[amsat-bb] Space Hackers Prepare to Reboot 35-Year-Old Spacecraft (Long)
This long piece comes from IEEE Spectrum http://spectrum.ieee.org/tech-talk/aerospace/satellites/space-hackers-prepare-to-reboot-35-year-old-spacecraft AMSAT-DL is mentioned throughout this piece. Dennis Wingo is KD4ETA. He has a blog http://denniswingo.wordpress.com/ Enjoy! 73, Eric W3DQ Space Hackers Prepare to Reboot 35-Year-Old Spacecraft By Rachel Courtland Posted 15 May 2014 | 17:00 GMT Early next week, a team of volunteers will use the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico to see if they can make contact with a spacecraft that hasn't fired its thrusters since 1987. If all goes well, the effort could bring the 35-year-old spacecraft, the International Sun-Earth Explorer 3http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/missions/profile.cfm?MCode=ISEEICE (ISEE-3), back into position near the Earth, where it could once again study the effect of solar weather on Earth's magnetosphere. It will be a race against time. ISEE-3, which is transmitting two carrier signals, only came into hearing range a couple of months agohttp://amsat-uk.org/2014/03/09/radio-amateurs-receive-nasa-isee-3ice-spacecraft/. Dennis Wingo, CEO of California-based Skycorp Incorporatedhttp://www.skycorpinc.com/Skycorp/Home.html, and his colleagues reckon ISEE-3 still has enough fuel to make it back to its original orbit at the Lagrangian point L1http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Operations/What_are_Lagrange_points, at a spot between the sun and the Earth where a spacecraft can stay in sync with Earth's orbit. But to make it, Wingo says, the spacecraft must be commanded to fire its thrusters by mid-June. And that's far easier said than done. NASA no longer has the hardware to communicate with the ISEE-3. So in April, Wingo and Keith Cowing, a former NASA employee and editor of the websites NASAWatch http://nasawatch.com/and SpaceRef http://www.spaceref.com/, started a (still-running) crowdfunding campaign http://www.rockethub.com/42228 on RocketHub to develop what they need to communicate and control the spacecraft: signal modulators and demodulators, transmitters, and a software-based mission control console to monitor the spacecraft's propulsion and attitude control systems. Building all of this even 10 years ago would have been impossible, Wingo says. But with the advance of embedded systems technology, the team can construct radio components in software and debug them on aggressive timescales without breaking the bank. With no time to wait, the team has already purchased software-defined radio peripherals https://www.ettus.com/product/details/UN210-KIT built by Ettus Research, which can be used to implement modulator and demodulator programs that would once have had to be built in hardware. Ettus has volunteered to help with the programming, and one member of the company will join Wingo in Arecibo. They'll set to work there on 19 May, using a 400-watt transmitter shipped in from Germany to try to make contact with the spacecraft. One of the first things they'll do is command the spacecraft into engineering telemetry mode, where it's hoped it will send signals that will give the team a better sense of the condition of the spacecraft. Assuming ISEE-3 is in good health, Wingo says, the next big challenge will be to assess its trajectory for a proper thruster firing. The team will use transmitters and antennas at Arecibo, Morehead State University in Kentucky, the Bochum Observatory in Germany, and, potentially, the Allen Telescope Array in California, to ping the spacecraft. The hope is that the team will not only be able to measure Doppler shifts in frequency to get a fix on the spacecraft's velocity, but also signal time of flight to triangulate its position. This will be difficult, so even though the project met its fundraising goal on Wednesday, Wingo says the team is still seeking funds in case they must pay NASA to do the ranging for them. The reboot project schedule is aggressive. We're in panic mode every day, Wingo says. But I think we have a reasonable chance of making this work if the spacecraft is healthy. If the effort succeeds, it won't be the first time that ISEE-3 has had a change of course. After its launch in 1978, the spacecraft was repurposed (and renamed the International Cometary Explorer) in the early 1980s to chase Halley's Comet, then tasked again with performing solar observations in 1991 before mission cancellation in 1997. Although more capable spacecraft have since launched, recapturing ISEE-3 could give researchers access to a consistent set of instruments with which to compare old measurements of the Earth environment, Wingo says. The peak of this solar cycle is about half as activehttp://www.solen.info/solar/images/comparison_recent_cycles.pngas the peak of solar cycle 21, which ISEE-3 observed. [We can use the] same set of instruments to look and see what the differences are in Earth's magnetosphere, Wingo says. Most of ISEE-3's science instruments could still be in
[amsat-bb] Wheeler Says FCC Needs More Engineers
