ANS

In this edition:

* AMSAT-EA’s HADES-R Successfully Deployed and Transmitting Telemetry
* Blue Origin Simulates Lunar Gravity on Landmark New Shepard Flight
* Interlune Aims to Mine Lunar Helium-3 for Quantum Computing on Earth
* VUCC & DXCC Satellite Standings for February 2025
* Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for February 7, 2025
* 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-040 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

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

DATE 2025 Feb 9

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AMSAT-EA’s HADES-R Successfully Deployed and Transmitting Telemetry

The HADES-R amateur radio satellite, operated by AMSAT-EA, has been successfully deployed and is functioning as expected. According to AMSAT-EA’s update on January 23rd, the satellite is transmitting telemetry data, and the initial health reports indicate that it is in good condition. The team is actively receiving data and preparing to transition the satellite into repeater mode once all necessary checks are completed. Amateur radio operators worldwide are encouraged to share their telemetry reports to assist in confirming its operational status.

Deployment occurred on January 22nd at 15:42 UTC from the D-Orbit ION-SCV-016 orbital transfer vehicle (OTV) after launching on January 14th aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket as part of the Transporter-12 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base. The mission carried 131 payloads, including amateur radio satellites HADES-R and PARUS-T1. Due to the large number of satellites onboard, deployments were staggered over several days. Early signals were reported by amateur operators, but official confirmation from AMSAT-EA followed later. Transmissions began shortly after deployment, though the FM repeater remains inactive as testing and validation processes continue.

Designed to provide FM voice repeater capabilities, the satellite also supports various digital modes, including FSK telemetry and APRS at up to 1200 bps. It features a downlink frequency of 436.888 MHz, as coordinated by the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU). While FM voice is its primary mission, it will also transmit experimental data and FSK telemetry. The uplink frequency is 145.925 MHz, supporting FM voice and various digital modes, including AX.25 and APRS. The FM repeater will operate without requiring a subtone, activating via squelch level.

As part of AMSAT-EA’s ongoing efforts to expand amateur radio satellite operations, this spacecraft is the first of two planned replacements for HADES-D (SO-121). The second, HADES-ICM, is expected to launch on the upcoming Transporter-13 mission in March 2025. Both satellites will provide FM and digital communication options, allowing amateur operators to engage in long-distance contacts. Additionally, HADES-ICM will host an experimental payload from the University of Manchester’s Smart IR/Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC), testing a low-power active radiator under space conditions. AMSAT-EA has urged the amateur radio community to continue monitoring transmissions and sharing received telemetry data as the satellite progresses towards full operational capability.

[ANS thanks AMSAT-EA and Jose Rodriguez, EB1AO, for the above information]

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Blue Origin Simulates Lunar Gravity on Landmark New Shepard Flight

Blue Origin successfully launched its NS-29 mission on February 4th, marking a significant milestone in suborbital research. The mission, which lifted off from the company’s West Texas launch site at 11 a.m. EST (16:00 UTC), was originally scheduled for January 28th but was delayed due to weather and technical issues. This flight was the 29th for the reusable New Shepard vehicle and featured a unique capability: the simulation of lunar gravity in suborbital space.

The NS-29 mission proceeded as planned, with both the booster and the crew capsule executing safe returns to Earth. The booster performed a controlled vertical landing on the designated pad, while the capsule descended under parachutes, touching down in the West Texas desert approximately 10 minutes after launch. However, one of the capsule’s three parachutes did not fully open. Blue Origin officials assured viewers during the live broadcast that the spacecraft is designed to land safely even if not all parachutes fully deploy.

A key feature of this mission was its ability to generate lunar gravity forces—a first for New Shepard. The capsule achieved this by rotating about 11 times per minute for two minutes using its reaction-control thrusters. This capability was developed to support research on lunar-related technologies, benefiting the 30 payloads aboard the spacecraft. Among these, 29 experiments were specifically designed to test innovations applicable to the Moon’s environment.

Blue Origin categorized these experiments into six focus areas: in-situ resource utilization, dust mitigation, advanced habitation systems, sensors and instrumentation, small spacecraft technologies, and entry, descent, and landing methods. Many of these experiments were backed by NASA’s Flight Opportunities Program, underscoring the space agency’s commitment to developing technology for lunar exploration. With the Artemis program aiming for long-term human presence on the Moon, missions like NS-29 provide valuable data to refine critical systems for future lunar operations.

Notable NASA-supported experiments aboard NS-29 included the Electrostatic Dust Lofting project, which examined how lunar dust becomes electrically charged and moves when exposed to ultraviolet light. Another key experiment, the Lunar-g Combustion Investigation, studied fire behavior in lunar gravity compared to Earth’s, helping to enhance safety in future lunar habitats. Other experiments tested propellant management in low gravity, soil analysis tools, and small satellite propulsion systems, all contributing to advancing space exploration technologies.

New Shepard, named after astronaut Alan Shepard, has been operational since its first uncrewed flight in April 2015. The vehicle made history in 2021 by carrying Jeff Bezos and three others on its first crewed flight. While primarily known for space tourism, with nine of its 29 flights carrying passengers, the system continues to play a critical role in scientific research. The successful NS-29 mission not only demonstrated Blue Origin’s ability to simulate lunar gravity but also reinforced its contribution to advancing space technology in support of NASA’s lunar ambitions.

[ANS thanks the Mike Wall, Space.com, for the above information]

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The 2025 AMSAT President’s Club Coins Have Just Arrived!
Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Amateur Radio on Human Spaceflight

Help Support GOLF and Fox Plus.
Join the AMSAT President’s Club today!

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Interlune Aims to Mine Lunar Helium-3 for Quantum Computing on Earth

Interlune, a Seattle-based startup founded by former Blue Origin technologists, is aiming to harvest Helium-3 from the moon to support quantum computing applications on Earth. Helium-3, a rare isotope deposited into the lunar regolith by solar wind, was first identified in samples brought back by NASA’s Apollo missions. While the potential applications of Helium-3 have intrigued scientists for years, recent astrogeological research highlights significant challenges in extracting the isotope. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) suggests that obtaining commercially viable amounts would require processing millions of tons of lunar regolith, a task comparable to large-scale mining operations on Earth.

Despite these hurdles, Interlune CEO Rob Meyerson remains optimistic. The company envisions an extraction system operating like an agricultural setup, with five harvesters each the size of a large SUV. Meyerson acknowledges that it will take years before the company sees a financial return, but he emphasizes the growing demand for Helium-3 in quantum computing. This isotope plays a critical role in cooling superconducting quantum computers to temperatures close to absolute zero. With quantum computing companies recognizing the need for a stable Helium-3 supply, Interlune believes now is the time to act.

