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<
0100018937f9abc0-1855b176-8d5d-4953-91bd-19eab2bcbe90-000000@email.amazonses.co
m> 7dba7f33
@REPLYADDR Mitch Ahrenstorff (AD0HJ) via ANS
<ans@amsat.org>
@REPLYTO 2:5075/128 Mitch Ahrenstorff (AD0HJ) via
ANS
@CHRS: CP866 2
@RFC: 1 0
<
0100018937f9abc0-1855b176-8d5d-4953-91bd-19eab2bcbe90-000000@email.amazonses.co
m>
@RFC-Reply-To: "Mitch Ahrenstorff (AD0HJ)"
<mahrenstorff@amsat.org>
@TZUTC: 0300
@TID: FIDOGATE-5.12-ge4e8b94
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-190
In this edition:
* 2023 AMSAT Space Symposium First Call for Papers
* Ariane 5 Rockets into Retirement: Europe`s Workhorse Completes Final Mission
* CubeSats Deploy from ISS: Nanoracks Mission Advances Science and Education
* ROSCOSMOS Successfully Deploys Forty-Three Satellites in Latest
Soyuz 2.1b Launch
* Meteor-M2-3 Weather Imaging Satellite Now in Orbit and Transmitting Images
* UMKA-1 School Satellite Sets Out to Explore the Skies
* Satellite LEO Top 100 Rovers July 2023 Rankings
* VUCC Satellite Standings as of July 1 2023
* Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for July 7 2023
* 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 service 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
digital Amateur Radio satellites.
The news feed on
http://www.amsat.org publishes news of Amateur Radio
in Space as soon as our volunteers can post it.
Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor [at] amsat.org
You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service
Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see:
https://mailman.amsat.org/postorius/lists/ans.amsat.org/
ANS-190 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
To: All RADIO AMATEURS
From: Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation
712 H Street NE, Suite 1653
Washington, DC 20002
DATE 2023 July 9
2023 AMSAT Space Symposium First Call for Papers
This is the first call for papers for the 41st annual AMSAT Space
Symposium to be held on the weekend of October 20-21, 2023 at the Sheraton
DFW Airport in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas
Proposals for symposium papers and presentations are invited on any
topic of interest to the amateur satellite community. We request a
tentative title of your presentation as soon as possible, with final copy
submitted by October 12 for inclusion in the symposium proceedings. Abstracts
and papers should be sent to Dan Schultz, N8FGV at n8fgv (at) amsat
(dot) org.
[ANS thanks Dan Schultz, N8FGV for the above information]
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Ariane 5 Rockets into Retirement: Europe`s Workhorse Completes Final Mission
Europe`s workhorse rocket has completed its final mission, launching
two satellites into orbit before retiring after an illustrious 27-year
career. The Ariane 5, known for its power and reliability, took off from
Europe`s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana on July 5, marking its 117th and
last orbital liftoff.
The mission commenced at 6 p.m. EDT (2200 GMT), with the Ariane
5`s 103-foot tall solid rocket boosters separating from the core stage
approximately 2.5 minutes into flight. The core stage, powered by a single
engine, continued its ascent, carrying the two satellites onboard. At around
nine minutes after liftoff, the core stage shut down, and the upper
stage separated to initiate its own burn. About 30 minutes into the
flight, the first satellite, Heinrich-Hertz, was released into geostationary
transfer orbit. Shortly after, the second payload, Syracuse 4B, followed suit.
St?phane Isra?l, CEO of Arianespace, the France-based company
operating the rocket, hailed the Ariane 5`s flawless performance during the
launch webcast. Isra?l described the rocket as a "legendary launcher" that
had completed its work perfectly.
Heinrich-Hertz, an experimental communications satellite managed by the
German space agency (DLR), will serve as a test platform for new hardware
and conduct scientific and technical experiments in collaboration with
universities and public sector organizations. This satellite represents Germany`s
first dedicated technology demonstration and communications research
spacecraft.
