mission.

A notable newcomer to the satellite scene on this mission was Foxconn, the Taiwanese electronics giant known for producing consumer electronics like Apple’s iPhone. Foxconn, also known as Hon Hai Technology Group, sent its first two CubeSats, Pearl-1H and Pearl-1C, on the mission to explore LEO (Low Earth Orbit) satellite broadband communications and beyond 5G capabilities.

Exolaunch, a rideshare broker, facilitated the launch of nearly three dozen satellites, including Foxconn’s, on Transporter-9. Other brokers such as Maverick Space Systems, SEOPS, and Momentus, also contributed payloads to the mission.

D-Orbit, a frequent participant in Transporter missions, contributed their ION Satellite Carrier to the payload. Two new orbital transfer vehicle (OTV or space tug) developers, Exotrail and Impulse Space, flew their first space tugs, spacevan-001 and Impulse-1, on the mission. These space tugs play a crucial role in transferring spaceborne cargo between different orbits.

Transporter missions have garnered mixed reactions within the commercial space industry. While satellite operators and rideshare brokers applaud their regular and cost-effective access to space, some developers of small launch vehicles argue that these missions undercut their business models by offering services at significantly lower per-kilogram costs.

Despite the ongoing debate, SpaceX’s Transporter services continue to attract strong demand, as evidenced by the fully booked schedule. The company recently introduced a new line of rideshare missions called Bandwagon, scheduled to begin in 2024, further solidifying its position as a dominant force in the commercial space launch sector. The earliest available opportunity for a Bandwagon mission is set for November 2024, with Transporter missions to sun-synchronous orbits already booked until October 2025.

[ANS thanks Jeff Foust, SpaceNews, for the above information]

AMSAT-EA’s HADES-D Satellite Awaiting Deployment from ION Orbital Transfer Vehicle

The HADES-D satellite achieved a successful launch on November 11 at 18:49 UTC as part of SpaceX’s Transporter-9 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base. Currently housed within D-Orbit’s ION orbital transfer vehicle (OTV), the satellite’s final deployment is scheduled for around November 20th.

Developed concurrently with the URESAT Antonio de Nebrija, HADES-D shares the pocketQubes 1.5P platform. Featuring enhanced solar panels and increased processing capacity, HADES-D can transmit telemetry and repeat signals at higher speeds than its predecessors.

One notable feature of HADES-D is its FM repeater for voice communications, which also allows for the retransmission of AX.25/APRS 300/1200 bps messages. The FM/FSK repeater plans to continuously operate, activated by squelch level without the need for a subtone. Telemetry will be provided in FSK, configurable between 50 and 2400 bps, CW and voice beacon in FM. The IARU coordinated frequencies are 145.875 MHz (FM/FSK) for uplink and 436.666 MHz (FM/FSK/CW) for downlink.

The expected orbit is Sun-Synchronous between 550 and 600 km altitude. AMSAT-EA is asking the amatuer radio satellite community for assistance in identifying transmissions which will occur soon after the satellite has separated from the D-Orbit’s ION SCV-013 OTV (Temporary NORAD ID 99025).

This collaborative project, involving the private sector and various universities in Spain, hopes to provide licensed radio-amateurs worldwide an additional resource to relay FM voice and AX.25/APRS 300/1200 bps communications. Check for the latest updates on AMSAT-EA’s website https://www.amsat-ea.org/.

[ANS thanks AMSAT-EA and IARU for the above information]

ROM-3 Romanian High School Team’s Satellite Soars to Success in Latest SpaceX Launch

The ROM-3 satellite, a PocketQube crafted by the high school team RomSpace, was launched aboard SpaceX’s ninth dedicated smallsat rideshare program mission, Transporter-9, on November 11th. In collaboration with Alba Orbital, this launch on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket represents Romania’s second venture into satellite missions, following the high school team’s initial success with the ROM-2 satellite.

ROM-3, a demonstration mission following its predecessor ‘Romanian Orbital Mission 2,’ enhances RomSpace’s pico-satellite design with improved camera resolution and higher efficiency solar panels. With an average team member age ranging from 15 to 18 years old, RomSpace pioneers affordable opportunities for educational institutions, exemplified by the International Computer High School of Bucharest.

The ROM-3 satellite, a 50 x 50 x 100mm picosat, sets forth with three primary missions. Its primary function involves acting as a amateur radio digipeater, allowing operators to upload messages for a one-time transmission back to the Earth. The secondary mission entails transmitting a low-resolution SSDV image in GFSK Mode, inviting active participation from amateur radio operators. The tertiary mission includes CW Beacon transmission, aiding in detecting the satellite’s presence and measuring signal properties.

The UHF downlink (IARU coordinated frequency of 436.235 MHz) with 20 wpm CW, 500bps GFSK telemetry, and 5kbps GFSK SSDV will position ROM-3 as a notable contributor to the amateur radio community. More details are available at ROMSpace’s official website https://rom-space.ro/. This success builds on their prior achievement with the ROM-2 satellite and serves as a demonstration mission for upcoming pico-satellite constellations.

