AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-027

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

In this edition:

• OrigamiSat-1 Requests Help for Testing 5 84 GHz Downlink
• OrigamiSat-1 Reception Challenges
• AO-85 Operations Re-Started - Telemetry Requested
• ARISS TV Transmitter Back on Earth for Inspection, Possible Repair
• ARISS Officers Elected
• Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule
• Limited ISS SSTV Scheduled for January 30 - February 1
• Registration Open for "VHF Super Conference"
• AMSAT 50th Anniversary Awards Program
• Upcoming Satellite Operations
• NASA Administrator Addresses Furloughed Employees
• Australia’s First Commercial Launch Facility to be Built
• India Will Fly 100 Student Satellites
• Satellite Shorts From All Over

SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-027 01 ANS-027 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 027 01 From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD DATE 2019-January-27 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-027 01

OrigamiSat-1 Requests Help for Testing 5 84 GHz Downlink

The OrigamiSat-1 Team is requesting suitably equipped ground stations to participate in receiving the 5 84GHz telemetry downlink from their CubeSat The satellite transmits on the same frequency with FITSAT-1, Niwaka sat, which were launched in 2013 by Fukuoka Inst Tech in Japan

The team added, "Although our satellite suffers from reset problem, we hope that we will start testing 5 8 GHz early in the week of January 28 First we will test it only above Japan, and see whether we can do it outside Japan also Please stay tuned!"

[ANS thanks the OrigamiSat-1 for the above information]

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OrigamiSat-1 Reception Challenges

Tracking Origamisat-1 is a real challenge It is a LEO, so is only visible for 10-15 minutes depending on the pass The challenge is not only tracking the satellite both AZ and EL with a dish that has maybe 3-5 degree beamwidth, but the Doppler can run a little over ±100 kHz

The 5 84 GHz downlink is 420KF1D 115kbps It transmits for 10 secs and is then off for 5 secs and then repeats

In 2012, N1JEZ was able to detect a similar satellite, NIWAKA, using a portable 5 760 GHz rig That rig consisted of a 2' dish with my DEMI 5760 transverter and for an IF, a Funcube Dongle SDR tuned to 224 000 MHz The original Funcube only had 96 kHz bandwidth, but he will use a Funcube Pro+ for OrigamiSat, which has 196 kHz bandwidth This should minimize tuning during the pass

N1JEZ would like to be in touch with others who may be attempting to track OrigamiSat-1 to coordinate efforts

[ANS thanks the N1JEZ for the above information]

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AO-85 Operations Re-Started - Telemetry Requested

As of 1324Z on January 26, control operator N8MH reported via Twitter that AO-85 has been returned to transponder mode, but will likely be switching in and out of safe mode The satellite is open for use as power permits

AO-85 entered a period of low-voltage on its batteries in December, 2018 and has been off the air to allow undisturbed recharging of its batteries

On January 23, AMSAT VP Operations, Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, wrote: "We are trying to get AO-85 back in repeater mode, but it's resetting We could use as much telemetry as possible please "

The Data-Under-Voice (DUV) telemetry is decoded and uploaded to the Fox Data Warehouse with the Fox Telem software available on the AMSAT web: http://www amsat org/tlm/leaderboard php?id=0&db=FOXDB

Stations not equipped to receive and decode the telemetry can monitor the latest reports at: http://www amsat org/tlm/health php?id=1&port=

[ANS thanks N8MH and AMSAT VP Operations, Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA for the above information]

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ARISS TV Transmitter Back on Earth for Inspection, Possible Repair

The malfunctioning Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) “HamTV” transmitter now is back on Earth for repair or replacement, and it likely won’t be until sometime in 2020 at the earliest that Amateur Radio TV (DATV) capability will be restored to the orbiting laboratory Onboard repair was not possible

Also known as “Ham Video,” the DATV system transmissions were not seen by ARISS ground stations as of last April, and a subsequent test using a second L/S band patch antenna on the ISS Columbus module failed The DATV transmitter since February 2016 has served to provide a visual dimension to ARISS school and group ham radio events

Late last year, the ISS crew packed the HamTV unit and stowed it on the SpaceX-16 Dragon vehicle, which undocked and departed from the ISS on January 13 The HamTV unit returned to Earth when Dragon success- fully splashed down in the Pacific Ocean, the first nighttime splash- down and recovery of a Dragon vehicle

