Dear Friends,
With heavy heart, I sadly convey, that our little angel ‘HAMSAT VO-52’
would no more be able to offer her services to the ‘Amateur Radio
Fraternity. HAMSAT VO-52 succumbed in Space on 11th July 2014, while she
was on her 49,675th orbit, due to the failure of on-board lithium ion
batteries that have met their end of life.
Although her desires were to be at work with other systems and sub-systems
working normal as per the latest telemetry received, the on-board computer
recurring to ‘Reset’ mode due to the failure of batteries is preventing
her to do so. Hence, it is decided not to expect any more meaningful and
reliable services from HAMSAT VO-52.
Since 11th July, every best possible effort has been put in by the
spacecraft controllers here in ISTRAC Bangalore to revive her back to life
and to help her with work load, so she won’t be swamped when she returns,
but with no luck. Though it is hard, the HAMSAT VO-52 designers and
controllers insist that the time has come to let the little angel free in
space to go drifting on her own from their care and custody.
Thus, today 21st July 2014, ISRO have decommissioned 'HAMSAT-VO52'
officially.
We all here in ISRO do definitely hope that ‘HAMSAT VO-52’ worked
tirelessly and was a good friend to the ‘Amateur Radio Fraternity’
around the World. We are sure that HAMSAT was loved by all who worked
through her. Though, we are deeply saddened by the loss of HAMSAT VO-52,
but she will never be forgotten and far from our hearts, minds and
memories.
HAMSAT VO-52 will always be remembered by all of us here in ISRO as one of
the greatest satellites of ours.
Dear ‘HAMSAT’, looking at the sky, we all say ‘Good Bye’ to you.
You’ll be greatly missed. Rest in Peace.
Nevertheless, at this point of time, on behalf of the World Amateur Radio
Fraternity, we thank each and everyone who contributed to the great success
of ‘HAMSAT’.
Particularly, our sincere thanks to the Chairman ISRO, Dr. K.
Radhakrishnan, past chairmen Dr. Kasthurirangan, Dr. G. Madhavan Nair,
Director-ISAC Dr. S.K.Shiva Kumar, past ISAC Directors Dr. P.S. Goel, Dr.
Shankara, Dr. T.K. Alex, Director-ISTRAC Shri. B.S. Chandrasekhar,
scientific secretary Dr. Koteshwar Rao, Project Director-Shri. J.P. Gupta,
Deputy project Directors, Mission Director-Shri. R.Suresh, Operations
Director-Shri. Parimalarangan and each and every person directly or
in-directly contributed.
At this point of time, we also thank AMSAT-India and in particular, late
Shri. Nagesh Upadhyaya-VU2NUD, Shri. B.S. Gajendra Kumar-VU2BGS, Shri.
Prathap Kumar-VU2POP, Air Commodore. Subramanian-VU2UV, Shri. V.P.
Sandlas-VU2VP, Dr.R. Ramesh-VU2RMS, Shri. Nitin-VU3TYG, Mr. Williams
Leijenaar PE1RAH and each and every member.
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Pasted below is the message from Mr. R. Suresh, Mission Director:
HAMSAT, the first small satellite by ISRO has been Decommissioned after
nearly a decade of service to the World Ham community.
A true masterpiece among small satellites, designed for one year mission
life, but exceeded all expectations by serving for almost 10 years. A truly
autonomous satellite, with “Zero maintenance“ in terms of Mission
operations, it provided a springboard to test many new concepts such as
BMU. LI-ion based power system, automatic Spin rate control and Auto SAOC
for maintaining the Satellite attitude without any ground commanding.
HAMSAT known as “OSCAR-52” among the Amateur HAM operators has been
very popular because of its high sensitivity receiver and strong
transmitter. Indian Radio Amateurs on many occasions conveyed to us that
they have been greatly honored to share the adulations showered on ISRO and
INDIA by the International Radio Amateur for gifting this wonderful
satellite "HAMSAT".
I take this opportunity to applaud the HAMSAT teams at ISAC, ISTRAC and
other centre for their efforts and support, which has made ISRO proud
among the HAM users across the globe.
R,SURESH
MISSION DIRECTOR
HAMSAT
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Mani [VU2WMY/KJ6LRS]
Secretary & Station-In-Charge
Upagrah Amateur Radio Club VU2URC
ISRO Satellite Centre
HAL Airport Road, Bangalore-560 017.
Phone:(Office)91-80-25082598/25082054/25082192
Mobile: 91-9880 341 456
E-mail ID: w...@isac.gov.in
vu2wmy_m...@yahoo.com
isroh...@yahoo.com
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