The collaborative efforts of RomSpace, Alba Orbital, and the broader Romanian space community culminate in the ROM-3 mission, showcasing not only the country’s growing prowess in space exploration but also a commitment to fostering technical education and outreach initiatives. As ROM-3 embarks on its operational phase, it stands as a testament to Romania’s potential in the evolving landscape of space technology.

[ANS thanks Alba Orbital and the IARU for the above information]

Veronika: Spacemanic’s Pink CubeSat Successfully Launches Aboard SpaceX Transporter-9

Veronika, a 1U CubeSat designed and built by Spacemaniac, was launched on SpaceX’s Transporter-9 mission on November 11th. This mission marked the third Slovak satellite to venture into space following the successful skCube and GRBAlpha missions.

Boris Procik, a financier from Slovakia, had approached Spacemanic to construct and launch the CubeSat, making it the first “family satellite” of its kind. Veronika, named after Procik’s daughter, went beyond being a CubeSat with a personal touch; it was a technologically advanced mission designed to support the Slovak and international amateur radio community.

The CubeSat features an array of technical capabilities to serve its primary objectives: 9k6 G3RUH AX.25 telemetry, digipeater, CW beacon, and experimental SSDV transmissions. The IARU coordinated downlink frequency is 436.680 MHz. Satellite telemetry was reported just a few hours after separation from the Falcon 9 rocket. Telemetry data can be viewed on the SatNOGS Veronika Telemetry Dashboard at https://dashboard.satnogs.org/d/abEVHMIIk/veronika.

The CubeSat is also equipped with a novel Attitude Determination and Control System (ADCS) subsystem. The ADCS includes electromagnetic actuators and a GNSS receiver, which will facilitate precise satellite identification during its initial days and weeks in orbit. Veronika will be operated by an amateur radio club OM3KSI, which will actively participate in its mission: https://om3ksi.tuke.sk/en/home/.

Veronika’s mission extends beyond technical objectives, incorporating education and outreach efforts. The satellite plans to engage Slovak grammar and high schools, transmitting special CW and AX.25 messages on various occasions. Czech partners, PLANETUM – Prague Observatory and Planetarium, will also use the satellite for educational purposes.

In an unconventional move, Veronika was not only the first-ever family-named satellite but also the first-ever pink satellite, adding a personal and distinctive touch to its appearance. The project received additional support from Deutsche Schule Bratislava, with the initial contact facilitated by the Slovak Space Office.

Before its successful launch, Veronika underwent rigorous environmental testing to simulate the harsh conditions of space, ensuring its operational resilience throughout its mission. The CubeSat joined other payloads in Berlin, where it underwent preparations for deployment. Exolaunch, a trusted partner of Spacemanic, oversaw the deployment process, securing its attachment to the Falcon 9 rocket.

[ANS thanks Spacemanic and the IARU for the above information]

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Satellite Top 100 Rovers November 2023 Rankings

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

Updated: 2023-11-06


1	ND9M	26	UT1FG	51	AD7DB	76	YU0W
2	NJ7H	27	KE4AL	52	KE9AJ	77	W8LR
3	N5UC	28	LU5ILA	53	JL3RNZ	78	VE3GOP
4	JA9KRO	29	KI7UNJ	54	VE1CWJ	79	OE3SEU
5	DL6AP	30	VE3HLS	55	KM4LAO	80	CU2ZG
6	WI7P	31	KB5FHK	56	N4UFO	81	N0TEL
7	HA3FOK	32	LA9XGA	57	SM3NRY	82	K0FFY
8	N9IP	33	DL2GRC	58	VK5DG	83	KB2YSI
9	WY7AA	34	N7AGF	59	KI7QEK	84	KJ7NDY
10	N6UA	35	F4BKV	60	N8RO	85	DL4EA
11	AD0DX	36	XE3DX	61	VA7LM	86	VE6WK
12	W5PFG	37	N6DNM	62	PT2AP	87	PA3GAN
13	K5ZM	38	KE0PBR	63	W1AW	88	AF5CC
14	DP0POL	39	KE0WPA	64	AA8CH	89	HB9GWJ
15	AK8CW	40	JO2ASQ	65	M1DDD	90	VE7PTN
16	AD0HJ	41	K7TAB	66	VE1VOX	91	PT9ST
17	WD9EWK	42	AC0RA	67	VA3VGR	92	DK9JC
18	ON4AUC	43	W7WGC	68	XE1ET	93	JM1CAX
19	KG5CCI	44	PR8KW	69	FG8OJ	94	KG4AKV
20	ND0C	45	JK2XXK	70	KI7UXT	95	VO2AC
21	KX9X	46	EA4NF	71	PT9BM	96	LW2DAF
22	DJ8MS	47	AA5PK	72	LU4JVE	97	KI0KB
23	F5VMJ	48	EB1AO	73	DF2ET	98	N6UTC
24	N5BO	49	SP5XSD	74	WA9JBQ	99	KC7JPC
25	K8BL	50	F4DXV	75	N4DCW	100	A41ZZ

[ANS thanks @GridMasterMap for the above information]

Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for November 17, 2023

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

DO-64 NORAD Cat ID 32789 Decayed from orbit on or about 14 November 2023.

