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[ANS] ANS-042 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
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Mitch Ahrenstorff (AD0HJ) via ANS
Feb 10, 2024, 10:07:14 PMFeb 10
to
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-042
In this edition:
* ESA Satellite Communications Group Explores Future Amateur Satellite Payl
oad
* GreenCube IO-117 Continues Operations Beyond Expected February 5th Passiv
ation
* JS1YMG: Decoding the First Moon-Based Ham Radio Station's Telemetry Signa
ls
* GridMasterMap Satellite Top 100 Rovers February 2024 Rankings
* Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for February 9, 2024
* ARISS News
* Upcoming Satellite Operations
* Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events
* Satellite Shorts From All Over
The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and information se
rvice 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 digita
l Amateur Radio satellites.
The news feed on https://www.amsat.org publishes news of Amateur Radio in S
pace as soon as our volunteers can post it.
Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor [at] amsat
.org<http://amsat.org>
You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletin
s via the ANS List; to join this list see: https://mailman.amsat.org/postor
ius/lists/ans.amsat.org
ANS-042 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
To: All RADIO AMATEURS
>From: Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation
712 H Street NE, Suite 1653
Washington, DC 20002
DATE 2024 Feb 11
________________________________
ESA Satellite Communications Group Explores Future Amateur Satellite Payloa
d
Frank Zeppenfeldt, PDØAP, representing the European Space Agency (ESA), p
rovided key insights during a presentation on February 4th at the FOSDEM 20
24 conference held in Brussels, Belgium. The discussion centered around ESA
's initiative to collaborate with the amateur satellite community in defini
ng a prospective payload for Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) or Geostationary Orbi
t (GEO). The ESA's involvement aims to build upon the success of the QO-100
payload in geostationary orbit, fostering innovation and technological adv
ancements.
During the FOSDEM conference, the ESA Satellite Communications Group outlin
ed preliminary ideas, stressing the significance of engaging with the Softw
are-Defined Radio (SDR) community. The primary objectives include consolida
ting requirements, exploring diverse payload options, addressing user segme
nts, and thoroughly examining financing, procurement, and operational scena
rios for a potential MEO/GEO amateur payload.
The project's scope encompasses the consideration of various payload option
s and trade-offs, encompassing aspects such as frequency bands, analog or d
igital transmission, on-board SDR/Linux/GPU-box configurations, potential a
pplications, technical risks, inter-satellite links, geographical coverage,
degree of centralization, and educational components.
[cid:image0...@01DA5B8E.5A386560]<https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-con
tent/uploads/2024/02/Support_for_MEO_GEO_Payload_FOSDEM_Feb_2024.jpg>
Proposed Planning for ESA MEO/GEO Amateur Payload. [Credit: Frank Zeppenfel
dt, ESA Satellite Communications Group]
To ensure a comprehensive and well-informed approach, the ESA plans to acti
vely involve the amateur community. This engagement seeks to gather valuabl
e input on lessons learned from the QO-100 experience, amateur requirements
and interests, as well as suggestions for payload options. The consultatio
n process extends to reaching out to AMSAT and other relevant groups, along
side dialogues with satellite operators, primes, and various stakeholders.
Looking ahead, the ESA has outlined a timeline for the project. In March 20
24, the agency intends to solicit input from the amateur satellite communit
y and other stakeholders, guided by valuable insights from the AMSAT commun
ity. By May 2024, detailed payload options will be presented for discussion
at the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) in the Nether
lands, with the support of technical expertise.
More information from this presentation including the ten page Slide Deck c
an be found https://fosdem.org/2024/schedule/event/fosdem-2024-2084-design-
of-a-follow-up-qo-100-payload-/.
The culmination of this extensive process is expected in September 2024 at
the World Satellite Business Week, where dedicated discussions with satelli
te operators will be organized. The ESA envisions proposing a selection of
payload options at a subsequent FOSDEM conference in 2025, further demonstr
ating the collaborative commitment of ESA and the amateur satellite communi
ty to propel advancements in satellite communications and explore innovativ
e possibilities for future amateur satellite payloads in both GEO and MEO o
rbits.
[ANS thanks Frank Zeppenfeldt, PDØAP, ESA Satellite Communications Group,
for the above information]
________________________________
GreenCube IO-117 Continues Operations Beyond Expected February 5th Passivat
ion
GreenCube IO-117 satellite continues to function beyond the initially sched
uled shutdown of the amateur radio digipeater on February 5, 2024, at 0000
UTC. There have been no recent developments regarding the fate of this wide
ly-used satellite since AMSAT Italia's announcement on February 2nd that th
e Italian Space Agency is considering revisiting the decision to decommissi
on it. Originally designed for scientific purposes and placed in MEO orbit,
GreenCube satellite has successfully completed its primary mission. The "S
ave the GreenCube Satellite Digipeater" petition initiated by Peter Goodhal
l, 2MØSQL, has gained significant traction, garnering over 2,000 signatur
es to date. The petition, accessible at https://www.change.org/p/save-the-g
reencube-satellite-digipeater, remains open for further support.
[cid:image0...@01DA5B8E.5A386560]<https://www.change.org/p/save-the-gree
ncube-satellite-digipeater>
Save the GreenCube Satellite Digipeater petition continues to gather signat
ures. [Credit: Change.org]
The support from the amateur radio satellite community for the GreenCube IO
-117 digipeater has been exceptionally robust. Carsten Groen, OZ9AAR, has i
ntroduced significant enhancements to his GreenCube Terminal in the latest
Version 1.0.0.88, which can be accessed at https://moonbounce.dk/hamradio/g
reencube-terminal-program.html. Notable improvements encompass SatNOGS Inte
gration, GPS Integration, "AMSAT Sheriff" Wyatt, and Live World View. The O
scarwatch GreenCube Reporter map, developed by Peter Goodhall, 2MØSQL, is
available at https://oscarwatch.org/greencube, serving as a valuable resou
rce for monitoring real-time activity on GreenCube. The recent success of t
he TX5S Clipperton Island DXpedition, which made numerous GreenCube digipea
ter contacts, can be attributed to these enhancements and the collaboration
of operators adhering to the recently released IO-117 Code Of Conduct reco
mmendations.
