SB NEWS @ AMSAT $SPC0822
* SpaceNews 22-Aug-94 *
 
 
BID: $SPC0822
 
 
                               =========
                               SpaceNews
                               =========
 
 
                         MONDAY AUGUST 22, 1994
 
 
SpaceNews originates at KD2BD in Wall Township, New Jersey, USA.  It is
published every week and is made available for unlimited distribution.
 
 
* AMSAT-OSCAR-16 NEWS * 
=======================
PACSAT-1>AMSAT <UI>:
1540 UTC 18 August 1994
WOD Dump of Temperature Channels 15,1E,2F,30,36,38
Will dump for 24 hours  AO-16 Command Team <WJ9F>
 
 
* DOVE-OSCAR-17 NEWS *
======================
DOVE-1>BRAMST <UI>:
5th August 1994 13:10 UTC
Dove has been loaded with new software. 
90 Secs TLM  --  DAC Test (8 Tones)  --  Voice
S Band is still off till further notice.
 
73 Dove Command Team (vk7zbx)
 
 
* WEBERSAT-OSCAR-18 NEWS * 
==========================
WEBER-1>CAST <UI>:
 
19-Aug-94
*Collecting and Sending WOD
 Week1: Array Currents 26 27 28 29 2A 2B 
*Photo#8/12 identified as Djibouti
*Monday, New Spectrum
 
73, IK3WVJ
 
 
* LUSAT-OSCAR-19 NEWS *
=======================
LUSAT-1>AMARG <UI>:
 
July 23.
Reload is complete.
Additional new experimental software is aboard, but not active.
Digipeater is on.
 
LU8DYF, LO-19 command station.
 
 
* AMSAT-OSCAR-21 NEWS * 
=======================
RUDAK2>BEACON <UI C>:
++ Hi, this is the RUDAK-II experiment on AMSAT OSCAR 21 ++
 
RUDAK2>BEACON <UI C>:
RUDAK-II Schedule: (down 145.987, up 435.016)
min/10  Beacon Mode
 0..3   FM Repeater
   4    Digital Audio
 5..7   WEFAX Picture
 8..9   AFSK TLM
 
RUDAK2>WEFAX-1 <UI C>:
WEFAX General Info:
Mode : MGCS, Subcarrier 2400Hz, DSB max=white, Start 300Hz(3s),
       Stop 450Hz(5s), Phasing signal (5% bl, 95% wh),
       Sync (1st 40 Pixels), 800x800 Pixels, 4 lines/sec., module 267
 
 
* DIGITAL SATELLITE NEWS *
==========================
This year's AMSAT-UK Colloquium yielded some news regarding the status
of several digital Amateur Satellites in various states of limbo.  
Richard, G3RWL reported that the file server on LUSAT-OSCAR-19 has still 
not been made available possibly due to a power struggle within AMSAT-LU.  
The packet mailbox on FUJI-OSCAR-20 is gone forever due to a failed 
computer.  The analog (Mode JA) transponder is available, however.  Two 
uplink channels on KITSAT-OSCAR-25 have failed.  This causes uplink 
contention on the remaining uplinks.  ITAMSAT-OSCAR-26 controllers have 
not had enough time to fix the problems with IO-26 since it's on-board 
computer crashed back in May.  And POSAT-OSCAR-28 apparently came and 
went, unlikely to ever be seen again.
 
 
* AMSAT-OSCAR-10 NEWS *
=======================
Several stations have reported that AO-10's downlink is FMing.  Downlink
frequency instability is due to low and varying battery voltages.  This 
is a dangerous condition, and it is important that all ground stations 
curtail transponder operations when the frequency of the downlink becomes 
unstable to reduce the drain on AO-10's batteries and to allow them to
recharge.
 
 
* STS-68 NEWS *
===============
Launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour was aborted just seconds before liftoff
on 18-Aug-94.  The primary payload for this mission is the Space Radar 
Laboratory, part of a comprehensive effort under NASA's Mission to Planet 
Earth program, to understand how the Earth's environment is changing.
 