Syracuse 4B, joining its predecessor Syracuse 4A launched in 2021,
was built by Airbus Defence and Space for the French government. Both
satellites are military communication relays, replacing Syracuse satellites 3A
and 3B.
To reach geostationary orbit, located approximately 22,200 miles
(35,800 kilometers) above Earth, Heinrich-Hertz and Syracuse 4B will perform
a series of engine burns.
The retirement of Ariane 5 draws the curtain on its nearly 30-year
operational career, during which it outperformed its predecessors, making it the
most successful Ariane rocket to date. The European Space Agency (ESA)
highlighted the rocket`s technical prowess and reliability, describing it as a
major asset for Europe`s autonomous access to space.
Arianespace, in collaboration with ESA and the French space agency
CNES, operated the two-stage Ariane 5, which was built by Airbus Defence
and Space. Over the years, the rocket underwent several upgrades and
operated in five different configurations. The most recent versions, Ariane 5
EC/A and ES, started operating in 2009, succeeding the Ariane G5, which
flew from 2005 to 2009 after the brief G+ version and the original
Ariane 5 G.
Although the Ariane 5 encountered an initial failure during its
debut launch in 1996, failing to reach orbit and initiating an
auto-destruct abort mid-flight, it went on to become one of the most reliable
launchers worldwide. According to ESA, the rocket achieved a 96% success rate
across its 117 missions and delivery of 239 payloads to orbit.
The development of the Ariane 5`s successor, the Ariane 6, has been
in progress for over a decade. The new rocket aims to be more
flexible, cost-efficient, and capable of serving various types of launches
compared to its predecessor. It will come in two configurations: A62, with
two solid rocket boosters, and A64, with four. Originally slated for a
2020 debut, the Ariane 6 has faced delays, with the current estimate
pointing to alate 2023 launch. This delay leaves Europe with a temporary gap
in launch options until the Ariane 6 becomes operational.
To ensure continuity in European programs, the European Space Agency
(ESA) has explored alternative launcher options from a technical, schedule,
and security standpoint. In April, there were reports that the European
Commission was considering using a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket to launch some
of the European Union`s Galileo navigation satellites, rather than
waiting for the Ariane 6. However, ESA officials emphasized that Ariane 6
remains the preferred launch option for European missions requiring a heavy
launch vehicle, and they are working diligently to ensure its inaugural
flight.
The final mission of the Ariane 5 was initially scheduled for June
16 but faced delays. The first attempt was scrubbed due to issues with
the solid rocket boosters` pyrotechnical transmission lines, while the
second attempt on July 4 was hindered by unfavorable weather conditions.
As Europe bids farewell to the Ariane 5, the spotlight now shifts
to the eagerly anticipated Ariane 6, which promises to usher in a new
era of flexibility and cost efficiency in space launches. In the
meantime, efforts continue to bridge the launch gap and maintain the
continuity of European space programs.
[ANS thanks Josh Dinner, Writing for Space.com for the above information]
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CubeSats Deploy from ISS: Nanoracks Mission Advances Science and Education
NASA astronaut Stephen Bowen successfully deployed six CubeSats into
low-Earth orbit outside the ISS Kibo module airlock on July 6th. The
deployment was made possible by Nanoracks, a leading provider of commercial
space services, who had been preparing for this mission named NRCSD-26.
Sponsored by the ISS National Lab, the mission carried five CubeSats developed
by Canadian universities, as well as a groundbreaking project by The
Aerospace Corporation. Nanoracks, in collaboration with the Canadian Space
Agency, handles the integration and deployment of these satellites from the
ISS. The six CubeSats were transported to the ISS on SpaceX`s CRS-28
mission.
This deployment marks an important milestone for the Canadian CubeSat
Project (CCP), a collaboration between Nanoracks and the Canadian Space
Agency (CSA). The objective of the CCP is to launch a CubeSat from each
province and territory in Canada. The deployment of these CubeSats serves
scientific purposes while also promoting hands-on experience and generating
interest in STEM studies and careers.