Interlune is not the first to consider the commercial potential of lunar Helium-3. Apollo 17 astronaut and Interlune’s executive chairman, Jack Schmitt, has long advocated its use in nuclear fusion reactors. However, investment interest has shifted towards quantum computing applications, which promise quicker returns. Beyond computing, Helium-3 has other potential uses, including medical imaging and radiation detection. Interlune hopes to eventually supply tens of kilograms per year, a goal that Meyerson believes is both realistic and financially sustainable given current market prices of around $20 million per kilogram.

However, some experts remain skeptical about the feasibility of large-scale Helium-3 extraction from the moon. Laszlo Keszthelyi, a research geologist at the USGS Astrogeology Science Center, notes that lunar Helium-3 concentrations range from just 2.4 to 26 parts per billion in Apollo samples. Given these figures, obtaining a single kilogram would require processing between 100,000 and 1 million tons of lunar soil. Keszthelyi stops short of dismissing the endeavor outright, stating that the moon does contain resources—it is merely a question of how they can be effectively utilized.

To address these concerns, Interlune is planning a resource development mission in 2027 to analyze Helium-3 concentrations at a potential mining site. This mission will be followed by a pilot plant in 2029 to demonstrate extraction and processing on the lunar surface. The company’s initial lunar mission will launch through NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative. Interlune is actively securing funding, having already raised $18 million, with plans for another round of fundraising in the near future.

While profitability remains uncertain, experts acknowledge that Interlune’s success will depend on the efficiency of its extraction methods. Chris Dreyer from the Colorado School of Mines notes that certain minerals trap more Helium-3 than others, potentially increasing yield in select locations. However, large-scale excavation will be necessary, posing technical challenges, particularly with lunar dust. Despite these obstacles, Dreyer believes that iterative development—designing, testing, and improving equipment—could make Interlune’s ambitions feasible. As advances in space exploration continue, the prospect of mining Helium-3 on the moon is becoming an increasingly tangible reality.

[ANS thanks the Leonard David, SpaceNews, for the above information]

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VUCC & DXCC Satellite Standings for February 2025

VUCC Satellite Award/Endorsement Change Summary for January 01, 2025 to February 01, 2025

Callsign	01/01/2025	02/01/2025
K8DP	1629	1737
WA4NVM	1653	1676
WC7V	1451	1611
DF2ET	1102	1602
DL5GAC	New	1576
DL2GRC	1166	1501
AA5PK	1426	1500
N8RO	1401	1490
W5CBF	1224	1326
N0JE	1075	1225
MI6GTY	970	1201
F4BKV	1000	1200
KF7R	1075	1175
N9EAT	1029	1127
AC9O	1001	1126
XE1AO	1000	1111
WI7P	882	1104
N3GS	986	1103
OZ9AAR	900	1100
JK2XXK	503	1086
K9UO	950	1030
KE8RJU	950	1030
EA2AA	875	1026
W2GDJ	705	1022
JN2QCV	726	1016
VE6WQ	814	1007
K6FW	951	1005
K7TAB	814	1003
YO2CMI	820	1003
PR8KW	200	1001
KQ4DO	827	952
N8JCM	New	952
FG8OJ	737	935
HB9AOF	725	907
KN2K	808	907
JL1SAM	601	905
VU2LBW	603	902
KG0D	801	900
W8LR	825	897
N0GVK	701	867
JS1LQI	500	808
K0JM	702	801
IK3ITB	500	800
KK4YEL	674	799
N5BO	650	786
JG6CDH	553	777
N8MR	658	755
KS1G	703	754
KC4CJ	602	751
WD9EWK (DM43)	734	737
KB1HY	648	727
WA4HFN	676	727
N3CAL	480	686
AC9DX	525	682
A65BR	554	676
LY4AA	New	670
N7ZO	350	669
AF5CC	646	651
IK7FMQ	500	651
N6UTC	551	651
VE7PTN	301	635
XE1UYS	505	634
LA6OP	New	632
JN1BPM	426	630
N5EKO	500	622
SA0UNX	362	617
F6GLJ	400	609
EA3TA	503	607
RA3DNC	305	599
XE2YWH	235	595
JA1GZK	435	575
WB7VUF	555	572
VE4MM	536	561
HB9GWJ	476	553
DL6KBG	331	550
WB7QXU	500	550
W9FF	New	545
KH6WI	300	530
KP3V	402	526
KO9A	434	524
AD2DD	356	517
SV8CS	New	511
VA3VGR	352	509
HP2VX	496	508
KF2T	111	505
E70A	New	504
AL7ID	320	502
N9ZTS	400	501
I3BUI	New	500
IK0USO	118	500
JR0GAS	360	500
KA9CFD	New	500
PA7RA	300	495
N6PAZ	350	479
AB1OC	407	476
W3TI	103	465
N7UJJ	308	462
DL8GAM	375	450
N8URE (FM19)	430	450
AG4W	161	438
WO3T	New	437
DJ7NT	234	432
JI5USJ	236	425
K4RGK	362	421
F6EQD	311	420
HC2FG	350	413
JE3HCZ	103	410
W3VHF	250	406
ZS2BK	305	405
NJ2DX	100	404
SP5ULN	156	404
JO4JKL	135	401
KF0QS	301	400
ON4CCN	208	400
K6VHF	276	376
W6AER	302	376
HB9RYZ	248	365
KB3IAI	254	358
KE8AKW	329	358
HB9BIN	New	356
K3HPA	300	350
LA9KY	New	347
N8HRZ	New	337
AG1A	New	335
JH8RZJ	New	328
W0PR	New	327
N4QWF	115	325
JH0BBE	322	324
N9XG	252	310
KG4ERR	New	301
IK8YTA	162	300
K7OGW	New	300
K9JKM	201	300
W6CZ	New	300
XE1BMG	120	300
KG0I	New	297
JE2UFF	185	280
JF3MKC	200	280
KB9DAK	171	278
W6IA	100	278
AA0MZ	276	277
WA3YDZ	New	271
IN3EQZ	New	268
DL5KUA	128	266
W0BZ	New	256
K5WO	New	255
AA0K	New	253
SP7JS	New	253
KH6WI/W9 (EN54)	New	250
I1FQH	173	249
BX1AD	New	237
WA8ZID	226	230
KB4DSL	127	226
N7GR	205	226
DF5SF	New	217
KB2MFS	New	215
IK0WRB	123	213
PU5DDC	200	213
KR7LD	New	211
RA0FF	New	211
PY2YJ	150	210
N4UFO	New	206
K0JQZ	New	205
N2WLS	104	205
WD5GRW	New	205
9A2GA	New	202
EK/RX3DPK	New	200
WD9EWK (DM22)	198	200
WD9EWK (DM31)	187	200
W2HRO	New	192
OK1IN	New	190
WD9EWK (DM42)	183	189
AI9IN	150	175
RA3LAS	New	172
WD9EWK (DM45)	165	170
NK0S	167	169
7J1ADJ	New	164
W4DFU	151	163
JK4JMO	New	161
DH0GSU	152	156
AE5AU	New	153
KJ7SXR	New	151
EA4DEI	100	150
G4BWP	New	150
K2MJP	125	150
KD8RTT	101	150
VE3JO	117	149
IC8TEM	New	147
VE3AAZ	118	147
SV8CKM	New	140
WD9EWK (DM25)	120	138
W0SX	New	134
BD8CBU	New	132
BI8FFH	New	132
DH9DX	New	131
PU8MRS	127	129
XE2/CO6LAR	New	129
N6UTC (DM05)	101	128
ER1KW	New	127
XE2YWH (DL82 – D	114	119
XE2YWH (DL82)	114	119
WK7G	New	118
YC1RIK	New	114
NC0Q	New	108
XE1RCU	New	108
K7AXA	New	104
XE1YD	New	104
BG6HXD	New	103
KK7OVF	New	103
N6NU	New	103
YO6OEV	New	103
4A2MAX	New	102
BI1QGX	New	102
DL3NGN	New	102
N2YZH	New	101
SV2DSJ	New	101
BA7LVG	New	100
K9DOG	New	100
KD2YIB	New	100
LZ3SV	New	100
N5YIZ	New	100
VK5DG	New	100
W4BB	New	100
W4XP	New	100
YB1RQX/P	New	100