To get a comprehensive view of the considerable amateur radio activity on t
he GreenCube digipeater, you can explore the GreenCube IO-117 Users Map cur
ated by Doug Papay, K8DP, accessible at https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewe
r?midÿ7O-rWll2QHFTjbBa4ThmZ3AG9ls8Io. According to the latest update, G
reenCube has facilitated digipeating for 1,576 unique callsigns and 999 uni
que grids. This encompasses digipeats from 121 DXCC entities, all 50 US sta
tes, all 47 JA prefectures, and 36 out of 40 CQ Zones. Since its launch in
July 2022, 846 ground stations have contributed over 3.4 million telemetry
and 6.2 million digipeater frames to the SatNOGS database. The top five con
tributors to the database, in terms of total submissions, are Doug Papay, K
8DP, with 1.1M submissions; Dave Webb, KB1PVH, with 734k submissions; Dave
Fisher, KGØD, with 576k submissions; Shige Nasu, JH8FIH, with 507k submis
sions; and Jacob Mol III, N8JCM, with 498k submissions.
[cid:image0...@01DA5B8E.5A386560]<https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?m
idÿ7O-rWll2QHFTjbBa4ThmZ3AG9ls8Io&ll>
GreenCube IO-117 Users Map [Credit: Doug Papay, K8DP]
GreenCube IO-117 exemplifies the strong backing the amateur radio satellite
community extends to satellite missions incorporating telemetry data along
side communication opportunities for radio amateurs. The forthcoming challe
nge for satellite missions lies in soliciting input from the amateur radio
satellite community and ensuring tools are available prior to launch. Lever
aging its unique orbit and capabilities, GreenCube has enabled many to atta
in challenging awards on satellites, such as ARRL DXCC, ARRL Worked All Sta
tes (WAS), and the JARL Worked All Japan Prefectures Award (WAJA). AMSAT, a
longside thousands of amateur radio operators, remains steadfast in their s
upport for the GreenCube mission, with hopes for its sustained success in t
he future.
[ANS thanks Doug Papay, K8DP, Peter Goodhall, 2MØSQL, and Carsten Groen,
OZ9AAR for the above information]
________________________________
The 2024 Coins Are Here Now!
Help Support GOLF and Fox Plus.
Join<https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/> the AMSAT Presi
dent's Club today!
[https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2024-Coin-Both_
586-300x148.jpg]<https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/2024-
coin-both_586/#main>
________________________________
JS1YMG: Decoding the First Moon-Based Ham Radio Station's Telemetry Signals
JQ1ZVI (JAXA Ham Radio Club, JHRC) recently obtained a radio station licens
e from Japan for the lunar rover LEV-1, designated JS1YMG, marking a histor
ic moment as the first amateur radio station on the moon. This milestone ac
hievement follows Japan's SLIM lunar mission, which saw the deployment of t
wo lunar excursion vehicles, LEV-1 and LEV-2.
LEV-1, designed for hopping mobility, features direct-to-Earth communicatio
n capabilities via UHF band antennas from the MINERVA and OMOTENASHI projec
ts. Equipped with two wide-angle visible light cameras, LEV-1 conducts luna
r exploration while carrying essential science payloads, including a thermo
meter, radiation monitor, and inclinometer, providing valuable insights int
o lunar conditions and terrain. It actively receives data from its companio
n rover LEV-2, and this information is transmitted to Earth using its 1 Wat
t UHF circular polarization antenna, employing Morse code on a IARU coordin
ated frequency of 437.410 MHz.
[cid:image0...@01DA5B8E.5A386560]<https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-con
tent/uploads/2024/02/JAXA_SLIM_LEV1_LEV2_Lunar_Rovers.jpg>
<https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/JAXA_SLIM_LEV1_
LEV2_Lunar_Rovers.jpg>JAXA's SLIM mission delivered probes, LEV-1 and LEV-2
, to the lunar surface. [Credit: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency]
Decoding efforts by Daniel Estévez, EA4GPZ, and others have shed light on
the telemetry data transmitted by LEV-1. Utilizing captures from the 25-me
ter radio telescope at Dwingeloo in the Netherlands, Estévez identified t
he telemetry format as PCM/PSK/PM with a symbol rate of 64 baud and a 2048
kHz subcarrier. The residual carrier is modulated in amplitude with Morse c
ode, introducing an unusual element to the signal. Despite challenges posed
by amplitude shift keying in the signal, a phase-locked loop (PLL) has pro
ven effective in tracking the phase of the residual carrier.
Estévez's decoding journey involved unraveling the CCSDS coding, a task t
hat posed initial challenges. While the IARU coordination sheet hinted at b
itrates and coding specifics, the signal's unique characteristics required
a thorough investigation. The BCJR decoder, a tool used successfully in pre
vious decoding efforts, validated the presence of convolutional coding. The
output provided log-likelihood ratios, offering confidence in the correctn
ess of the convolutional code. Further investigations led to the identifica
tion of the syncword 0xFAF320, a crucial element in understanding the struc
ture of the transmitted frames.
[cid:image0...@01DA5B8E.5A386560]<https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-con
tent/uploads/2024/02/LEV-1_Demodulator_GUI_Daniel_Estevez.jpg>
<https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/LEV-1_Demodulat
or_GUI_Daniel_Estevez.jpg>GNU Radio LEV-1 Demodulator GUI displaying Residu
al Carrier Amplitude from LEV-1 [Credit: Daniel Estevez, EA4GPZ]
One intriguing aspect of the decoded data is the Morse code modulating the
residual carrier in amplitude. Despite initial confusion caused by an inver
ted amplitude representation, subsequent analysis revealed recognizable Mor
se code sequences. The meaning behind these Morse code transmissions remain
s a mystery, inviting collaboration from the broader radio amateur communit
y and the LEV-1 team. As decoding efforts continue, the telemetry data's co
ntents remain unknown, emphasizing the need for more documentation from the
LEV-1 team. The spacecraft's utilization of the amateur satellite service
and its completion of the IARU coordination process suggest that technical
documentation may become publicly available in the future.
More details on the ongoing efforts to decode LEV-1's amateur radio transmi
ssions can be found at Daniel Estévez's website at https://destevez.net/2
024/01/trying-to-decode-lev-1/.
This achievement in establishing the first amateur radio station on the Moo
n opens up new possibilities for lunar communications and amateur radio ent
husiasts worldwide. The collaborative efforts of radio amateurs contribute
significantly pave the way for future advancements in space communication t
echnologies.
[ANS thanks Daniel Estévez, EA4GPZ, and Hackaday for the above informatio
n]
________________________________
GridMasterMap Satellite Top 100 Rovers February 2024 Rankings
The February 2024 rankings for the Top 100 Rovers (Mixed LEO/MEO/GEO) in sa
tellite operations, as determined by @GridMasterMap<https://twitter.com/Gri
dMasterMap> on Twitter, has been released. The ranking is determined by the
number of grids and DXCC entities activated, taking into account only thos
e grids where a minimum number of QSOs logged on the gridmaster.fr<http://g
ridmaster.fr> website have been validated by a third party. Grid numbers do
not directly reflect the exact number of activations. Satellite operators
are encouraged to upload their LoTW satellite contacts to https://gridmaste
r.fr in order to provide more accurate data.
