AMATEUR RADIO SATELLITESAMATEUR RADIO SATELLITES

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ROCKWELL COLLINS AMATEUR RADIO CLUBROCKWELL COLLINS AMATEUR RADIO CLUB

ByByKeith Pugh, W5IUKeith Pugh, W5IU

AMSAT Area CoordinatorAMSAT Area Coordinator28 August 200828 August 2008

BRIEF HISTORYBRIEF HISTORY

• SPUTNIK – 4 OCT. 1957SPUTNIK – 4 OCT. 1957• OSCAR-1 – 12 DEC. 1961OSCAR-1 – 12 DEC. 1961• OSCAR III – OSCAR III – First Transponder!First Transponder! - 1965 - 1965• AO-07 – 1974 to 1981AO-07 – 1974 to 1981• First RS - 1978First RS - 1978• AO-10 – First High Alt. Sat (HEO) – 1983 to AO-10 – First High Alt. Sat (HEO) – 1983 to

19971997• W5LFL – First Ham in Space - 1983W5LFL – First Ham in Space - 1983• U0-11 – Digital Com. Exp. – 1984 to 2008U0-11 – Digital Com. Exp. – 1984 to 2008• AO-13 – Second HEO - 1988 to 1996AO-13 – Second HEO - 1988 to 1996

BRIEF HISTORY (cont.)BRIEF HISTORY (cont.)

• MICROSATS – 1990 to PresentMICROSATS – 1990 to Present• Amateur Radio on MIR – 1988 to 1996Amateur Radio on MIR – 1988 to 1996• Development of AO-40 – 1990 to 2001Development of AO-40 – 1990 to 2001• Amateur Radio on ISS (ARISS) – 1998 to Amateur Radio on ISS (ARISS) – 1998 to

PresentPresent• AO-40 – Third HEO – 2000 to 2004AO-40 – Third HEO – 2000 to 2004• AO-07 – AO-07 – Resurrection!Resurrection! – 2002 to Present – 2002 to Present• CubeSats - 2003 to PresentCubeSats - 2003 to Present• AO-51 – 2004 - PresentAO-51 – 2004 - Present• VO-52 – 2005 – PresentVO-52 – 2005 – Present• DO-64 – Delfi C3 – 2008 - PresentDO-64 – Delfi C3 – 2008 - Present

HEO vs. LEOHEO vs. LEO

• High Earth Orbit (HEO) High Earth Orbit (HEO) – Modified Molynia or Highly Elliptical OrbitModified Molynia or Highly Elliptical Orbit

» 8 to 12 Hours per Day Contact Time8 to 12 Hours per Day Contact Time» Low Doppler Rate Low Doppler Rate » Equipment Investment – Relatively HighEquipment Investment – Relatively High

– Geosynchronous – Continuous Coverage – Limited AreaGeosynchronous – Continuous Coverage – Limited Area

• Low Earth Orbit (LEO)Low Earth Orbit (LEO)– Low Circular OrbitLow Circular Orbit

» 10 to 20 Minutes per Pass10 to 20 Minutes per Pass» 4 to 6 Passes per Day (at our Latitude)4 to 6 Passes per Day (at our Latitude)» High Doppler RateHigh Doppler Rate» Equipment Investment – Relatively LowEquipment Investment – Relatively Low» Easy Sats!Easy Sats!

Satellite Satellite OrbitsOrbits

AO-40AO-40

Most Other Amateur SatellitesMost Other Amateur Satellites

ApogeeApogee

PerigeePerigee

Polar LEOPolar LEO

GeosynchronousGeosynchronous

GPSGPS

LEO and MolniyaLEO and Molniyaused for Amateurused for Amateur

SatellitesSatellites

OPERATIONAL SATELLITESOPERATIONAL SATELLITES

• Fully OperationalFully Operational– AO-07AO-07– AO-51AO-51– VO-52VO-52– GO-32GO-32– SO-50SO-50– ISSISS– AO-27AO-27– FO-29FO-29– DO-64DO-64– Several CubeSatsSeveral CubeSats

• Partially OperationalPartially Operational– LO-19LO-19– AO-16AO-16– IO-26IO-26– RS-15RS-15– RS-30RS-30

