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WG3K > ANS 07.07.24 03:01l 76 Lines 4076 Bytes #12 (0) @ AMSAT
BID : ANS-189.1
Read: GUEST
Subj: Firefly Delivers New Amateur Satellites to Orbit
Path: IW8PGT<IZ3LSV<DB0ERF<DK0WUE<DK0WUE<VK5RSV<VK2RZ<KC9UHI<KA1VSC<WG3K
Sent: 240707/0128Z 6006@WG3K.#SMD.MD.USA.NOAM LinBPQ6.0.24
The Firefly Alpha FLTA005/NASA ELaNa 43 mission, nicknamed “Noise of
Summer,” launched successfully at 04:04 UTC on July 4 (Wednesday evening,
July 3 in the U.S.) and deployed eight new cube satellites to Low Earth
Orbit (LEO). Five of these cubesats carry amateur radio equipment.
The cubesats were placed into a sun-synchronous Earth orbit, meaning that
all locations on earth will see high-elevation passes roughly between 8:00
and 10:00 a.m. and between 8:00 and 10:00 p.m. local time daily, with lower
elevation passes earlier and later.
Among the newly-deployed satellites, the one of greatest interest to the
amateur radio community is *MESAT1*. Built by the University of Maine, in
cooperation with AMSAT, this satellite carries a 30 kHz wide V/U
Transponder plus a 1k2 BPSK telemetry downlink. Telemetry downlink 435.800
MHz with transponder downlink 435.810-435.840 MHz, and transponder uplink
145.910-145.940 MHz. Amateurs are encouraged to use AMSATs FoxTelem
software to collect telemetry.
*MESAT1 being prepared for integration aboard the Firefly Alpha (Photo
credit, University of Maine)*
MESAT1 involves three missions designed by high school students in Maine.
The science payloads are climate focused and include ALBEDO, IMAGER, and
HAB. These will identify urban heat islands, determine concentration of
phytoplankton in water bodies, and help predict harmful algal blooms. Four
multispectral cameras on board will relay the data down to University of
Maines ground station for further processing. Amateurs are encouraged to
use AMSATs FoxTelem software to collect telemetry and assist in these
science projects.
Also deployed was *CatSat*, a technology demonstration of an inflatable
antenna for high-speed communications, built by the University of Arizona.
CatSats deployable antenna consists of a Mylar balloon. The front half of
the balloon is transparent, allowing microwaves to pass through. The back
half of the balloon is aluminized, creating a reflecting antenna. After
reaching low Earth orbit, CatSats antenna will deploy and inflate to a
diameter of just over one-and-a-half feet CatSats demonstration will be to
transmit high-definition Earth photos to 10 GHz, X-band ground stations at
~50 megabits per second.
*Artists rendering of CatSat with 10 GHz balloon antenna deployed.
(University of Arizona)*
In addition to images, data about the structure of the Earths ionosphere
will be gathered by listening-in to thousands of beacons from ground-based
ham radio stations. CatSat will relay WSPR and FT8 signals from HF.
Downlinks on 437.185 MHz and 10470.00 MHz.
Other satellites with IARU-coordinated amateur frequency downlinks include:
*Serenity*, which uses a 4k8 FM with AX25 downlink on 437.100 MHz. Serenity
was built by Teachers in Space, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational
organization in North America that stimulates student interest in science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). They provide teachers with
real space science experiences, space flight opportunities, and industry
connections.
*KUbeSat-1*, revives small satellite research at the University of Kansas
and starts a new KUbeSat program that will offer space access to student
research. The main payload on KUbeSat-1 is the Primary Cosmic Ray Detector
which will use a new method to measure the energy and species of primary
cosmic rays hitting the Earth. The secondary payload is the High-Altitude
Calibration, (HiCalK) that builds on decades of research surrounding Very
High Frequency signals generated by cosmic ray interactions with the
atmosphere. UHF downlink using 9k6 GMSK. A downlink on 437.085 MHz.
*SOC-i* (Satellite for Optimal Control and Imaging) is a technology
demonstration mission of attitude control technology and a camera that
serves as an instrument to demonstrate SOC-is pointing abilities.
Developed at the University of Washington, SOC-i has a UHF downlink using
4k8 GMSK. downlink 437.125 MHz.
[ANS thanks NASA, Firefly Aerospace, and Spacflight Now for the above
information]
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