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CX2SA > SAT 11.10.20 07:32z 480 Lines 20564 Bytes #999 (0) @ AMSAT
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Subj: ANS-285 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
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Sent: 201011/0719Z @:CX2SA.SAL.URY.SOAM #:41388 [Salto] FBB7.00e $:ANS-285.01
From: CX2SA@CX2SA.SAL.URY.SOAM
To : SAT@AMSAT
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 285.01
From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD.
October 11, 2020
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-285.01
AMSAT 2020 Virtual Symposium Schedule Announced
The 2020 Virtual AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting will be
held on Saturday, October 17 from 9:00AM CDT - 5:00PM CDT (UTC-5).
Symposium presentations will be a combination of pre-recorded and live
video segments along with question and answer sessions held via a Zoom
meeting.
The Symposium will also be made available for free live on AMSAT's
YouTube channel.
Registered attendees will receive a digital copy of the AMSAT Symposium
Proceedings and will be entitled to join the Zoom meeting.
Only registered attendees will be able to participate in the question and
answer sessions. Registered attendees will also be entered into prize
drawings. Registration is free and available only for AMSAT members.
Registration will close on Friday, October 16, 2020 at 5:00PM CDT.
Register today at https://launch.amsat.org/Events/.
2020 Virtual AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting Schedule -
All times Central Daylight Time (UTC-5)
- 09:00 Opening Remarks
- 09:15 AMSAT GOLF-TEE System Overview and Development Status
Eric Skoog, K1TVV
- 09:45 GOLF IHU Coordination
Burns Fisher, WB1FJ
- 10:15 GOLF Downlink Coordination
Burns Fisher, WB1FJ, and Chris Thompson, AC2CZ/G0KLA
- 10:45 FUNcube Next
Phil Ashby, M6IPX, and Graham Shirville, G3VZV
- 11:15 LunART (Luna Amateur Radio Transponder)
Peter Guezlow, DB2OS
- 11:45 CatSat HF Experiment Overview
Mike Parker, KT7D, and Chris Walker, K7CKW
- 12:15 Neutron-1 CubeSat
University of Hawaii
- 12:45 Break
- 13:00 AMSAT Education / CubeSat Simulator
Alan Johnston, KU2Y
- Overview of CubeSat Simulator Project
- Live or pre-recorded demonstrations of CubeSat Simulator
- 14:00 ARISS / AREx
Frank Bauer, KA3HDO
- ARISS: 2020 Update
- Next Generation Radio System - First Element Operations and
Future System Plans
- AREx/Lunar Gateway and Other Lunar Opportunities
- 15:00 AMSAT Engineering Update
Jerry Buxton, N0JY
- Fox-1 Program Lessons Learned
- GOLF Update
- 16:00 2020 AMSAT Annual General Meeting
- 17:00 Close of Symposium
[ANS thanks the AMSAT office for the above information.]
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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the AMSAT office
is closed until further notice. For details, please visit
https://www.amsat.org/amsat-office-closed-until-further-notice/
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UH Satellite Successfully Blasts into Space
Neutron-1 successfully launched as part of an International Space Station
(ISS) resupply mission from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia on
Friday, October 2. The small satellite involved more than 100 University
of Hawai'i students, faculty, staff and volunteers, and will measure
neutrons in space and radiation coming from the Sun.
Neutron-1 was aboard the ELaNa 31, NG-14 rocket as part of a rideshare
mission, which included other satellites, and will be in space for
approximately one year. When astronauts set up the deployer pod for
launch out of the ISS around mid-November, Hawai'i Space Flight
Laboratory (HSFL) will continue to be the primary driver for the Neutron-
1 mission.
Neutron-1 carries an FM repeater: A downlink on 435.300 MHz and an uplink
on 145.840 MHz have been coordinated.
UH students, faculty, staff and volunteers were able to view the rocket
launch live on NASA TV and can be viewed on the HSFL website.
“I am thrilled. This is a great achievement of the University of
Hawai'i’s Neutron-1 team of students, staff and faculty,ö said Peter
Englert, a Hawai'i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology
(HIGP) researcher and principal investigator for the Neutron-1 mission.
