QB50p1 and QB50p2 – Image Credit ISIS
Wouter Weggelaar PA3WEG has provided this update on the status and plans for QB50p1 – EO-79.
Earlier testing campaigns indicate that the AMSAT-UK/AMSAT-NL transponder on board of this spacecraft is in good health. We have activated the transponder on various occasions for testing purposes.
At the moment we believe the power system is capable of sustaining transponder operations indefinitely. ISIS (the satellite designer and operator) still needs to write and apply a software patch that would keep the transponder running. The current logic in the satellite will switch off the transponder if a reset occurs of the On Board Computer or power system.
Efforts are being made to allow usage of the transponder in the mean time and also allow select command stations to take the satellite out of safe mode if it does reset. ISIS will continue to monitor all telemetry and the satellites health.
QB50p1 EO-79 FUNcube-3 Transponder – Credit Mike Rupprecht DK3WN
The precursor satellites have gathered valuable data about the sensor payloads, and the lessons learnt are being implemented in the flight units for the QB50 main mission.
We will still have to wait until procedures are in place and the activation is cleared by the operator and owners of the satellite, but we are nearly ready for the activation of another transponder!
Transponder activations will be announced on the AMSAT Bulletin Board.
On behalf of AMSAT-NL and the ISIS operations team I would like to thank the community for supporting our mission and thank you for your patience.
73s,
Wouter Weggelaar PA3WEG
AMSAT-NL
EO-79 (FUNcube-3) Transponder Test May 4
http://amsat-uk.org/2015/05/03/eo-79-transponder-may-4/