DXCC Satellite Award/Endorsement Change Summary for January 01, 2025 to February 01, 2025

Callsign	01/01/2025	02/01/2025
OE9DGV	212	213
YO3APJ	162	165
EA2AA	157	158
HB9RYZ	152	153
IK4DRY	122	144
RA3DNC	131	143
IK7FMQ	120	128
SM2OAN	109	117
G4BWP	100	105
R5DT	New	102
WI7P	New	102
I4MKN	New	101
LY4AA	New	100
N0GVK	New	100

N0GVK is first DXCC Satellite holder from EN00. Congratulations to the new DXCC Satellite holders!

[ANS thanks Jon Goering, N7AZ, 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 February 7, 2025

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/.

NOTICE: In an effort to minimize confusion between sources of two line element sets, AMSAT is adopting the convention of listing the USSF/NORAD Satellite Catalog name first, followed by any secondary name or names in parentheses. For example, “POEM 4 (BGS ARPIT)” was added recently where “POEM 4” is the name that appears in the US Space Force Satellite Catalog, and “BGS ARPIT” is the name best known within the amateur satellite community. Expect name changes for affected satellites in the coming weeks as this change is fully implemented.

The following satellite has been added to this week’s AMSAT TLE distribution:
HyperView 1G (RS66S) NORAD Cat ID 61772 Downlink 436.540 MHz
OBJECT BA (ZIMSAT 2) NORAD Cat ID 71783 Downlink 437.050 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

Aznakaevo Schools, Aznakaevo, Aznakaevsky District, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, direct via RC4P
The ISS callsign was RSØISS
The scheduled crewmember was Ivan Vagner
The ARISS mentor was RV3DR
Contact was successful: Sat 2025-02-01 11:15 UTC
Congratulations to the Aznakaevo School students, Ivan, mentor RV3DR, and ground station RC4P!

Public Primary School, La Laupie, France, direct via F5KLF
The ISS callsign was OR4ISS
The scheduled crewmember was Don Pettit KD5MDT
The ARISS mentor was F6ICS
Contact was successful: Fri 2025-02-07 14:27:07 UTC
Congratulations to the La Laupie Public Primary School students, mentor F6ICS, and ground station F5KLF!

+ Upcoming Contacts

Kant, Kaliningrad, Russia
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS
The scheduled crewmember is Alex Gorbunov
The ARISS mentor is RV3DR
Contact is go for Tue 2025-02-11 09:35 UTC

City of Clifton Arts Center & Sculpture Park, Clifton, NJ, direct via W2NPT
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS
The scheduled crewmember is Don Pettit KD5MDT
The ARISS mentor is AA6TB
Contact is go for: Wed 2025-02-12 18:14:13 UTC

Many times a school may make a last minute decision to do a Livestream or run into a last minute glitch requiring a change of the URL but we at ARISS may not get the URL in time for publication. You can always check https://live.ariss.org/ to see if a school is Livestreaming.

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

None currently posted.

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,

“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.

Yuma Hamfest and Southwestern Division Convention – February 14th thru 15th, 2025
Yuma County Fairgrounds
2520 East 32nd Street
Yuma, AZ 85365
https://www.yumahamfest.com/
N1UW

Midwinter Madness Hamfest – March 22nd, 2025
Buffalo Civic Center
1306 County Road 134
Buffalo MN 55313
https://k0ltc.org/midwinter-madness/
KØJM, ADØHJ, KEØPBR

Southeastern VHF Conference 2025 – April 4th thru 5th, 2025
Quality Inn Exit 4
3095 Wilma Rudolph Boulevard
Clarksville, TN 37040
https://svhfs.org/wp/2025-conference/
W4FCL

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

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AMSAT Remove Before Flight Key Tags Now Available
Yes, These are the Real Thing!

Satellite Shorts From All Over

+ AO-73 was switched back to full-time transponder mode on February 3rd, 2025. The U/V linear transponder is now operating 24/7 after a month-long period of telemetry collection on the satellite’s electrical power system. While some signs of reduced battery capacity are present, the two Lithium-Ion cells continue to perform well, supporting full transponder operation throughout the orbit. AO-73 features an inverting SSB/CW transponder with an uplink passband from 435.150 to 435.130 MHz (LSB) and a downlink passband from 145.950 to 145.970 MHz (USB). With the transponder active, the satellite also transmits BPSK telemetry on 145.935 MHz at 40mW. The collected telemetry data helps assess the long-term health of the 11-year-old satellite. (ANS thanks David Bowman, G0MRF for the above information)

+ NASA has confirmed the crew for Axiom Mission 4, set to launch no earlier than spring 2025 aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft from Kennedy Space Center. The mission will be commanded by former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, with ISRO astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla as pilot and ESA’s Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski and Hungary’s Tibor Kapu as mission specialists. Once docked at the International Space Station, the crew will spend up to 14 days conducting science, outreach, and commercial activities. This mission includes the first ISRO astronaut aboard the station and the first astronauts from Poland and Hungary to stay there. NASA sees private astronaut missions as a way to expand access to space and support commercial activity in low Earth orbit. As the agency shifts focus to deep space exploration through Artemis missions, partnerships with private companies help maintain a human presence in space and support research in microgravity. (ANS thanks NASA for the above information)