“It demonstrates the quality of undergraduate education and research in
space science and engineering at the university.ö
“This mission development demonstrates that HSFL can deliver flight
hardware and work collaboratively with other institutions regarding NASA
planetary exploration,ö said Lloyd French, HSFL researcher and project
manager for the Neutron-1 mission. “Small spacecraft and cubesat
architectures are the next generation of planetary robotic exploration,
and HSFL is poised to take advantage of the opportunity.ö
This is HSFL’s second completed spacecraft. In 2016, the first iteration
of the Neutron-1 payload was lost due to a failed suborbital rocket that
was launched from Wallops Flight Facility.
“Watching the NG-14 launch from Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia was
an amazing opportunity to reflect how far we have come as a team, how
many students were impacted by the project, and all of the lessons that
were learned along the way,ö said Amber Imai-Hong, an avionics engineer
at HSFL and ground station coordinator for the
Neutron-1 mission. “Watching a rocket ascend to space is always amazing,
and to know that this leg of the journey is complete was a huge relief.ö
The team is now gearing up for mission operations. HSFL will control
Neutron-1 via the GlobalStar network, and partner with Amateur Radio
operators to communicate with the satellite through HSFL’s Kaua'i
Community College Ground Station to receive and send messages to the
satellite when it is released from ISS in November.
The Neutron-1 project was funded by a NASA EPSCoR Research Infrastructure
Development award, and the team conveys special thanks to the Air Force
Research Lab for providing solar cells for the project.
[ANS thanks the University of Hawai'i News for the above information.]
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Purchase AMSAT Gear on our Zazzle storefront.
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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ARISS to Celebrate 20 Years of Ham Radio on the ISS
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) will soon
celebrate 20 years of continuous ham radio operations on the
International Space Station (ISS). NASA is commemorating the milestone
with a newly produced infographic highlighting the educational contacts
via amateur radio between astronaut crew members aboard the ISS and
students. Over its 20 years, ARISS has supported nearly 1,400 scheduled
ham radio contacts with schools, student groups, and other organizations.
Planning for ARISS began in 1996 as a cooperative venture among national
amateur radio and amateur satellite societies, with support from their
respective space agencies. The ARISS ham radio gear actually arrived on
the station before the Expedition 1 crew, headed by Commander Bill
Shepherd, KD5GSL. The FCC issued ham radio call sign NA1SS for ISS
operations. After Expedition 1 arrived on station, some initial tests
with ARISS ham radio ground stations and individual hams confirmed the
ham gear was working properly. The first ARISS school contact was made
with students at Luther Burbank Elementary School in Illinois on December
21, 2000, with Shepherd at the helm of NA1SS on the ISS, and ARISS
operations team mentor Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, guiding the operation on the
ground.
NASA produced a video of students talking with astronaut Chris Cassidy,
KF5KDR, during an ARISS contact in May 2020.
Before and during scheduled ham radio contacts, students, educators,
parents, and communities learn about space and related technologies, and
radio communication using amateur radio. ARISS has inspired thousands of
students, promoting exploration through educational experiences spanning
science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics.
ARISS relies on a large network of amateur radio operator volunteers,
many associated with radio clubs in the communities where students and
groups participating in the contact reside. ARISS volunteers support
satellite ground stations, serve as technical mentors, and provide
additional help in the areas of education, community outreach and public
relations.
While student-to-astronaut radio contacts are a primary objective for
ARISS, the capability has also inspired further experimentation for
Amateur Radio in space and evaluation of new technologies. In September,
ARISS announced that the initial element of its next- generation ham
radio system had been installed in the ISS Columbus module. The new radio
system replaces equipment originally certified for spaceflight in mid-
2000. The onboard ham station also provides a contingency communications
system for the ISS crew. Several astronauts have also enjoyed using NA1SS
to make casual contacts with — and delighting — earthbound members of the
ham radio community.
In the US, ARISS sponsors include ARRL, AMSAT, and NASA, the ISS National
Lab-Space Station Explorers, and NASA’s Space Communications and
Navigation program. Global organizing partners include International
Amateur Radio Union (IARU) member-societies as well as AMSAT
organizations, and space agencies in Canada, Europe, Russia, Japan, and
elsewhere.
The next proposal window for US schools and educational organizations to
host an amateur radio contact with a crew member on board the ISS opened
on October 1 for contacts that would take place from July through
December 2021.