 
* FEEDBACK/INPUT WELCOMED *
===========================
Mail to SpaceNews should be directed to the editor (John, KD2BD) via any
of the following paths:
 
FAX       : 1-908-747-7107
PACKET    : KD2BD @ N2KZH.NJ.USA.NA
INTERNET  : kd2bd@ka2qhd.de.com -or- kd2bd@amsat.org
SATELLITE : AMSAT-OSCAR-16 
 
MAIL      : John A. Magliacane, KD2BD
            Department of Engineering and Technology
            Advanced Technology Center
            Brookdale Community College
            Lincroft, New Jersey  07738
            U.S.A.
 
 
       <<=- SpaceNews: The first amateur newsletter read in space! -=>> 
 
/EX
SB NEWS @ AMSAT $SPC0829
* SpaceNews 29-Aug-94 *
 
 
BID: $SPC0829
 
 
                               =========
                               SpaceNews
                               =========
 
 
                         MONDAY AUGUST 29, 1994
 
 
SpaceNews originates at KD2BD in Wall Township, New Jersey, USA.  It is
published every week and is made available for unlimited distribution.
 
 
* SPACE CALENDAR * 
==================
Sep ?? - FAST Pegasus Launch
Sep 01 - 15th Anniversary (1979), Pioneer 11, Saturn Flyby
Sep 06-9 Magellan, Windmill Experiment
Sep 09 - STS-64, Discovery, Lidar In-Space Technology Experiment (LITE-I)
Sep 14 - Ulysses, Maximum Southern Latitude (-80.22 degrees)
Sep 12 - 35th Anniversary (1959), Luna 2 Launch (Russian Moon Impact Mission)
Sep 21 - 20th Anniversary (1974), Mariner 10, 2nd Mercury Flyby
Sep 28 - NOAA-J Launch
Sep 29 - Intelsat 7 #1 Altas IIAS Launch
Sep 30 - Seastar Pegasus Launch
 
[Info via Ron Baalke]
 
 
* RS SATELLITE NEWS *
=====================
Andy, RK3KPK, the operator of the RS satellite ground station RS3A reports
that both RS-10 and RS-12 are both in good operating order.  Andy reports
there is a lot of RS activity from stations in Germany, England, Italy, and 
Switzerland.  Activity from the Commonwealth of Independent States is low,
although there are some active stations in the Leningrad region, Siberia,
and Moscow.
 
The ROBOTs (autotransponders) are functioning well on the satellites.
Andy reminds us of a special channel on RS-10 that operates on an uplink
frequency of 145.850 MHz and downlink of 29.350 MHz.  The RS-14/AO-21
CW beacon (145.822 MHz) can sometimes be heard coming through RS-10's
ROBOT, which has a downlink on 29.403 MHz.
 
No word has been received regarding the launch of RS-15.
 
At the RS Command Station, RS3A, Andy operates through RS-10 only.  The 
station consists of a 100-watt uplink transmitter that feeds a groundplane 
antenna.  The downlink receiver is an R250M2 and contains 20 tubes.  It is 
also very heavy and weighs about 95 kilograms.  A 3 element yagi antenna 
is used for receiving RS-10 downlinks at the RS3A Command Station.
 
QSL cards for ROBOT contacts are available through DF4XW or Andrey Mironov,
ul.V-Voloshinoj, d.11, kv.72, station Perlovskay, 141014, Moscow region,  
Russia, C.I.S.  
 
[Info via Andy, RK3KPK]
 
 
* ENCRYPTION OF METEOSAT HRI TRANSMISSIONS *
============================================
The following information was taken from the EUMETSAT Newsletter, Darmstadt, 
Germany.
 