+ Indian Space Research Organization’s (ISRO) NVS-02 navigation satellite, launched on January 28th aboard a Geostationary Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) Mark 2 rocket, was intended to replace the IRNSS-1E satellite in geostationary orbit as part of India’s NavIC navigation system. However, ISRO confirmed on February 2nd that the satellite’s onboard propulsion system failed due to oxidizer valves not opening, preventing it from reaching its intended orbit. As a result, NVS-02 remains stuck in an elliptical transfer orbit with a perigee of 165 kilometers (103 miles) and an apogee of 37,582 kilometers (23,354 miles), making it vulnerable to reentry due to atmospheric drag. While the spacecraft’s solar panels and other systems are functioning normally, ISRO is exploring alternative mission strategies to utilize it in its current orbit. The 2,250-kilogram (4,960-pound) satellite was the second of five planned NavIC satellites aimed at enhancing regional navigation services. Its failure raises concerns about the future deployment of the NavIC system, and it remains unclear if any backup propulsion systems could adjust its orbit to prevent early reentry. (ANS thanks SpaceNews for the above information)

+ AstroForge, a U.S.-based asteroid mining company, has identified asteroid 2022 OB5 as the target for its upcoming Mission 2, Odin, set to launch in February 2025 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Odin will serve as a scouting spacecraft, flying as a secondary payload alongside Intuitive Machines’ IM-2 lunar lander, and will separate after the rocket’s upper stage fires for the moon. The spacecraft is expected to take about 300 days to reach the asteroid, where it will conduct a flyby to gather crucial imagery and assess the rock’s mining potential. This mission paves the way for AstroForge’s next endeavor, Vestri, which aims to land on the asteroid and initiate resource extraction, potentially launching in late 2025 as part of another rideshare mission. AstroForge, founded in January 2022, seeks to develop sustainable methods for mining precious metals from asteroids, although its first mission, Brokkr-1, launched in April 2023, failed to activate its onboard refinery technology. The company has also secured a contract with Stoke Space for future launches aboard the Nova rocket to support its ambitious mining goals. (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

AMSAT News Service
ANS-019
January 19, 2025

In this edition:

* SpaceX Launches Hamsats on Rideshare Mission
* Two Private Moon Landers Have Launched at Once
* Blue Origin New Glenn Reaches Orbit on Its First Launch
* SpaceX Success & Failure in Starship Flight 7
* Three U.S. Schools Moved Forward in ARISS Selection Process
* New ARISS Proposal Window is Now Open
* Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution
* 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.org

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-019 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

SpaceX Launches Hamsats on Rideshare Mission

A Falcon 9 rocket carrying 131 different payloads lifted off on the company’s Transporter 12 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base on January 14 at 19:09z. Included among the payloads were the amateur radio satellites HADES-R, operated by AMSAT-EA in Spain, and PARUS-T1, constructed by National Formosa University of Taiwan, among others.

With so many payloads aboard, not all of the satellites will be released at once. Rather, releases will be spaced over a period of time. At this writing, there is no word yet on the successful deployment of HADES-R. Further, the satellite will undergo several weeks of commissioning before the FM repeater is opened for use.

HADES-R has a downlink frequency, coordinated by the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) of 436.888 MHz. While FM voice is the primary mission, the downlink may sometimes include FSK data up to 1200 bps, APRS up to 1200 bps, FSK telemetry and experimental data up to 1600 bps or CW. The uplink will be 145.925 MHz, Modes: FM voice (without subtone) and FSK 200 bps, AFSK, AX.25, APRS 1200 / 2400 bps.

Also launched on Transporter 12 was PARUS-T1, a 3U CubeSat dedicated to receiving APRS signals on three major global frequencies: 144.640 MHz, 144.390 MHz, and 144.800 MHz. The satellite will record the Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) data for each received APRS packet and utilize a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver to determine the CubeSat’s orbit location during each signal reception. The received APRS data, RSSI values, and corresponding location data will be stored in the On-Board Computer (OBC) memory for transmission to ground stations.

PARUS-T1 satellite [Illustration from Taiwan Space Agency via Taipei Times]

Students will also be extensively involved in mission data analysis and will gain hands-on experience in understanding ionospheric propagation and its impact on terrestrial and satellite radio communications. The beacon packets shall not be encrypted and made public to the community via websites. Community participation will be encouraged through online leaderboards for example SatNOGS network. Data format of PARUS-T1 health telemetry and payload raw data will also be published and welcome all amateurs to receive 436.850MHz for packet data of AX.25 protocol on 1200bps.

PARUS-T1 also has an APRS digipeater to provide global amateur activities at the same frequency of ISS APRS channel 145.825 MHz.

A list of amateur radio payloads launched on the rideshare appears below:

[Libre Space graphic]

Thirty-seven of the 131 payloads going up today belong to San Francisco company Planet, which operates three constellations of Earth-observing satellites. Thirty-six of the 37 Planet craft are “SuperDove” cubesats, shoebox-sized craft that collect images with a resolution of about 10 feet (3 meters) per pixel. The other one is Pelican-2, whose resolution is about 7.5 times sharper than that.

SpaceX has launched a total of 13 rideshare missions to date — the 11 Transporter flights and two in a different program known as Bandwagon. Together, these missions have lofted about 1,100 payloads for more than 130 different customers, according to the Transporter 12 description.

[ANS thanks Space.com, AMSAT-EA, and IARU for the above information]

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Two Private Moon Landers Have Launched at Once

A space twofer took place early Wednesday morning — two lunar missions for the price of one rocket launch.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 lifted off from the NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 1:11 a.m. Eastern time, carrying the Blue Ghost lander built by Firefly Aerospace of Austin, Texas, and the Resilience lander from Ispace of Japan.

Why did two moon landers share one rocket? That was the result of fortuitous scheduling by SpaceX and not something that was planned by Firefly or Ispace.

Firefly had purchased a Falcon 9 launch to send its Blue Ghost lander to the moon. At the same time, Ispace, to save on the costs for the mission, had asked SpaceX for a rideshare, that is, hitching a ride as a secondary payload on a rocket launch that was going roughly in the right direction to get its Resilience lander to the moon. That turned out to be Blue Ghost’s trip.

“It was a no-brainer to put them together,” Julianna Scheiman, the director for NASA science missions at SpaceX, said during a news conference on Tuesday.

After the Falcon 9 rocket reached orbit, the second stage fired again for a minute so it could deploy Blue Ghost in an elliptical orbit around Earth, about an hour after launch. The rocket stage fired once more, for just a second, to adjust the orbit for the deployment of Resilience, about 1.5 hours after launch.

On Wednesday morning, Firefly and Ispace announced that their spacecraft successfully turned on, established communications with ground stations on Earth and were operating as expected.

According to AMSAT-DL, the German amateur satellite organization, the Firefly_Space Blue Ghost Mission includes the Lunar GNSS Receiver Experiment (LuGRE) with the goal of demonstrating GNSS-based positioning, navigation, and timing at the Moon. LuGRE will build on the legacy of prior missions in the Space Service Volume (SSV) including the initial experiments by AMSAT on OSCAR-40 (P3-D) satellite and others.

Read the full story of the launch at https://bit.ly/4fYhCpV [may have pay wall]. More information on the LuGRE payload is at https://way4ward.eu/services/lugre/.

