ANS-079 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins for Mar. 20

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

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

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

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

In this edition:

  • AMSAT at Dayton Hamvention – Call for Volunteers
  • AMSAT Booth Scheduled for CubeSat Developers Workshop 2022
  • Amateur Radio Payload Proposed for the Tiangong Space Station
  • WRC23: 23cm Band Work Continues in CEPT
  • ARISS News
  • Upcoming Satellite Operations
  • Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events
  • Satellite Shorts From All Over

ANS-079 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

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

DATE 2022 Mar 20

AMSAT at Dayton Hamvention – Call for Volunteers

Phil Smith, W1EME, AMSAT Hamvention Team Leader, reports, “In 2019, we had about 40 people assist with the AMSAT booth at the Hamvention. It was the efforts of those volunteers that made the 2019 Dayton Hamvention a success for AMSAT. The interaction with AMSAT members, satellite operators, designers, and builders makes the whole experience a lot of fun.

“The 2022 Hamvention is May 20-22 at the Greene County Fairgrounds in Xenia, Ohio. Would you consider helping AMSAT at the Hamvention this year? Whether you’re available for only a couple of hours or if you can spend the entire weekend with us, your help would be greatly appreciated. Please send an e-mail to me at w1eme (at) amsat (dot) org if you can help.”

[ANS thanks Phil Smith, W1EME, AMSAT Hamvention Team Leader for the above information.]

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Join the 2022 President’s Club!
Score your 2″ 4-Color Accent Commemorative Coin.
This gold finished coin comes with
Full Color Certificate and Embroidered Iron-on AMSAT Logo Patch
Donate today at
https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/
You won’t want to miss it!
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AMSAT Booth Scheduled for 2022 CubeSat Developers Workshop

The 2022 Cubesat Developers Workshop will be held on April 26-28 at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, California. The workshop, themed “Building the Future of Space Together,” recently announced the schedule for the three day event and is available online at https://www.cubesatdw.org/.

AMSAT Vice President – Engineering Jerry Buxton, N0JY, and others will host a booth in the exhibitor’s area. All interested persons are invited to stop by and ask questions, make suggestions or simply say “hello”. Persons with Electrical Engineering degrees with RF experiences and Mechanical Engineers are especially invited to stop by and discuss volunteer opportunities available in the FOX-Plus and GOLF programs.

[ANS thanks AMSAT and the CubeSat.org for the above information.]


Amateur Radio Payload Proposed for the Tiangong Space Station

The IARU satellite frequency coordination panel reports an application has been submitted for an Amateur Radio payload to be hosted on the Tiangong space station. The coordination request says:

CSSARC is the Amateur Radio payload for Chinese Space Station, proposed by Chinese Radio Amateurs Club (CRAC), Aerospace System Engineering Research Institute of Shanghai (ASES) and Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT).

The first phase of the payload is capable of providing the following functions utilizing the VHF/UHF amateur radio band:
1. V/V or U/U crew voice;
2. V/U or U/V FM repeater;
3. V/V or U/U 1k2 AFSK digipeater;
4. V/V or U/U SSTV or digital image.

The payload will provide resources for radio amateurs worldwide to make contacts with onboard astronauts, or communicate with each other. It will also play a rule to inspire students to pursue interests and careers in science, technology, engineering and math, and to encourage more people to get interested in amateur radio.

Planning a launch from Wenchang in Q3 2022 to the Chinese Space Station.

[ANS thanks AMSAT-UK 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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WRC23: 23cm Band Work Continues in CEPT

The 4th meeting of the CEPT project team (CPG PTC) tasked with developing the CEPT Brief for WRC23 agenda item 9.1b on 23cm band amateur service and RNSS coexistence took place during March 2022. The IARU R1 was present and provided a contribution to the working document. A summary report describing the contributions and the meeting activity can be found at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-079-CEPT.

The meeting did not tackle any technical studies directly but the developing brief reports and summarizes the activities taking place in other groups where they are being carried out. Updates were made to the background including a description of the work carried out by the amateur community in CEPT and ITU-R with respect to resolves 1 of the WRC-19 Resolution 774. Further updates were introduced to describe the study work taking place in ITU-R (WP’s 4C and 5A).

The draft CEPT Brief will undergo further development as technical studies evolve in the wider regulatory community including both CEPT and ITU-R. The next activity concerning this topic will take place in the CEPT arena (SE40) to progress the technical studies and the draft ECC Report. More information is available at https://iaru-r1.org/.

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

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AMSAT’s GOLF Program is about getting back to higher orbits, and it all
begins with GOLF-TEE – a technology demonstrator for deployable solar
panels, propulsion, and attitude control, now manifested for launch on
NASA’s ELaNa 46 mission. Come along for the ride. The journey will be
worth it!

https://tinyurl.com/ANS-GOLF

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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
Toyonaka High School, Toyonaka, Japan, direct via 8J3THS.
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS.
The downlink frequency is presently scheduled to be 145.800 MHz.
The scheduled crewmember is Kayla Barron, KI5LAL.
Contact is go for Monday, March 21, 2022 at 08:46:32 UTC.

+ Completed Contacts
Kids Star Club Sayama, Sayama, Japan, multi-point via 8J1KSC.
The ISS callsign was NA1SS.
The downlink frequency was 145.800 MHz.
The crewmember was Mark Vande Hei KG5GNP.
Contact was successful on Thursday, March 17, 2022 at 10:21:47 UTC.

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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AMSAT, along with our ARISS partners, is developing an amateur
radio package, including two-way communication capability, to
be carried on-board Gateway in lunar orbit.