Updated: 2024-02-07
1
ND9M
26
K8BL
51
F4DXV
76
DF2ET
2
NJ7H
27
KE4AL
52
KE9AJ
77
WA9JBQ
3
N5UC
28
LU5ILA
53
JL3RNZ
78
W8LR
4
JA9KRO
29
DL2GRC
54
KM4LAO
79
OE3SEU
5
DL6AP
30
KI7UNJ
55
VE1CWJ
80
VE3GOP
6
WI7P
31
VE3HLS
56
PA3GAN
81
KJ7NDY
7
UT1FG
32
KB5FHK
57
VK5DG
82
KB2YSI
8
HA3FOK
33
LA9XGA
58
N4UFO
83
K0FFY
9
N9IP
34
N7AGF
59
KI7QEK
84
CU2ZG
10
N6UA
35
F4BKV
60
SM3NRY
85
N0TEL
11
WY7AA
36
XE3DX
61
N8RO
86
DL4EA
12
K5ZM
37
N6DNM
62
PT2AP
87
W8MTB
13
AD0DX
38
KE0PBR
63
W1AW
88
KG4AKV
14
W5PFG
39
KE0WPA
64
VA7LM
89
VE6WK
15
DP0POL
40
JO2ASQ
65
XE1ET
90
VE7PTN
16
AK8CW
41
PR8KW
66
AA8CH
91
HB9GWJ
17
AD0HJ
42
AC0RA
67
M1DDD
92
AF5CC
18
WD9EWK
43
K7TAB
68
VA3VGR
93
DK9JC
19
ON4AUC
44
W7WGC
69
VE1VOX
94
PT9ST
20
KG5CCI
45
EB1AO
70
FG8OJ
95
JM1CAX
21
KX9X
46
JK2XXK
71
PT9BM
96
KI0KB
22
ND0C
47
EA4NF
72
KI7UXT
97
VO2AC
23
N5BO
48
AA5PK
73
LU4JVE
98
LW2DAF
24
F5VMJ
49
SP5XSD
74
YU0W
99
N4AKV
25
DJ8MS
50
AD7DB
75
N4DCW
100
N6UTC
[ANS thanks @GridMasterMap for the above information]
________________________________
Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for February 9, 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 u
pdates are completely adequate for most amateur satellites. Elements in the
TLE bulletin files are updated daily. TLE bulletin files are updated to ad
d or remove satellites as necessary Thursday evenings around 2300 UTC, or m
ore frequently if new high interest satellites are launched. More informati
on may be found at https://www.amsat.org/keplerian-elements-resources.
AO-92 NORAD Cat ID 43137 Decayed from orbit on or about 02 February 2024
NO-116 NORAD Cat ID 51031 Decayed from orbit on or about 04 February 2024
Editor's Note: Thanks AO-92 for all the contacts, memories, and friends tha
t you provided us! Miss you Veronica :(
[ANS thanks AMSAT Orbital Elements page for the above information]
________________________________
Need new satellite antennas?
Purchase an M2 LEO-Pack from the AMSAT Store!<https://amsat.org/product-cat
egory/hardware/>
When you purchase through AMSAT, a portion of the proceeds goes towards Kee
ping Amateur Radio in Space.
[https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/cm/LEO-Pack1-300x298.pn
g]
________________________________
ARISS NEWS
Amateurs and others around the world may listen in on contacts between amat
eurs operating in schools and allowing students to interact with astronauts
and cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station. The downlink freque
ncy on which to listen is 145.800 MHz worldwide.
+ Recently Completed
Lilburn Elementary School, Lilburn, GA, direct via K4RGK
The ISS callsign was NA1SS
The crewmember was Jasmin Moghbeli KI5WSL
The ARISS mentor was K4RGK
Contact was successful: Wed 2024-02-07 14:24:10 UTC
Congratulations to the Lilburn Elementary School students, Jasmin, and ment
or K4RGK!
Watch the event here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?vÿwg2rof0LA
School of Telecommunications Engineering, ETSIT Valencia (Universitat Polit
ecnica de Valencia), Valencia, Spain, direct via EA5RKP
The ISS callsign was OR4ISS
The crewmember was Loral O'Hara KI5TOM
The ARISS mentor was IKØUSO
Contact was successful: Fri 2024-02-09 08:12:46 UTC
Congratulations to the ETSIT Valencia students, Loral, and mentor EA5RKP!
Watch for Livestream at https://www.youtube.com/watch?vÿMdKcM2Fw8
+ Upcoming Contacts
School TBD, Russia, direct via TBD
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS
The scheduled crewmember is Nikolay Chub
The ARISS mentor is RV3DR
Contact is go for 2024-02-15 08:20 UTC
B. Russell High School, Rome, Italy, direct via IKØUSO)
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS
The scheduled crewmember is Jasmin Moghbeli KI5WSL
The ARISS mentor is IKØWGF
Contact is go for: Thu 2024-02-15 11:32:10 UTC
Baltic Federal University. I. Kanta, Kaliningrad, Russia, direct via TBD
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS
The scheduled crewmember is Konstantin Borisov
The ARISS mentor is RV3DR
Contact is go for Fri 2024-02-16 09:10 UTC
The Service Module radio is temporarily stowed.
As always, if there is an EVA, a docking, or an undocking; the ARISS radios
are turned off as part of the safety protocol.
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 pi
ck up the microphone, raise the volume up, and talk on the crossband repeat
er. So give a listen, you just never know.
Note, all times are approximate. It is recommended that you do your own orb
ital prediction or start listening about 10 minutes before the listed time.
The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ar
iss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html<https://gridmaster.fr>
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 f
or the above information]
________________________________
Upcoming Satellite Operations
>From Jonathan N4AKV: Next week I am hoping to head to a few of the FM grids
, namely FM05, 06, 15, 16, 25, and 26. Plans and dates not finalized yet bu
t will post here and on http://hams.at as usual when I figure them out. Hop
efully GC will remain active.
A growing number of satellite rovers are currently engaged in sharing their
grid square activations on https://hams.at. By visiting the website, you g
ain easy access to comprehensive information about the operators responsibl
e for activating specific grid squares. Additionally, you have the ability
to assess the match score between yourself and a particular rover for a giv
en pass, while also being able to identify the upcoming satellite passes th
at are accessible from your location.
[ANS thanks Ian Parsons, K5ZM, AMSAT Rover Page Manager, for the above info
rmation]
________________________________
Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events
AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through
amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests,
conventions, maker faires, and other events.