[ANS thanks Kenneth Chang of The New York Times and AMSAT-DL for the above information]

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Blue Origin New Glenn Reaches Orbit on Its First Launch

Blue Origin entered into the history books in the predawn hours of Thursday, January 16. The company, founded by Jeff Bezos, became the first to successfully reach orbit on their first launch with a new orbital-class rocket in the new era of commercial spaceflight that dawned in the last two decades.

After dealing with an unplanned hold to chill its engines and a wayward boat entering the keep out zone, the New Glenn rocket, standing as tall as a 32-story building, lumbered off the pad under the power of 3.9 million pounds of thrust.

The seven BE-4 engines on the first stage booster roared to life at 2:03 a.m. EST (07:03 UTC) shining a brilliant orange that turned to blue as the liquified natural gas (LNG) fueled rocket began its journey from pad 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket lifts off the pad for the first time at Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. [Image: Pete Carstens/MaxQ Productions for Spaceflight Now]

Blue Origin dealt with multiple weather-related delays to get to launch day and even during the countdown, faced uncertain skies that threatened to potentially delay the mission yet again.

It also ran into technical issues on its way to launch. Blue Origin said an issue that prevented Monday’s launch was “ice forming in a purge line on an auxiliary power unit that powers some of [New Glenn’s] hydraulic systems.” Teams worked to clear that issue during the three-hour window, but weren’t able to do so in time.

One of the goals of the NG-1 mission was to attempt to land the first stage booster, named ‘So You’re Telling Me There’s a Chance,’ on Blue Origin’s landing vessel, named ‘Jacklyn,’ which was positioned out in the Atlantic Ocean.

Ultimately, it was determined that the touchdown on the 380-foot-long (116 m) landing vessel, named ‘Jacklyn,’ was unsuccessful. That said, going into the launch, Blue Origin said repeatedly that landing the booster was an aspirational goal and not their main objective.

Read the complete story at https://bit.ly/3CcTSRa

[ANS thanks Spaceflight Now for the above information]

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SpaceX Success & Failure in Starship Flight 7

SpaceX’s seventh flight of its Starship rocket was a combination of great success and catastrophic loss, with a catch of its Super Heavy booster at the launch tower and the failure of the Starship upper stage as it climbed to space.

Beginning around seven minutes and 40 seconds into the flight, SpaceX’s on-screen telemetry data began to show one Raptor engine after another turn off on the Ship until the telemetry froze at eight minutes and 27 seconds.

A still image taken from video of what is reportedly the remnants of SpaceX’s Starship upper stage as seen from the vantage point of the Turks and Caicos Islands. [Image: Alex Davenport and Spaceflight Now.]

The launch began nominally, with the more than 400-foot-tall rocket lumbering off of the pad at 22:37 UTC on Thursday, Jan. 16. The mission featured the first flight of the Block 2 variant of the upper stage.

The 33 Raptor engines on the booster powered it down range as expected and beginning about two minutes and 30 seconds into the mission, most of them cut off and the six Raptor engines on the Ship sprang to life to begin carrying it towards space.

The booster performed a flip maneuver and another burn to put it on a course towards the launch tower. The Super Heavy booster, B14, performed a final landing burn about 6 minutes and 30 seconds after liftoff and before seven minutes were up, it was caught by the tower.

Read the full story, with videos, at https://bit.ly/3WjAXLu

[ANS thanks Spaceflight Now for the above information.]

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Three U.S. Schools Moved Forward in ARISS Selection Process

Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is pleased to announce the U.S. schools/host organizations newly selected for 2025 ARISS contacts. A total of three of the submitted proposals during the recent proposal window have been accepted to move forward in the processes of planning to host a scheduled amateur radio contact with crew on the ISS. The primary goal of the ARISS program is to engage young people in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) activities and raise their awareness of space communications, radio communications, space exploration, and related areas of study and career possibilities.

The ARISS program anticipates that NASA will be able to provide scheduling opportunities for the 3 US host organizations during the July – December 2025 time period. They are now at work starting to implement their 4–6-month education plan which was outlined in their proposal. These STEAM based educational activities help prepare students for their contact as well as create an on-going exploration and interest in aerospace and amateur radio topics. They are also completing an acceptable equipment plan that demonstrates their ability to execute the ham radio contact. Once their equipment plan is approved by ARISS, the final selected schools/organizations will be scheduled as their availability and flexibility match up with the scheduling opportunities offered by NASA.

The schools and host organizations are:

• Paterson P-Tech High School, Paterson, NJ
• Pinecrest Academy, Cumming, GA
• Terre Haute Children’s Museum, Terre Haute, IN

[ANS thanks ARISS for the above information]

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New ARISS Proposal Window is Now Open

The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Program is seeking formal and informal education institutions and organizations, individually or working together, to host an Amateur Radio contact with a crew member on board the ISS. ARISS anticipates that the contact would be held between July 1, 2025 and December 31, 2025. Crew scheduling and ISS orbits will determine the exact contact dates. To maximize these radio contact opportunities, ARISS is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed education plan.

The deadline to submit a proposal is February 28, 2025. Proposal information and more details such as expectations, proposal guidelines and the proposal form can be found at www.ariss.org. An ARISS Introductory Webinar session will be held on January 22 at 8 p.m. EST. The Zoom link to sign up is: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/kznKuyHCRyKi8_j00JBd_g

The Opportunity

Crew members aboard the International Space Station will participate in scheduled Amateur Radio contacts. These radio contacts are approximately 10 minutes in length and allow students to interact with the astronauts through a question-and-answer session.

An ARISS contact is a voice-only communication opportunity via Amateur Radio between astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the space station and classrooms and communities. ARISS contacts afford education audiences the opportunity to learn firsthand from astronauts what it is like to live and work in space and to learn about space research conducted on the ISS. Students also will have an opportunity to learn about satellite communication, wireless technology, and radio science. Because of the nature of human spaceflight and the complexity of scheduling activities aboard the ISS, organizations must demonstrate flexibility to accommodate changes in dates and times of the radio contact.

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

Please direct any questions to [email protected] .

[ANS thanks ARISS for the above information]

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Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for Jan. 17

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 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.

RECENTLY COMPLETED
Federal Telecommunications Institute (IFT) and Vermont School, Mexico City, Mexico,
telebridge via IK1SLD
The ISS callsign was OR4ISS
The scheduled crewmember was Nick Hague, KG5TMV
The ARISS mentor was VE3TBD
Contact was successful: Fri 2025-01-17 17:00:18 UTC 77 deg

UPCOMING
University of Prešov, Prešov, Slovakia, direct via OM25ISS
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS
The scheduled crewmember is Sunita Williams, KD5PLB
The ARISS mentor is SP3QFE
Contact is go for: Sat 2025-01-25 15:21:17 UTC 52 deg

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).

