ANS-126 AMSAT Information Service Weekly Bulletins – AMSAT

On this version:

* Greencube Terminal Program: Model 1.0.0.90 Enhancements and Updates
* Chang’e-6 Efficiently Launches: China’s Historic Lunar Mission Begins
* NASA Reveals SpaceX’s Revolutionary Plan for Starship Refueling in Orbit
* GridMasterMap Satellite tv for pc Prime 100 Rovers Might 2024 Rankings
* Modifications to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for Might 3, 2024
* ARISS Information
* Upcoming Satellite tv for pc Operations
* Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Different Occasions
* Satellite tv for pc Shorts From All Over

The AMSAT Information Service bulletins are a free, weekly information and knowledge service of AMSAT, the Radio Novice Satellite tv for pc Company. ANS publishes information associated to Novice Radio in Area together with reviews on the actions of a worldwide group of Novice Radio operators who share an energetic curiosity in designing, constructing, launching and speaking by analog and digital Novice Radio satellites.

The information feed on https://www.amsat.org publishes information of Novice Radio in Area as quickly as our volunteers can put up it.

Please ship any beginner satellite tv for pc information or reviews to: ans-editor [at] amsat.org

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ANS-126 AMSAT Information Service Weekly Bulletins

To: All RADIO AMATEURS
From: Radio Novice Satellite tv for pc Company
712 H Road NE, Suite 1653
Washington, DC 20002

DATE 2024 Might 05

Greencube Terminal Program: Model 1.0.0.90 Enhancements and Updates

The Greencube Terminal Program, developed by Carsten Groen, OZ9AAR, has taken one other leap ahead in its evolution with the launch of Model 1.0.0.90. This newest replace brings various enhancements and fixes geared in the direction of bolstering operational effectivity and enriching the consumer expertise, notably for IO-117 satellite tv for pc fanatics.

One of many standout options of this replace is the combination of UHM 2.1 (yoU Heard Me), supplanting the older UHM 2.0. It’s crucial for customers to make the swap earlier than Might 14th, as UHM 2.0 will stop working thereafter. Within the Stay World View (LWV), customers now have the pliability to customise the positioning of the “radar view” of the present go on the display screen, permitting for extra tailor-made satellite tv for pc monitoring experiences. Furthermore, a bug that induced the frequency/band to default to 435.310 MHz whatever the satellite tv for pc chosen when logging stations has been rectified.

A number of user-requested enhancements have been integrated, together with the addition of time stamps (HH:MM:SS) when copying chosen traces to the clipboard within the Site visitors window and the elimination of limitations on the size of callsigns (excluding SSID) in AX.25 mode so the complete 6-character callsigns in AX.25 are supported. Moreover, customers can now combine their horizon into the “radar view” in LWV by defining horizon definitions in a textual content file.

Noteworthy enhancements have additionally been made to message dealing with throughout the Terminal program. These embody fixes to parsing points with native TLE knowledge attributable to duplicate NORAD numbers and changes to the best way UHM paints traces within the Site visitors view to deal with reported errors. Moreover, enhancements to LoTW standing checks now be certain that updates happen mechanically each 12 hours based mostly on user-configured preferences, streamlining the method and guaranteeing accuracy.

The introduction of Stay QSO Viewer (LQV) and Stay World View (LWV) provides customers modern graphical representations of satellite tv for pc site visitors and station places, enhancing situational consciousness and operational effectivity. Moreover, the combination of GPS in model 1.0.0.84 permits customers to attach GPS receivers for automated grid location updates, simplifying monitoring and reporting, particularly for cell customers.

With the addition of options equivalent to UHM integration, expanded satellite tv for pc choice, and improved message dealing with, customers can anticipate a extra strong and user-friendly expertise with the Greencube Terminal Program v1.0.0.90. These updates underscore a dedication to steady enchancment and innovation, guaranteeing Greencube Terminal Program stays the preferred utility for GreenCube satellite tv for pc communications. Extra details about set up, options, and updates could be discovered on Carsten’s web site: https://www.moonbounce.dk/hamradio/greencube-terminal-program.html.

[ANS thanks Carsten Groen, OZ9AAR, for the above information]

Chang’e-6 Efficiently Launches: China’s Historic Lunar Mission Begins

China’s Chang’e-6 mission launched into its historic journey on Might third, launching aboard a Lengthy March 5 rocket from the Wenchang Satellite tv for pc Launch Heart on Hainan Island, China. This mission goals to retrieve samples from the far aspect of the Moon, a feat by no means earlier than achieved. The spacecraft is ready to endure a 53-day voyage to the Moon and again, the place it can gather lunar soil and rocks, providing invaluable insights into the Moon’s historic historical past.