The selected CubeSats for the NRCSD-26 mission represent a diverse
range of scientific objectives, showcasing the capabilities and interests of
Canadian universities.
One of the CubeSats, RADSAT-SK developed by the University of
Saskatchewan, aims to test a radiation detection system and evaluate the
effectiveness of radiation protection using a purified form of melanin, a natural
pigment found in various organisms. Another CubeSat, ESSENCE from York
University, focuses on monitoring solar storms, arctic ice, permafrost thaw, and
forests in the Canadian Arctic region. It also aims to demonstrate satellite
attitude recovery in the event of a failure in one of its actuators.
Ukpik-1, developed by Western University, carries a virtual reality (VR)
camera to capture 360-degree images and videos of Northern Canada. This
CubeSat not only contributes to scientific research but also facilitates
educational outreach and public engagement in Ontario and Nunavut.
The University of Manitoba`s CubeSat, IRIS, is designed to observe
the weathering of geological samples under direct solar and background
cosmic radiation, aiming to detect any visually detectable changes that may
occur over short time scales. SC-ODIN, developed by Concordia University,
has the primary mission of collecting data on dust storms in Argentina
and Namibia. Additionally, it monitors radiation received inside and
outside the satellite over a period, providing valuable insights into
radiation exposure in space.
In addition to the Canadian CubeSats, Nanoracks also deployed
Moonlighter, built by The Aerospace Corporation. Moonlighter is a 3U CubeSat and
holds the distinction of being the world`s first hacking sandbox in space.
Its purpose is to advance the understanding of cybersecurity as it
pertains to space systems. The CubeSat will be utilized at the DEFCON
conference by the Air Force/Space Force, where cybersecurity professionals will
be challenged to hack a real-life satellite. For more information on
Moonlighter and the Hack-a-Sat challenge, visit the official website at
https://hackasat.com/.
[ANS thanks NASA and Nanoracks for the above information]
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The 2023 AMSAT President`s Club coins are here now!
To commemorate the 40th anniversary of its launch
on June 16, 1983, this year`s coin features
an image of AMSAT-OSCAR 10.
Join the AMSAT President`s Club today and help
Keep Amateur Radio in Space!
https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/
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ROSCOSMOS Successfully Deploys Forty-Three Satellites in Latest Soyuz
2.1b Launch
ROSCOSMOS successfully launched the Meteor-M2-3 meteorological satellite
and a cluster of 42 accompanying satellites on June 27, 2023. The
launch took place at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in the Amur Oblast region of
Russia, marking the 14th launch from this site.
The Meteor-M2-3 satellite is part of the Meteor-M series, which aims
to modernize Russia`s national meteorological satellite system. Developed
by NPP VNIIEM and sponsored by ROSCOSMOS, the series is designed to
enable climate and environmental monitoring, exploration of Earth`s natural
resources, surveillance of solar activity, and data acquisition from automated
data collection platforms. The satellite also features the COSPAS-SARSAT
search and rescue system.
Meteor-M2-3 is equipped with advanced instruments, including an
onboard radar complex based on an active phased array antenna, a shortwave
reflected radiation meter, and a radio frequency mass spectrometer. These
instruments enable all-weather radar surveillance of the Northern Sea Route and
broaden the range of monitored parameters. The satellite has a lifespan of
five years and is equipped with two deployable solar arrays.
In addition to the Meteor-M2-3 satellite, the mission carried various
accompanying satellites. Sixteen CubeSats from the Space-Pi project were deployed
into orbit as part of an agreement between ROSCOSMOS and the Innovation
Promotion Fund of Russia. Nine satellites from the UniverSat program, led by
ROSCOSMOS, were also launched, along with seventeen SmallSats for commercial
customers.