Ham TV digital amateur television operations (2395.00 MHz down) is currently STOWED.

As always, if there is an EVA (“spacewalk”), a docking, or an undocking; the ARISS radios are turned off as part of the safety protocol. Currently scheduled for powering off for U.S. EVA on Jan 23: OFF Jan 22 about 17:30 UTC. ON Jan 24 about 10:15 UTC.

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

+ NR1Z plans to be on RS-44 from EM93 on January 25, CW only, uplink on 145.965 MHz.

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.

January 17-18, 2025
Cowtown Hamfest and 2025 ARRL North Texas Section Convention 
Forest Hill Civic and Convention Center
6901 Wichita St.
Forest Hill, TX (Fort Worth)
https://www.cowtownhamfest.com/–home–.html
N5HYP

Saturday February 1, 2025 (rescheduled from) January 11, 2025
Gwinnett Amateur Radio Society – TechFest
Gwinnett County Fairgrounds
Expo Center Building
2405 Sugarloaf Pkwy.
Lawrenceville, GA 30045

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

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Satellite Shorts From All Over

+ NASA astronaut Suni Williams, KD5PLB, one of the two astronauts stuck on the International Space Station by the Boeing Starliner failure, ventured outside for a spacewalk on Thursday, Jan. 16, for the first time since arriving on board seven months ago. Williams – an experienced astronaut who has conducted many spacewalks during previous stays aboard the ISS – teamed up with astronaut Nick Hague, KG5TMV, on Thursday to perform maintenance on the craft. (ANS thanks BBC.com for the above information.)

+ SpaceX maintained its rapid pace of launching an orbital mission on average every two days with its Falcon 9 flight from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Friday, Jan. 10. The Falcon 9 first stage booster for this mission, tail number B1067 in the SpaceX fleet, made a record-setting 25th launch and landing. (ANS thanks Spaceflight Now for the above information.)

+ After some delay due to drift issues, the two spacecraft from the Indian Space Research Organization’s (ISRO — India’s national space agency) SpaDex mission successfully docked with one another. On Thursday morning, Jan. 16, the space agency announced that it had made history by becoming only the fourth country in the world with such technology after United States, Russia and China. The booster for those satellites, still in orbit, carries the BGS ARPIT amateur radio experiment (see ANS 012 from last week.) (ANS thanks The Orbital Index and BBC.com for the above information.)

+ All are deeply saddened by the wildfires in LA. You can watch them continue to unfold on NASA’s FIRMS fire monitoring system, or check out this amateur open source analysis. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) avoided getting burned, as did the Mount Wilson Observatory, but many folks employed at JPL and beyond lost their homes.

A MAXAR image shows the Eaton Fire in North Pasadena and Altadena near JPL.

If you’d like to donate to support those impacted, there are resources here for the JPL region, or lists of recommended organizations for all of LA from CBS and from Charity Navigator. (ANS thanks The Orbital Index 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, Mark Johns, KØJM
mjohns [at] amsat.org

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

In this edition:

* India Launches SpaDeX Satellites with Amateur Radio Experiment
* Parker Solar Probe Achieves Closest-Ever Approach to the Sun
* 3D-Printed Helicone Antenna Tested for L-Band Weather Satellites
* Cold War Mystery: Why Did Jimmy Carter Save the Space Shuttle?
* Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for January 10, 2025
* 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-012 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

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

DATE 2025 Jan 12

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India Launches SpaDeX Satellites with Amateur Radio Experiment

India has launched the SpaDeX mission, designed to perform the country’s first autonomous docking experiment in space. A Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C60) carried two SpaDeX satellites into orbit from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, India on December 30, 2024, at 11:30 a.m. EST (1630 UTC). The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) sees this mission as a step toward supporting future Moon missions and building a space station.

The Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) consists of two 220-kilogram (485 pound) satellites, the Target and Chaser, which will test rendezvous and docking procedures. ISRO Chairman S. Somanath confirmed the satellites were placed in the correct orbit after launch. The first docking attempt is expected to occur in the next several days. The mission will assess the transfer of power between the docked spacecraft and evaluate dual-spacecraft control capabilities.

In addition to the docking experiment, the mission includes the POEM-4 (PS4-Orbital Experimental Module), which carries 24 payloads. These include a robotic arm demonstration and a debris capture manipulator. The robotic arm will test mobility for tasks in orbit, while the debris capture manipulator will attempt to retrieve tethered objects in an effort to address space debris.

One of the payloads aboard POEM-4 is the BGS ARPIT, an amateur radio project developed by the SJC Institute of Technology, the Upagrah Amateur Radio Club (VU2URC), and AMSAT-India to support educational activities and celebrate India’s 75th year of independence. This payload can transmit images via Slow Scan Television (SSTV), audio messages, and telemetry data on 145.870 MHz, and it also functions as an APRS digipeater on 145.825 MHz. Approved for IARU frequency coordination on December 22, 2024, BGS ARPIT completed its first SSTV transmission period on January 10th, with more trial periods sure to come soon.

The autonomous docking technology tested in SpaDeX is crucial for ISRO’s planned Chandrayaan-4 lunar mission, which aims to return samples from the Moon’s south pole. Docking capabilities will enable the transfer of samples to a return capsule in lunar orbit. This technology is also essential for the assembly and operation of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station, India’s planned space station.

The SpaDeX mission includes payloads developed by ISRO and collaborators from universities and startups. The experiments focus on areas like satellite servicing, space debris management, and educational outreach. The mission serves as a platform to advance technologies needed for India’s space exploration goals.

[ANS thanks the Tariq Malik, Space.com, and AMSAT-India, for the above information]

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Parker Solar Probe Achieves Closest-Ever Approach to the Sun

NASA’s Parker Solar Probe reached a significant milestone on December 24, 2024, by coming within 3.8 million miles of the sun’s surface—the closest a human-made object has ever traveled toward a star. The spacecraft confirmed its survival through a signal received at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) on December 26. This marks another step forward in the mission’s effort to study the sun and its influence on the solar system. The probe, traveling at 430,000 miles per hour (692,000 kilometers per hour), continues to push the limits of solar exploration.

The mission allows the spacecraft to gather data from regions of the sun that were previously out of reach. Nicky Fox, associate administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, said, “By studying the sun up close, we can better understand its impacts throughout our solar system, including on the technology we use daily on Earth, as well as learn about the workings of stars across the universe.” This close approach opens the door for new measurements that could refine knowledge about solar wind, coronal heating, and other fundamental processes.

Launched in 2018, the Parker Solar Probe used seven Venus flybys to adjust its orbit and approach the sun. Its current orbit brings it near the sun every three months. A carbon foam heat shield, designed to withstand temperatures up to 2,600°F (1430°C), protects the spacecraft’s instruments, which remain at a stable temperature. During its latest encounter, the shield endured temperatures of 1,800°F (980°C), demonstrating the durability of its design and construction.