The mission targets the Moon’s South Pole-Aitken (SPA) basin, a area of explicit curiosity because of its potential to unveil essential details about the Moon’s previous. This basin, fashioned by an historic impression, holds clues concerning the occasions that formed each the Moon and Earth billions of years in the past, offering a chance to grasp the variations between the close to and much sides of the Moon.

In contrast to earlier lunar missions, which primarily centered on the close to aspect, Chang’e-6 will discover the difficult terrain of the far aspect. Touchdown and speaking on this aspect of the Moon require subtle expertise, together with communications relay satellites. China, having achieved the primary profitable lunar far-side touchdown in 2019 with Chang’e-4, now endeavors to deliver again samples from this uncharted territory.

The Chang’e-6 spacecraft is comprised of 4 parts: an orbiter, lander, ascender, and reentry module. Upon reaching lunar orbit, the lander and ascender will descend to the Moon’s floor, gather roughly 2 kilograms (4.4 kilos) of lunar materials utilizing specialised instruments, and return to lunar orbit. The orbiter will then carry the samples again to Earth, releasing the reentry module into the environment for a smooth touchdown.

Throughout its 53-day mission, Chang’e-6 will talk with Earth by the Queqiao-2 relay satellite tv for pc, which options a big parabolic antenna. This communication hyperlink will allow scientists to observe and management the mission’s progress and make sure the secure return of useful lunar samples.

The scientific significance of Chang’e-6 extends past lunar exploration. The samples it retrieves will make clear the Photo voltaic System’s tumultuous previous, notably the Late Heavy Bombardment interval round 3.9 billion years in the past. By finding out the SPA basin’s age and composition, scientists hope to discern the origins of this occasion and its implications for Earth’s historical past and the potential for all times elsewhere within the universe.

[ANS thanks Jason Davis, The Planetary Society, for the above information]

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NASA Reveals SpaceX’s Revolutionary Plan for Starship Refueling in Orbit

NASA lately outlined SpaceX’s plans for refueling Starships in low-Earth orbit, a vital step towards enabling formidable lunar missions. Scheduled for subsequent yr, this demonstration includes linking two Starships in orbit. Underneath contract with NASA’s Artemis program, SpaceX goals to produce human-rated Starships for lunar landings, though the focused 2026 launch for Artemis III highlights the undertaking’s formidable nature. Final yr, NASA awarded a contract to Blue Origin, offering various choices for lunar missions. Each firms designed their landers with future refueling capabilities, permitting for a number of missions and potential useful resource utilization on the Moon or Mars.

Amit Kshatriya, main NASA’s “Moon to Mars” program, outlined SpaceX’s technique for in-space refueling throughout a current assembly. Regardless of challenges, progress is clear as SpaceX prepares for upcoming Starship take a look at flights, aiming to deal with essential technical hurdles. Earlier than lunar missions turn out to be a actuality, mastering in-space refueling is crucial. SpaceX plans to display large-scale propellant switch between two Starships in orbit subsequent yr. This milestone follows a profitable cryogenic propellant switch take a look at throughout a earlier Starship flight, funded by NASA.

With every take a look at flight, SpaceX goals to boost capabilities crucial for lunar landings. These embody exact booster landings, in-orbit engine restarts, and managed reentries—a prerequisite for deep house exploration. SpaceX’s long-term objective of frequent Starship launches hinges on fast reusability, aligning with Elon Musk’s imaginative and prescient. Regardless of the challenges, progress is tangible, with plans underway to ascertain extra launch infrastructure in Texas and Florida.

The upcoming refueling demonstration includes autonomously linking two Starships in orbit, a process not with out complexities. But, leveraging expertise from Dragon capsule missions, SpaceX goals to navigate these challenges. The propellant switch course of depends on a strain differential mechanism, simplifying the circulation between donor and recipient tanks. Effective-tuning this process is essential to keep away from propellant loss throughout transfers.

Success in these demonstrations will decide the variety of refueling tankers required for lunar missions. Whereas predictions exist, sensible exams will validate these estimates, guaranteeing mission success. As SpaceX pushes boundaries, business consultants emphasize the significance of collaboration and innovation. With a resilient workforce and the fitting angle, SpaceX goals to beat challenges and pioneer the following period of house exploration. Whereas formidable, SpaceX’s endeavors signify a paradigm shift in house exploration, pushed by a collective imaginative and prescient of advancing humanity’s attain past Earth’s orbit.