Support AMSAT’s projects today at https://www.amsat.org/donate/

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Upcoming Satellite Operations

None listed at this time.

[ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT rover page manager, for the above information]


Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events

+ April 16 – Raleigh NC Hamfest
N4HF will attend with information table and demonstrations.
Jim Graham Building – NC State Fairgrounds
4285 Trinity Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607
https://www.rarsfest.org/

+ April 23 – Brainerd Area Hamfest
Brainerd National Guard Armory
https://brainerdham.org/

+ October 7-8 – 2022 Rocky Mountain ARRL Division Convention
Event Center at Archer
3921 Archer Pkwy
Cheyenne, Wyoming 82007
https://wyhamcon.org/site

[ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT Events page manager, for the above information.]


Satellite Shorts From All Over

+ Two upgraded Astro Pi units have arrived on the International Space Station. Each unit contains the latest model of the Raspberry Pi computer, plus a Raspberry Pi High Quality Camera and a host of sensors on a custom Sense HAT, all housed inside a special flight case designed to keep everything cool and protected. You can read the story of how the Astro Pi units were built at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-079-raspberry-pi. [ANS thanks Raspberry-Pi.org for the above information.]

+ NASA rollied the Space Launch System, a heavy-duty rocket designed to send astronauts to the moon, out of the iconic Vehicle Assembly Building at the Kennedy Space Center on Thursday evening. A crawler-transporter originally built more than 50 years ago for the Apollo program hauled the towering rocket to its launch pad for a countdown dress rehearsal. The dress rehearsal in early April, when the launch team will load super-cold liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen propellants into the rocket’s Boeing-built core stage and upper stage, made by United Launch Alliance. Read more about the preparations for the Artemis-I mission at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-079-artemis. [ANS thanks Spaceflightnow.com for the above information.]

+ Oregon’s first satellite, also known as OreSat0, was launched into low Earth orbit on March 15 aboard Astra’s “LV0009” rocket from Kodiak, Alaska. OreSat0 was designed and built by the Portland State Aerospace Society (PSAS), an interdisciplinary student group at Portland State University. It’s the first in a series of three satellites. It carries an Amateur Radio communications system. PSAS already has close to 200 data packets from the satellite as it circles the Earth and is working better than anticipated. Experiments will begin shortly allowing PSAS to test their sensors and systems over the next few years until OreSat0 makes its journey home. In the meantime, PSAS is already building its next satellite, OreSat0.5, which is equipped with a better camera to guide its journey later this summer. More information at https://www.pdx.edu/news/oregons-first-satellite-launched-orbit. [ANS thanks Portland State University for the above information.]


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

In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to:

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

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

73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space!

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

 

ANS-072 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins for March 13

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

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

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

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

In this edition:

  • January/February 2022 Issue of The AMSAT Journal Now Available
  • AMSAT Discord Server Open to All
  • Study: Rapid Development of Satellite Mega-Constellations Risks Tragedies of the Commons
  • Successful QO-100 Ham Radio Emergency Communications Exercise
  • Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for March 10
  • ARISS News
  • Upcoming Satellite Operations
  • Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events
  • Satellite Shorts From All Over

ANS-072 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

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

DATE 2022 Mar 13

January/February 2022 Issue of The AMSAT Journal Now Available

The January/February 2022 issue of The AMSAT Journal is now available to members on AMSAT’s Member Portal at https://launch.amsat.org/The_AMSAT_Journal

The AMSAT Journal is a bi-monthly digital magazine for amateur radio in space enthusiasts, published by the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT). Each issue is your source for hardware and software projects, technical tips, STEM initiatives, operational activities, and news from around the world.

Inside the Current Issue:

* Apogee View – Robert Bankston, KE4AL
* Educational Relations Update – Alan Johnston, KU2Y
* Engineering Update – Jerry Buxton, N0JY
* Bob Bruninga, WB4APR, SK – Joe Kornowski, KB6IGK
* Space Weather for the Satellite Operator with Dr. Tamitha Skov – Paul Graveline, K1YUB
* An EZNEC Model for the Lindenblad Antenna – Grant Zehr, AA9LC

Not an AMSAT member? Join at https://launch.amsat.org/

[ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information]

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The 2022 AMSAT President’s Club coins have arrived!
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of its launch on
October 15, 1972, this year’s coin features
an image of AMSAT-OSCAR 6.
Join the AMSAT President’s Club today and help
Keep Amateur Radio in Space!
https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/
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AMSAT Discord Server Open to All

AMSAT is pleased to announce the availability of a Discord server for the amateur satellite community. Discord is a text, voice, and video client that has become very popular in recent years. Discord will provide the amateur satellite community with an additional option to communicate amongst each other, in real-time.

Discord provides several neat features, including the following:

* Ability to create channels, to organize different conversation topics
* Hosting of events, that can include voice and or video chat
* For satellite launch parties!
* Use of bots to automate useful actions
-Try typing /tle AO-92
-More commands are in development!
* Notification of Twitter posts of interest
-Currently only following @AMSAT Twitter account

A special section of the server is reserved for AMSAT members. If you are a current member, please send a message in the #request-roles channel once you join the server, indicating whether you are a member or life member. Once the member role is granted, you will be able to post in the “Members Only” category. If you are not yet an AMSAT member, join today at https://launch.amsat.org/

The link below can be used to join the server. See you in Discord!

https://discord.gg/xbTXcPJHyt

[ANS thanks AMSAT 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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Study: Rapid Development of Satellite Mega-Constellations Risks Tragedies of the Commons

A study reported in Nature, “Satellite mega-constellations create risks in Low Earth Orbit, the atmosphere and on Earth,” in Scientific Reports (May 2021) by Aaron C. Boley and Michael Byers, says the rapid development of mega-constellations risks multiple tragedies of the commons. That could include tragedies to ground-based astronomy, Earth orbit, and Earth’s upper atmosphere. The study asserts that international cooperation is urgently needed, along with a regulatory system that takes into account the effects of tens of thousands of satellites.

