AMSAT NEWS SERVICE

ANS-196

The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor-

mation service of AMSAT North America, 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:

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In this edition:

• AMSAT-NA Files Comments on FCC Docket #18-86 Small Satellite

  Licensing Procedures

• CubeSats to Deploy from International Space Station on July 13

• BIRDS-2 Constellation CubeSats Transported to ISS for August

  Deployment

• ARRL Urges Regulatory Regime to Keep Non-Amateur Satellites off

  Amateur Spectrum

• UN/Brazil Symposium on Basic Space Technology September 2018

• World JOTA-JOTI Registration Now Open

• Analysts Predict a Golden Age for Cubesats… If they Can

  Get Launched

• ARISS News

• Call for Volunteers, ANS Seeks Rotating Editors

• Satellite Shorts From All Over

SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-196 01

ANS-196 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 196 01

From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD

July 15, 2018

To All RADIO AMATEURS

BID: $ANS-196 01

AMSAT-NA Files Comments on FCC Docket #18-86 Small Satellite

Licensing Procedures

On July 9, 2018, AMSAT filed comments with the Federal Communications

Commission on their Notice of Proposed Rulemaking In the Matter of

Streamlining Licensing Procedures for Small Satellites (International

Bureau Docket #18-86) AMSAT's comments as filed can be found at:

https://www fcc gov/ecfs/filing/10709067911864

(A copy of AMSAT's comments document can be accessed on the ECFS

page, using the Document Download link)

In the comments, AMSAT reviewed the significant contributions made by

the organization and the amateur radio community The comments note

that the many scientific and technological achievements made by AMSAT

satellites directly led to many groups, including government,

non-profit, and commercial organizations becoming interested in

developing small satellites of their own AMSAT also discussed the

suitability of authorizing certain satellites built by universities

and non-profit organizations in the amateur satellite service and

expressed opposition to satellites licensed as experimental under Part

5 of the Commission's regulations operating in the amateur satellite

service bands

Interested parties may file reply comments on or before August 7, 2018

[ANS thanks AMSAT Executive Vice-President, Paul Stoetzer, N8HM for

the above information]

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CubeSats to Deploy from International Space Station on July 13

Japan’s space agency JAXA has announced that nine CubeSats will be

deployed from the International Space Station on July 13 Three of

the satellites - EnduroSat AD, EQUISat, and MemSat - will transmit

telemetry in the 70-centimeter Amateur Radio band EnduroSat AD will

transmit on 437 050 MHz (CW, 9 6 kB GFSK); EQUISat will transmit on

435 550 MHz (CW, 9 6 kB FSK), and MemSat will transmit on 437 350 MHz

(9 6 kB BPSK)

[ANS thanks ARRL News for the above information ]

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BIRDS-2 Constellation CubeSats Transported to ISS for August