The spacecraft has already provided valuable data about solar phenomena. It has observed magnetic field structures called switchbacks, which help explain plasma heating and acceleration. Adam Szabo, mission scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, noted, “This close approach will give us more data to understand how the solar wind is accelerated closer in.” Measurements from within the solar corona offer new perspectives on how energy and particles move through this region.

The Parker Solar Probe has also contributed to studies of Venus, detecting thermal emissions from its surface and capturing images of its orbital dust ring. These observations highlight the spacecraft’s ability to gather insights beyond its primary mission. Data from the recent solar pass will soon be transmitted to Earth, providing additional information for researchers.

Future solar passes are scheduled for March 22 and June 19, 2025. Ralph Semmel, John Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory Director, emphasized the team’s efforts, stating, “Their incredible technological breakthroughs enabled this amazing mission, and they have delivered critical new insights that are revolutionizing our understanding of heliophysics and space weather.” As part of NASA’s Living With a Star program, the Parker Solar Probe continues to investigate the relationship between the sun and the Earth, providing valuable knowledge for science and society.

[ANS thanks the Michael Buckley and Mara Johnson-Groh, Johns Hopkins University for the above information]

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The 2025 AMSAT President’s Club Coins Have Just Arrived!
Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Amateur Radio on Human Spaceflight

Help Support GOLF and Fox Plus.
Join the AMSAT President’s Club today!

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3D-Printed Helicone Antenna Tested for L-Band Weather Satellites

Gabe Emerson, KL1FI, the creator behind the YouTube channel saveitforparts has unveiled a new video highlighting a 3D-printable helical antenna for receiving weather data from polar-orbiting L-band satellites such as NOAA and Meteor. Designed by a user named t0nito, the 1.7 GHz HRPT Helicone Antenna design is freely available on Thingiverse. Its compact size, straightforward assembly, and effective performance have the potential to make it a hit among amateur radio and satellite enthusiasts. The manual, instructions, and 3D printer files can be accessed at https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6436342.

The video begins with the challenges encountered during the printing process. Early attempts at creating the antenna’s helical scaffold were plagued by warping issues in the support legs, resulting in several failed prints. To address this, the original 3D model was modified to include additional center supports, ensuring a stable print. Once the printing phase was complete, the assembly process involved wrapping wire around a two-inch pipe, crafting a reflector from metal window screen, and piecing everything together.

Testing the completed antenna proved its effectiveness. Using an RTL-SDR receiver and the SatDump software, Gabe successfully received data from the NOAA-18 HRPT satellite. By manually tracking the satellite, clear and detailed weather images, including nighttime thermal and infrared captures, were obtained, showcasing the antenna’s capability for high-quality data reception.

Designed with simplicity in mind, the Helicone antenna features a Right-Handed Circular Polarization (RHCP) configuration. Instead of relying on screws, the assembly process used hot glue and materials such as copper wire and sheet metal were sourced from everyday household items. These choices highlight its accessibility and affordability for hobbyists of all experience levels.

A performance comparison with an existing motorized tracking antenna revealed that the Helicone delivered comparable signal strength and image quality. While hand-tracking limited its functionality, its portability and ease of use were standout features. The lightweight design and straightforward assembly make it an ideal choice for amateur satellite enthusiasts looking for a practical and cost-effective solution.

Gabe concludes with praise for the antenna’s design and a call to action for viewers to try building one themselves. Future enhancements, such as integrating the Helicone with a motorized tracking system, are already being considered. For now, this detailed guide offers an excellent starting point for satellite hobbyists eager to explore affordable and efficient ways to receive weather data from orbiting satellites. The video titled “This 3D-Printed Satellite Antenna Is Fantastic!” can be found on the saveitforparts YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/PFQ6UKulxSo.

[ANS thanks Gabe Emerson, KL1FI, and RTL-SDR.com, for the above information]

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Cold War Mystery: Why Did Jimmy Carter Save the Space Shuttle?

The Space Shuttle program, an enduring symbol of American ingenuity, came perilously close to cancellation in the late 1970s. With the recent passing of Jimmy Carter at age 100, a fascinating story has resurfaced: how the 39th president, despite his well-known skepticism toward manned spaceflight, played a critical role in rescuing the program. This surprising twist in Cold War history highlights Carter’s pragmatism and the complex interplay between space exploration and geopolitics during his presidency.

This story first emerged during an interview with Chris Kraft, the former NASA Johnson Space Center director and a key architect of the Apollo program. Kraft recounted a critical 1978 meeting at NASA’s Houston headquarters, where dire financial constraints threatened the shuttle’s future. By then, the program was years behind schedule and hundreds of millions over budget. Faced with insufficient funding, NASA leaders considered two bleak options: securing a massive funding boost or relegating the shuttle to a mere research vehicle, incapable of fulfilling its ambitious mission to deliver payloads into orbit.

NASA Administrator Robert Frosch took the crisis to Washington, presenting President Carter with a stark ultimatum. Carter, known for his ambivalence toward manned spaceflight, surprised everyone by asking, “How much do you need?” According to Kraft, Carter’s decision was influenced by recent discussions with Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev during Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT). Carter reportedly highlighted the shuttle’s capability to verify Soviet compliance with arms agreements, a claim that underscored its national security value. While some details of this account remain disputed, Carter’s administration approved supplemental funding in 1979 and 1980, effectively saving the shuttle program.

Carter’s support for the shuttle is striking given his prior skepticism about its purpose. Early in his presidency, Carter dismissed the shuttle as a “contrivance to keep NASA alive.” His vice president, Walter Mondale, had also labeled the program a “senseless extravaganza.” Yet, by the late 1970s, escalating Cold War tensions reframed the shuttle’s significance. A key memo from the National Security Council emphasized the shuttle’s strategic value, arguing that canceling the program would undermine national pride and technological leadership.

While some NASA officials, including Shuttle Program Manager Robert Thompson, downplayed the risk of cancellation, the financial reality was grim. Development of critical components, such as the shuttle’s main engines and thermal protection tiles, was years behind schedule. Without Carter’s intervention, the shuttle might never have achieved its iconic role, flying 135 missions over three decades and laying the groundwork for the International Space Station.

In later reflections, Carter acknowledged his lack of enthusiasm for human space exploration but defended his decision to fund the shuttle. “I didn’t want to waste the money already invested,” he explained, noting that he discussed the shuttle’s peaceful intentions with Brezhnev during SALT II negotiations. While Carter’s motivations may have been rooted in pragmatism and diplomacy, his actions ensured the shuttle’s place in history. Despite his mixed legacy on space policy, Carter’s pivotal role in salvaging the shuttle underscores his capacity to recognize the broader implications of technological leadership during a turbulent era.

[ANS thanks Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 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 January 10, 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/.