ARISS Ham Project Coordinator Kenneth Ransom, N5VHO, told those attending the January ARISS meeting that the HamTV unit would be processed and sent to NASA’s Johnson Space Center In time, ARISS will coordinate shipment of the unit to Kayser-Italia, which built the transmitter, where it will undergo a full failure investigation by ARISS, AMSAT-Italia, and the Kayser-Italia team Depending on the outcome of the inspection, ARISS will decide the best way to move forward

ARISS expressed gratitude to NASA, CASIS, and the team working with NASA Ham Payload Integration Manager Mitch Polt for organizing the return of the unit

Given various handling protocols, the unit is not expected to be received by NASA until this spring, and tests in Europe not completed until this fall

If the HamTV unit is able to be repaired or refurbished, another wait would ensue Documentation is required 50 days before a safety certification meeting, and all must be approved 2 months prior to launch, which could take place in a little more than a year ARISS said it also will prepare for the possibility that repairs are not feasible and be ready to move forward with a new, improved HamTV unit

[ANS thanks ARRL for the above information]

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ARISS Officers Elected

ARISS-International Delegates recently held their election of ARISS- International Officers and the results are as follows:

ARISS Delegates elected Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, as ARISS-International Chair; Oliver Amend, DG6BCE, as ARISS-International Vice Chair, and Rosalie White, K1STO, as ARISS-International Secretary-Treasurer for the 2019-2020 term

[ANS thanks AA4KN for the above information]

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule

Colégio Campo de Flores, Almada, Portugal, direct via CS5SS The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The scheduled astronaut is David St-Jacques KG5FYI Contact is go for: Sat 2019-02-02 15:23:19 UTC

Amur State University, Blagoveshchensk, Russia, direct via TBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronaut is Oleg Konenenko Contact is go for Tue 2019-02-05 08:25 UTC

Listen for the ISS on the downlink of 145 8Ø MHz ARISS is always glad to receive listener reports for the above contacts ARISS thanks everyone in advance for their assistance Feel free to send your reports to aj9n@amsat org

As of the end of 2018, ARISS has facilitated a total of 1228 contacts between the International Space Station and schools on earth!

[ANS thanks AJ9N for the above information]

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Limited ISS SSTV Scheduled for January 30 - February 1 ‏ Information received on the ISS Ham (@RF2Space) twitter feed on 23 Jan 2019 from Houston, TX reports that the next SSTV activa- tion from the ISS will be very limited in operational time

The ISS SSTV blog ( https://ariss-sstv blogspot com/ ) says that Inter-MAI (Moscow Aviation Institute) will be conducting their SSTV experiment from January 30 - February 1

It appears from the scheduling that the experiment will only be active during a couple of orbits that overfly Moscow instead of a continuous operation Rough time periods of activation appear to fall between the hours of 13:00 - 19:00 UTC Activity should occur on the traditional 145 800 MHz downlink

Captured images can be posted at: https://www spaceflightsoftware com/ARISS_SSTV/index php

[ANS thanks Kenneth Ransom, N5VHO for the above information]

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Registration Open for "VHF Super Conference"

Registration is now open for the 2019 VHF Super Conference to be held April 26-28, 2019 at the Holiday Inn Washington-Dulles International Airport in Sterling, VA The conference is sponsored by Southeastern VHF Society, North East Weak Signal Group and the Mt Airy VHF Radio Club, and is hosted by the Grid Pirates Contest Group and Directive Systems and Engineering

Complete information is at http://vhfsuperconference com/

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AMSAT 50th Anniversary Awards Program

+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ For a limited time, new and renewing AMSAT members will receive a free digital copy of "Getting Started with Amateur Satellites" Join or renew your AMSAT membership today at https://www amsat org/product-category/amsat-membership/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+

To help celebrate 50 years of Keeping Amateur Radio in Space, AMSAT is proud to announce the AMSAT 50th Anniversary Awards Program Throughout 2019, your satellite and HF QSOs can help you achieve one of these special awards A summary of the three awards are as follows:

• 50th Anniversary AMSAT OSCAR Satellite Communications Achievement Award (Limited Edition)