Deployment

The second generation of CubeSats in the BIRDS constellation now is

on board the International Space Station (ISS) and set for deployment

in early August using the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

module’s remote manipulator arm The June 29 SpaceX Falcon 9 launch

carried the BIRDS-2 CubeSats, MAYA-1, BHUTAN-1, and UiTMSAT-1, built

by students from Malaysia, Bhutan, and the Philippines at the hosting

Kyushu Institute of Technology in Japan All CubeSats have identical

designs and utilize the same frequencies While independently made,

operation and control of the three CubeSats will be shared by three

teams after the spacecraft are released into space All three

CubeSats will transmit a CW beacon on 437 375 MHz They will be

operational for 6 months

“The three will form a constellation, orbiting the Earth from

different places This will provide the countries more opportunities

to make measurements and run experiments than just with using one

CubeSat, explained Joel Joseph Marciano, Jr , manager of the PHL-

Microsat program in the Philippines The primary mission of BIRDS-2

CubeSat constellation is to provide digital message relay service to

the Amateur Radio community by means of an onboard APRS digipeater on

a frequency of 145 825 MHz

Another mission of the BIRDS-2 CubeSat constellation is to

demonstrate a store-and-forward system, investigating technical

challenges through experiments on appropriate data format, multiple

access scheme, and file-handling protocol while complying with

limited operational time and power constraints

The BIRDS-2 CubeSat store-and-forward system will collect data from

remote ground sensors, store it onboard, and download it to the

BIRDS-2 ground station network, begun last year during the BIRDS-1

CubeSat constellation project

The CubeSats will carry two identical cameras with different lenses

to capture images with varying resolution The cameras will also be

used to capture a minimum-resolution video from space for

experimental purpose

The CubeSats will also carry magnetic field sensors to measure the

magnetic field in space and compare it with that measured on ground

Additional experiments will use the BIRDS-2 CubeSat constellation to

enhance research and experiment in single latch-up event detection,

magnetic field measurements, and flight testing of a newly designed

GPS chip to demonstrate its low-power operation capabilities in

space Students will also explore a passive attitude stabilization

mechanism All measurements and image data will be made available on

the BIRDS-2 project website

BIRDS-2 aims to promote awareness of Amateur Radio communication and

Amateur Satellites among the general public and students, especially

in the participating nations

[ANS thanks AMSAT News Service for the above information ]

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ARRL Urges Regulatory Regime to Keep Non-Amateur Satellites off

Amateur Spectrum

ARRL wants the FCC to facilitate bona fide Amateur Satellite

experimentation by educational institutions under Part 97 Amateur

Service rules, while precluding the exploitation of amateur spectrum

by commercial, small-satellite users authorized under Part 5

Experimental rules In comments filed on July 9 in an FCC proceeding

to streamline licensing procedures for small satellites, ARRL

suggested that the FCC adopt a bright line test to define and

distinguish satellites that should be permitted to operate under

Amateur-Satellite rules, as opposed to non-amateur satellites

authorized under Part 5 Experimental rules

Specifically, it is possible to clarify which types of satellite

operations are properly considered amateur experiments conducted

pursuant to a Part 97 Amateur Radio license, and [those] which

should be considered experimental, non-amateur facilities, properly

authorized by a Part 5 authorization

ARRL said it views as incorrect and overly strict’ the standard the

FCC has applied since 2013 to define what constitutes an Amateur

Satellite, forcing academic projects that once would have been

operated in the Amateur Satellite Service to apply for a Part 5

Experimental authorization instead This approach was based, ARRL

said, on the false rational that a satellite launched by an

educational institution must be non-amateur bcause instructors

were being compensated and would thus have a pecuniary interest in

the satellite project ARRL said well-established Commission

jurisprudence contradicts this view

ARRL told the FCC that justification exists to expand the category

of satellite experiments conducted under an Amateur Radio license,

especially those in which a college, university, or secondary school

teacher is a sponsor But, ARRL continued, a compelling need exists

to discourage Part 5 Experimental authorizations for satellites

intended to operate in amateur allocations by non-amateur sponsors,

absent compelling showings of need

There is no doubt but that Amateur Radio should be protected against

exploitation by commercial entities, and there should be a

compelling justification for a Part 5 Experimental license issued

for a satellite experiment to be conducted in amateur spectrum, ARRL

said A defining criterion for this latter category should be that

there is no other spectrum practically available in lieu of Amateur

Radio allocations

ARRL noted that International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) policy

regarding satellites operated in Amateur Radio spectrum is only to

coordinate satellites where licensees and control operators are radio

amateurs and having a mission and operation consistent with the

International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Radio Regulations’

definitions of the Amateur and Amateur-Satellite services

Resolution 659, adopted at World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC)

2015, included protective language against non-amateur satellites

operating in Amateur-Satellite spectrum, and the exclusion of any

amateur bands from spectrum that might be considered at a future WRC

for allocation to the Space Operation Service

IARU announced in 2017 that it would no longer coordinate non-amateur

satellite operations and adopted new satellite frequency coordination

guidelines Under that policy, educational and university satellites

may be coordinated only when an identified amateur component exists,

and the mission is to teach and train students in satellite

communication and building and launching satellites The individual

responsible for the satellite’s communications must be an Amateur

Radio licensee IARU will also continue to coordinate space stations

operating under an amateur license and having a clear amateur

mission, as well as satellites where a licensing administration

directs the use of an amateur band

ARRL asserted that incorporating Amateur Radio in experiential

learning using small satellites e g , CubeSats is good for

Amateur Radio, for students, and for the advancement of technology,

and it urged the FCC to adopt a regulatory paradigm that encourages

this approach

AMSAT-NA also filed comments in the proceeding The AMSAT remarks

reflect several of the same concerns expressed by ARRL, including the

suitability of authorizing certain satellites built by universities

and non-profit organizations in the Amateur Satellite Service, and

expressing opposition to satellites licensed as experimental under

FCC Part 5 rules operating in the Amateur Satellite bands

Interested parties may file reply comments in the proceeding, IB

Docket No 18-86, by August 7, 2018

[ANS thanks ARRL News for the above information ]