40th Anniversary Celebration of the Positive Impact of Amateur Radio on Hum
an Spaceflight
Thursday February 22nd through Saturday February 24th, 2024
Center for Space Education: Astronauts Memorial Foundation
Kennedy Space Center, M6-306 405 State Road, FL 32899
https://www.ariss.org/overview.html
2024 CubeSat Developer's Workshop
April 23-25, 2024
San Luis Obispo, CA
https://www.cubesatdw.org/
Dayton Hamvention 2024
Friday May 17th through Sunday May 19th, 2024
Greene County Fairgrounds and Expo Center
120 Fairground Road
Xenia, OH 45385
https://hamvention.org
AMSAT Ambassador Clint Bradford, K6LCS, says,
Had a marvelous time last night with the South Pasadena (CA) ARC. BUT -
I might have to "tighten up" my trivia questions throughout: They knew the
answers IMMEDIATELY to all of them!!!
Twenty-one members joined via Zoom. The rainstorms here made Zoom-ing the
best-available option for the show.
Next up: Bellingham WA, Orange County CA, and Brea CA!
Think a lively and informative 75-minute presentation on "working the easy
satellites" would be appropriate for your event or club? Just let us know!
Clint Bradford K6LCS
cl...@k6lcs.org<mailto:cl...@k6lcs.org>
909-999-SATS (7287)
[ANS thanks the AMSAT Events page for the above information]
________________________________
Want to fly the colors on your own grid expedition?
Get an AMSAT car flag and other neat stuff from our Zazzle store<https://ww
w.zazzle.com/store/amsat_gear>!
25% of the purchase price of each product goes towards Keeping Amateur Radi
o in Space
[https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/AMSAT-Car-Flag-
252x300.png]
________________________________
Satellite Shorts From All Over
+ The SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft Freedom successfully concluded its thre
e-week private astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS) b
y splashing down off the Florida coast on February 9th. Commanded by former
NASA astronaut Michael López-Alegría, KE5GTK, the Ax-3 mission lifted
off on January 18 and included pilot Walter Villadei, IUØRWB, along with
mission specialists Alper Gezeravcý, KJ5DIY, and Marcus Wandt, KJ5COO, wh
o represented the European Space Agency. Despite a nearly week-long extensi
on due to poor weather, the spacecraft's reentry and descent went according
to plan, marking Axiom Space's third private astronaut mission to the ISS.
This mission served as a precursor to Axiom's installation of commercial m
odules on the ISS, which will form the basis of a future standalone space s
tation. Additionally, SpaceX announced plans for five or six crewed mission
s in 2024, including Ax-4 and NASA's Crew-8 and Crew-9 missions, while the
Polaris Dawn mission, led by billionaire Jared Isaacman, is expected to lau
nch in the summer for a historic Crew Dragon spacewalk. (ANS thanks Jeff Fo
ust, SpaceNews, for the above information)
+ NASA's PACE satellite, aimed at studying ocean health, air quality, and c
limate change effects, was successfully launched into orbit at 1:33 a.m. ES
T on February 8th aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space
Force Station in Florida. Signal acquisition was confirmed five minutes po
st-launch, with the satellite performing as anticipated. With instruments t
o study microscopic life in oceans and particles in the atmosphere, PACE ai
ms to uncover crucial factors affecting global warming, aligning with the B
iden-Harris Administration's climate agenda. The satellite's capabilities i
nclude tracking phytoplankton distribution globally and monitoring atmosphe
ric aerosols and cloud properties. PACE's data will significantly advance u
nderstanding of the Earth system, particularly in relation to climate chang
e impacts on oceans and phytoplankton dynamics, offering valuable insights
for coastal communities and industries. (ANS thanks NASA for the above info
rmation)
+ NASA is preparing for the launch of Intuitive Machines' first lunar lande
r, Nova-C, as part of the CLPS initiative and Artemis campaign. The launch
is scheduled for no earlier than 12:57 a.m. on February 14 from Kennedy Spa
ce Center in Florida. The Nova-C lander is expected to land on the Moon on
February 22, carrying NASA science and technology instruments for various p
urposes. Live launch coverage will be available on NASA+, NASA Television,
the NASA app, and the agency's website, starting from February 12. The payl
oad includes instruments focusing on plume-surface interactions, space weat
her/lunar surface interactions, radio astronomy, precision landing technolo
gies, and communication/navigation for autonomous navigation technologies.
NASA's virtual guest program allows the public to attend the launch virtual
ly, and social media engagement is encouraged with the hashtag #Artemis. Th
e CLPS initiative aims to deliver science and technology to the lunar surfa
ce through partnerships with U.S. companies, with a cumulative maximum cont
ract value of $2.6 billion through 2028. (ANS thanks NASA for the above inf
ormation)
+ Virgin Galactic has temporarily halted its operations after a small part,
an alignment pin, unintentionally detached from the mothership of its rock
et-powered space plane during the Galactic 06 space tourism flight on Janua
ry 26. The company assured that the part's loss did not compromise the miss
ion's safety. The alignment pin is crucial for pre-flight procedures, ensur
ing the spaceship aligns with the mothership. Virgin Galactic discovered th
e issue during routine checks and promptly notified government regulators o
n January 31. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will conduct a mish
ap investigation, requiring Virgin Galactic's final report and corrective a
ctions approval before resuming flights. The alignment pin's absence did no
t affect the safety of the successful Galactic 06 mission, and the company
plans to provide further updates after the FAA review for the upcoming Gala
ctic 07 mission in the second quarter of 2024. (ANS thanks Jackie Wattles,
CNN, for the above information)
+ Ongoing efforts persist in the bid to resolve the critical computer glitc
h affecting NASA's Voyager 1, the most distant human-made object in space,
which has disrupted telemetry data transmission since November 14. The glit
ch, impacting the Flight Data Subsystem (FDS) developed five decades ago, h
as prevented access to vital information regarding the spacecraft's propuls
ion, power, and control systems. Suzanne Dodd, the Voyager project manager,
acknowledges the severity of the situation, emphasizing the urgency of add
ressing the issue due to Voyager 1's age and declining nuclear battery powe
r. A dedicated team of experts is actively crafting a plan to transmit comm
ands aimed at isolating and potentially correcting the corrupted FDS memory
. The unique challenge lies in the absence of simulators for testing comman
ds, making decision-making a complex process requiring a delicate balance b
etween thorough analysis and prompt action. Despite the intricate troublesh
ooting process, NASA remains resolute in its commitment to resolving the is
sue and ensuring the continued success of the historic Voyager 1 mission. (
ANS thanks Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 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-
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l be eligible for the student rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years
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* Memberships are available for annual and lifetime terms.
Contact info [at] amsat.org<http://amsat.org> for additional membership inf
ormation.