Unlike the AMSAT Satellite Communications Achievement Award, the 50th Anniversary AMSAT Satellite Communications Achievement Award will be issued on one of the original goldenrod paper stock certificates and signed by AMSAT's founding President, Perry Klein, K3TJE (now W3PK) With only 20 original certificates available, this award will certainly become a collector's item The first 20 applicants to successfully submit 20 confirmed, qualifying contacts made after March 3, 2019 on any satellite will receive this award

• 50th Anniversary AMSAT Satellite Friends of 50 Award

To achieve this award, you must work 50 amateur radio operators on any satellite during 2019

• AMSAT on HF 50th Anniversary Award

To achieve this award, you must work at least one AMSAT Member on any HF band, on any mode

Complete information on the specific requirements to earn these awards can be found at: https://www amsat org/amsat-50th-anniversary-awards-program/

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          Fox-1 CubeSat Model Kits Available

This exciting model is printed in color on heavy stock paper and includes all components The instructions are carefully prepared to allow for easy assembly requiring scissors, glue etc

The completed model will be a perfect addition to any satellite operator's shack, and a chance to show visitors what is being done by AMSAT today

All proceeds will go to supporting AMSAT's satellite projects The price is $40 plus shipping Order yours today at:

    https://www
amsat
org/product/fox-1-cubesat-model/

[ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT-NA VP of User Services for the above information ]

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Upcoming Satellite Operations

• Quartzfest Arizona (DM23) – January 19-27, 2019 John, N7JY, will be operating FM satellites on a holiday schedule He may also visit some adjoining grids There will likely be other hams operating from the event, located a few miles south of Quartzsite AZ QSL via LOTW, or you can send your card with SASE

• Labrador (GO11) – January 23-25, 2019 VE3FU, VO1HP, and VE9CB will be participating in the CQ160 CW Contest from the Point Amour Lighthouse in Labrador (GO11), which will be held January 25, 2200Z – January 27, 2200Z, 2019 This is important, because, if time permits they will be active on AO-85, AO-91, and AO-92 passes before the contest Call signs are expected to be VO2AC and VO2AAA Note: this is preliminary information Keep your eye on https://twitter com/chrisve3fu and https://www qrz com/db/vo2ac for possible updates

• Nevis Island (FM87) - January 25 - February 6 Mel, W8MV reports that he will be active on the FM satellites, SO-50, AO-91 and AO-92 as V4/W8MV

• Eureka Nunavut (ER60, EQ79) – February 3, – March 29, 2019 Eureka ARC, VY0ERC, will be QRV from Eureka, NU (NA-008), February 3 until March 29, 2019 Time and weather permitting, they expect to be on the FM satellites from ER60 and EQ79 Announcements will be posted on Twitter at https://twitter com/vy0erc

• Texas (DM80, DM70,DM71, DL79, DL90) February 10-14, 2019 Clayton, W5PFG will be operating satellites daily in vacation-mode from grid DM80 He will also operate a few passes from grids DM70, DM71, DL79, and DL89 Those specific passes will be advertised on Twitter @w5pfg You don't need to be a Twitter user to see his feed Just visit http://www twitter com/w5pfg to see his Tweets

• Nevada (DM15, DM16, DM17, DM18, DM25, DM26, DM27, DM28, DM37, DM36) – February 8-11, 2019 Casey KI7UNJ and Jonathan KI5BEX are planning a joint roving trip to Nevada, February 8-11, 2019 Planned activations include the DM15/16/25/26 grid corner Friday morning, the DM16/26 gridline Friday afternoon, DM17/18 gridline Saturday morning, DM27/28 gridline Saturday evening, DM27/37 gridline Sunday morning, and DM36/37 gridline Sunday evening This will be FM only All contacts uploaded to LoTW upon return Check out @KI7UNJ Twitter feed for specific passes at https://twitter com/KI7UNJ and follow them on aprs fi KI7UNJ-7

• Isla del Culebra, Puerto Rico (FK78) – February 22-24, 2019 Radio Opordores del Este, KP3RE, is preparing for their Culebra IOTA (NA-249) Expedition 2019 Satellite operations are planned for AO-91, AO-92, SO-50, and IO-86