Like many educators who have coordinated ARISS radio contacts for their
students, teacher Rita Wright, KC9CDL, an ARRL member, described the
first ARISS school contact as inspirational and having a lasting impact
on their community. Five months after their contact, nearly 500 students
greeted Bill Shepherd when he visited Luther Burbank School. Wright said
it was “like tossing a pebble into a stream.ö
“The ripple effects are still occurring, and I suspect will continue to
occur for a long time,ö she said. “We have a young staff, and witnessing
these events has inspired some to look for other interdisciplinary
projects. They are beginning their dream. Many of our students are
looking forward to careers associated with the space industry.ö
[ANS thanks the ARRL 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. Come along for the ride. The
journey will be worth it!
https://tinyurl.com/ANS-GOLF
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IARU Region 2 Releases 2020 Band Plan Revision
International Amateur Radio Union Region 2 (IARU R2) — the Americas — has
released the September 2020 revision of its Band Plan and made procedural
changes to shorten the time to reflect future adjustments.
The Band Plan includes a change approved at the October 2019 General
Assembly to add an Amateur Satellite uplink subband, 21.125 to 21.450
MHz, on a non-exclusive basis. This matches similar changes in the Region
1 and Region 3 band plans.
A number of administrative changes have been made to the text, although
the Band Plan itself has not been modified. These changes
include:
- Modifications to the wording of the Band Plan to ensure that national
regulators understand it is a voluntary document, and that countries may
depart from the plan based on national requirements.
- Definitions additions: Amateur Radio Direction Finding (ARDF), primary
service, secondary service, and several acronyms.
- Inclusion of information detailing the primary and secondary users in
each amateur radio allocation band.
- Correction of minor typographical errors.
At its May 2020 meeting, the IARU R2 Executive Committee added text to
the Standard Operating Procedures that provides a process for the Band
Plan to be updated in a more timely manner. Prior to this change, Band
Plan modifications could only be approved at a General Assembly, held
once every 3 years. Under the new provision, the Band Planning Committee
may circulate proposed changes to member-societies with the approval of
the Executive Committee. “Should no more than one objection be received
within a 60-day period, the change shall be deemed accepted and reported
as such at the next conference,ö the Band Planning Committee’s terms of
references state.
The IARU R2 Band Planning Committee has a member from each of the seven
areas in Region 2, and one of those members also serves as the
committee’s chair. The current Committee Chair is Alphonse Penney,
VO1NO/VA1AVR.
[ANS thanks the ARRL and George Gorsline, VE3YV, IARU Region 2 Secretary
for the above information.]
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Two More Astronauts Earn Amateur Radio Licenses
Although the lockdown of Johnson Space Center (JSC) postponed Amateur
Radio training and licensing over the past seven months, NASA ISS Ham
Project Coordinator Kenneth Ransom, N5VHO, was able to work with all of
the new astronaut-class graduates, as well as offer some refresher
courses with already-licensed astronauts. Licensed astronauts on the
International Space Station (ISS) may operate the on-station ham radio
equipment without restrictions.
Astronauts often participate in Amateur Radio on the International Space
Station (ARISS) contacts with schools and groups on Earth.
NASA Astronaut Kayla Barron, who completed her introductory course in
June and received basic ham radio operations training in late September,
recently tested and received the call sign KI5LAL.
European Space Agency astronaut Matthias Maurer passed his Amateur Radio
exam on July 30, and he got his basic ham operations training in July. He
now is KI5KFH.
Astronauts Shane Kimbrough, KE5HOD, and Shannon Walker, KD5DXB, completed
the refresher course earlier this year. Two other new astronauts are in
the queue to take the Technician license exam.
[ANS thanks the ARRL and Rosalie White, K1STO 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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Upcoming Satellite Operations
- JQ78, October 7–12, 2020
JW7XK (or maybe LA7XK) will be active on RS-44 on as many passes as
possible. His focus is to work NA and maybe JA, when/if it is possible.
Link frequency 435.660 +/- Doppler.
- JN15jo, October 19, 2020
Jerome, F4DXV, is planning to be on RS-44 beginning at 20:00 UTC
specifically for North America. The footprint covers much of eastern NA.
This is a difficult operation after dark and Jerome hopes that many will
take advantage of the opportunity to work this very rare grid. RS-44 will
bee around 1430km.
- CN98/DN08, October 12, 2020
@AD0DX until Sunday. Holiday style.
- DN17/DN18 Line, October 12, 2020
@AD0DX and @KI7JPC and maybe @KI7UXT.
- DN13, DN23, DN22, October 16-19, 2020
@KI7UNJ, no pass list, follow him on twitter.