The launch vehicle used for this mission was the Soyuz 2.1b rocket,
belonging to the Soyuz 2 rocket family. The Soyuz rocket has been a reliable
workhorse of the Soviet/Russian space program since its introduction in 1966.
The Soyuz 2.1b variant stands approximately 152 feet (46.3 meters) tall
and has a diameter of 9 feet (2.95 meters). It consists of three
stages, all of which are expendable.
The first stage of the Soyuz 2.1b rocket includes four side
boosters powered by RD-107A engines. These boosters perform the iconic
"Korolev cross" pattern during separation. The center core stage is propelled
by a single RD-108A engine, while the upper stage is equipped with a
single RD-0124 engine. Both engines run on rocket-grade kerosene (RP-1) and
liquid oxygen (LOx).
The mission did not involve the recovery of the first stage or
fairings, as the Soyuz rocket does not possess such capabilities. The first
stage of the rocket landed in the Zeysky District of Amur Oblast, Russia.
This launch marked several milestones: it was the 115th flight of
an upper stage from the Fregat family, the first launch of a Soyuz
2.1b rocket in 2023, the 80th launch of a Soyuz 2.1b variant, and the
96th orbital launch attempt of 2023.
With the successful launch of the Meteor-M2-3 satellite and its
accompanying payloads, ROSCOSMOS continues to enhance Russia`s meteorological
satellite system and expand its capabilities in climate monitoring, resource
exploration, and search and rescue operations.
[ANS thanks Mariia Kiseleva, writing for Everyday Astronaut, for the
above information]
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Meteor-M2-3 Weather Imaging Satellite Now in Orbit and Transmitting Images
The latest addition to the Meteor-M satellite series, Meteor-M2-3,
has successfully reached orbit and is already transmitting images of
Earth. The Russian-owned weather imaging satellite was launched on a
Soyuz-21.b rocket on June 27th. Previous iterations of the Meteor-M satellites
faced premature mission terminations due to technical glitches or collisions
with micro-meteorites.
Meteor-M satellites operate in a polar orbit, capturing and
transmitting weather images in the LRPT format at a frequency of 137 MHz. This
frequency range makes the reception of their signals as accessible as that of
the older NOAA APT satellites. To receive these images, an appropriate
137 MHz satellite antenna is required, such as a V-Dipole, Turnstile, or
QFH, along with a compatible software-defined radio (SDR) receiver like
the popular RTL-SDR.
One of the recommended software options for receiving images from
the Meteor-M2-3 satellite is SatDump. This user-friendly software offers
binary releases for Windows and Android platforms, downloadable from SatDump
GitHub Releases page:
https://github.com/SatDump/SatDump/releases. Linux users
can consult the SatDump Readme for a comprehensive build guide. It is
worth noting that the SatDump graphical user interface has been reported
to perform well on an Orange Pi 5, providing a convenient and portable
solution for image reception.
To determine when the satellite is over your location you can use
satellite tracking software such as Gpredict for Linux and Mac users, or
Orbitron for Windows users. When utilizing Orbitron, it is important to run
the software as an Administrator and update the Two-Line Elements (TLEs)
to include the tracking data for the Meteor-M2-3 satellite found in the
weather.txt TLE file. Consult the Meteor-M2-3 TLE (Two-Line Elements) available
on Celestrak`s website for precise tracking and monitoring.
Many satellite enthusiasts have already shared their successful
reception of Meteor-M2-3`s images to Twitter. The author of SatDump has
revealed that work is underway to finalize projections for Meteor M2-3, and
this should be ready to use in SatDump shortly. SDR++ software has now
also integrated a Meteor Demodulator, further expanding the options
available to those interested in receiving data from Meteor-M2-3.
Recent updates on Meteor-M2-3`s progress from Happysat
(
https://github.com/happysat) indicate that telemetry data received on July 3rd suggests that the
satellite`s LRPT antenna might not have unfolded correctly, resulting in
weaker-than-expected signals. It has also been reported that the satellite switched from
transmitting on a frequency of 137.900 MHz to 137.100 MHz on July 4th, 2023.