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UN/Brazil Symposium on Basic Space Technology September 2018

The theme for the United Nations/Brazil Symposium on Basic Space

Technology is "Creating Novel Opportunities with Small Satellite

Space Missions" The symposium will be held September 11-14, 2018

in Natal, Brazil

The objectives of the UN/Brazil Symposium will be to:

1. Review the status of capacity-building in basic space technology

for small satellites including lessons learned from the past and on-

going development activities with focus on regional and

international collaboration opportunities, in particular for

countries in Latin America and Caribbean;

1. Examine issues relevant to the implementation of small satellite

programmes, such as organizational capacity-building, development,

testing infrastructure and launch opportunities;

1. Review evolving capabilities and state-of-the-art applications of

small satellite programmes and technological developments associated

with them, with particular focus on applications for agriculture,

environment and urban monitoring, and education that support

sustainable growth, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable

Development;

1. Elaborate on regulatory issues related to space technology

development programmes, such as frequency allocation, space debris

mitigation and other issues that may arise with the newly emerging

trend of small satellite constellations;

1. Elaborate on legal issues and responsibilities related to space

technology development programmes, such as those that arise from

the sources of international space law;

1. Discuss the way forward for the Basic Space Technology Initiative

(BSTI), and its capacity-building and international cooperation

activities in support of UNISPACE+50

More information is available at:

https://tinyurl com/2018-Brazil-Symposium

[ANS thanks UN Office for Outer Space Affairs for the

above information ]

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World JOTA-JOTI Registration Now Open

Registration is open worldwide for Scouting’s Jamboree on the Air

(JOTA) and Jamboree on the Internet JOTA-JOTI take place

October 19 – 21 — always the third weekend of October JOTA

Coordinator Jim Wilson, K5ND, encourages JOTA groups to register

as soon as possible

“The sign-up system this year is much simpler,” Wilson told ARRL

“There is no need to first register an account at scout org before

signing in ” Wilson said JOTA-JOTI will generate “an explosion of

communication across the Amateur Radio airwaves and the internet ”

He anticipates that more than 1 million Scouts and Guides will take

part in more than 150 countries A JOTA-JOTI Participant’s Guide is

available “JOTA began in 1957 following the World Jamboree that year,

when the ham radio operators gathered over coffee and thought about

doing the on-the-air part of Jamboree every year,” Wilson recounted

This year will mark the 61st JOTA (and the 22nd year of JOTI) “Many

JOTA Amateur Radio stations are also starting to use JOTI channels,

like ScoutLink, to more readily connect with Scouts around the

world,” Wilson told ARRL “Other channels include Skype, YouTube,

and social media ”

Wilson said once groups have registered, other locations around the

world will know to look for them “Likewise, you’ll be able to see

at a glance all the rest of the locations from across town to the

other side of the Earth,” he added

A participants' guide is available at:

https://www jotajoti info/jota-joti-participants-guide/

(Editor's Note: Amateurs interested in supporting a local scouting

organization should contact the local leadership directly and offer

support The amateurs and the scouting group can use the

Participants Guide to plan their Jamboree event and register

with the World Organization of the Scout Movement )

[ANS thanks ARRL News for the above information ]

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Analysts Predict a Golden Age for Cubesats… If they Can Get Launched

If predictions from recent analyst reports are correct, CubeSat

builders are about to enter a five-year period of intense growth as

the commercial space industry transitions to small-satellite-centric

business models in order to meet demand for new applications and

increased access to space But, the size of the growth spike will be

dependent on the availability and cost of small satellite launch

services

While demand clearly exists for CubeSats, the availability

and cost of small satellite launch services remain a variable in

the equation Projected growth rates for small satellite launch

services are not consistent with those projected for the spacecraft

themselves

The complete article is available at:

https://tinyurl com/Spacecom-Cubesat-Golden-Age

[ANS thanks satellitetoday com for the above information ]

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ARISS News

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule (As of July 10, 2018)

Essex Heights Primary School, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia,

telebridge via VK4KHZ (Serena Aunon-Chancellor KG5TMT)

Tue 2018-07-17 08:24:52 UTC 85 deg

7th International Aerospace School I N Sultanova Rep

Bashkortostan, Ufa, Russia, direct via TBD The ISS callsign is

presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronaut is

Oleg Artemyev Contact is a go for 2018-07-20 20:15 UTC

ARISS congratulations the following mentors who have now

mentored over 100 schools:

Francesco IKØWGF with 132

Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 129

Gaston ON4WF with 123

Sergey RV3DR with 103

[ANS thanks Charles, AJ9N for the above information ]

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Call for Volunteers, ANS Seeks Rotating Editors

The AMSAT News Service (ANS) is seeking volunteers to serve as

rotating editors for its weekly newsletter

Editors work on a rotating schedule, each taking a different turn

editing a specific week's newsletter as scheduled by the ANS Editor

in Chief Editors support each other by seeking and reporting to the

Editor of the week, information and resources of interest to the

AMSAT community The number of newsletters assigned will be dependent

upon the number of available editors at any given time The average

editor can expect to spend, on average, 4-5 hours for each newsletter,

dependent on available material Prospective editors are required to

be AMSAT members in good standing and have a genuine interest in

satellite operation and an understanding of AMSAT's mission Former

editing experience is a plus but not required

If interested, please submit an inquiry, including your contact

information to ans-editor@amsat com

[ANS thanks the ANS editors for the above information]

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Satellite Shorts From All Over

• Youngsters-on-the Air Features Satellite Operation

The YOTA event scheduled for August 8-15, 2018 in Gauteng,

South Africa Events include a high altitude balloon launch,

building a model cubesat and instruction on working amateur

satellites For more information click "YOTA ZS Newsletter 1" at:

https://www ham-yota com/category/yota-2018/

[ANS thanks Youngsters-on-the-Air for the above information ]

• Nunavut and Bermuda Satellite Operations

NA-008 (Zone 2) Pierre/VE3KTB will once again active from the

Eureka Weather station and the Eureka Amateur Radio Club [probably

the most northerly located amateur radio club in the world] from

Eureka, Nunavut(NA-008), as VY0ERC between July 8-21st The

suggested bands are 40 and 20 meters, as well as FM satellites,

using SSB, the digital modes and very slow CW Activity will be

limited to his spare time QSL via M0OXO, OQRS or direct

VP9, BERMUDA Steve, KU9C, will once again be active as KU9C/VP9

from Ed, VP9GE's, QTH between July 11-17th During the IARU HF

Championship he will operate as VP9HQ/RSB, the VP9 IARU Headquarters

station Outside of the contest look for activity on the SO-50 and

AO-85 FM satellites QSL VP9HQ and the KU9C/VP9 callsigns to his

home callsign

[ANS thanks Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin No 1371 for the above

information ]

• Logging Satellite Contacts on Logbook of the World

Charlie Reiche, N3CRT has made a YouTube video showing how to use the

TQSL program to create and upload logfiles for satellite contacts

via ARRL's Log Book of the World Watch the 7:33 viveo at:

https://youtu be/qSIMmBvVc-4

[ANS thanks Charlie, N3CRT for the above information ]

• AMSAT President Talks Cubesats at SEA-PAC

Joe Spier K6WAO, AMSAT President fascinated SEA-PAC attendees on the

beach on June 1, 2018 SEA-PAC is the largest ham radio convention

in the northwest US Watch the 4:11 video at:

https://www youtube com/watch?v=Gl_RpYcNlGU

[ANS thanks Randy, K7AGE for the above information ]

• Updated Fox Operating Guide/Recruiting Flyer

AMSAT published a two-page, full-color flyer on June 6, 2018 The

front side of the flyer can be used for recruiting hams into the

world of amateur satellites and AMSAT membership The reverse side

offers simple instructions on how to listen and how to make

contacts on the Fox series of satellites Download either the high

or low resolution files at:

https://www facebook com/groups/AMSATNA/files/

[ANS thanks to JoAnne, K9JKM for the above information ]

• RadFxSat-2/Fox-1E declared Mission Ready!

Details to follow!

[ANS thanks Jerry, N0JY for the above information ]

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/EX

In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the

President's Club Members of the President's Club, as sustaining

donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive addi-

tional benefits Application forms are available from the AMSAT

Office

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 stu-

dent rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status

Contact Martha at the AMSAT Office for additional student membership

information

73,

This week's ANS Editor,

Frank Karnauskas, N1UW

n1uw at amsat dot org

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Via the ANS mailing list courtesy of AMSAT-NA

http://www amsat org/mailman/listinfo/ans

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Via the ANS mailing list courtesy of AMSAT-NA http://www amsat org/mailman/listinfo/ans