Aihnss.607 net.columbia utzoo!decvax!ucbvax!ihnss!karn Tue Dec 8 21:32:09 1981 Amsat Information AMSAT net information, 12/9/81 0200-0300UTC, 3850 Khz de KA9Q Soviet Amateur Radio Satellites ------------------------------- Launch of the three new RS satellites (RS-C, -D and -E) are expected this week. Word is that SIX satellites in all have been constructed, and that the first three are in the hands of the Soviet launch authorities. The orbits for the new amateur satellites are expected to resemble that of RS-1: a period of 120.4 min, somewhat higher than Oscar-7, with an inclination of 82 degrees. Fourth Ariane Test Launch On Schedule ------------------------------------- 19 Dec 1981, 0200-0300 UTC is the launch window for Ariane L04, the fourth test launch of the European Space Agency's Ariane launcher. Although no amateur satellite will be aboard L04, a success here is essential to guarantee the 6 July 1982 launch of L7, which will be carrying AMSAT Phase III-B. Phase III-B ----------- Work on Phase III-B is progressing rapidly. The battery charge regulator has been delivered to the West German AMSAT group from the Technical University of Budapest, the sensor electronics assembly is also in Germany undergoing tests, and the spacecraft structure itself is rapidly taking shape in the American AMSAT lab at Goddard Space Flight Center. Bright New Launch Opportunity ----------------------------- An exciting new opportunity for AMSAT may be taking shape. There will be a US military launch, circa 1984, which will fly one spacecraft on a launch vehicle designed to carry two. The original plan is to carry a "mass simulator" (a military term for lead bricks) in place of the second spacecraft. AMSAT has asked about the possibility of flying a spacecraft of our own in its place, and "We haven't been told no." The interesting thing about this launch is that the orbit is either GEOSTATIONARY or nearly so. A flight qualification model of the military spacecraft would be available for our use; this would include the spaceframe, etc, while AMSAT would provide the electronics (repeaters, computers, power supplies, etc). Weight and space do not seem to be limiting factors when compared to all our other launch opportunities. Since the stationkeeping effort required to maintain the exact position of a geostationary spacecraft is probably outside of AMSAT's resources, they are studying (and request comments) on a semi-geostationary orbit. This would provide, for example, a given station a 1-week window in which to access the satellite, followed by 2 weeks of no visibility as the spacecraft drifted around the earth. Comments and "new blood" to explore and support this effort are greatly needed. I will be happy to summarize replies and forward them to AMSAT. 73, Phil Karn, KA9Q ucbvax!ihnss!karn ----------------------------------------------------------------- gopher://quux.org/ conversion by John Goerzen of http://communication.ucsd.edu/A-News/ This Usenet Oldnews Archive article may be copied and distributed freely, provided: 1. There is no money collected for the text(s) of the articles. 2. The following notice remains appended to each copy: The Usenet Oldnews Archive: Compilation Copyright (C) 1981, 1996 Bruce Jones, Henry Spencer, David Wiseman.