Category Archives: AMSAT

SSO-A mission’s free flyers separating from upper stage of SpaceX’s Falcon-9 rocket – credit Spaceflight

The solar sails on the SSO-A mission “Free Flyer” deployers, launched December 3, 2018 with many amateur radio satellites, are believed to have deployed and may now be quite bright to the naked eye.

Ben Taylor writes:

I represent a team from the University of Surrey in the UK; we have been developing and flying drag de-orbit sails with our first successful demonstration on our InflateSail mission in 2017.

Two dragsail systems were installed on the “Free Flyer” deployers used on the SSO-A launch from December 3, 2018 https://directory.eoportal.org/web/eoportal/satellite-missions/content/-/article/sso-a

The free flyers separated from the launch vehicle and in turn deployed multiple satellites each including Microsats and CubeSats over the course of several hours. The Upper Free Flyer (NORAD ID: 43763) is a large structure at approximately 1,000kg and the Lower Free Flyer is approximately 260kg (NORAD ID: 43760). Each Free Flyer hosts one of our 16m2 aluminised kapton sail which was set to deploy 24 hours after launch.

The systems were standalone isolated systems with no communications so we don’t have any telemetry confirmation. Drag parameters from the TLEs are indicative of a successful deployment, but far from definitive. We’re therefore waiting for them to become optically visible in northern latitudes in the next couple of weeks. Based on the experience with our InflateSail mission, we’d expect these objects to be quite bright to the naked eye if the sails have deployed successfully. InflateSail was 10m2 and (initially) transparent with a +4.2 mag, whereas these sails are 16m2 and metalised so could well flare brightly.

Any observations that could be made by the community of either of these objects would be greatly appreciated and they should make for interesting targets.

We are also the team leading the RemoveDebris mission (NORAD ID: 43510) launched from the ISS last year
https://www.surrey.ac.uk/surrey-space-centre/missions/removedebris

We have a 9m^2 dragsail installed on this mission too which is planned for deployment next month. Similarly, this should make quite a big change to the brightness of the satellite which could make for some interesting observations.

Best Regards,
Ben Taylor,
Guildford, Surrey, UK

Seesat-l mailing list http://mailman.satobs.org/mailman/listinfo/seesat-l

Track of Upper Free Flyer https://n2yo.com/?s=43763&df=1&live=1

Track of Lower Free Flyer https://n2yo.com/?s=43760&df=1&live=1

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NOTA ISS SSTV image received in Elgin by Peter Goodhall 2M0SQL February 10, 2019

ARISS is planning another of their popular Slow Scan Television (SSTV) experiment events. Transmissions on 145.800 MHz FM are scheduled to begin Friday, Feb. 15 at 08:45 UT and run through Sunday, Feb. 17 at 17:25 UT.

SSTV operations is a process by which images are sent from the International Space Station (ISS) via ham radio and received by ham operators, shortwave listeners and other radio enthusiasts on Earth, similar to pictures shared on cell phones using twitter or instagram.

When this event becomes active, SSTV images will be transmitted from the ISS at the frequency of 145.800 MHz using the SSTV mode of PD120 and can be received using ham radio equipment as simple as a 2 meter handheld radio or a common shortwave or scanner receiver the covers the 2 meter ham band. After connecting the audio output of the radio receiver to the audio input of a computer running free software such as MMSSTV, the SSTV images can be displayed.

Transmissions will consist of eight NASA On The Air (NOTA) images (see https://nasaontheair.wordpress.com/). In additional, four ARISS commemorative images will also be included.

Once received, Images can be posted and viewed by the public at http://www.spaceflightsoftware.com/ARISS_SSTV/index.php . In addition, you can receive a special SSTV ARISS Award for posting your image. Once the event begins, see details at https://ariss.pzk.org.pl/sstv/ .

Please note that the event is dependent on other activities, schedules and crew responsibilities on the ISS and are subject to change at any time. Please check for news and the most current information on the ARISS Twitter feed @ARISS_status or the AMSAT Bulletin Board

The SSTV images will be transmitted in PD-120 on 145.800 MHz FM using the Kenwood TM-D710 transceiver located in the Russian ISS Service module.