From RadioWorld Enjoy! 73, Eric W3DQW - Wheeler Says FCC Needs More Engineers by Leslie Stimson on 05.20.2014 FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler believes the FCC could use more engineers -- and economists. He said so during testimony today before the House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology. It's been six months since Wheeler has faced lawmakers; he was the sole person to testify during an FCC oversight hearing. The engineer comment came during an exchange between the chairman and Vermont Democrat Rep. Peter Welch, who simply asked what the commission needs to do its job. Our IT infrastructure is worthy of being in the Smithsonian, Wheeler replied, noting the agency has computers that have known risks. The commission can't provide an easy way for the public or industry to accomplish some tasks online, said the chairman, because our IT system isn't up to it. That's when he said: We do need more engineers, and economists, too. His definition of engineer includes IT as it does at the station level these days as well. In previous testimony about the latest budget request, Wheeler told lawmakers the agency has more than 200 relic IT systems that are costing the agency more to service than they would to replace over the long term. The commission asked for a total of 1,790 Full Time Equivalent positions for FY 2015, which includes an additional 10 such positions for Information Technology programming. Broadcasters would like the agency to have more technology-related personnel too, believing that would make some decision-making affecting the industry to go more smoothly. Discussion of the agency's recent open Internet proposal dominated much of the discussion. -- ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] New US Satellite Export Reforms Gets Positive Response from Industry
from Via Satellite. Enjoy! 73, Eric W3DQ Washington, DC --- New US Satellite Export Reforms Gets Positive Response from Industry By Caleb Henry | May 16, 2014 [Via Satellite 05-16-2014] After 15 years of restrictions and intense scrutiny, the United States Department of State has reclassified satellites and several related components so they will no longer be treated as weapons. The changes affect Category 15 of the U.S. Munitions List (USML), which covers spacecraft and related articles, by shifting most commercial, civil and scientific satellites and accompanying equipment to the Department of Commerce’s Commerce Control List (CCL). The satellite industry has called for reforms to these policies for a long time, citing lost revenue and missed opportunities internationally. Congress transferred satellites under the domain of International Traffic and Arms Regulations (ITAR) after a launch failure of the Chinese Long March 3B carrying a U.S. payload in 1996. With satellites treated as armaments, international trade suffered, and the industry atrophied. An estimated $21 billion in satellite revenue was lost from 1999 to 2009, according to the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA). This was compounded by the loss of roughly 9,000 directly related jobs. The new revisions first remove most radiation-hardened microelectronic microcircuits, taking effect 45 days after publication of the rule. Communications satellites without classified components, remote sensing satellites with certain performance parameters, and other spacecraft parts not specifically identified in the revised category are cleared 180 days after publication. The U.S. government will, under certain conditions, allow CCL-classified satellites with some USML components to remain CCL-controlled. The reform is also intended to make it easier for the U.S. government to make use of hosted payloads on commercial satellites. Exports to China remain forbidden along with other select countries. “[The Satellite Industry Association] (SIA) congratulates the U.S. government on this truly comprehensive overhaul to the U.S. satellite export control system,” said Patricia Cooper, president of SIA. “With a more modern regulatory environment for exports in place, we look forward to unleashing the full force of American ingenuity and innovation at work in the international market.” The amendment to ITAR is part of President Barack Obama’s Export Control Reform (ECR) effort. With a few exceptions, items not subject to the export control jurisdiction of ITAR fall under the Department of Commerce’s less strict Export Administration Regulations (EAR). The CCL is included under EAR, which still imposes license requirements on exports, re-exports and retransfers, but with less stringency because they are no longer considered easily repurposed for military applications. The AIA applauded the reclassification, calling the previous restrictions “excessive,” and encouraged greater cooperation between Congress and the Obama administration to continue making U.S. companies more competitive internationally. The Department of State and the Department of Commerce published final rules facilitating the transfer of satellites and related components on May 13, 2014, but acknowledged the need for an interim period. “The Department [of State] has committed to reviewing during the six months after the publication of this rule whether further amendments to the USML controls on civil and commercial remote sensing satellites are warranted, and seeks additional public comment on this matter,” the agency said in a statement released by the Federal Register. Comments during the interim period close on June 27, 2014. The effective date is scheduled for Nov. 10, 2014. ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] SPACEX SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETES FIRST MISSION TO GEOSTATIONARY TRANSFER ORBIT