73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space!
This week's ANS Editor, Mitch Ahrenstorff, ADØHJ
ad0hj [at] amsat.org<http://amsat.org>
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ANS-042
In this edition:
* ESA Satellite Communications Group Explores Future Amateur Satellite Payl
oad
* GreenCube IO-117 Continues Operations Beyond Expected February 5th Passiv
ation
* JS1YMG: Decoding the First Moon-Based Ham Radio Station's Telemetry Signa
ls
* GridMasterMap Satellite Top 100 Rovers February 2024 Rankings
* Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for February 9, 2024
* ARISS News
* Upcoming Satellite Operations
* Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events
* Satellite Shorts From All Over
The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and information se
rvice 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 digita
l Amateur Radio satellites.
The news feed on https://www.amsat.org publishes news of Amateur Radio in S
pace as soon as our volunteers can post it.
Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor [at] amsat
.org<http://amsat.org>
You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletin
s via the ANS List; to join this list see: https://mailman.amsat.org/postor
ius/lists/ans.amsat.org
ANS-042 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
To: All RADIO AMATEURS
>From: Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation
712 H Street NE, Suite 1653
Washington, DC 20002
DATE 2024 Feb 11
________________________________
ESA Satellite Communications Group Explores Future Amateur Satellite Payloa
d
Frank Zeppenfeldt, PDØAP, representing the European Space Agency (ESA), p
rovided key insights during a presentation on February 4th at the FOSDEM 20
24 conference held in Brussels, Belgium. The discussion centered around ESA
's initiative to collaborate with the amateur satellite community in defini
ng a prospective payload for Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) or Geostationary Orbi
t (GEO). The ESA's involvement aims to build upon the success of the QO-100
payload in geostationary orbit, fostering innovation and technological adv
ancements.
During the FOSDEM conference, the ESA Satellite Communications Group outlin
ed preliminary ideas, stressing the significance of engaging with the Softw
are-Defined Radio (SDR) community. The primary objectives include consolida
ting requirements, exploring diverse payload options, addressing user segme
nts, and thoroughly examining financing, procurement, and operational scena
rios for a potential MEO/GEO amateur payload.
The project's scope encompasses the consideration of various payload option
s and trade-offs, encompassing aspects such as frequency bands, analog or d
igital transmission, on-board SDR/Linux/GPU-box configurations, potential a
pplications, technical risks, inter-satellite links, geographical coverage,
degree of centralization, and educational components.
[cid:image0...@01DA5B8E.5A386560]<https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-con
tent/uploads/2024/02/Support_for_MEO_GEO_Payload_FOSDEM_Feb_2024.jpg>
Proposed Planning for ESA MEO/GEO Amateur Payload. [Credit: Frank Zeppenfel
dt, ESA Satellite Communications Group]
To ensure a comprehensive and well-informed approach, the ESA plans to acti
vely involve the amateur community. This engagement seeks to gather valuabl
e input on lessons learned from the QO-100 experience, amateur requirements
and interests, as well as suggestions for payload options. The consultatio
n process extends to reaching out to AMSAT and other relevant groups, along
side dialogues with satellite operators, primes, and various stakeholders.
Looking ahead, the ESA has outlined a timeline for the project. In March 20
24, the agency intends to solicit input from the amateur satellite communit
y and other stakeholders, guided by valuable insights from the AMSAT commun
ity. By May 2024, detailed payload options will be presented for discussion
at the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) in the Nether
lands, with the support of technical expertise.
More information from this presentation including the ten page Slide Deck c
an be found https://fosdem.org/2024/schedule/event/fosdem-2024-2084-design-
of-a-follow-up-qo-100-payload-/.
The culmination of this extensive process is expected in September 2024 at
the World Satellite Business Week, where dedicated discussions with satelli
te operators will be organized. The ESA envisions proposing a selection of
payload options at a subsequent FOSDEM conference in 2025, further demonstr
ating the collaborative commitment of ESA and the amateur satellite communi
ty to propel advancements in satellite communications and explore innovativ
e possibilities for future amateur satellite payloads in both GEO and MEO o
rbits.
[ANS thanks Frank Zeppenfeldt, PDØAP, ESA Satellite Communications Group,
for the above information]
________________________________
GreenCube IO-117 Continues Operations Beyond Expected February 5th Passivat
ion
GreenCube IO-117 satellite continues to function beyond the initially sched
uled shutdown of the amateur radio digipeater on February 5, 2024, at 0000
UTC. There have been no recent developments regarding the fate of this wide
ly-used satellite since AMSAT Italia's announcement on February 2nd that th
e Italian Space Agency is considering revisiting the decision to decommissi
on it. Originally designed for scientific purposes and placed in MEO orbit,
GreenCube satellite has successfully completed its primary mission. The "S
ave the GreenCube Satellite Digipeater" petition initiated by Peter Goodhal
l, 2MØSQL, has gained significant traction, garnering over 2,000 signatur
es to date. The petition, accessible at https://www.change.org/p/save-the-g
reencube-satellite-digipeater, remains open for further support.
[cid:image0...@01DA5B8E.5A386560]<https://www.change.org/p/save-the-gree
ncube-satellite-digipeater>
Save the GreenCube Satellite Digipeater petition continues to gather signat
ures. [Credit: Change.org]
The support from the amateur radio satellite community for the GreenCube IO
-117 digipeater has been exceptionally robust. Carsten Groen, OZ9AAR, has i
ntroduced significant enhancements to his GreenCube Terminal in the latest
Version 1.0.0.88, which can be accessed at https://moonbounce.dk/hamradio/g
reencube-terminal-program.html. Notable improvements encompass SatNOGS Inte
gration, GPS Integration, "AMSAT Sheriff" Wyatt, and Live World View. The O
scarwatch GreenCube Reporter map, developed by Peter Goodhall, 2MØSQL, is
available at https://oscarwatch.org/greencube, serving as a valuable resou
rce for monitoring real-time activity on GreenCube. The recent success of t
he TX5S Clipperton Island DXpedition, which made numerous GreenCube digipea
ter contacts, can be attributed to these enhancements and the collaboration
of operators adhering to the recently released IO-117 Code Of Conduct reco
mmendations.