All LEOsAll LEOs

AMSAT’s MISSION STATEMENTAMSAT’s MISSION STATEMENT20042004

AMSAT is a non-profit volunteer organization which AMSAT is a non-profit volunteer organization which designs, builds and operates experimental satellites designs, builds and operates experimental satellites

and promotes space education. We work in partnership and promotes space education. We work in partnership with government, industry, educational institutions and with government, industry, educational institutions and fellow amateur radio societies. We encourage technical fellow amateur radio societies. We encourage technical and scientific innovation, and promote the training and and scientific innovation, and promote the training and

development of skilled satellite and ground system development of skilled satellite and ground system designers and operators. designers and operators.

Our Vision is to deploy high earth orbit satellite systems Our Vision is to deploy high earth orbit satellite systems that offer daily coverage by 2009 and continuous that offer daily coverage by 2009 and continuous

coverage by 2012. AMSAT will continue active coverage by 2012. AMSAT will continue active participation in human space missions and support a participation in human space missions and support a

stream of LEO satellites developed in cooperation with stream of LEO satellites developed in cooperation with the educational community and other amateur satellite the educational community and other amateur satellite

groupsgroups

FULFILLING OUR VISIONFULFILLING OUR VISION

• HEO DevelopmentHEO Development– Phase IIIEPhase IIIE– EagleEagle– Geosynchronous OpportunityGeosynchronous Opportunity

• Stream of LEOsStream of LEOs– CubeSatsCubeSats– SuitSatsSuitSats

• Human Space MissionsHuman Space Missions– ARISSARISS

HEO DevelopmentHEO Development

• Phase IIIEPhase IIIE– AMSAT-DL Project Supported by AMSAT-NA, AMSAT-AMSAT-DL Project Supported by AMSAT-NA, AMSAT-

UK, and OthersUK, and Others– AO-10 and AO-13 Space FrameAO-10 and AO-13 Space Frame– Takes Advantage of Prior System Development and Takes Advantage of Prior System Development and

QualificationQualification– Test Bed for German Phase 5A (MARS Orbiter) Test Bed for German Phase 5A (MARS Orbiter)

ProgramProgram– Mechanically CompleteMechanically Complete– Awaiting Completion of IHU (Integrated Housekeeping Awaiting Completion of IHU (Integrated Housekeeping

Computer)Computer)» AMSAT-NA DevelopmentAMSAT-NA Development» ITAR ProblemsITAR Problems

HEO Development (cont.)HEO Development (cont.)

• Phase IIIE (cont.)Phase IIIE (cont.)– Running out of Funds for Continuation of Marburg Running out of Funds for Continuation of Marburg

LaboratoryLaboratory– Must Complete “Bird” and Store until LaunchMust Complete “Bird” and Store until Launch– Still Looking for Still Looking for AffordableAffordable Launch Opportunity Launch Opportunity

» Coupling with Phase 5A May Help but No Decision Yet Coupling with Phase 5A May Help but No Decision Yet from German Government Agencyfrom German Government Agency

» AMSAT-NA Working in Conjunction with Other HEO AMSAT-NA Working in Conjunction with Other HEO ProjectsProjects

» Current Estimates for Launch are at Least an Order of Current Estimates for Launch are at Least an Order of Magnitude too High for the Combined AMSATs of the Magnitude too High for the Combined AMSATs of the WorldWorld

– Complete AMSAT-DL Pitch available on AMSAT-UK Web, Complete AMSAT-DL Pitch available on AMSAT-UK Web, see:see:

http://www.uk.amsat.org/component/http://www.uk.amsat.org/component/option,com_wrapper/Itemid,252/option,com_wrapper/Itemid,252/

P3-E from AMSAT-DLP3-E from AMSAT-DL

HEO Development (cont.)HEO Development (cont.)

• Project EagleProject Eagle– Next Generation High Earth Next Generation High Earth

Orbit SatelliteOrbit Satellite » Intended Orbit: Intended Orbit:

High Eccentricity GTOHigh Eccentricity GTO» May become a GEO Rideshare PayloadMay become a GEO Rideshare Payload

– CapabilitiesCapabilities» U/V and L/S Software Defined TranspondersU/V and L/S Software Defined Transponders» S2/C Advanced Communications Payload S2/C Advanced Communications Payload

(ACP)(ACP)– Robust Support for Emergency CommunicationsRobust Support for Emergency Communications

» Digital Voice, SMS-Like Text, and Data Digital Voice, SMS-Like Text, and Data CommunicationsCommunications

HEO Development (cont.)HEO Development (cont.)

