Support AMSAT When You Shop at Amazon.com

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amazon-logo._V192256676_AMSAT-NA is participating in the AmazonSmile program. AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop at Amazon.com, at no cost to you.

Amazon will donate 0.5% of eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice. If you do business with Amazon you can apply your donation by logging into your Amazon account using http://smile.amazon.com/ch/52-0888529 to designate AMSAT-NA as the organization of your choice. When shopping on-line you must use the URL smile.amazon.com for AMSAT to receive the donation from your purchases.

$50SAT now designated Morehead OSCAR-76

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Congratulations to the $50SAT team as their satellite has received an OSCAR number, Morehead OSCAR-76, or MO-76.

$50SAT is a joint effort involving Professor Bob Twiggs, Morehead State University, Howie DeFelice, AB2S, Michael Kirkhart, KD8QBA, and Stuart Robinson, GW7HPW.

More information on the satellite can be found at http://www.50dollarsat.info/ and on the AMSAT website.

$50SATMore information on obtaining an OSCAR number for your satellite can be found here.

Cubesats Deployed from ISS

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Friday February 28 at 0730Z, several cubesats were deployed from the International Space station.litsat deploy

Perhaps of most interest to radio amateurs are Lithuania’s first satellites, LituanicaSAT-1 and LitSat-1.

LituanicaSAT-1 carries an FM repeater with a 145.950 MHz uplink and 435.180 MHz downlink, a 9600 baud AX25 packet system with a 145.850 MHz uplink and 437.550 MHz downlink, and a CW beacon on 437.275 MHz. Detailed information may be found at http://www.kosmonautai.lt/en/satellite/  and https://www.facebook.com/Lituanicasat1

LitSat-1 carries a linear transponder of unknown bandwidth and with a reported uplink of 435.180 MHz and downlink of 145.950 MHz, a AX25 packet system with a 437.550 MHz uplink and 145.850 MHz downlink. Limited additional information can be found at https://www.facebook.com/palydovas and http://www.space-lt.eu/journeyof-thefirstlithuanian-satellites74326-1-541.html#apacia .

UAPSAT is Peru’s third satellite, and will transmit AX25 packet telemetry and an audio message on 145.980 MHz. It is unclear whether there will be a two-way capability. Additional information via Google Translate at http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=es&u=http://www.uapsat.info/&prev=/search%3Fq%3Duapsat%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26hs%3DGt9%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official

ArduSat-2 and SkyCube are also included in this deployment.

G. Gould Smith, WA4SXM Steps Down from AMSAT Board of Directors, VP-User Services Positions

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Gould, WA4SXM at the AMSAT Booth at Dayton
Gould, WA4SXM at the AMSAT Booth at Dayton 2012.

G. Gould Smith, WA4SXM of Knoxville, TN has resigned as an AMSAT Board of Directors member as well as his position as VP-User Services on the AMSAT Senior Leadership Team.  Gould notified AMSAT President Barry Baines, WD4ASW of his decision via an e-mail that states in part, “It is with deep regret that I must resign my AMSAT positions of BoD member and VP of User Services.  AMSAT has played a major part in my life over the last 25 years; the incredible people have made it such a great pleasure.”

Gould has persevered despite chronic health issues, but  recent severe medical issues have precluded him from active participation in AMSAT for some time.  Gould noted, “I had hoped that I would be able to contribute this year, but that hasn’t worked out. The organization needs to have contributing people in these positions.”

In his reply to Gould’s notification, Barry responded in part, “I’m sorry to receive your resignation; you have done so much for AMSAT over the years.”

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