October 16 on the DN13/23 Line.
October 17 in DN22.
October 18 in DN22.
October 19 on the DN13/23 line.
- FN44/FN54, October 11-16, 2020
KQ2RP will be on FM birds from FN54 with occasional FN44/54 line.
FN53 is possible. Logging as KQ2RP/1.
DK78/ DK79, October 12, 2020
@XE1HG will be holiday style on FM and maybe some linears.
EL Grids, October 10-14, 2020
@N1PEB
October 10 in EL95 Key Largo.
October 11 in EL94 Key West.
October 12 in EL84 Dry Tortuga.
October 13 in EL94 Key West.
October 14 TBD.
[ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR for the above information.]
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Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events
Clint Bradford K6LCS has booked his “Work the FM Voice Satellites with
Minimal Equipmentö presentation for the clubs. The next Zoom
presentation is on October 27, 2020 for the Cherryland ARC/Traverse Bay
ARC.
[ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL 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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ARISS News
* Completed Contacts
Gagarin From Space Radio Amateur Session With Students Of The
International Aerospace School At Amgu Blagoveshchensk, Amur State
University, Blagoveshchensk, Russia direct via RKØJ.
The ISS callsign was RSØISS.
The astronaut was Anatoli Ivanishin.
The contact was successful on September 28, 2020 at 08:48 UTC.
* Upcoming Contacts
Ramona Lutheran School, Ramona, CA, direct via N6ROR.
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS.
The scheduled astronaut is Chris Cassidy KF5KDR.
Contact is go for: Wednesday, October 14, 2020 at 16:26:13 UTC.
[ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N for the above information.]
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Shorts from All Over
* Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for October 8, 2020
Update on decaying satellites:
- The decay epoch predicted by Space-Track for EnduroSat One -
Cat ID 43551 is 2020-10-15.
- The decay epoch predicted by Space-Track for MO-106 -
Cat ID 44830 is 2020-10-09.
Decay has occurred or is eminent.
[ANS thanks Ray Hoad, WA5QGD for the above information.]
* Next Rocket Lab Launch Window Starts October 20, 2020 UTC
'In Focus' is a rideshare mission to low Earth orbit for Planet and
Spaceflight Inc.’s customer Canon Electronics. The mission will deploy a
total of 10 satellites to precise and individual orbits from Rocket Lab
Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand. The scheduled launch time is
21:14 UTC. Full details can be seen at
https://www.rocketlabusa.com/missions/next-mission/.
[ANS thanks Terry Osborne, ZL2BAC for the above information.]
* British Columbia Radio Amateur Hears Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
According to a Spaceweather.com report, Scott Tilley, VE7TIL, in British
Columbia, Canada, received a signal from the NASA Mars Reconnaissance
Orbiter (MRO), flying just 274 kilometers (about 170
miles) above the red planet’s surface. The signal was an X-band carrier
containing no data or telemetry.
“Its purpose is to allow for Doppler tracking,ö Tilley explained.
“The rapid change in pitch of the signal is caused by the relative motion
of the satellite and the observer.ö He used a homemade satellite dish to
hear the orbiter.
Tilley enjoys tracking down signals from “deadö satellites, zombie
satellites, and spy satellites, but the MRO was a first for him.
“MRO’s signal is weak, but it is one of the louder signals in Mars
orbit,ö he said. “The spacecraft has a large dish antenna it uses as a
relay for other Mars missions. With the proximity of Mars these days, it
was the perfect time to try.ö
In 2018, Tilley saw the “signatureö of the Imager for Magnetopause- to-
Aurora Global Exploration (IMAGE), a NASA spacecraft believed to have
died in 2005. That discovery delighted space scientists.
[ANS thanks the ARRL for the above information.]
* Rocket Lab CEO Warns of Space Junk
In 1978, NASA scientist Donald Kessler warned of a potential
catastrophic, cascading chain reaction in outer space. Today known as
"Kessler Syndrome," the theory posited that space above Earth could one
day become so crowded, so polluted with both active satellites and the
detritus of space explorations past, that it could render future space
endeavors more difficult, if not impossible.
Last week, the CEO of Rocket Lab, a launch startup, said the company is
already beginning to experience the effect of growing congestion in outer
space. Read the complete story at:
https://tinyurl.com/ANS-285-Space-Junk
[ANS thanks CNN for the above information.]
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