• Project Eagle (cont.)Project Eagle (cont.)– U/V Linear Software Defined Transponder (SDX). U/V Linear Software Defined Transponder (SDX).

» Usable over 75% of the Orbit by an AO-13 or Usable over 75% of the Orbit by an AO-13 or AO-40 Class Ground Station. AO-40 Class Ground Station.

– L/S1 Linear Software Defined Transponders L/S1 Linear Software Defined Transponders (SDX). (SDX).

» Needs an AO-40 Capable Ground Station. Needs an AO-40 Capable Ground Station. – A Low Rate Text Message System, like SMS. A Low Rate Text Message System, like SMS.

» Operates on U/V-bandsOperates on U/V-bands» Usable over 75% of the Orbit by a Small Usable over 75% of the Orbit by a Small

Ground Terminal.Ground Terminal.

HEO Development (cont.)HEO Development (cont.)

• Project Eagle (cont.)Project Eagle (cont.)– Advanced Communications Payload (ACP). Advanced Communications Payload (ACP).

» Uses Advanced Signal Processing and RF Uses Advanced Signal Processing and RF Techniques.Techniques.

» Voice Comm using a Single 60cm Dish. Voice Comm using a Single 60cm Dish. » High Rate Data Comm, such as Streaming High Rate Data Comm, such as Streaming

Video, using a 2m Dish. Video, using a 2m Dish. – AMSAT will make available an Affordable Ground AMSAT will make available an Affordable Ground

Segment for the ACP System.Segment for the ACP System.» Known as Known as NamasteNamaste

» Currently on HoldCurrently on Hold– Mechanical Design well underwayMechanical Design well underway

HEO Development (cont.)HEO Development (cont.)

• Geosynchronous OpportunityGeosynchronous Opportunity– Integrate Project Eagle Payloads into Commercial Integrate Project Eagle Payloads into Commercial

Geosynchronous Space FrameGeosynchronous Space Frame» Share Real EstateShare Real Estate» Share Environmental ControlShare Environmental Control» Share Power SystemShare Power System» Share Cost – ExpensiveShare Cost – Expensive

– Potential for Fund Raising based on Emergency Potential for Fund Raising based on Emergency Communications Asset and Educational ValueCommunications Asset and Educational Value

– Second Round of Communications with Potential Second Round of Communications with Potential Satellite Provider UnderwaySatellite Provider Underway

– Would Require Three “Birds” for Worldwide CoverageWould Require Three “Birds” for Worldwide Coverage

Stream of LEOsStream of LEOs

• CubeSats - CubeSats - ManyMany– University Efforts - WorldwideUniversity Efforts - Worldwide– AMSAT MentoringAMSAT Mentoring– Educational FundingEducational Funding– Need More Focus to Benefit Amateur Radio – Like Delfi C3Need More Focus to Benefit Amateur Radio – Like Delfi C3

• SuitSatsSuitSats– SuitSat 1 – HistorySuitSat 1 – History

» Hand Launched from ISSHand Launched from ISS» Had RF ProblemHad RF Problem» Achieved Most GoalsAchieved Most Goals» Re Entered Atmosphere in About Six MonthsRe Entered Atmosphere in About Six Months» Best Amateur Radio Publicity Ever!Best Amateur Radio Publicity Ever!

Stream of LEOs (cont.)Stream of LEOs (cont.)

• SuitSats (cont.)SuitSats (cont.)– SuitSat 2 – In Development Now!SuitSat 2 – In Development Now!