[ANS thanks rtl-sdr.com and Happysat for the above information]
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UMKA-1 School Satellite Sets Out to Explore the Skies
The UMKA-1 satellite, developed by schoolchildren from the Moscow
Regional Educational Institution Secondary School No. 29 named after P.I.
Zabrodin (Podolsk) in collaboration with SPUTNIKS LLC, was successfully
launched into orbit on June 27, 2023. As part of the "Space-p" program and
with the support of the Innovation Assistance Fund, UMKA-1 aims to train
young students in spacecraft design, programming, and assembly, while also
conducting astronomical observations using its high-aperture telescope,
Leptonar-20955K.
The UMKA-1 satellite is a 3U+ CubeSat equipped with a
Leptonar-20955K optical telescope and an astronomical digital camera called PlayerOne
Saturn-C SQR. This compact satellite operates in two frequency bands, with
telemetry transmission taking place on the UHF downlink frequency of 437.625
MHz, using GMSK USP modulation scheme at a rate of 2400 baud.
Additionally, the transmission of data from the telescope occurs on the S band
at a frequency of 2402 MHz. On June 18th, 2023, UMKA-1, known by its
designated callsign RS40S, obtained its IARU Amateur Satellite Frequency
Coordination.
Named after a beloved Soviet cartoon character, UMKA-1 carries the
spirit of adventure and discovery. The mission team plans to share the
main course of their mission, interesting events from the ground segment,
and a transmission schedule on the S band with the wider community.
Once the satellite is fully operational, a schedule will be published,
and opportunities will be provided for the reception of images from the
telescope.
Despite some minor setbacks during the installation process, the
UMKA-1 team remains dedicated to the success of their mission. The initial
format installation confusion has been addressed, and the satellite is
currently undergoing testing. The team expects the telescope to be fully
operational by the end of July, following which a transmission schedule will be
made available.
Alexey Shafiev, RA3PPY, expressed gratitude to SPUTNIX for their
support and guidance throughout the project. He acknowledged the enthusiasm
and efforts of the young schoolchildren and students who form the bulk
of the team. Their passion for space exploration is evident, and they
have been actively involved in every aspect of the project.
In the past week, the telemetry transmission format was updated to
use GMSK USP 2400 baud. The Mission Control Center (MCC) team will next
focus on stabilizing the spacecraft and ensure the proper functioning of
the guidance system. Subsequently, a two-week testing period for the
payload will commence before UMKA-1 can fulfill its educational mission.
The UMKA-1 team assures the community that updates on their progress
will be provided as soon as possible. Despite their current work rush,
they value the interest and support from all those following their
mission. Alexey, on behalf of the team, promises to respond to all the
emails received thus far in the near future.
As of July 4, 2023, UMKA-1 remains operational in orbit,
transmitting telemetry data pertaining to the satellite`s operation. The team has
made available a tool for decoding S band dump transmissions from the
spacecraft, allowing enthusiasts to access the images collected by UMKA-1.
For radio amateurs keen on participating in the mission, the UMKA-1
team offers a QSL card as recognition for receiving telemetry from the
satellite. To qualify, individuals must receive three packets of telemetry data
and upload the collected information to the QSL card application form
found at
https://r4uab.ru/diplomnye-programmy-i-qsl/mka-umka-1/ within 24 hours
of receiving the last telemetry package. The required software for
receiving the telemetry information, such as "SoundModem USP" and "AGW Client
R4UAB," is available to facilitate the process.
The UMKA-1 mission is an exciting endeavor that combines education,
amateur radio, and scientific exploration. By encouraging young minds to
explore the wonders of space, this project aims to inspire the next
generation of scientists, engineers, and astronomers. The UMKA-1 team invites
everyone to join them on this incredible journey as they unlock the secrets
of the universe through their school telescope satellite.