“[T]he connections between the Earth and space environments are inadequately taken into account by the adoption of a consumer electronic model applied to space assets,” the authors said. “For example, we point out that satellite re-entries from the Starlink mega-constellation alone could deposit more aluminum into Earth’s upper atmosphere than what is done through meteoroids; they could thus become the dominant source of high-altitude alumina.”

The authors say their study shows that untracked debris will lead to potentially dangerous on-orbit collisions on a regular basis due to the large number of satellites within mega-constellation orbital shells. The total cross-section of satellites in these constellations also greatly increases the risk of impacts due to meteoroids. De facto orbit occupation by single actors, inadequate regulatory frameworks, and the possibility of free-riding exacerbate these risks.

According to Boley and Byers, in 2 years, the number of active and defunct satellites in low-Earth orbit (LEO) has increased by over 50%. “SpaceX alone is on track to add 11,000 more as it builds its Starlink mega-constellation and has already filed for permission for another 30,000 satellites with the [FCC].”

More than 12,000 trackable debris pieces are already in low-Earth orbit, typically 10 centimeters in diameter or larger, the study asserts. Including sizes down to 1 centimeter would raise the debris count to about a million inferred debris pieces that could threaten satellites, spacecraft, and astronauts due to their orbits crisscrossing at high relative speeds.

Simulations of the long-term evolution of debris suggest that LEO is already in the protracted initial stages of a mushrooming collision scenario, but that this could be managed through active debris removal. The addition of satellite mega-constellations and the general proliferation of low-cost satellites in LEO stresses the environment further, the study posits.

[ANS thanks ARRL for the above information]


Successful QO-100 Ham Radio Emergency Communications Exercise

On February 26, 22 stations representing 14 countries in IARU Region 1 took part in a short notice exercise using the geostationary satellite QO-100 amateur radio transponder

IARU Region 1 Emergency Communications Co-Ordinator Greg Mossop G0DUB has posted:

This was the first of a number of smaller exercises, tests and meetings to be held by IARU Region 1 throughout the year, building on the earlier Global Simulated Emergency Tests to cover as many aspects of emergency communications as possible.

The intention is to bring emergency communicators together more frequently to demonstrate how the Amateur Radio Service can work together as a global community and develop a common understanding of each others’ capabilities.

The exercise on QO-100 was felt to be a success with a number of formal messages being passed between stations along with some learning from the inevitable challenges of equipment failures, language barriers and co-ordination of an exercise whose coverage area covered from South Africa to the United Kingdom. Once all the exercise feedback is received, the next test on that system is planned to take place in October this year.

QO-100 brings another asset to the emergency communications toolbox in Region 1 and its presence is much appreciated.

Source IARU Region 1: https://iaru-r1.org/

QO-100 information: https://amsat-uk.org/satellites/geo/eshail-2/

[ANS thanks Southgate ARC for the above information]


Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for March 10

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 Thursday evenings around 2300 UTC, or more frequently if new high interest satellites are launched. More information may be found at https://www.amsat.org/keplerian-elements-resources/

The following satellite names have been corrected to their assigned AMSAT OSCAR designations.

EASAT-2 (Cat ID 51081) has been corrected to SO-114.
Hades (Cat ID 51080) has been corrected to SO-115.

Thanks to Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, for a heads up on this correction.

[ANS thanks Ray Hoad, WA5QGD, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager, for the above information]


ARISS NEWS

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

Kids Star Club Sayama, Sayama, Japan, direct via 8J1KSC. The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS. The scheduled crewmember is Mark Vande Hei, KG5GNP. Contact is go for: Thu 2022-03-17 10:21:47 UTC 51 deg.

Current mode set to cross band repeater (145.990 MHz up {PL 67} & 437.800 MHz down)
* Radio to be powered OFF to support US EVA on March 15.
* Radio to be powered OFF to support Soyuz docking on March 18.
* Radio to be powered OFF to support US EVA on March 23.

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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AMSAT, along with our ARISS partners, is developing an Amateur
Radio package, including two-way communication capability, to
be carried on-board Gateway in lunar orbit.

Support AMSAT’s projects today at https://www.amsat.org/donate/

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Upcoming Satellite Operations

N4DCW: EM85/86 Saturday and Sunday (March 12&13). Watch Twitter for details.

WL7T: BP54/BP64: Sunday, March 13. Start at 15:30 and go to 02:00.

KB2YSI: FN22 Monday, March 14, will be done by 17:00.

M1DDD/P: Currently active from IO93 with possible gridline operation on March 17. Watch Twitter for details.

[ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, 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.