[ANS thanks Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, for the above information]

GridMasterMap Satellite tv for pc Prime 100 Rovers Might 2024 Rankings

The Might 2024 rankings for the Prime 100 Rovers (Blended LEO/MEO/GEO) in satellite tv for pc operations, as decided by @GridMasterMap on Twitter, has been launched. The rating is decided by the variety of grids and DXCC entities activated, bearing in mind solely these grids the place a minimal variety of QSOs logged on the gridmaster.fr web site have been validated by a 3rd get together. Grid numbers don’t immediately mirror the precise variety of activations. Satellite tv for pc operators are inspired to add their LoTW satellite tv for pc contacts to https://gridmaster.fr as a way to present extra correct knowledge.

Up to date: 2024-05-01

[ANS thanks @GridMasterMap for the above information]

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Modifications to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for Might 3, 2024

Two Line Components or TLEs, sometimes called Keplerian components or keps within the beginner group, are the inputs to the SGP4 commonplace mathematical mannequin of spacecraft orbits utilized by most beginner monitoring applications. Weekly updates are fully ample for many beginner satellites. TLE bulletin information are up to date each day within the first hour of the UTC day. New bulletin information can be posted instantly after dependable components turn out to be out there for brand new beginner satellites. Extra data could also be discovered at https://www.amsat.org/keplerian-elements-resources/.

Correction to final week’s addition:
KASHIWA NORAD Cat ID 59508 Right downlink 437.3753 MHz (Thanks Nico PA0DLO)

The next satellites have been faraway from this week’s AMSAT-NA TLE distribution:
NIUSAT NORAD Cat ID 42766 Decayed from orbit on or about 27 April 2024
ExoCube 2 NORAD Cat ID 47319 Decayed from orbit on or about 30 April 2024

[ANS thanks AMSAT Orbital Elements page for the above information]

ARISS NEWS

Amateurs and others all over the world could pay attention to contacts between amateurs working in faculties and permitting college students to work together with astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the Worldwide Area Station. The downlink frequency on which to hear is 145.800 MHz worldwide.

+ Lately Accomplished Contacts

Centennial Campus Magnet Center College Heart for Innovation, Raleigh, NC, telebridge by way of K6DUE
The ISS callsign was NA1SS
The scheduled crewmember was Matthew Dominick KCØTOR
The ARISS mentor was AA6TB
Contact was profitable: Wed 2024-05-01 12:03:49 UTC
Look ahead to Livestream at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnAZJknxsgw

Wi-fi Institute of Australia / Bundaberg Excessive College Novice Radio Membership, Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia, telebridge by way of VK6MJ
The ISS callsign was NA1SS
The scheduled crewmember was Mike Barratt KD5MIJ
The ARISS mentor was VK4KHZ
Contact was profitable: Sat 2024-05-04 10:28:24 UTC

+ Upcoming Contacts

Eric Is aware of CIC, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom, telebridge by way of K6DUE
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS
The scheduled crewmember is Matthew Dominick KCØTOR
The ARISS mentor is MØXTD
Contact is go for: Sat 2024-05-11 08:42:32 UTC

The crossband repeater continues to be energetic (145.990 MHz up {PL 67} & 437.800 MHz down). If any crewmember is so inclined, all they should do is choose up the microphone, elevate the amount up, and speak on the crossband repeater. So give a hear, you simply by no means know.

The packet system can also be energetic (145.825 MHz up & down).

As at all times, if there may be an EVA, a docking, or an undocking; the ARISS radios are turned off as a part of the security protocol.

Notice, all instances are approximate. It’s endorsed that you simply do your individual orbital prediction or begin listening about 10 minutes earlier than the listed time.

The newest data on the operation mode could be discovered at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html

The newest record of frequencies in use could be discovered at https://www.ariss.org/contact-the-iss.html

[ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team mentors for the above information]

Upcoming Satellite tv for pc Operations

A rising variety of satellite tv for pc rovers are presently engaged in sharing their grid sq. activations on https://hams.at. By visiting the web site, you achieve quick access to complete details about the operators liable for activating particular grid squares. Moreover, you may have the flexibility to evaluate the match rating between your self and a selected rover for a given go, whereas additionally having the ability to determine the upcoming satellite tv for pc passes which might be accessible out of your location.

[ANS thanks Ian Parsons, K5ZM, AMSAT rover page manager, for the above information]

Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Different Occasions

AMSAT Ambassadors present displays, display speaking by beginner satellites, and host data tables at membership conferences, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and different occasions.

Dayton Hamvention 2024
Friday Might seventeenth – Sunday Might nineteenth
Greene County Fairgrounds and Expo Heart
120 Fairground Street
Xenia, OH 45385
https://hamvention.org

thirty eighth Annual Small Satellite tv for pc Convention
August 3-8, 2024
Logan, UT, USA
https://smallsat.org

[ANS thanks the AMSAT Events page for the above information]

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