To get a comprehensive view of the considerable amateur radio activity on t
he GreenCube digipeater, you can explore the GreenCube IO-117 Users Map cur
ated by Doug Papay, K8DP, accessible at https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewe
r?midÿ7O-rWll2QHFTjbBa4ThmZ3AG9ls8Io. According to the latest update, G
reenCube has facilitated digipeating for 1,576 unique callsigns and 999 uni
que grids. This encompasses digipeats from 121 DXCC entities, all 50 US sta
tes, all 47 JA prefectures, and 36 out of 40 CQ Zones. Since its launch in
July 2022, 846 ground stations have contributed over 3.4 million telemetry
and 6.2 million digipeater frames to the SatNOGS database. The top five con
tributors to the database, in terms of total submissions, are Doug Papay, K
8DP, with 1.1M submissions; Dave Webb, KB1PVH, with 734k submissions; Dave
Fisher, KGØD, with 576k submissions; Shige Nasu, JH8FIH, with 507k submis
sions; and Jacob Mol III, N8JCM, with 498k submissions.
[cid:image0...@01DA5B8E.5A386560]<https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?m
idÿ7O-rWll2QHFTjbBa4ThmZ3AG9ls8Io&ll>
GreenCube IO-117 Users Map [Credit: Doug Papay, K8DP]
GreenCube IO-117 exemplifies the strong backing the amateur radio satellite
community extends to satellite missions incorporating telemetry data along
side communication opportunities for radio amateurs. The forthcoming challe
nge for satellite missions lies in soliciting input from the amateur radio
satellite community and ensuring tools are available prior to launch. Lever
aging its unique orbit and capabilities, GreenCube has enabled many to atta
in challenging awards on satellites, such as ARRL DXCC, ARRL Worked All Sta
tes (WAS), and the JARL Worked All Japan Prefectures Award (WAJA). AMSAT, a
longside thousands of amateur radio operators, remains steadfast in their s
upport for the GreenCube mission, with hopes for its sustained success in t
he future.
[ANS thanks Doug Papay, K8DP, Peter Goodhall, 2MØSQL, and Carsten Groen,
OZ9AAR for the above information]
________________________________
The 2024 Coins Are Here Now!
Help Support GOLF and Fox Plus.
Join<https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/> the AMSAT Presi
dent's Club today!
[https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2024-Coin-Both_
586-300x148.jpg]<https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/2024-
coin-both_586/#main>
________________________________
JS1YMG: Decoding the First Moon-Based Ham Radio Station's Telemetry Signals
JQ1ZVI (JAXA Ham Radio Club, JHRC) recently obtained a radio station licens
e from Japan for the lunar rover LEV-1, designated JS1YMG, marking a histor
ic moment as the first amateur radio station on the moon. This milestone ac
hievement follows Japan's SLIM lunar mission, which saw the deployment of t
wo lunar excursion vehicles, LEV-1 and LEV-2.
LEV-1, designed for hopping mobility, features direct-to-Earth communicatio
n capabilities via UHF band antennas from the MINERVA and OMOTENASHI projec
ts. Equipped with two wide-angle visible light cameras, LEV-1 conducts luna
r exploration while carrying essential science payloads, including a thermo
meter, radiation monitor, and inclinometer, providing valuable insights int
o lunar conditions and terrain. It actively receives data from its companio
n rover LEV-2, and this information is transmitted to Earth using its 1 Wat
t UHF circular polarization antenna, employing Morse code on a IARU coordin
ated frequency of 437.410 MHz.
[cid:image0...@01DA5B8E.5A386560]<https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-con
tent/uploads/2024/02/JAXA_SLIM_LEV1_LEV2_Lunar_Rovers.jpg>
<https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/JAXA_SLIM_LEV1_
LEV2_Lunar_Rovers.jpg>JAXA's SLIM mission delivered probes, LEV-1 and LEV-2
, to the lunar surface. [Credit: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency]
Decoding efforts by Daniel Estévez, EA4GPZ, and others have shed light on
the telemetry data transmitted by LEV-1. Utilizing captures from the 25-me
ter radio telescope at Dwingeloo in the Netherlands, Estévez identified t
he telemetry format as PCM/PSK/PM with a symbol rate of 64 baud and a 2048
kHz subcarrier. The residual carrier is modulated in amplitude with Morse c
ode, introducing an unusual element to the signal. Despite challenges posed
by amplitude shift keying in the signal, a phase-locked loop (PLL) has pro
ven effective in tracking the phase of the residual carrier.
Estévez's decoding journey involved unraveling the CCSDS coding, a task t
hat posed initial challenges. While the IARU coordination sheet hinted at b
itrates and coding specifics, the signal's unique characteristics required
a thorough investigation. The BCJR decoder, a tool used successfully in pre
vious decoding efforts, validated the presence of convolutional coding. The
output provided log-likelihood ratios, offering confidence in the correctn
ess of the convolutional code. Further investigations led to the identifica
tion of the syncword 0xFAF320, a crucial element in understanding the struc
ture of the transmitted frames.
[cid:image0...@01DA5B8E.5A386560]<https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-con
tent/uploads/2024/02/LEV-1_Demodulator_GUI_Daniel_Estevez.jpg>
<https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/LEV-1_Demodulat
or_GUI_Daniel_Estevez.jpg>GNU Radio LEV-1 Demodulator GUI displaying Residu
al Carrier Amplitude from LEV-1 [Credit: Daniel Estevez, EA4GPZ]
One intriguing aspect of the decoded data is the Morse code modulating the
residual carrier in amplitude. Despite initial confusion caused by an inver
ted amplitude representation, subsequent analysis revealed recognizable Mor
se code sequences. The meaning behind these Morse code transmissions remain
s a mystery, inviting collaboration from the broader radio amateur communit
y and the LEV-1 team. As decoding efforts continue, the telemetry data's co
ntents remain unknown, emphasizing the need for more documentation from the
LEV-1 team. The spacecraft's utilization of the amateur satellite service
and its completion of the IARU coordination process suggest that technical
documentation may become publicly available in the future.
More details on the ongoing efforts to decode LEV-1's amateur radio transmi
ssions can be found at Daniel Estévez's website at https://destevez.net/2
024/01/trying-to-decode-lev-1/.
This achievement in establishing the first amateur radio station on the Moo
n opens up new possibilities for lunar communications and amateur radio ent
husiasts worldwide. The collaborative efforts of radio amateurs contribute
significantly pave the way for future advancements in space communication t
echnologies.
[ANS thanks Daniel Estévez, EA4GPZ, and Hackaday for the above informatio
n]
________________________________
GridMasterMap Satellite Top 100 Rovers February 2024 Rankings
The February 2024 rankings for the Top 100 Rovers (Mixed LEO/MEO/GEO) in sa
tellite operations, as determined by @GridMasterMap<https://twitter.com/Gri
dMasterMap> on Twitter, has been released. The ranking is determined by the
number of grids and DXCC entities activated, taking into account only thos
e grids where a minimum number of QSOs logged on the gridmaster.fr<http://g
ridmaster.fr> website have been validated by a third party. Grid numbers do
not directly reflect the exact number of activations. Satellite operators
are encouraged to upload their LoTW satellite contacts to https://gridmaste
r.fr in order to provide more accurate data.
