Work continues to commission AMSAT-NA’s recently launched “Echo” satellite–now known as AO-51–for general amateur use. Primary tasks this week have involved uploading new computer code, testing the S-band downlink and the UHF “B” transmitter.
“The Command Team is carefully checking off the tests and measurements that are part of the commissioning process,” Jim White, WD0E, told AMSAT News Service. “They ask everyone to be patient.” Since AO-51 is not yet open for general use, the Command Team cautions that any transmissions aimed at the satellite by other than ground control stations could delay commissioning.
Opening the satellite for general amateur use could take up to a month or possibly longer, although AMSAT says it will be available “shortly.” AMSAT will issue a bulletin when that happens.
AMSAT said this week that AO-51’s second UHF transmitter, TXB, has been moved to 435.300 MHz and was on as of July 16. TXA is on 435.150 MHz, but it was off as of July 16. AMSAT says that as testing continues, “there will be occasions that either or both transmitters may be on.”
White said that after looking over initial whole orbit data, the Command Team adjusted the solar panels to a more optimal setting. “It resulted in nearly double the peak power input from the panels on the following orbit,” he said. The panels now produce nearly 20 W peak and 15 W average when exposed to the sun.
The AO-51 Command Team continues to invite telemetry downloads to the new Echo telemetry archive Web page http://www.coloradosatellite.com/echo
The TlmEcho program may be downloaded from the Decoding Echo Telemetry Web site http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/echo/tlm_decode.php
The AO-Echo satellite project remains slightly more than $9000 short of the $110,000 that was needed to launch the spacecraft. AMSAT guaranteed the full fare by borrowing from its dedicated funds, which now must be repaid. AMSAT–a 501(c)(3) organization–welcomes additional donations to bridge the funding gap. Visit the AMSAT AO-Echo Web page
http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/echo/ for additional details.–AMSAT News Service