N4HF will be at the Raleigh NC Hamfest (info table and demos; possible forum, but not likely at this point)
April 16, 2022
Jim Graham Building – NC State Fairgrounds
4285 Trinity Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607
https://www.rarsfest.org/

(Virtual event) CubeSat Developers Workshop
April 26–28, 2022
San Luis Obispo, CA
https://www.cubesatdw.org/

Hamvention
May 20-22, 2022
Greene County Fairgrounds & Expo Center
120 Fairgrounds Road
Xenia, OH 45385
https://www.hamvention.org

2022 Rocky Mountain ARRL Division Convention
Friday, October 7th, 2022 to Sunday, October 9th, 2022
Event Center at Archer
3921 Archer Pkwy
Cheyenne, Wyoming 82007
https://wyhamcon.org/site

[ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT Events page manager, for the above information]


Satellite Shorts From All Over

+ Congratulations to Christy (KB6LTY) and Gustavo (PR8KW) successfully digipeat on MIR-SAT 1 during testing and debugging of the digipeater. The Digipeater has been enabled on the satellite and will be opened throughout this weekend, that is Saturday 12th March and Sunday 13th March 2022. It will close on Monday 14th March 2022. The digipeater Callsign is 3B8MIR-1. Operators would really appreciate it if you could please provide some feedback on the BB, on Twitter @3b8DU or to my personal address ([email protected]), it may be useful to identify any issues and take necessary actions. If all goes well MIR-SAT 1 the digipeater will be open every week-end (as a minimum) until reentry. (ANS thanks Jean Marc Momple, 3B8DU, for the above information)

+ Current operating schedules for IO-86 are being posted on Facebook. Follow the group “Creflo T S” for regular images of the schedule grid. (ANS thanks AMSAT-ID for the above information)

+ After at least seven years hurtling through space, a 3-ton (2.7 metric tons) discarded rocket stage probably smashed into the moon on March 4 at a blistering 5,771 mph (9,288 km/h). The discarded rocket stage was projected to land at Hertzsprung crater on the moon’s far side at 7:25 a.m. EST (1225 GMT). This is the first time that space junk has accidentally collided with the lunar surface. But because the collision occurred on the moon’s far side, it could take scientists months to find the crater and confirm the impact. Many experts believe that the junk is the spent upper stage of a rocket launched during one of China’s first forays to the moon, in 2014. But Chinese officials disagree. (ANS thanks LiveScience for the above information)

+ The BIRDS-5 satellite, operating APRS on 145.825 MHz, as well as CW and 4k8 GMSK AX25 telemetry on 435.375 MHz, is scheduled to be deployed from the International Space Station this week. There seems to be some confusion as to the exact date and time of deployment, so watch for further information. (ANS thanks Tetsu Satou, JA0CAW, for the above information)

+ Astronaut Mark Vande Hei, KG5GNP, who holds the ongoing record for longest space flight, is set to end his 355 days in space in just three weeks. The plan is for him to land in Kazakhstan with two Russian cosmonauts on a Russian spacecraft. But on Feb. 26, Dmitry Rogozin, the head of Russia’s Space Agency and a close ally to Russian President Vladimir Putin, posted a video in Russian that threatened to leave Vande Hei behind in space and detach Russia’s segment of the space station altogether. NASA has remained silent on Rogozin’s threats. (ANS thanks abcnews.go.com for the above information)


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

In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to:

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

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

73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space!

This week’s ANS Editor, Mark Johns, K0JM
k0jm at amsat dot org

ANS-065 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins for Mar. 6

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-065

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

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

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

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

In this edition:

  • AMSAT Receives $93,795 ARDC Grant for 3U Spaceframe Development
  • Ray Soifer, W2RS, SK
  • ARISS to Support Axiom Space Crew Members on First Private ISS Mission
  • VUCC Satellite Awards/Endorsements For March 2022
  • Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for March 3, 2022
  • ARISS News
  • Upcoming Satellite Operations
  • Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events
  • Satellite Shorts From All Over

ANS-065 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

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

DATE 2022 Mar 6

AMSAT Receives $93,795 ARDC Grant for 3U Spaceframe Development

AMSAT has just received a generous grant from Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC) for the development of a 3U spaceframe with deployable solar panels. This standardized 3U CubeSat space frame will serve as the mechanical platform for AMSAT’s GOLF series of satellites as well as a new generation of low earth orbit FM satellites. The spaceframe design will be available to the public under an open access agreement.

Central to the development of the 3U spaceframe, AMSAT will build three flight-ready spaceframes for an upcoming series of satellites with potentially enhanced flight control, payload and communication capabilities.

The need for a 3U spaceframe with deployable solar panels goes back to the original design requirements for the Greater Orbit, Larger Footprint (GOLF) satellites that would return AMSAT to Highly Elliptical Orbits (HEO). The benefit of this program will provide satellites with wider coverage and longer access times to the entire Amateur Radio satellite community worldwide.

While that requirement still stands and the development of the GOLF satellites moves forward, the AMSAT Board of Directors’ decision to approve an additional new series of Low Earth Orbit (LEO), named Fox Plus (Fox+), underscored the need for a more robust spaceframe that can support advanced educational and experimental payloads in LEO as well. The payload and power capabilities of such a spacecraft would serve as the platform for a series of higher-power satellites in LEO that would carry educational and scientific experiments in support of AMSAT’s Youth Initiative (KidzSat). This series of satellites, referred to as LOWER (Lower Orbit Within Everyone’s Reach) would be highly accessible to youth participants with the most rudimentary equipment.

Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT President, comments, “This grant not only accelerates AMSAT’s efforts to fly satellites with greater communications capabilities at higher orbits, it supercharges our efforts to bring educational opportunities and engineering innovations to Amateur Radio satellite at all orbits to hams around the world. While our LEO satellites help entry level hams become enthusiastic about space communications, our HEO satellites give advanced users the opportunity to push the limits of technology. Both programs are important to AMSAT’s mission of education and scientific advancement.”

“AMSAT is indebted to ARDC for helping to bring this effort closer to reality. Still, with this generous award, AMSAT must still fund an additional $231,000 for other hardware development and launch preparation costs for just one GOLF series satellite. Our continued effort to raise funds is essential if we are to Keep Amateur Radio in Space.”