• Turks and Caicos Islands (FL31) – February 28 – March 9, 2019 Adrian, AA5UK, will be heading to Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Islands from Feb 28th through March 9th, 2019 He will be operating holiday style on HF and Satellites as VP5/AA5UK from grid FL31UU14 Focus will be on the linear satellites, with some FM activity depending on pile-up civility Hope to work some European stations as location favors the East Pass announcements will be made via Twitter: https://twitter com/AA5UK and periodically via amsat-bb

[ANS thanks KE4AL and KO4MA for the above information ]

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NASA Administrator Addresses Furloughed Employees

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine has released an internal memo to employees and contractors affected by the current partial government shut-down

Bridenstine wrote to explain the legal requirement for additional furlough notices made necessary because the shut-down has extended beyond the initial 30-day notification He added words of encourage- ment to those going without pay

"I want you to know how much I appreciate your patience and commitment during this unique time in American history I understand this furlough is a real hardship for many of you and while civil servants will eventually receive back pay, the situation is not as clear for many of our family members in the contracting community We are work- ing with procurement and contracting officers to mitigate the impacts for you as we all look forward to the ultimate resolution of this lapse in appropriations

"The hard work of both our civil servants and contractors is deeply appreciated You are performing with incredible focus and determina- tion to ensure the safety of the crew on the International Space Station and the continued safe operations of our missions in space and in development here on the ground," Bridenstine wrote

While many NASA employees are idle, those involved in the support of critical systems, such as ISS crew support, are working without pay during the shutdown

[ANS thanks http://www spaceref com for the above information]

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Australia’s First Commercial Launch Facility to be Built

Southern Launch will begin developing the infrastructure to deploy nanosatellites from the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia Called the Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex, the 2940-acre site is approx- imately 185 miles northwest of Adelaide and 300 miles south of Woomera, the Australian military launch site

The company hopes to begin construction early in 2019 and operational by the end of the year Southern Launch will target rockets with pay- loads between 50kg and 400kg, like Rocket Lab’s Electron, that carry microsatellites into polar or sun synchronous orbits

Full article at https://tinyurl com/y8kyp3p9

[ANS thanks The Lead South Australia editor Jim Plouffe for the above information]

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India Will Fly 100 Student Satellites

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will select over 100 students from across India and give them a practical experience of how satellites are built under the new "Young Scientist Programme "

The initiative, intended to arouse interest in this arena of science and engineering, is patterned on a similar program run by NASA in the U S

Six incubation centers will be established in various parts of India, and students will be able to use these centers for R&D purposes The first such center has been established in the state of Tripura, in the eastern part of India

[Full article at https://tinyurl com/yd5uwxnq]

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Satellite Shorts From All Over

• JAMSAT just released a YouTube video about their NEXUS cubesat at https://www youtube com/embed/u40gwM2lUPw and images of NEXUS at http://sat aero cst nihon-u ac jp/nexus/E3_SatImages html (JAMSAT on facebook)

• The IARU has launched a new web page highlighting those satellites that have had their request for Amateur Satellite Frequency Coordination DECLINED: http://www amsatuk me uk/iaru/declined php (AMSAT-UK via Twitter)

• ARISS congratulations the following mentors who have now worked with students in more than 100 schools: Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 135 Francesco IKØWGF with 132 Gaston ON4WF with 123 Sergey RV3DR with 108 (via AJ9N)

• One of Orbcomm’s first-generation satellites broke up Dec 22, resulting in 34 trackable objects, according to the U S Air Force’s 18th Space Control Squadron Orbcomm says the company is still investigating the cause of the breakup, and that the damaged OG1 satellite was no longer providing service More than 90 percent of Orbcomm’s communications traffic goes through its newer OG2 satellites launched in 2014 and 2015 (ANS thanks SpaceNews for the above information)

• A celebration of life was held on January 22 in Tucson, AZ in memory of long-time AMSAT member Larry Brown, W7LB Larry was one of the net control stations for the AMSAT 20 meter international net on 14 282 MHz Sundays at 1900z (ANS thanks W2RS for the above information)

• A story about a group of students in Kolkata listening in on an ISS pass was featured in the Times of India, one of the world's largest circulation newspapers, on January 23 The article may be found at https://tinyurl com/yarm34jc

• The CBS program, "60 Minutes" will air a segment on small satellites this Sunday, January 27 Preview at https://tinyurl com/y7lfe7o9

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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 and Remember to help keep amateur radio in space, This week's ANS Editor,

K0JM at amsat dot org

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