Updated: 2024-02-07
1
ND9M
26
K8BL
51
F4DXV
76
DF2ET
2
NJ7H
27
KE4AL
52
KE9AJ
77
WA9JBQ
3
N5UC
28
LU5ILA
53
JL3RNZ
78
W8LR
4
JA9KRO
29
DL2GRC
54
KM4LAO
79
OE3SEU
5
DL6AP
30
KI7UNJ
55
VE1CWJ
80
VE3GOP
6
WI7P
31
VE3HLS
56
PA3GAN
81
KJ7NDY
7
UT1FG
32
KB5FHK
57
VK5DG
82
KB2YSI
8
HA3FOK
33
LA9XGA
58
N4UFO
83
K0FFY
9
N9IP
34
N7AGF
59
KI7QEK
84
CU2ZG
10
N6UA
35
F4BKV
60
SM3NRY
85
N0TEL
11
WY7AA
36
XE3DX
61
N8RO
86
DL4EA
12
K5ZM
37
N6DNM
62
PT2AP
87
W8MTB
13
AD0DX
38
KE0PBR
63
W1AW
88
KG4AKV
14
W5PFG
39
KE0WPA
64
VA7LM
89
VE6WK
15
DP0POL
40
JO2ASQ
65
XE1ET
90
VE7PTN
16
AK8CW
41
PR8KW
66
AA8CH
91
HB9GWJ
17
AD0HJ
42
AC0RA
67
M1DDD
92
AF5CC
18
WD9EWK
43
K7TAB
68
VA3VGR
93
DK9JC
19
ON4AUC
44
W7WGC
69
VE1VOX
94
PT9ST
20
KG5CCI
45
EB1AO
70
FG8OJ
95
JM1CAX
21
KX9X
46
JK2XXK
71
PT9BM
96
KI0KB
22
ND0C
47
EA4NF
72
KI7UXT
97
VO2AC
23
N5BO
48
AA5PK
73
LU4JVE
98
LW2DAF
24
F5VMJ
49
SP5XSD
74
YU0W
99
N4AKV
25
DJ8MS
50
AD7DB
75
N4DCW
100
N6UTC
[ANS thanks @GridMasterMap for the above information]
________________________________
Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for February 9, 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 u
pdates are completely adequate for most amateur satellites. Elements in the
TLE bulletin files are updated daily. TLE bulletin files are updated to ad
d or remove satellites as necessary Thursday evenings around 2300 UTC, or m
ore frequently if new high interest satellites are launched. More informati
on may be found at https://www.amsat.org/keplerian-elements-resources.
AO-92 NORAD Cat ID 43137 Decayed from orbit on or about 02 February 2024
NO-116 NORAD Cat ID 51031 Decayed from orbit on or about 04 February 2024
Editor's Note: Thanks AO-92 for all the contacts, memories, and friends tha
t you provided us! Miss you Veronica :(
[ANS thanks AMSAT Orbital Elements page for the above information]
________________________________
Need new satellite antennas?
Purchase an M2 LEO-Pack from the AMSAT Store!<https://amsat.org/product-cat
egory/hardware/>
When you purchase through AMSAT, a portion of the proceeds goes towards Kee
ping Amateur Radio in Space.
[https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/cm/LEO-Pack1-300x298.pn
g]
________________________________
ARISS NEWS
Amateurs and others around the world may listen in on contacts between amat
eurs operating in schools and allowing students to interact with astronauts
and cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station. The downlink freque
ncy on which to listen is 145.800 MHz worldwide.
+ Recently Completed
Lilburn Elementary School, Lilburn, GA, direct via K4RGK
The ISS callsign was NA1SS
The crewmember was Jasmin Moghbeli KI5WSL
The ARISS mentor was K4RGK
Contact was successful: Wed 2024-02-07 14:24:10 UTC
Congratulations to the Lilburn Elementary School students, Jasmin, and ment
or K4RGK!
Watch the event here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?vÿwg2rof0LA
School of Telecommunications Engineering, ETSIT Valencia (Universitat Polit
ecnica de Valencia), Valencia, Spain, direct via EA5RKP
The ISS callsign was OR4ISS
The crewmember was Loral O'Hara KI5TOM
The ARISS mentor was IKØUSO
Contact was successful: Fri 2024-02-09 08:12:46 UTC
Congratulations to the ETSIT Valencia students, Loral, and mentor EA5RKP!
Watch for Livestream at https://www.youtube.com/watch?vÿMdKcM2Fw8
+ Upcoming Contacts
School TBD, Russia, direct via TBD
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS
The scheduled crewmember is Nikolay Chub
The ARISS mentor is RV3DR
Contact is go for 2024-02-15 08:20 UTC
B. Russell High School, Rome, Italy, direct via IKØUSO)
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS
The scheduled crewmember is Jasmin Moghbeli KI5WSL
The ARISS mentor is IKØWGF
Contact is go for: Thu 2024-02-15 11:32:10 UTC
Baltic Federal University. I. Kanta, Kaliningrad, Russia, direct via TBD
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS
The scheduled crewmember is Konstantin Borisov
The ARISS mentor is RV3DR
Contact is go for Fri 2024-02-16 09:10 UTC
The Service Module radio is temporarily stowed.
As always, if there is an EVA, a docking, or an undocking; the ARISS radios
are turned off as part of the safety protocol.
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 pi
ck up the microphone, raise the volume up, and talk on the crossband repeat
er. So give a listen, you just never know.
Note, all times are approximate. It is recommended that you do your own orb
ital prediction or start listening about 10 minutes before the listed time.
The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ar
iss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html<https://gridmaster.fr>
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 f
or the above information]
________________________________
Upcoming Satellite Operations
>From Jonathan N4AKV: Next week I am hoping to head to a few of the FM grids
, namely FM05, 06, 15, 16, 25, and 26. Plans and dates not finalized yet bu
t will post here and on http://hams.at as usual when I figure them out. Hop
efully GC will remain active.
A growing number of satellite rovers are currently engaged in sharing their
grid square activations on https://hams.at. By visiting the website, you g
ain easy access to comprehensive information about the operators responsibl
e for activating specific grid squares. Additionally, you have the ability
to assess the match score between yourself and a particular rover for a giv
en pass, while also being able to identify the upcoming satellite passes th
at are accessible from your location.
[ANS thanks Ian Parsons, K5ZM, AMSAT Rover Page Manager, for the above info
rmation]
________________________________
Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events
AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through
amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests,
conventions, maker faires, and other events.