As mentioned above, the new spaceframe is key to the development of the GOLF and Fox+ programs. Jerry Buxton, N0JY, AMSAT Vice President – Engineering leads the development of the GOLF satellite program while Jonathan Brandenburg, KF5IDY, Assistant Vice President – Engineering leads the new Fox+ program. Both RF Engineers and Mechanical Engineers are sought to help bring these programs to fruition. Potential volunteers should refer to https://www.amsat.org/volunteer-for-amsat/ for more information on how they can become part of this exciting move forward.

[ANS thanks Frank Karnauskas, N1UW, AMSAT Vice President – Development, for the above information.]

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The 2022 AMSAT President’s Club coins have arrived!
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of its launch on
October 15, 1972, this year’s coin features
an image of AMSAT-OSCAR 6.
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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Ray Soifer, W2RS, SK

Raphael (Ray) Soifer, W2RS, passed away on March 1, 2022 at his home in Green Valley, AZ. He was 78 years old.

Notably, as a teenager in 1960, Ray (then K2QBW) completed the first known amateur radio QSO via satellite ionization trail reflection with future AMSAT Founding President Perry Klein, then-K3JTE (now W3PK). Time Magazine published an article about this accomplishment in its March 14, 1960 edition.

Building on his earlier achievements, Ray completed the first reported intersatellite relay communication between two earth stations in any radio service with Ben Stevenson, W2BXA, on January 26, 1975. This was done while AMSAT-OSCAR 7 and AMSAT-OSCAR 6 were in close proximity, allowing AO-6’s 145 MHz to 29 MHz transponder to relay signals from AO-7’s 432 MHz to 145 MHz transponder.

Ray held a number of AMSAT positions throughout the years, including serving on the Board of Directors and as Executive Vice President and Acting President.

A relentless promoter of satellite operations, he held DXCC Satellite #13 and Worked All Continents Satellite #6, earned entirely using LEO satellites. He also authored numerous articles for publications including The AMSAT Journal, QST, and RadCom.

From 1995 to 2005, Ray chaired the annual International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) Satellite Forum. He served as the Secretary and later Chairman of the IARU Region 2 VHF/UHF Committee and also served as a member of the IARU Satellite Frequency Coordination Panel.

An avid CW operator, Ray organized Straight Key Night – which later became AMSAT’s CW Activity Night – for many years. This event is held on satellite in conjunction with the ARRL’s annual New Year’s Eve event.

Ray is survived by his wife and two sons.

More information on service arrangements and condolences will be published when available.

[ANS thanks the Green Valley Amateur Radio Club and AMSAT 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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ARISS to Support Axiom Space Crew Members on First Private ISS Mission

Amateur Radio on the International Space Station, Inc. (ARISS-USA) is pleased to announce that two crew members scheduled to fly on Axiom Mission-1 (Ax-1), the first private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, will utilize the ARISS on-board radio resources to conduct six school connections via amateur radio.

These ARISS school contacts will be conducted with Ax-1 crew members Mark Pathy, from Canada, and Eytan Stibbe, from Israel. Both Pathy and Stibbe are fully trained on the use of the ARISS radio system, located in the ISS Columbus module, and have studied and passed their amateur radio license exams. Mark Pathy’s amateur radio callsign is KO4WFH. Eytan Stibbe’s amateur radio callsign is 4Z9SPC.

As part of the “Rakia” mission, Eytan Stibbe will use ARISS facilities aboard the International Space Station to hold talks with middle school and high school students in Israel while the ISS will be above Israel. A total of 40 school classes are expected to participate in the project, and in the weeks preceding the launch, the students from Israel will participate in theoretical and practical sessions to learn about radio-based communication.

Mark Pathy, under the personal mission theme of ‘Caring for people and the planet’, will connect with elementary and high schools across Canada while on board the ISS. Pathy will be answering questions developed by the students, ranging from how his body has reacted to being in space to how to do everyday things in zero gravity and thoughtful questions around the state of our planet. The conversations are part of Pathy’s educational program through which schools also benefit from STEM content and mentorship.

“The long-held dream of private missions to stations in space becomes a reality on Ax-1. ARISS is proud to collaborate with Axiom Space, Mark Pathy, and Eytan Stibbe on this flight and support the Ax-1 crew members through amateur radio contacts that will inspire, engage and educate school students in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) topics,” said Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, Executive Director of ARISS-USA and Chair of ARISS International.

“Axiom is proud to help enable the educational work of ARISS-USA on this historic mission,” said Dr. Mary Lynne Dittmar, Executive Vice President of Government Operations and Strategic Communications for Axiom Space. “For years, ARISS and its programs have inspired students across the globe to pursue interests in science, technology, engineering and math, and we are pleased that Ax-1 will join the list of missions that have contributed to this important educational work.”

The Ax-1 mission includes an international crew of four with Axiom’s Michael Lopez-Alegria, former NASA astronaut and Axiom VP, serving as commander. The Ax-1 mission is currently scheduled to launch on March 30, 2022.

[ANS thanks ARISS-USA for the above information]

VUCC Upgrades/Endorsements for March 1, 2022

CallsignFebruary 1, 2022March 1, 2022
K8YSE20072035
WC7V12501256
N8RO11241128
N1AIA604613
VE1CWJ585609
AF5CC582600
ND0C555561
W8LR526548
S57NML409508
W2ZF276467
PV8DX423428
KC1MMC230355
W0JW103341
W4DTA301327
RA3DNC276305
VE3KY251278
KG4AKV100254
KE7RTB200250
N8MR206227
N3CAL214224
K3HPA201205
N0GVKNew203
JH0BBE129133
W1AWNew103
SA5IKNNew101

N0GVK is first home station from EN00 and 1st Nebraska
SA5IKN is first home station from Sweden and JO89

Is anyone ever going to catch that K8YSE guy?

