GeoSync Ham Radio Satellite

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Gary Pearce KN4AQ has released the video of the Digital Communications Conference presentation about the AMSAT payload for a geosynchronous satellite 

AMSAT-NA is developing a “hosted payload” for a spacecraft that Millennium Space Systems (MSS) of El Segundo, California, is under contract to design, launch, and operate for the US government. 

The satellite’s potential footprint could extend over the US from the Mid-Pacific to Africa.

The amateur radio payload will comprise a Software Defined Transponder capable of supporting many different modes, including analog SSB.

What does a geosynchronous orbit look like? - https://amsat-uk.org/satellites/geosynchronous/na-gso-sat/

“We’ve been hearing about a Geosynchronous satellite for the Western Hemisphere for a while now, but not many details. In this episode from the DCC, project leader Bob McGwier N4HY fills in a lot of blanks. There’s no launch date yet, and maybe not quite enough info to start building your ground station (a ‘Five & Dime’ setup - 5 GHz up, 10 GHz down), but you can start thinking about it.”
— Gary Pearce KN4AQ

42 Years in Space for AO-7

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The venerable AO-7 Amateur Radio satellite is approaching 42 years in space, making the the satellite the oldest ham radio satellite still in operation, is now switching between Mode A and Mode B on a daily basis, after coming up in Mode A on September 30.

“That suggests that the satellite is now in constant sunlight and receiving enough power from the solar cells for the 24-hour timer to stay on throughout its entire orbit. Expect daily mode switches between Mode A and Mode B to occur for the next three months or so. As AO-7’s orbit precesses and the periods of constant sunlight become fewer and fewer, there will be less of an opportunity to use Mode A on a yearly basis, so enjoy it while it lasts!”
— AMSAT-NA Secretary Paul Stoetzer, N8HM

In Mode A, earthbound amateurs transmit on 2 meters and receive on 10 meters. Stoetzer said the type of 10 meter antenna isn’t fussy. “Try whatever you can,” he said. When continuously illuminated, AO-7’s mode will alternate between Modes A and B (70 centimeters up/2 meters down) every 24 hours.

15 November 2016, will mark 42 years since AO-7 was launched into space from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. AO-7 was the second so-called “Phase 2” Amateur Radio satellite that AMSAT-NA constructed and launched into low-Earth orbit. It remained in operation until a short circuit occurred in a battery in 1981. More than 20 years later, however, AO-7 unexpectedly returned to life, its 2 meter beacon showing up on 145.9775 MHz.

AMSAT describes the Mode A/B spacecraft as “semi-operational” and dependent upon its solar panels for a reliable power source; AO-7 works only as long as its solar panels are illuminated by sunlight. Satellite experts speculate that AO-7’s resurrection occurred when the short circuit in the battery opened up for some reason, allowing the solar cells to power the spacecraft. When the satellite goes into eclipse, it powers down.

Since the satellite came back to life, terrestrial users have enjoyed numerous contacts via AO-7. Last February Dave Swanson, KG5CCI, of Arkansas achieved a distance milestone on AO-7 using Mode B to work Eduardo Erlemann, PY2RN (GG66lw), in Brazil — 8030.895 kilometers — which Swanson said was “way beyond the theoretical range AO-7” and a feat that “the math said shouldn’t be possible.”

AO-7 has beacons on 29.502 MHz (used in conjunction with Mode A) and, nominally, on 145.972 MHz (used in conjunction with Mode B and Mode C — low power Mode B). The 435.100 MHz beacon has an intermittent problem, switching between 400 mW and 10 mW. 

AMSAT - http://www.amsat.org

UK CubeSat Forum - Lunar Opportunity

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SSTL and GES are looking for CubeSat passenger payloads on a Lunar mission 

Orbital passengers e.g. nano-satellites and CubeSats will be deployed from the Mothership and will operate in lunar orbit. 

The UK CubeSat Forum can help in creating new contacts for joint proposals, so do post on their site should you want to be involved! - 
http://www.cubesatforum.org.uk/wordpress/2016/08/30/call-for-lunar-missions-payloads/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/UKCubeSatForum

Download Related Documents - http://www.goonhilly.org/lunar