40th Anniversary Celebration of the Positive Impact of Amateur Radio on Hum
an Spaceflight
Thursday February 22nd through Saturday February 24th, 2024
Center for Space Education: Astronauts Memorial Foundation
Kennedy Space Center, M6-306 405 State Road, FL 32899
https://www.ariss.org/overview.html
2024 CubeSat Developer's Workshop
April 23-25, 2024
San Luis Obispo, CA
https://www.cubesatdw.org/
Dayton Hamvention 2024
Friday May 17th through Sunday May 19th, 2024
Greene County Fairgrounds and Expo Center
120 Fairground Road
Xenia, OH 45385
https://hamvention.org
AMSAT Ambassador Clint Bradford, K6LCS, says,
Had a marvelous time last night with the South Pasadena (CA) ARC. BUT -
I might have to "tighten up" my trivia questions throughout: They knew the
answers IMMEDIATELY to all of them!!!
Twenty-one members joined via Zoom. The rainstorms here made Zoom-ing the
best-available option for the show.
Next up: Bellingham WA, Orange County CA, and Brea CA!
Think a lively and informative 75-minute presentation on "working the easy
satellites" would be appropriate for your event or club? Just let us know!
Clint Bradford K6LCS
cl...@k6lcs.org<mailto:cl...@k6lcs.org>
909-999-SATS (7287)
[ANS thanks the AMSAT Events page for the above information]
________________________________
Want to fly the colors on your own grid expedition?
Get an AMSAT car flag and other neat stuff from our Zazzle store<https://ww
w.zazzle.com/store/amsat_gear>!
25% of the purchase price of each product goes towards Keeping Amateur Radi
o in Space
[https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/AMSAT-Car-Flag-
252x300.png]
________________________________
Satellite Shorts From All Over
+ The SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft Freedom successfully concluded its thre
e-week private astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS) b
y splashing down off the Florida coast on February 9th. Commanded by former
NASA astronaut Michael López-Alegría, KE5GTK, the Ax-3 mission lifted
off on January 18 and included pilot Walter Villadei, IUØRWB, along with
mission specialists Alper Gezeravcý, KJ5DIY, and Marcus Wandt, KJ5COO, wh
o represented the European Space Agency. Despite a nearly week-long extensi
on due to poor weather, the spacecraft's reentry and descent went according
to plan, marking Axiom Space's third private astronaut mission to the ISS.
This mission served as a precursor to Axiom's installation of commercial m
odules on the ISS, which will form the basis of a future standalone space s
tation. Additionally, SpaceX announced plans for five or six crewed mission
s in 2024, including Ax-4 and NASA's Crew-8 and Crew-9 missions, while the
Polaris Dawn mission, led by billionaire Jared Isaacman, is expected to lau
nch in the summer for a historic Crew Dragon spacewalk. (ANS thanks Jeff Fo
ust, SpaceNews, for the above information)
+ NASA's PACE satellite, aimed at studying ocean health, air quality, and c
limate change effects, was successfully launched into orbit at 1:33 a.m. ES
T on February 8th aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space
Force Station in Florida. Signal acquisition was confirmed five minutes po
st-launch, with the satellite performing as anticipated. With instruments t
o study microscopic life in oceans and particles in the atmosphere, PACE ai
ms to uncover crucial factors affecting global warming, aligning with the B
iden-Harris Administration's climate agenda. The satellite's capabilities i
nclude tracking phytoplankton distribution globally and monitoring atmosphe
ric aerosols and cloud properties. PACE's data will significantly advance u
nderstanding of the Earth system, particularly in relation to climate chang
e impacts on oceans and phytoplankton dynamics, offering valuable insights
for coastal communities and industries. (ANS thanks NASA for the above info
rmation)
+ NASA is preparing for the launch of Intuitive Machines' first lunar lande
r, Nova-C, as part of the CLPS initiative and Artemis campaign. The launch
is scheduled for no earlier than 12:57 a.m. on February 14 from Kennedy Spa
ce Center in Florida. The Nova-C lander is expected to land on the Moon on
February 22, carrying NASA science and technology instruments for various p
urposes. Live launch coverage will be available on NASA+, NASA Television,
the NASA app, and the agency's website, starting from February 12. The payl
oad includes instruments focusing on plume-surface interactions, space weat
her/lunar surface interactions, radio astronomy, precision landing technolo
gies, and communication/navigation for autonomous navigation technologies.
NASA's virtual guest program allows the public to attend the launch virtual
ly, and social media engagement is encouraged with the hashtag #Artemis. Th
e CLPS initiative aims to deliver science and technology to the lunar surfa
ce through partnerships with U.S. companies, with a cumulative maximum cont
ract value of $2.6 billion through 2028. (ANS thanks NASA for the above inf
ormation)
+ Virgin Galactic has temporarily halted its operations after a small part,
an alignment pin, unintentionally detached from the mothership of its rock
et-powered space plane during the Galactic 06 space tourism flight on Janua
ry 26. The company assured that the part's loss did not compromise the miss
ion's safety. The alignment pin is crucial for pre-flight procedures, ensur
ing the spaceship aligns with the mothership. Virgin Galactic discovered th
e issue during routine checks and promptly notified government regulators o
n January 31. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will conduct a mish
ap investigation, requiring Virgin Galactic's final report and corrective a
ctions approval before resuming flights. The alignment pin's absence did no
t affect the safety of the successful Galactic 06 mission, and the company
plans to provide further updates after the FAA review for the upcoming Gala
ctic 07 mission in the second quarter of 2024. (ANS thanks Jackie Wattles,
CNN, for the above information)
+ Ongoing efforts persist in the bid to resolve the critical computer glitc
h affecting NASA's Voyager 1, the most distant human-made object in space,
which has disrupted telemetry data transmission since November 14. The glit
ch, impacting the Flight Data Subsystem (FDS) developed five decades ago, h
as prevented access to vital information regarding the spacecraft's propuls
ion, power, and control systems. Suzanne Dodd, the Voyager project manager,
acknowledges the severity of the situation, emphasizing the urgency of add
ressing the issue due to Voyager 1's age and declining nuclear battery powe
r. A dedicated team of experts is actively crafting a plan to transmit comm
ands aimed at isolating and potentially correcting the corrupted FDS memory
. The unique challenge lies in the absence of simulators for testing comman
ds, making decision-making a complex process requiring a delicate balance b
etween thorough analysis and prompt action. Despite the intricate troublesh
ooting process, NASA remains resolute in its commitment to resolving the is
sue and ensuring the continued success of the historic Voyager 1 mission. (
ANS thanks Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, for the above information)
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73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space!
This week's ANS Editor, Mitch Ahrenstorff, ADØHJ
ad0hj [at] amsat.org<http://amsat.org>
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