Starting in 1995, HRI data will be transmitted in encrypted form.  Test 
transmissions have already been scheduled this year.  This service will 
continue with the new High Rate Image Transmission (HRIT) to be introduced 
with the Meteosat Second Generation, scheduled for launch in the year 2000.  
HRIT format will provide considerable enhancements to the information 
available from current Meteosat HRI transmissions.
 
For PDUS users to be able to use encrypted data they will need to obtain 
a decryption facility for use within their particular receiving station. 
Decryption will require a Meteosat Key Unit (MKU) at a cost of 700 ECU. 
 
The apparent reason for the introduction of data encryption for 
meteorological data is its use by commercial enterprises, who do not 
contribute to the cost of data collection, but charge customers for the 
provided services.
 
There are no plans to encrypt analogue WEFAX transmissions of Meteosat 
data, so reception via SDUS (Secondary Data User Stations will be 
unaffected.  By the time of the launch of the Meteosat Second Generation 
(MSG) satellite in the year 2000, a new and improved integrated digital 
data transmission system known as LRIT (Low Rate Image Transmission) will 
replace the current analogue WEFAX data formats and MDD.  This system will
extend much of the functionality and flexibility which are only available 
currently to users of PDUS equipment.  Selected sections of the LRIT data 
(e.g. MDD) already subject to encryption, will continue to be distributed 
on a restricted basis.
 
[Info via Manfred, TG9IKE]
 
 
* CHINA OSCAR NEWS *
====================
The Tinghua University Amateur Radio Club (TUARC) in Beijing, China 
started its long-awaited OSCAR-13 Mode B operation on Tuesday August 23, 
1994, signing BY1QH.  The satellite ground station consists of a Yaesu 
FT-726R tribander (2m/70cm/6m), a Cushcraft AOP-1 system (an A144-20T 
146MHz Twist antenna and a 416TB 435 MHz Twist antenna), a Kenpro KR-400RC 
azimuth and KR-500 elevation rotors, a Tokyo Hy-Power HL-120U 70cm 
amplifier, and a GaAsFET 2m preamp.  Uplink power is around 25 watts.
 
The low uplink power is due to a defective 70-cm power amplifer and a
replacement for it as well as a broken Yaesu MH-1 mobile microphone are
sought.  Anyone who can help is asked to contact Rick, BZ1QL at any of
the addresses listed below.
 
TUARC would like to thank CRSA, the Chinese Radio Sports Association, as 
well as Sam N3NFK, Bill KA3HPQ, Jackie KA3HPP, Chris AA2MJ, Allan WA2JVI, 
Presley N5VGC, Max G0PBZ, Rick N6NR and all of the people who have been 
concerned about TUARC operations. 
 
TUARC can be reached via any of the following paths:
 
Packet   - BZ1QL @ JA5TX.JPN.AS
Internet - bz1ql%ja5tx@bbs.arasmith.com or bz1ql%ja5tx@bbs.lbc.com
Airmail  - Rick Niu  BZ1QL
           Public Relations Manager TUARC
           Room 316 Building 25
           Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084
           People's Republic of China
 
[Info via BZ1QL] 
 
 
* THANKS! *
===========
Thanks to all those who sent messages of appreciation to SpaceNews,
especially:
        
             NS1Z    KA2AEV    N2MUC    ZS6BMN    TG9IKE
 
 
* FEEDBACK/INPUT WELCOMED *
===========================
Mail to SpaceNews should be directed to the editor (John, KD2BD) via any
of the following paths:
 
FAX       : 1-908-747-7107
PACKET    : KD2BD @ N2KZH.NJ.USA.NA
INTERNET  : kd2bd@ka2qhd.de.com -or- kd2bd@amsat.org
SATELLITE : AMSAT-OSCAR-16 
 
MAIL      : John A. Magliacane, KD2BD
            Department of Engineering and Technology
            Advanced Technology Center
            Brookdale Community College
            Lincroft, New Jersey  07738
            U.S.A.
 
 
       <<=- SpaceNews: The first amateur newsletter read in space! -=>> 
 
/EX
