AO-73 Now in Full-Time Transponder Mode

AMSAT reports that, after some 8 months in continuous sunlight, AO-73 (FUNcube-1) began to encounter some eclipses during each orbit. Telemetry showed that AO-73 continued to function, although maintaining a sufficient battery charge was a concern. After 3 weeks of increasing eclipse periods, however, AMSAT reported that the lithium-ion battery appears to be okay, and the bus voltage has not yet dropped below 8.1 V. The operating mode has been shifted from high-power telemetry educational mode to continuous amateur mode with the transponder on. Telemetry continues to be available but at low power.

HuskySat-1 (HO-107) Transponder is Open

The transponder on HuskySat-1, now designated as HuskySat-OSCAR 107 (HO-107), has been activated and is open for use and testing.

“It’s fairly sensitive, and 5 – 10 W is plenty most of the time. There are some fades due to satellite orientation, and some passes are definitely better than others. Strong signals may impact the beacon strength.”

— AMSAT Vice President – Operations Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA

HuskySat-1 is the first CubeSat from the Husky Satellite Lab at the University of Washington and the first mission with AMSAT’s linear transponder module (LTM-1), a V/u transponder and integrated telemetry beacon and command receiver. University researchers recently completed their Part 5 (Experimental) operations and have opened up the amateur radio transponder, which is available for use in educational CubeSat missions that are willing to enable the transponder for worldwide use.

The HuskySat-1 V/u transponder is inverting, with an uplink passband of 145.910 – 145.940 MHz, and a downlink passband of 435.810 – 435.840 MHz. The 1200-baud BPSK telemetry beacon is at 435.800 MHz.

HuskySat-1 Transponder Available

After a week of testing, the transponder on HuskySat-1 is enabled and open for use and testing. It’s fairly sensitive, and 5-10 watts is plenty most of the time. There are some fades due to satellite orientation, and some passes are definitely better than others. The operations and engineering teams are also watching a few anomalies. Keep an eye on the beacon during transponder ops, for those with spectrum scopes. Strong signals may impact the beacon strength.

HuskySat-1 is the Husky Satellite Lab at University of Washington’s first CubeSat, and the first mission with AMSAT’s linear transponder module (LTM-1), a V/u transponder and integrated telemetry beacon and command receiver. UW recently completed their Part 5 operations and have graciously let AMSAT’s Part 97 transponder operations commence. This transponder module is available for use in educational CubeSat missions willing to enable the transponder for worldwide use.

Reports and observations are welcome to the AMSAT-BB.

Congratulations to Husky Satellite Lab, and to the entire AMSAT Engineering team for keeping amateur radio in space. Thanks to Dr. Mark Hammond, N8MH for commissioning and operations support.