» New Power Source – Should Last for Life of SatelliteNew Power Source – Should Last for Life of Satellite» Software Defined Transponder CapabilitySoftware Defined Transponder Capability» Scientific ExperimentsScientific Experiments» Easy to HearEasy to Hear» Launch in 2009Launch in 2009

• KiwiSatKiwiSat– New Zealand’s First SatelliteNew Zealand’s First Satellite– Proceeding to PlanProceeding to Plan

• SumbandilaSat SumbandilaSat – AMSAT-SA’s (South Africa’s) Next Satellite AMSAT-SA’s (South Africa’s) Next Satellite

Human Space MissionsHuman Space Missions

• ARISS - Amateur Radio on the International ARISS - Amateur Radio on the International Space Station Space Station (See Separate Presentation)(See Separate Presentation)

– Educational Outreach – School Contacts – Proud HistoryEducational Outreach – School Contacts – Proud History– International Cooperation – Development & OperationsInternational Cooperation – Development & Operations– Still Developing New CapabilitiesStill Developing New Capabilities

» S and L Band Antennas for Columbia Module – In PlaceS and L Band Antennas for Columbia Module – In Place» Radios for Columbia Module – In DevelopmentRadios for Columbia Module – In Development

– General Contacts with Astronauts – Depends on AstronautGeneral Contacts with Astronauts – Depends on Astronaut– Repeater CapabilityRepeater Capability– Must Develop Autonomous Capabilities – Workload ReliefMust Develop Autonomous Capabilities – Workload Relief– SuitSats are By ProductsSuitSats are By Products– Everyone Should Try to Everyone Should Try to Witness an ARISS Contact In Witness an ARISS Contact In

Person to Get the Full Impact!Person to Get the Full Impact!

THE NEW AMSATTHE NEW AMSAT

• RealitiesRealities– There is no more Free LaunchThere is no more Free Launch– Volunteers require Different Management TechniquesVolunteers require Different Management Techniques– Hams are CheapHams are Cheap– AMSAT Members are Getting OlderAMSAT Members are Getting Older– ““Techies” have different goals than “Operators”Techies” have different goals than “Operators”– Seldom are Critics ContributorsSeldom are Critics Contributors

» Don’t be Part of the Problem, be Part of the Don’t be Part of the Problem, be Part of the SolutionSolution

Most of these Realities are not Really New, Most of these Realities are not Really New, but must be Re-Visited Periodically but must be Re-Visited Periodically

THE NEW AMSAT (cont.)THE NEW AMSAT (cont.)• AMSAT Leadership Meeting – 8-10 Aug 2008AMSAT Leadership Meeting – 8-10 Aug 2008

– Attended by Officers, Current BOD, and New BODAttended by Officers, Current BOD, and New BOD– Addressed Near Term GoalsAddressed Near Term Goals– Re-Visited AMSAT’s Vision in light of Current RealitiesRe-Visited AMSAT’s Vision in light of Current Realities

• AMSAT BOD Meeting – 23-24 Oct 2008AMSAT BOD Meeting – 23-24 Oct 2008– Open Meeting – Attend and Hear for YourselfOpen Meeting – Attend and Hear for Yourself– Precedes AMSAT Space SymposiumPrecedes AMSAT Space Symposium

• AMSAT Space Symposium and General AMSAT Space Symposium and General MeetingMeeting

– Atlanta, GA, 24-26 Oct 2008Atlanta, GA, 24-26 Oct 2008– Papers, Fun, Prizes, and Social EventPapers, Fun, Prizes, and Social Event– Register NowRegister Now

Support AMSAT with your Support AMSAT with your Time, Talent, and MoneyTime, Talent, and Money

World Wide Web ResourcesWorld Wide Web Resources

• http://www.amsat.orghttp://www.amsat.org

• http://www.amsat-dl.orghttp://www.amsat-dl.org

• http://www.tapr.orghttp://www.tapr.org

• http://www.arrl.orghttp://www.arrl.org

•http://www.uk.amsat.orghttp://www.uk.amsat.org

Links Available to Related Web SitesLinks Available to Related Web Sites

How can you participate?How can you participate?

• Personal and Club Donations Personal and Club Donations to the EAGLE Project and to the EAGLE Project and EAGLE Launch Fund are EAGLE Launch Fund are EncouragedEncouraged

• Support AMSAT-DL’s P3-E Support AMSAT-DL’s P3-E ProjectProject

• Join the Fun on the “Birds”!Join the Fun on the “Birds”!

• Join AMSAT todayJoin AMSAT today

QuestionsQuestions??