Note the ISS transmissions use the 5 kHz deviation FM standard rather than the narrow 2.5 kHz used in Europe. If your transceiver has selectable FM filters try using the wider filter. Handheld transceivers generally have a single wide filter fitted as standard and you should get good results outdoors using just a 1/4 wave whip antenna.

ISS SSTV links for tracking and decoding Apps https://amsat-uk.org/beginners/iss-sstv/

You can receive the SSTV transmissions by using an Online Radio (WebSDR) and the MMSSTV software:
• Listen to the ISS when it is in range of London with the SUWS WebSDR http://farnham-sdr.com/
• Listen to the ISS when it is over Russia with the R4UAB WebSDR http://websdr.r4uab.ru/

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Snehal Vagadia VU3WHO Receiving SSTV Image

14-year-old Snehal Vagadia VU3WHO successfully received his first Slow Scan TV image from the International Space Station on Sunday, February 10.

VU3WHO ARISS SSTV Award

Snehal Vagadia VU3WHO (14), an 8th grade student of Saint Paul School, Rajkot, India, received the SSTV Image on February 10, 2019 at 5:33 AM UTC (11:03 AM IST).

It was good ISS pass with 56 deg elevation, strong signal were received using a 3 element Yagi and VHF HT tuned to 145.800 MHz. SSTV audio was recorded on a smartphone and later decoded with MMSSTV.

He got amateur radio licence at the age of 13 years and learnt ham activities from his father Rajesh Vagadia VU2EXP (Regional Coordinator, West India Zone, AMSAT-INDIA).

Watch the video clip

ARISS / NASA On The Air ISS (NOTA) Slow Scan TV Event February 8-10, 2019
https://amsat-uk.org/2019/02/03/ariss-nota-iss-sstv/

ISS Slow Scan TV (SSTV) hints and links https://amsat-uk.org/beginners/iss-sstv/

ISS SSTV Image Received by Snehal Vagadia VU3WHO

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The BATC and AMSAT-UK 10 GHz Narrowband WebSDR and Wideband Spectrum Viewer for the amateur transponders on the Es’hail-2 / QO-100 geostationary satellite are now available online.

Es’hail-2 / QO-100 coverage from 25.9° East

Qatar OSCAR-100 is the first geostationary amateur radio transponder, a joint project between the Qatar Satellite Company (Es’hailSat), the Qatar Amateur Radio Society (QARS), and AMSAT Deutschland (AMSAT-DL) which provided the technical lead.

OSCAR-100 is hosted on Es’hail-2, a Broadcast Transponder Satellite owned by the Es’hailSat Qatar Satellite Company, the satellite is now in geostationary orbit at 25.9° E.

More information on the OSCAR-100 project can be found at AMSAT-DL Phase 4-A

In co-operation with AMSAT-UK, the British Amateur Television Club will be operating a WebSDR for the narrowband segment, and a Spectrum Viewer for the wideband (DATV) segment.

Goonhilly Earth Station is supporting the project, providing hosting for the Ground Station facility at their world-famous site in Cornwall, UK.

Es’hail-2 WebSDR https://eshail.batc.org.uk/

Es’hail-2 Narrowband amateur radio transponder operating guidelines
https://amsat-dl.org/en/p4-a-nb-transponder-bandplan-and-operating-guidelines

Es’hail-2 Wideband amateur radio transponder operating guidelines
https://amsat-dl.org/en/p4-a-wb-transponder-bandplan-and-operating-guidelines

Es’hail-2 amateur radio information
https://amsat-dl.org/en/eshail-2-amsat-phase-4-a

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Following the successful launch of Es’hail-2, the new Es’hailSat teleport will be inaugurated on February 14, 2019.

AMSAT-DL report:

This will also be the occasion to officially put the two amateur radio transponders of Qatar OSCAR-100, the first geostationary P4-A satellite from Qatar, into operation. The opening ceremony will be held by His Excellency Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah, former Deputy Prime Minister of Qatar. A71AU is also the chairman of the Qatar Amateur Radio Society (QARS) and initiator of the first Qatari amateur radio satellite.