The following satellite has been renamed:

SO-120 NORAD Cat ID 56992 Renamed after AMSAT Oscar designation.

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

ARISS NEWS

+ Recently Completed

New Heights School & Learning Services, Calgary, AB, Canada, telebridge via IK1SLD
The ISS callsign was OR4ISS
The scheduled crewmember was Andreas Mogensen, KG5GCZ
The ARISS mentor was VE6JBJ
Contact was successful: Fri 2023-11-17 17:06:13 UTC

+ Upcoming Contacts

National Research Nizhny Novgorod State University, 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 Wed 2023-11-22 16:40 UTC

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

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

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

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

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

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

Upcoming Satellite Operations

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

Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events

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

[ANS thanks the AMSAT Events page for the above information]

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Satellite Shorts From All Over

+ Congratulations to Alan Bowker, WA6DNR, for being awarded GridMaster Award # 62! 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 Alan! (ANS thanks Bruce Paige, KK5DO, AMSAT Director of Contests and Awards for the above information)

+ The SETI Institute has received a $200 million philanthropic gift from the estate of Franklin Antonio, N6NKF, co-founder of Qualcomm and a long-time supporter of SETI’s work. AMSAT members likely recognize Antonio as the author of the Instant Track orbital tracking software, sold by AMSAT for many years. Phil Karn, KA9Q, notes that Antonio’s personal involvement as an engineering consultant significantly advanced the SETI Institute’s efforts in the few years he was engaged. The funding will boost initiatives such as postdoctoral fellowships, global research expansion, educational programs, and innovative observational technologies, impacting all domains of SETI research. Antonio’s legacy is expected to provide lasting financial stability and foster new partnerships for the Institute, founded in 1984 to explore the origins of life and intelligence in the universe. (ANS thanks Joe Fitzgerald, KM1P, and SETI for the above information)

+ Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and its spin-off, SpaceIn Sdn Bhd, launched Malaysia’s first pico satellite, named SpaceANT-D, from the Vandenberg Space Force Base using SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. The 5cm-wide cube satellite follows the PocketQube standard, intended for universities involved in space science within low earth orbit constellations. Deployed on the Alba Orbital deployer, SpaceANT-D is scheduled to enter orbit in the next 2 to 14 days, transmitting signals to an earthbound station. Developed in collaboration with the Malaysian Amateur Radio Transmitters’ Society, the satellite aims to demonstrate data storage and transmission for Internet of Things (IoT) applications. SpaceIn CEO Dr. Norilmi Amilia Ismail highlighted the potential for cost reductions in small satellite usage, providing diverse opportunities in industries like agriculture, forestry, and oil and gas. Supported by an accelerator program from TERAJU and funds from CRADLE, this project contributes to the establishment of a satellite data center at USM. (ANS thanks Sharil Abdul Rahman, writing for SoyaCincau, for the above information)

+ Virgin Galactic celebrated its fifth commercial flight on November 2nd as its VSS Unity space plane soared into sub-orbit, marking the sixth such flight for the reusable craft in the past half-year. The mission, dubbed Galactic 05, aimed to fulfill the company’s goal of a monthly flight and served as a research mission carrying scientists Kellie Gerardi and Alan Stern, along with an undisclosed third passenger. Gerardi, a mission operations lead for Palantir Technologies, conducted experiments in fluid dynamics, human biometrics, and glucose monitoring to advance healthcare protocols in microgravity. Alan Stern, principal investigator of NASA’s New Horizons mission, focused on physiological performance experiments in microgravity. After reaching an altitude of over 44,000 feet, VSS Unity separated from its mothership, VSS Eve, and traveled approximately 50 miles higher into space before successfully gliding back down to Spaceport America in New Mexico. Virgin Galactic’s CEO, Michael Colglazier, expressed the company’s commitment to space-based research, emphasizing their dedication to scientific discovery, while the positive outcome saw Virgin Galactic’s shares surge by 11.4 percent. (ANS thanks David Ariosto, writing for Parabolic Arc, for the above information)

+ Discovery Dish is a lightweight 65-cm aluminum satellite dish for real-time weather data reception, priced at $100. It’s designed for various weather satellites operating at 1.69 GHz and features a built-in LNA and filter, minimizing noise figure loss. The Qorvo QPL9547 amplifier boosts weak signals. The prototype will be replaced by a neater version after crowdfunding. The dish is versatile, supporting radio astronomy with a 1.42 GHz hydrogen line feed and Inmarsat feed for signals in the 1525 – 1559 MHz bands. Its lightweight design makes it suitable for light-duty antenna rotators, and cabling is simplified. Discovery Dish is compatible with open-source software for satellite decoding. Future plans include tutorials and a lightweight antenna rotator. Comparisons highlight its advantages in price, size, and suitability for a rotator. Manufacturing involves crowdfunding, stamping molds, and production of PCB feeds. Mouser Electronics handles fulfillment. Additional information can be found at https://www.crowdsupply.com/krakenrf/discovery-dish. (ANS thanks Crowd Supply for the above information)

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

In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to:

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

73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space!

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