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

Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for March 3, 2022

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

NO-116 – NORAD Cat ID 51031 (NO-116 was formally SanoSat-1.)

At the request of AMSAT-Nepal, AMSAT hereby designates SanoSat-1 as Nepal-OSCAR 116 (NO-116). We congratulate AMSAT-Nepal and their partners, thank them for their contribution to the amateur satellite community, and wish them continued success on this and future projects.

[Thanks to ANS and Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, AMSAT VP Operations/OSCAR Number Administrator for the above information.]

The following satellite has decayed from orbit and has been removed from this week’s AMSAT TLE Distribution:

Quetzal 1 – NORAD Cat ID 45598 (Deorbited Feb 27, 2022. Confirmed by Space-Track.)

[ANS thanks Ray Hoad, WA5QGD, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager for the above information]

ARISS News

Contact schedule TBD

The USOS ARISS station is currently operating in voice cross-band repeater mode

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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AMSAT, along with our ARISS partners, is developing an Amateur
Radio package, including two-way communication capability, to
be carried on-board Gateway in lunar orbit.

Support AMSAT’s projects today at https://www.amsat.org/donate/

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Upcoming Satellite Operations

EA8/EA4NF: March 4-6 IL07, IL17 Hierro Island! If you want to try a QSO with this rare island, check FP and contact Philippe before to be in his NA shortlist.

From the Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin No. 1555:

PJ5, ST. EUSTATIUS. Frank, K3TRM will be active as PJ5/K3TRM from St. Eustatius Island (NA-145) between March 6-12th. Activity will be on 40-10 meters using SSB, RTTY, FT8 and the satellite. QSL via K3TRM, by the Bureau, direct, LoTW or ClubLog’s OQRS.

(Note that PJ5 & PJ6 are one DXCC entity – Saba & St. Eustatius – please keep this in mind if you are chasing DXCCs and want to hop into a pileup!)

[ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT rover page manager, and the Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin No. 1555 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.

N4HF will be at two events:

Charlotte NC Hamfest (forum & demo(s), Saturday only)
March 11-12
Cabarrus County Arena & Events Center
4551 Old Airport Rd, Concord, NC 28025
https://charlottehamfest.org/
(Note: 2 day hamfest, but only open 4 hours on Friday the 11th.)

Raleigh NC Hamfest (info table and demos; possible forum, but not likely at this point)
April 16
Jim Graham Building – NC State Fairgrounds
4285 Trinity Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607
https://www.rarsfest.org/

Other events with a scheduled AMSAT presence:

+ CubeSat Developers Workshop
April 26–28, 2022
San Luis Obispo, CA

+ Hamvention 2022
May 20, 2022 to May 22, 2022
Greene County Fairgrounds and Expo Center
210 Fairground Road
Xenia, Ohio 45385
https://www.hamvention.org

+ 2022 Rocky Mountain ARRL Division Convention
October 7, 2022 – October 9, 2022
Event Center at Archer
3921 Archer Pkwy
Cheyenne, Wyoming 82007
https://wyhamcon.org/site

[ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT Events page manager, 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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Satellite Shorts From All Over

+ CubeSat Design Specification Rev. 14.1 has been released by the Cal Poly CubeSat Laboratory Team. It is available at https://www.cubesat.org/cubesatinfo

+ JAMSAT has posted the March FO-99 Operating Schedule at https://www.jamsat.or.jp/?p=1791

+ Ham Radio Outlet interviewed AMSAT President Robert Bankston, KE4AL, at the 2022 Orlando Hamcation. A video of this interview is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNTK3TcJNWA

———————————————————————

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,

Paul Stoetzer, N8HM
n8hm at amsat dot org

ANS-058 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins for Feb. 27

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-058

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

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

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

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

In this edition:

  • SanoSat-1 has been assigned Nepal-OSCAR 116 (NO-116)
  • The First Rocket from Mars
  • Tiny Probes Could Sail to Outer Planets With the Help of Low-Power Lasers
  • Northrop Grumman Sends NASA Science, Cargo to International Space Station
  • ARISS News
  • Upcoming Satellite Operations
  • Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events
  • Satellite Shorts From All Over

ANS-058 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

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

DATE 2022 Feb 27

SanoSat-1 has been assigned Nepal-OSCAR 116 (NO-116)

On January 13, 2022, the SanoSat-1 satellite was launched on a Falcon 9 launch vehicle from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Developed by ORION Space, AMSAT-Nepal, and AMSAT-EA, the satellite carries a radiation sensor payload and provides a store and forward capability.

At the request of AMSAT-Nepal, AMSAT hereby designates SanoSat-1 as Nepal-OSCAR 116 (NO-116). We congratulate AMSAT-Nepal and their partners, thank them for their contribution to the amateur satellite community, and wish them continued success on this and future projects.

[ANS thanks Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, AMSAT VP Operations/OSCAR Number Administrator, for the above information]

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The 2022 AMSAT President’s Club coins have arrived!
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of its launch on
October 15, 1972, this year’s coin features
an image of AMSAT-OSCAR 6.
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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The First Rocket from Mars

Two weeks ago, Lockheed Martin won a $194M contract to build the Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV) for the upcoming joint NASA-ESA Mars sample return campaign. The cost-plus contract covers the development and manufacture of 10 test and flight-ready MAVs over the next six years culminating in what will likely be, barring other unforeseen entrants, the first rocket launched on another planet (as opposed to a moon, comet, or asteroid). Lockheed will be supported by Northrop Grumman, who will build the MAV’s solid propulsion motors—updated STAR 15 & 20 solid rocket motors, originally developed in the early 70s, which will need to survive a multi-year cold soak along with their propellant. To keep propellant grains above -40° C, the 2.8-meter long MAV will be housed in “the igloo,” an insulated dome blanketed with CO2, which will be heated by solar-powered electric heaters in 16 separately-instrumented heating zones. Additional information and graphics may be found at: https://bit.ly/3aA7V1G

All this is scheduled to kick off with the lander/rover/MAV combo launching NET 2026. Sample retrieval and launch to Martian orbit could take around 13 months after arrival, but samples won’t actually make it back to Earth until sometime in the first half of the 30s.

