| |
CX2SA > SAT 10.04.05 08:34l 49 Lines 1929 Bytes #999 (0) @ AMSAT
BID : ANS-100.03
Read: GUEST
Subj: PCSAT2 Arrives at the Launch Pad
Path: DB0FHN<DB0RGB<DB0MRW<DB0WUE<DK0WUE<7M3TJZ<EA5AKC<CX2SA
Sent: 050410/0627Z @:CX2SA.LAV.URY.SA #:34319 [Minas] FBB7.00e $:ANS-100.03
From: CX2SA@CX2SA.LAV.URY.SA
To : SAT@AMSAT
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 100.x03
>From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
April 10, 2005
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-100.03
PCSAT2, which had previously been stowed in the Space Shuttle Discovery,
arrived at Launch Complex 39B on 07 April 2005. PCSAT2 is now standing
by ready to be launched on the first Space Shuttle return-to-flight
mission.
PCSAT2 will use the same dual redundant AX.25 command and control system
as used on PCsat (NO-44) offering 8 on/off commands, 5 telemetry
channels and a serial port for the solar cell experiment telemetry. It
also supports the Digital Comms Relay support of the PCsat/APRS mission.
The packet uplink is on 145.825 MHz and the default downlinks are in the
435 MHz band to avoid any possible interference with existing ARISS
missions. PCSAT2 will have quad redundant transmit inhibits for EVA
safety issues, thus, it is also easy to turn off to avoid any issues
with other UHF ARISS experiments that may be activated in the future.
Also, the mission lifetime of PCSAT2 is only 1 year, because it is a
sample-return mission, thus terminating any long term conflicts in
spectrum management.
The PCSAT2 mission is intended as an opportunity to augment existing
ARISS communications experiments with an external autonomous
communications payload. In this regard, it has several potential uses:
* A UI-Digipeater to help ease congestion on the currently shared
ARISS PMS (Packet Mail system)
* A PSK-31 transponder for multi-user communications to improve
accessibility for schools and ARISS outreach programs.
* An FM Voice repeater for full duplex crew communications to
facilitate crew-to-school ARISS contacts.
* Routine Telemetry on the spacecraft systems
For more information and pictures visit the PCSAT2 website at
http://www.ew.usna.edu/~bruninga/pcsat2.html
[ANS thanks Bob, WB4APR for the above information]
Read previous mail | Read next mail
| |