More detailed information about the UMKA-1 satellite is available at
https://sputnik.school29.ru/radio/. Individuals can visit the project`s GitHub repository at
https://github.com/radio-satellites/UmKa-1/ to obtain the software needed to decode the S band dump
transmissions, which contain high resolution imagery from the telescope on board
the satellite.
[ANS thanks Alexey Shafiev, RA3PPY and R4UAB.ru 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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Satellite LEO Top 100 Rovers July 2023 Rankings
The July 2023 rankings for the Top 100 Rovers in Low Earth Orbit
(LEO) satellite operations, as determined by @GridMasterMap on Twitter, has
been released. The ranking is determined by the number of grids and DXCC
entities activated, taking into account only those grids where a minimum
number of QSOs logged on the gridmaster.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://gridmaster.fr in order to provide more accurate
data.
Updated: 2023-07-01
1 N5UC 26 LA9XGA 51 VA7LM 76 5H3SE
2 ND9M 27 KG5CCI 52 JK2XXK 77 PT9BM
3 NJ7H 28 ON4AUC 53 AA8CH 78 KB2YSI
4 JA9KRO 29 DJ8MS 54 VE1VOX 79 XE1ET
5 DP?POL 30 N6DNM 55 KM4LAO 80 DL4EA
6 N6UA 31 KE?PBR 56 VE3GOP 81 AC?RA
7 DL6AP 32 K8BL 57 AM1SAT 82 AB5SS
8 HA3FOK 33 XE3DX 58 AD7DB 83 LU4JVE
9 WY7AA 34 JO2ASQ 59 KD8RTT 84 VK5DG
10 AD?HJ 35 EA4NF 60 F5VMJ 85 K?FFY
11 AK8CW 36 OE3SEU 61 FG8OJ 86 EC3TZ
12 K5ZM 37 SP5XSD 62 N4UFO 87 VE6WK
13 AD?DX 38 VE1CWJ 63 N4DCW 88 CU2ZG
14 N5BO 39 WI7P 64 PT2AP 89 KG4AKV
15 N9IP 40 PR8KW 65 KJ7NDY 90 KC7JPC
16 WD9EWK 41 EB1AO 66 AF5CC 91 K4DCA
17 W5PFG 42 W7WGC 67 N?TEL 92 WN9Q
18 ND?C 43 F4DXV 68 VO2AC 93 DK9JC
19 KB5FHK 44 JL3RNZ 69 KI7QEK 94 V55QO
20 KX9X 45 KE?WPA 70 KI7UXT 95 KF6JOQ
21 VE3HLS 46 K7TAB 71 W8LR 96 N6UTC
22 LU5ILA 47 KE9AJ 72 WA9JBQ 97 PP2RON
23 KE4AL 48 AA5PK 73 A41ZZ 98 VO1FUA
24 N7AGF 49 DL2GRC 74 HB9GWJ 99 VA3VGR
25 KI7UNJ 50 M1DDD 75 PT9ST 100 WI4T
[ANS thanks @GridMasterMap for the above information]
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VUCC Satellite Standings as of July 1 2023
VUCC Satellite Award/Endorsement Change Summary for June 01, 2023 to
July 1, 2023.
WA4NVM 1632 1639
WC7V 1351 1383
N8RO 1258 1298
N0JE 914 950
N3GS 873 932
DL2GRC 800 842
K7TAB 708 814
EA2AA 686 730
KQ4DO 675 710
WA4HFN 636 676
HB9AOF 500 604
OZ9AAR 500 600
N8MR 509 528
AC9DX 427 525
WB7QXU 451 500
JN2QCV New 428
HB9GWJ 363 412
LU3FCA 310 406
JG6CDH 353 401
AB1OC 291 371
VA3VGR 302 352
EA3TA 301 350
JL1SAM 300 350
LU4FTA 268 346
AA9VI 122 336
JH0BBE 314 321
XE1BJ New 304
DL8GAM 275 301
JA1GZK 256 300
PA7RA 245 299
AD5JK 263 296
JS1LQI 155 259
JE1TNL 225 250
N6PAZ 223 233
N9ZTS 201 231
IK1SLD 200 225
PU5DDC 151 181
ZS2BK New 170
JE2UFF 100 158
DH0GSU 100 152
GM0WDD New 115
EA4DEI New 100
Congratulations to the new VUCC holders. GM0WDD is first VUCC
Satellite holder from Scotland and IO85.