NOTICE: In an effort to minimize confusion between sources of two line element sets, AMSAT is adopting the convention of listing the USSF/NORAD Satellite Catalog name first, followed by any secondary name or names in parentheses. For example this week “POEM 4 (BGS ARPIT)” was added where “POEM 4” is the name that appears in the USSF Satellite Catalog, and “BGS ARPIT” is the name best known within the amateur satellite community. Expect name changes for affected satellites in the coming weeks as this change is fully implemented.

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

POEM 4 (BGS ARPIT) NORAD Cat ID 46495

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

PRISM (HITOMI) NORAD Cat ID 33493 Likely defunct
YUBELEINY 2 (RS-40) NORAD Cat ID 33735 Likely defunct
CHUBUSAT-2 NORAD Cat ID 41338 Likely defunct
CHUBUSAT-3 NORAD Cat ID 41339 Likely defunct
PRATHAM NORAD Cat ID 41783 Likely defunct
D-SAT NORAD Cat ID 42794 Likely defunct
RANGE-B NORAD Cat ID 43772 Likely defunct
CySat-1 NORAD Cat ID 61501 Decayed from orbit on or about 09 January 2025
MRC-100 NORAD Cat ID 56993 Decayed from orbit on or about 05 January 2025

[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.

+ Upcoming Contacts

Federal Telecommunications Institute (IFT) and Vermont School, Mexico City, Mexico, telebridge via IK1SLD
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS
The scheduled crewmember is Nick Hague KG5TMV
The ARISS mentor is VE3TBD
Contact is go for: Fri 2025-01-17 17:00:18 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

8R, GUYANA:
Watch out for Aldir, PY1SAD, signing 8R1TM from Georgetown between
Jan. 1 and Feb. 8. QRV on 160-10m (CW, SSB, digital modes) and via
satellites. QSL direct via Home Call, LoTW, eQSL, qrz.com.

NA-057; HR, BAHIA ISLANDS: Alex, K6VHF, returns to Roatan Isl. and
operates as K6VHF/HR9 between the 5th and 12th. QRV on 160-6m and
via RS-44 satellite. QSL via K6VHF (d/B), ClubLog OQRS,
LoTW, eQSL.

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,

“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.

Cowtown Hamfest / 2025 ARRL North Texas Section Convention – January 17th thru 18th, 2025
Forest Hill Civic and Convention Center
6901 Wichita Street
Forest Hill, TX (Fort Worth)
https://www.cowtownhamfest.com/
N5HYP

Gwinnett Amateur Radio Society TechFest – February 1st, 2025
Gwinnett County Fairgrounds
Expo Center Building
2405 Sugarloaf Parkway
Lawrenceville, GA 30045
http://www.techfest.info/
K4RGK

HamCation 2025 / ARRL Southeastern Division Convention – February 7th thru February 9th, 2025
Central Florida Fairgrounds and Expo Park
4603 West Colonial Drive
Orlando, FL 32808
https://www.hamcation.com/
KE4AL

Yuma HAMCON and Southwestern Division Convention – February 20th thru 22nd, 2025
Yuma County Fairgrounds
2520 East 32nd Street
Yuma, AZ 85365
https://www.yumahamfest.com/
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

+ Eutelsat’s OneWeb internet constellation experienced a 48-hour outage starting on December 31, 2024, due to a software glitch likely caused by failing to account for the leap year. The issue disrupted internet services but was resolved once the root cause, a ground segment software problem, was identified and addressed. Eutelsat operates over 630 satellites and has been building the OneWeb constellation since 2020 to provide global high-speed internet, targeting business clients rather than direct consumers. The company faced challenges in launching its satellites due to strained relations with Roscosmos following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, forcing it to rely on SpaceX and India for launches. Despite completing its constellation in 2023, regulatory delays in countries like India and Turkey have prevented global broadband coverage, leaving services available only in limited regions. Eutelsat is now planning to update its constellation with 100 new satellites by Airbus, aiming for improved reliability and full global service rollout by spring 2025. (ANS thanks Gizmodo for the above information)

+ Florida’s Space Coast set a record with 93 launches in 2024, surpassing the previous year’s 74, thanks to innovations from Space Launch Delta 45 and private sector collaboration. Brig. Gen. Kristin Panzenhagen credited advancements like automation, modernized infrastructure, and streamlined processes for the milestone. SpaceX dominated with 88 launches from Florida and completed 134 missions globally, including government, commercial, and test flights. The Space Force introduced initiatives like the “One Falcon” program to support SpaceX’s rapid launch cadence, unifying personnel across ranges to enhance efficiency. Although only four launches directly supported national security, innovations in commercial space strengthen resilience and responsiveness for military missions, exemplified by the Rapid Response Trailblazer mission. With Blue Origin’s New Glenn and ULA’s Vulcan Centaur preparing for national security roles, competition is poised to grow, diversifying capabilities and bolstering launch options. (ANS thanks SpaceNews for the above information)

+ SpaceX’s next-generation Starship, Version 2 or Block 2, is set to launch on its seventh test flight from Starbase, Texas, as early as Monday, January 13, 2025, with the launch window opening at 5:00 p.m. EST (4:00 p.m. CST; 2200 UTC). This iteration, taller and more advanced than its predecessors, introduces numerous upgrades, including smaller, repositioned flaps for better heat protection, an enhanced propulsion system, and improved avionics for extended missions. For the first time, SpaceX will test Starship’s payload deployment mechanism, releasing mock Starlink satellites on a suborbital trajectory and conducting reentry experiments to refine the vehicle’s heat shield and reuse capabilities. The Super Heavy booster, equipped with additional protections and sensor enhancements, aims to achieve another tower catch, a feat last accomplished in October. The mission also marks progress toward full reusability, with one of the booster’s engines recovered and reused from a previous flight. These advancements, combined with a focus on orbital refueling and vehicle endurance, lay the groundwork for Starship’s future goals, including lunar landings under NASA’s Artemis program and beyond. (ANS thanks Ars Technica for the above information)

+ Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost Mission 1, named “Ghost Riders in the Sky,” is set to launch in mid-January aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, marking the company’s first lunar mission. The lander, recently integrated at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, will carry 10 NASA payloads and technology demonstrations as part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program. These payloads will test conditions between Earth and the moon, investigate lunar geology, and demonstrate innovative technologies like radiation-resistant hardware and lunar GPS. The 60-day mission includes 25 days in Earth orbit, a four-day translunar injection, 16 days in lunar orbit, and two weeks of operations on the moon’s surface. During its time on the moon, Blue Ghost will collect critical data and images, including capturing a solar eclipse and documenting the phenomenon of lunar dust levitation, last observed during Apollo 17. The mission will provide valuable insights to support NASA’s goal of a sustainable human presence on the moon through Artemis while also showcasing the technical capabilities of private industry. Firefly CEO Jason Kim emphasized the mission as a tribute to Apollo’s legacy and a pivotal step forward in advancing lunar exploration. (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