[ANS thanks The Orbital Index for the above information]

———————————————————————

Tiny Probes Could Sail to Outer Planets With the Help of Low-Power Lasers

In this illustration, https://bit.ly/3hjGtsm, a low-power laser (red cone) on Earth could be used to shift the orbit (red lines) of a small probe (grey circle), or propel it at rapid speeds to Neptune and beyond.

Space travel can be agonizingly slow: For example, the New Horizons probe took almost 10 years to reach Pluto. Traveling to Proxima Centauri b, the closest habitable planet to Earth, would require thousands of years with even the biggest rockets.
Now, researchers calculate in ACS’ Nano Letters that low-power lasers on Earth could launch and maneuver small probes equipped with silicon or boron nitride sails, propelling them to much faster speeds than rocket engines.

Instead of catching wind, like the sails on boats, “laser sails” would catch laser beams and could, in principle, push spacecraft to nearly the speed of light. Scientists have been working on this concept for a while. For example, one privately funded project called the Breakthrough Starshot initiative aims to send a small, sailed probe weighing about a gram to Proxima Centauri b with a flight taking only 20 years.

It would be propelled to 20% of light speed by a 100 GW, kilometer-square laser array. Ho-Ting Tung and Artur Davoyan wondered if much lower-power, smaller laser arrays could find use in applications where conventional electric and chemical rockets are now used. More information at: https://bit.ly/3Il7Mi4

[ANS thanks SpaceDaily.com 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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Northrop Grumman Sends NASA Science, Cargo to International Space Station

Northrop Grumman’s Antares rocket liftoff from pad 0A at 12:40 p.m. EST from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, on Feb. 19, 2022. Northrop Grumman’s Antares rocket liftoff from pad 0A at 12:40 p.m. EST from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, on Feb. 19, 2022. The Cygnus spacecraft, carrying 8,300 pounds of science investigations and cargo, is scheduled to arrive at the space station on Monday, Feb. 21. A fresh supply of 8,300 pounds of scientific investigations and cargo launched from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia at 12:40 p.m. EST on Saturday, Feb. 19, aboard a Northrop Grumman Cygnus resupply spacecraft, and is now traveling to the International Space Station. The Cygnus spacecraft, which was launched on an Antares rocket, is scheduled to arrive at the space station around 4:35 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 21. NASA Television, the NASA app, and agency’s website will provide live coverage of the spacecraft’s approach and arrival beginning at 3 a.m. NASA astronauts Raja Chari and Kayla Barron will capture Cygnus with the station’s robotic Canadarm2 upon its arrival. The spacecraft will then be installed on the Earth-facing port of the station’s Unity module. This is Northrop Grumman’s 17th contracted resupply mission under the second Commercial Resupply Services contract with NASA. The delivery includes critical materials to support dozens of the more than 250 science and research investigations occurring during NASA’s Expedition 66 mission aboard the space station. Details of the mission at https://go.nasa.gov/3HouZP6. More of the article above at https://go.nasa.gov/3BXyXx5

[ANS thanks Robert Margetta and NASA News for the above information]

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Want to fly the colors on your own grid expedition?
Get your AMSAT car flag and other neat stuff
from our Zazzle store!
25% of the purchase price of each product goes
towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space
https://www.zazzle.com/amsat_gear

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Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for February 24, 2022

The following satellite(s) have been added to this week’s AMSAT TLE Distribution.
Tevel 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 – NORAD Cat ID 50999
(Thanks to Dk3WN SatBlog for the identification.)
A close TLE for Tevel-5 and Tevel-6 is NORAD Cat ID 50999. Since the Tevel series of satellites is very close together, NORAD Cat ID 50999 should work for satellites Tevel 1 thru 4 and Tevel 7 thru 8 also.

[ANS thanks Joe Fitzgerald, KM1P, 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.

Carter G. Woodson Middle School, Hopewell, VA, telebridge via K6DUE.

The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS. The downlink frequency is presently scheduled to be 145.800 MHz. The scheduled crewmember is Thomas Marshburn KE5HOC. Contact is go for: Mon 2022-02-28 14:43:53 UTC 36 deg
Watch for Livestream at: https://youtu.be/KmFtTluF3aQ

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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AMSAT, along with our ARISS partners, is developing an Amateur
Radio package, including two-way communication capability, to
be carried on-board Gateway in lunar orbit.

Support AMSAT’s projects today at https://www.amsat.org/donate/

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Upcoming Satellite Operations

EA8/EA4NF: March 4-6 IL07, IL17 Hierro Island (FK78) ! If you want to try a QSO with this rare island,check FP and contact Philippe before to be in his NA shortlist

KE0PBR: BL10 (HI) 2/26 through 3/5. Holiday style, but will announce on Twitter before hand (usually right before). KE0PBR will probably be on only FO-29 and RS-44, between 17:00UTC and 08:00UTC.