Es’hail-2 Geostationary Satellite – credit Es’hailSat

A team of the P4-A team of AMSAT-DL, consisting of the chairman Peter Gülzow DB2OS, Achim Vollhardt DH2VA and Thomas Kleffel DG5NGI, is on its way to Qatar to set up and commission the P4-A ground segment at the ground station of Es’hailSat. In addition to LEILA and the DVB-S2 DATV system, this also includes a club station for SSB radio operation under the callsign A71A. A backup station is installed at QARS in Doha. The ground station of the AMSAT-DL at the observatory Bochum is also ready for reception and transmission. Later, radio operation via Qatar-OSCAR 100 will also be carried out here under the callsign DL50AMSAT.

Only after the official release ceremony on February 14 will the transponders be released for general radio operation by radio amateurs worldwide.

During commissioning, we expressly request that you refrain from any transmission attempts!

The SCC in Qatar, as well as Bochum in Germany, are carrying out some tests to measure both transponders and to calibrate the ground systems.

Please also note the beacons sent in the NB transponder. On the DATV beacon of the WB Transponder a video of Es’hail-2 will be broadcast in an endless loop in DVB-S2 format on the opening day.

Es’hail-2 coverage area

Furthermore, the rules of the game, as defined in the Operating Guidelines for the NB transponder and WB transponder are formulated. Please observe the band boundaries of the NB transponder as defined by the upper and lower beacon! A later adaptation and possible extension upwards may be considered after first experiments.

Again: Please no uplink attempts until the official release of the transponders by QARS!

We appeal to patience and to the Ham Spirit: any disruptions during commissioning and on the opening day could result in further postponements of the official release.

Source AMSAT-DL https://amsat-dl.org/en/eshail-2-qo-100-teleport-inauguration

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The International Space Station MarconISSta experiment will cease on February 9. Martin Buscher DJ1MBB asks radio amateurs with suitable equipment to participate in final tests.

The MarconISSta is a spectrum analyzer payload that monitors parts of the frequency spectrum in VHF, UHF, L and S band from the ISS in order to analyze current use and availability of bands for satellite communication.

Martin Buscher DJ1MBB writes:

We were just informed that it is likely that MarconISSta will be deinstalled on February 9, 2019. This is about three weeks earlier than expected, so we quickly have to finish any outstanding activities. Therefore: All Power To The ISS!

We want to invite everybody who owns a UHF antenna, preferably with an e.i.r.p. of more than 50 dBW, to do transmissions to the ISS. These transmissions will be recorded by MarconISSta and we will publish the results here. This experiment is a nice way for you to test your antennas, while it is great for us and ARISS to evaluate the ARISS VHF/UHF antenna pattern.

Transmission Details:
• Transmission time: Whenever you see the ISS between now and February 9th.
• Frequency: 435-438 MHz. Please avoid 435.95 MHz (our reference frequency) and 436.5 MHz (center frequency of receiver)
• Power: Continuous transmission of carrier, we recommend an e.i.r.p. of more than 50 dBW

Please do not use Doppler correction. We want to see the Doppler shift, it might help us to localize your transmission from this.

Further information https://marconissta.com/2019/02/05/urgent-call-all-power-to-the-iss/

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Es’hail-2 Geostationary Satellite – credit Es’hailSat

On November 15, 2018, Es’hail-2/P4A was launched on a Falcon 9 launch vehicle from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 40 in Florida.

Es’hail-2/P4A was developed jointly by QARS (Qatar Amateur Radio Society) and Es’hailSat (the Qatar Satellite Company), with AMSAT-DL as the technical lead, and is the first geostationary amateur radio payload. The satellite has reached its final position at 25.9 °E, and the narrow and wideband transponders were successfully tested on December 23rd. The transponders are expected to be opened for general use in February 2019.

At the request of AMSAT Deutschland e.V., QARS, and Es’hailSat, AMSAT hereby designates Es’hail-2/P4A as Qatar-OSCAR 100 (QO-100). May the 100th OSCAR satellite be the guide star to future amateur radio satellites and payloads to geostationary orbit and beyond.

Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA
AMSAT VP Operations / OSCAR Number Administrator

Es’hail-2 WebSDR enables you to receive both the Narrowband and Wideband transponders online
https://eshail.batc.org.uk/

Es’hail-2 amateur radio transponder information
https://amsat-dl.org/en/eshail-2-amsat-phase-4-a
https://amsat-uk.org/satellites/geosynchronous/eshail-2/

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EO-79 and EO-80 – Image Credit ISIS

Satellite / nanosatellite project managers often wish to use amateur radio frequencies for educational and outreach purposes. The amateur radio community thus offers them a tremendous potential for monitoring their fragile conception. They often ask what kind of amateur radio experience would be interesting to board a CubeSat or what services they could provide with their communications systems. The answer can be simple: a transponder, but these designers would like to bring novelty and innovation.