[ANS thanks Jon Goering, N7AZ for the above information]
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Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for July 7 2023
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 updates are completely adequate for most amateur satellites. Elements
in the TLE bulletin files are updated daily. TLE bulletin files are
updated to add or remove satellites as necessary Thursday evenings around
2300 UTC, or more frequently if new high interest satellites are
launched. More information may be found at
https://www.amsat.org/keplerian-elements-resources/
This week there are no additions or deletions to the weekly AMSAT
TLE distribution.
[ANS thanks AMSAT Orbital Elements page for the above information]
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Want to fly the colors on your own grid expedition?
Get your AMSAT car flag and other neat stuff
from our Zazzle store!
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 NEWS
Amateurs and others around the world may listen in on contacts
between amateurs operating in schools and allowing students to interact with
astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station. The downlink
frequency on which to listen is 145.800 MHz worldwide.
UPCOMING:
Due to summer school holidays, no contacts currently scheduled.
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 pick up the microphone, raise the volume up, and talk on
the crossband repeater. So give a listen, you just never know.
The packet system is also active (145.825 MHz up & down).
As always, if there is an EVA, a docking, or an undocking; the
ARISS radios are turned off as part of the safety protocol.
Note, all times are approximate. It is recommended that you do your
own orbital prediction or start listening about 10 minutes before the
listed time.
The latest information on the operation mode can be found at
https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html
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 for the above information]
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Upcoming Satellite Operations
Mitch AD0HJ will be roving six Western Kansas grids from July 14
through July 16. Look for him on the DM99/EM09 grid line on Friday,
DM97/DM98 grid line on Saturday, and the EM07/EM08 grid line on Sunday. The
best chance for contacts will be the afternoon RS-44 passes (1900Z to
2330Z) but he will also work the late shift with QSOs on the activated
TEVEL satellites in the evenings (0230Z to 0500Z) except for Sunday where
he will work the noon time (1600Z to 1800Z) TEVEL passes. Follow Mitch
@AD0HJ on Twitter for updated rove information,
https://aprs.fi/AD0HJ to
track his location, and
https://hams.at for the latest pass schedule.
To include your satellite roving plans in the AMSAT News Service
Weekly bulletins, send them to Ian, K5ZM at k5zm (at) comcast (dot) net
at least a couple of weeks in advance. Upcoming satellite operations
are updated weekly on the AMSAT Upcoming Satellite Operations page but
may expire before the next AMSAT News Service bulletin is released. You
can watch for the latest roving information to become available at
https://www.amsat.org/satellite-info/upcoming-satellite-operations/.
A growing number of satellite rovers are currently engaged in
sharing their grid square activations on
https://hams.at. By visiting the
website, you gain easy access to comprehensive information about the operators
responsible for activating specific grid squares. Additionally, you have the
ability to assess the match score between yourself and a particular rover
for a given pass, while also being able to identify the upcoming
satellite passes that are accessible from your location.
[ANS thanks Ian Parsons, K5ZM, AMSAT rover page manager, for the
above information]
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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.