4A90, MEXICO (Special Event) continues. Members of the Federacion Mexicana de Radio Experimentadores (FMRE)[Mexican Society]are celebrating their 90th anniversary during January, February and March 2022 promoting each of the 31 States and Mexico City with the following 32 different special event callsigns and 4A90FMRE:

January 1-15th: 4A90COL, 4A90CMX, 4A90EMX, 4A90GTO, 4A90HGO, 4A90JAL and 4A90MIC
January 16-30th: 4A90MOR, 4A90NAY, 4A90PUE, 4A90QRO, 4A90TLX and 4A90VER
January 31st-February 14th: 4A90AGS, 4A90BAC, 4A90BCS, 4A90COA, 4A90CHH and 4A90DGO
February 15th-March 1st: 4A90NLE, 4A90SLP, 4A90SIN, 4A90SON, 4A90TAM and 4A90ZAC
March 2-16th: 4A90CAM, 4A90CHI, 4A90GRO, 4A90OAX, 4A90QUI, 4A90TAB and 4A90YUC

Activity will be on various HF bands using CW, SSB, RTTY, FT8/FT4 and the satellites. Awards are available (see QRZ.com for details). For more details on the event, see: http://fmre90.puebladx.org

Frank Aiello, K3TRM, will be operating as PJ5/K3TRM from St. Eustatius between March 6 – 12, 2022. Activity will be on 40-10m using SSB and Digital (RTTY & FT8), and satellite. QSLs will be available via home call, buro, LoTW, ClubLog OQRS.

[ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, 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, K6CLS is making one of his outstanding Getting Started club presentations on Zoom, March 2 at 7:00PM Eastern/4:00 PM Pacific. Clint has added a new feature, he is being joined during the presentation by two special guests who will help explain SSB operations on linear satellites and will provide a live pass demonstration. Contact Clint for the latest information on his presentation schedule for the Getting Started With Amateur Satellites at 951-533-4984 or send a request at his website: https://bit.ly/3K0rEXY

+Charlotte NC Hamfest March 11-12
(AMSAT Ambassador Phillip Jenkins, N4HF)
Forum & demo(s) are Saturday only
Cabarrus County Arena & Events Center
4551 Old Airport Rd, Concord, NC 28025
https://charlottehamfest.org/
(note: 2 day hamfest, but only open 4 hours on Friday the 11th.)

+Raleigh NC Hamfest April 16
(AMSAT Ambassador Phillip Jenkins, N4HF)
(info table and demos; possible forum, but not likely at this point)
Jim Graham Building – NC State Fairgrounds
4285 Trinity Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607
https://www.rarsfest.org/

Scheduled Events with AMSAT involvement:

+ CubeSat Developers Workshop
April 26–28, 2022
San Luis Obispo, CA

+ Hamvention 2022
May 20, 2022 to May 22, 2022
Greene County Fairgrounds and Expo Center
210 Fairground Road
Xenia, Ohio 45385
https://www.hamvention.org

+ 2022 Rocky Mountain ARRL Division Convention
October 7, 2022 – October 9, 2022
Event Center at Archer
3921 Archer Pkwy
Cheyenne, Wyoming 82007
https://wyhamcon.org/site.

[ANS thanks AMSAT Ambassadors Clint Bradford, K6CLS and Phillip Jenkins, N4HF as well as Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT Events page manager, for the above information]

Satellite Shorts From All Over

+ From riverbed to crawlerway, the path to space goes through a unique Alabama resource. Alabama river rocks currently pave the path for rockets on the crawlerway at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This 4.2 mile road of rocks is crucial for launching NASA’s missions, specifically the upcoming launch of Artemis I, the uncrewed test flight of NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion Spacecraft. A massive pair of machines called crawler-transporters have carried integrated rockets and spacecraft to Pads 39A and 39B for more than 50 years at Kennedy. Their initial design called for asphalt roads, but engineers quickly encountered issues. Asphalt couldn’t handle the weight of the 6.65-million-pound crawler on its own, much less with the weight of a rocket added to it. The asphalt also proved too sticky and therefore would not allow the crawler-transporter to turn properly, causing damage to its roller bearings. NASA conducted a study to find a material that would allow the crawler to make a proper turn and hold the weight required. The results: river rock. More at http://go.nasa.gov/3K0r3We [ANS thanks Jennifer Harbaugh of NASA for the above information]

+ Rocket Lab to debut new launch pad on next mission Rocket Lab’s next mission, targeted for no earlier than Feb. 28, will be the first from a new launch pad at the company’s private spaceport in New Zealand, an addition officials said could double the flight rate of Electron launchers. The new launch pad, named Launch Complex 1B, lies 383 feet (117 meters) from Launch Complex 1A, the pad Rocket Lab has used for all 23 of its Electron rocket missions to date, according to a company spokesperson. More at https://bit.ly/3LUMBW6 [ANS thanks Stephen Clark of Spaceflight Now for the above information]

+ To survive frigid temperatures, spacecraft often use radioisotope heaters. Masten Space’s under-development NITE system is an alternative that uses the exothermic oxidation of metals with excess propellant to produce power and heat. They claim it saves ~$50 million over nuclear solutions and ~$10 million in reduced launch mass when compared to batteries. The project is partially funded through a 2020 NASA Tipping Point award. More information is avalable at: https://bit.ly/3BOVtbn. [ANS thanks The Orbital Index for the above information]

+ESA is soliciting ideas and use cases for their proposed commercial lunar communication and navigation satellite network, which promises to allow for cheaper missions by providing shared infrastructure The proposale and timeline are available at: https://bit.ly/3pjcF3H. [ANS thanks The Orbital Index and ESA for the above information]

 

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73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space!

This week’s ANS Editor,

Jack Spitznagel, KD4IZ
kd4iz at arrl dot org