In order to provide more factual input, AMSAT-F has decided to launch an English Language Online Survey to find out what you do and would like to do as a satellite activity, what you expect from satellite designers and what you can bring to them. *The synthesis of these results will be presented at the second* AMSAT-F meetings « Rencontre spatiale radioamateur » on 9 and 10 March 2019 in Nanterre (France) http://site.amsat-f.org/2019/01/29/deuxieme-rencontre-spatiale-radioamateur-9-et-10-mars-2019-inscriptions-ouvertes/

Do not hesitate, give your opinion by completing the questionnaire via the link : https://framaforms.org/amsat-francophone-survey-1548716436

The survey is in English but hosted on French server. Few guideline could be in French.

73
Christophe Mercier
AMSAT-F President

AMSAT-F in Google English https://tinyurl.com/France-AMSAT-F

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ISS SSTV image received by John Brier KG4AKV October 27, 2018

ARISS is planning another of their popular Slow Scan Television (SSTV) experiment events. International Space Station (ISS) transmissions are scheduled to begin Friday, Feb. 8 at 18:25 UTC and run through Sunday, Feb. 10 at 18:30 UTC on 145.800 MHz FM.

SSTV operations is a process by which images are sent from the International Space Station (ISS) via ham radio and received by ham operators, shortwave listeners and other radio enthusiasts on Earth, similar to pictures shared on cell phones using twitter or instagram.

When this event becomes active, SSTV images will be transmitted from the ISS at the frequency of 145.800 MHz using the SSTV mode of PD120 and can be received using ham radio equipment as simple as a 2 meter handheld radio or a common shortwave or scanner receiver the covers the 2 meter ham band. After connecting the audio output of the radio receiver to the audio input of a computer running free software such as MMSSTV, the SSTV images can be displayed.

Transmissions will consist of eight NASA On The Air (NOTA) images (see https://nasaontheair.wordpress.com/). In additional, four ARISS commemorative images will also be included.

Once received, Images can be posted and viewed by the public at http://www.spaceflightsoftware.com/ARISS_SSTV/index.php In addition, you can receive a special SSTV ARISS Award for posting your image. Once the event begins, see details at https://ariss.pzk.org.pl/sstv/

Please note that the event is dependent on other activities, schedules and crew responsibilities on the ISS and are subject to change at any time. Please check for news and the most current information on the ARISS Twitter feed @ARISS_status or the AMSAT Bulletin Board

You can receive the pictures from the ISS by using the MMSSTV software and an Online Radio (WebSDR). Select a Frequency of 145800.0 kHz and Mode FM:
• Farnham WebSDR when ISS in range of London http://farnham-sdr.com/
• R4UAB WebSDR when ISS is over Russia http://websdr.r4uab.ru/

Check the N2YO site to see when the ISS is in range https://n2yo.com/?s=25544&df=1

ISS Slow Scan TV (SSTV) hints and links https://amsat-uk.org/beginners/iss-sstv/

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On January 18, 2019, NEXUS was launched on an Epsilon launch vehicle from the JAXA Uchinoura Space Center in Japan.

NEXUS (NExt generation X Unique Satellite) is a satellite developed jointly by Nihon University College of Science and Technology and the Japan Amateur Satellite Association (JAMSAT).

NEXUS demonstrates several new amateur satellite communication technologies, and includes a mode V/u linear transponder.

Telemetry has been received and decoded around the world since the launch, and the transponder was successfully tested on January 26th.

More information may be found at
http://sat.aero.cst.nihon-u.ac.jp/nexus/E0_Top.html

At the request of the Nihon University College of Science and Technology and JAMSAT, AMSAT hereby designates NEXUS as Fuji-OSCAR 99 (FO-99). We congratulate the owners and operators of FO-99, thank them for their contribution to the amateur satellite community, and wish them continued success on this and future projects.

73, Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA
AMSAT VP Operations / OSCAR Number Administrator

NEXUS Blog http://tinyurl.com/NEXUS-Sat-Blog

JAMSAT in Google English http://tinyurl.com/JAMSAT

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