FYI -- 73, Eric W3DQ Washington, DC --- December 3, 2013* * *SPACEX SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETES FIRST MISSION TO GEOSTATIONARY TRANSFER ORBIT* /Upgraded Falcon 9 launch vehicle delivers SES-8 satellite to targeted orbit/ Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida -- Today, Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) successfully completed its first geostationary transfer mission, delivering the SES-8 satellite to its targeted 295 x 80,000 km orbit. Falcon 9 executed a picture-perfect flight, meeting 100% of mission objectives. Falcon 9 lifted off from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at 5:41 PM Eastern Time. Approximately 185 seconds into flight, Falcon 9's second stage's single Merlin vacuum engine ignited to begin a five minute, 20 second burn that delivered the SES-8 satellite into its parking orbit. Eighteen minutes after injection into the parking orbit, the second stage engine relit for just over one minute to carry the SES-8 satellite to its final geostationary transfer orbit. The restart of the Falcon 9 second stage is a requirement for all geostationary transfer missions. The successful insertion of the SES-8 satellite confirms the upgraded Falcon 9 launch vehicle delivers to the industry's highest performance standards, said Elon Musk, CEO and Chief Designer of SpaceX. As always, SpaceX remains committed to delivering the safest, most reliable launch vehicles on the market today. We appreciate SES's early confidence in SpaceX and look forward to launching additional SES satellites in the years to come. Today's mission marked SpaceX's first commercial launch from its central Florida launch pad and the first commercial flight from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in over five years. SpaceX has nearly 50 launches on manifest, of which over 60% are for commercial customers. This launch also marks the second of three certification flights needed to certify the Falcon 9 to fly missions for the U.S. Air Force under the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program. When Falcon 9 is certified, SpaceX will be eligible to compete for all National Security Space (NSS) missions. High-resolution photos are available for download at www.spacex.com/media http://www.spacex.com/media. ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] More information on the Antares launch
More for those of us on the east coast: Where the launch should be able to be seen from http://www.nasa.gov/centers/wallops/images/content/739028main_A-ONE_Visibility_Map%20 (Color%20Enhanced http://www.nasa.gov/centers/wallops/images/content/739028main_A-ONE_Visibility_Map%20%0A%28Color%20Enhanced).jpg http://www.nasa.gov/centers/wallops/images/content/739028main_A-ONE_Visibility_Map%20%0A%28Color%20Enhanced Antares fact sheet - http://www.orbital.com/NewsInfo/Publications/Antares_fact.pdf There are pictures of the rollout on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/gsfc/8632520054/in/set-72157633198376352/ GL! 73, Eric W3DQ Washington, DC ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Antares launch visible from the Mid-Atlantic to New England.
This came from a friend who works at Orbital Sciences: Enjoy! Eric W3DQ Washington, DC - From: Public Relations/Dulles/Orbital Date: 04/11/2013 01:04 PM Subject:Antares Launch Viewing Information To All Orbital Employees: Next week, we are scheduled to carry out the first flight of our new Antares space launch vehicle from Wallops Island, Virginia. The current launch date for the test flight is April 17, with a targeted launch time of 5:00 p.m. (EDT). The available window extends until 8:00 p.m., if necessary, to accommodate any pre-launch holds in the countdown that may arise. The Antares launch will be webcast over NASA.gov and broadcast on NASA TV beginning at 4:00 p.m. (EDT). A NASA host, Kyle Herring, and our own John Steinmeyer of LSG will provide commentary for the broadcast. Orbital employee related information deleted NASA has designated the Wallops Visitor’s Center and Assateague Beach as the public viewing sites. Live audio commentary will be provided at the Visitor’s Center location. In addition, in the local Wallops area, WCTG-FM 96.5 will be broadcasting live mission updates. Here is the Wallops information on public viewing: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/wallops/missions/launchviewing.html Resources: For an overview of the mission, the attached Antares A-ONE mission overview PDF file provides information about the timing and sequence of the flight milestones. WD3Q: I will try and provide this to the AMSAT website) The link to the NASA TV broadcast/webcast will be updated on launch day, but this is the address to access the broadcast: http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html You can review many of the progress milestones we have made on the Antares rocket and Cygnus spacecraft by accessing our archive website at: http://www.orbital.com/Antares-Cygnus/ For other information about the broadcast and media activities surrounding the launch, you can visit NASA’s page at: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/wallops/missions/antares.html GO ANTARES! ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] National Air and Space Museum To Recognize Telstar on Thursday, July 12th