+ Small Satellite Conference
August 5-10, 2023
Utah State University, Logan, UT
More information at:
https://smallsat.org/
+ 41st AMSAT Space Symposium & Annual General Meeting
October 20-21, 2023
Sheraton DFW Airport Hotel
4440 W John Carpenter Fwy, Irving, TX 75063
AMSAT Ambassador Clint Bradford, K6LCS, says,
"Think a 75-minute presentation on "working the easy satellites"
would be appropriate for your club or event? Let me know by emailing me
at k6lcsclint (at) gmail (dot) com or calling me at 909-999-SATS
(7287)!"
[ANS thanks the AMSAT Events page for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Satellite Shorts From All Over
+ Congratulations to our latest GridMaster Award winners: Steve
Nordahl, NS3L (#58) and Bill Attwood, VE6WK (#59). The GridMaster Award,
AMSAT`s most prestigious recognition, is available to amateur radio operators
worldwide who establish two-way satellite communication with all 488 maidenhead
grids within the contiguous United States. Contacts must be made from the
same location or from locations within a 100-kilometer radius of a single
location. Written confirmation, such as QSL cards or Logbook of the World
(LoTW), is required. The GridMaster application and certificate fees have
been underwritten by an anonymous donor. More information about this award
can be found on the AMSAT website at https://www.amsat.org/gridmaster/.
Congratulations again to Bill VE6WK and Steve NS3L for their remarkable
accomplishments! (ANS thanks Bruce Paige, KK5DO, AMSAT Director of Contests and
Awards for the above information)
+ Congratulations the following individuals on receiving the AMSAT
Rover Award for their outstanding achievements in portable satellite
operating: Olivier Tymkiw HB9GWJ (#077), Erwin Vink PA3GAN (#078), Doug Keech
VA7LM (#079), and Bruce Patten VE7PTN (#080). To qualify for this award,
they accumulated a minimum of 25 points by activating grid squares beyond
their home grid. Points were earned through various achievements, including
activating states, provinces, or DX entities outside their home location via
satellite, as well as promoting their grid operations through social media and
documenting their activations through photographs and published articles. More
information about this award can be found on the AMSAT website at
https://www.amsat.org/amsat-rover-award/. Congratulations to our esteemed AMSAT Rover Award recipients! (ANS
thanks Bruce Paige, KK5DO, AMSAT Director of Contests and Awards for the
above information)
+ Quetzal-1, a 1U CubeSat developed by Universidad del Valle de
Guatemala operated successfully for two hundred and eleven days in-orbit a few
years ago. The project just released a massive trove of open-source design
documents, the software that ran on the satellite and ground station, and all
the captured telemetry from the flight. It`s the ultimate bootstrap for
anyone else designing a CubeSat, and hopefully provides enough clues to
avoid some of the same issues. And if you want the details on the
Quetzal-1 design, and what went wrong with the electrical system, two PDF
papers have been released. Seeing more open source in space is an
encouraging development, and one that should continue to grow as the cost of
payloads to orbit continues to fall. Information on Quetzal-1 CubeSat can be
found at
http://github.com/Quetzal-1-CubeSat-Team. (ANS thanks Hackaday.com for
the above information)
+ Youth on the Air Camp 2023 is a camp for young amateur radio
operators in North, Central and South America. Campers will operate the
special event station VE3YOTA while camp is in session with a special focus
on satellite operations occurring Wednesday, July 19 from 1400Z to 1700Z
(10 a.m. to 1 p.m. EDT). Additionally, an ARISS contact with the
International Space Station is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, July 18 at
1842Z (2:42 p.m. EDT). For more information about the camp, please visit
YouthOnTheAir.org or contact Camp Director Neil Rapp at
director@youthontheair.org. (ANS
thanks Neil Rapp, WB9VPG for the above information)
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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-half the standard yearly rate.
* Post-secondary school students enrolled in at least half-time
status shall be eligible for the student rate for a maximum of 6
post-secondary years in this status.
* Memberships are available for annual and lifetime terms.
Contact info [at] amsat.org for additional membership information.
73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space!
This week`s ANS Editor, Mitch Ahrenstorff, AD?HJ
ad0hj [at] amsat.org
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