Telstar, the satellite that made the world’s first transmissions of live television possible in 1962, will be the subject of a program at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum July 12. The “Telstar 50th Anniversary” symposium, which will begin at 1:30 p.m., will be presented in cooperation with the Embassy of France. It will begin with a satellite television connection to the Pleumeur-Bodou Telecommunications Museum in France commemorating the first global transmission of a television signal 50 years ago. “It was that rarest of all television moments, the kind that compels viewers to lean forward and stare in a primal wonder and amazement at their screens” was how newscaster Walter Cronkite described a Telstar-enabled public broadcast that occurred about two weeks after the satellite’s launch and first test transmission July 10. A multinational event, the July 23 broadcast was carried by American networks CBS, NBC and ABC as well as CBC in Canada and Eurovision in Europe. The first pictures were of the Statue of Liberty and the Eiffel Tower. Although the program was to have begun with remarks by President John F. Kennedy, the talk was delayed and a baseball game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Chicago Cubs was televised in its place. The symposium will be presented in two parts. Secretary of the Smithsonian Wayne Clough will begin the satellite connection between the two museums. French Ambassador François Delattre and the U.S. General Consul in France, Robert Tate, will also speak. “Live broadcast of events happening throughout the world are taken for granted today, but 50 years ago transmissions enabled by Telstar captured the attention and imaginations of people everywhere,” Clough said. “The 50th anniversary reminds us how far we have come, and how much potential there is the new era of digital communications.” Following the satellite connection, historians and experts from industry and government will discuss Telstar’s historical significance, its impact on commercial space endeavors and the birth of global communications. Footage from the original 1962 broadcast between France and the United States on July 12 will be shown at the symposium. Concluding remarks will be delivered by State Department Assistant Secretary Kerri-Ann Jones. Support for the program is provided by Intelsat and France Telecom-Orange. The symposium will be held in the museum’s Moving Beyond Earth gallery. Reservations are not required. Telstar 1 launched on July 10, 1962, from Cape Canaveral and was the first privately sponsored space-faring mission. It handled a variety of transmissions, including telephone, fax, data, still pictures and television signals from several locations across the United States and Europe. The original Telstar was part of an agreement between ATT, Bell Telephone Laboratories, NASA, the British General Post Office and the French National Post Telegraph and Telecom Office. The satellite was built at Bell Telephone Laboratories. A small model of Telstar 1 will be on display during the symposium. More information on the program may be found on the museum’s website and blog. ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Intelsat V Display Model Needs A Good Home
I have no need the commercially made display model of the Intelsat V spacecraft that I was recently given. It's about 30 tall when put together. The model is partially disassembled,. I believe all the components are included, but there's no guarantee. It;s a freebie to the first person who wants it -- all you need to do is pick it up (I work in downtown DC and live in Northwest DC) contact me off-line, please . 73, Eric W3DQ Washington, DC ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Memorial to Dick Daniels, W4PUJ
Bob - As illness prevented me from attending Dick's memorial, I can't thank you enough for posting this video. Dick was great guy, wonderful to work with, both professionally (the taught the USTTI session on small satellites for us at his house when I was at VITA) and within AMSAT. He was treasure trove of information and defined corporate knowlege and memory. His collection of Oscar 10 telemetry on those hard sectored disks was legendary around here, but not as much as his pool table, upon which many of the early satellites were put together. Thanks again, Eric - Eric Rosenberg, W3DQ Washington, DC On 2/27/2012 3:00 PM, amsat-bb-requ...@amsat.org wrote: Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2012 19:22:59 -0500 From: Robert McGwierrwmcgw...@gmail.com To: amsat bbamsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Memorial to Dick Daniels, W4PUJ Yesterday at Little Falls Church in Arlington, VA Family, friends, and colleagues had a memorial for Dick Daniels W4PUJ (SK) who died recently after a very brief fight against lung cancer. Barry, WD4ASW, President of AMSAT read a tribute written by Jan King W3GEY/VK4GEY. http://youtu.be/pGhn1eC52Wo I apologize for the audio transients at the beginning, typical problems from hand holding a smart phone. But the auto stabilization from YouTube is simply awesome. Bob -- Bob McGwier Facebook: N4HYBob ARS: N4HY ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
