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F1TTE > SAREX 13.02.97 02:31l 272 Lines 11306 Bytes #-10641 (0) @ AMSAT
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Subj: Next Shuttle Mission STS-83
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From: F1TTE@F6KRK.FRPA.FRA.EU
To : SAREX@AMSAT
F1TTE/TPK 1.82 Msg #:572 Le 12/02/97 a 18:52Z
SAREX FACT SHEET - STS-83
SHUTTLE ASTRONAUTS TO SPEAK WITH STUDENTS VIA AMATEUR RADIO
(SAREX MISSION STS-83 FACT SHEET)
The next space shuttle mission will again include Amateur Radio. Amateur
(or "ham") radio operators and students will attempt to make radio contacts
with the orbiting shuttle as part of a project called SAREX, or the Shuttle
Amateur Radio EXperiment. Amateur Radio has been flying aboard the shuttles
since 1983, providing the public with a unique vantage point of space.
Amateur (or "ham") Radio operators from around the world will point their
antennas at the Space Shuttle Columbia, hoping to find the astronauts are
on-the-air. Some of these amateurs have volunteered to assist student groups
that have prepared questions to ask the astronauts during specially scheduled
contact times.
To make their radio contacts, the astronauts will use a radio aboard the
shuttle, on frequencies used by ham radio operators. The contacts will
demonstrate to young people, teachers, parents and communities how Amateur
Radio and space energize students about science, technology, and learning.
For the students that participate in SAREX, the contact is the culmination
of months of hard work. Many of the students have studied space science,
communication, and have trained to use ham radio equipment and shuttle-
tracking computer software.
To operate Amateur Radio from the space shuttle, one or more of the
astronauts needs to have an Amateur Radio license. The STS-83 crew members
who are licensed Amateur Radio operators include Commander James D. Halsell,
Payload Commander Janice E. Voss, and Mission Specialist Donald A. Thomas.
WHEN: Launch is scheduled for April 3, 1997 from the Kennedy Space Center,
Cape Canaveral, Florida. Mission duration: Scheduled as a 16 day mission.
WHERE: The launch will place the shuttle into Earth orbit at an altitude of
196 statute miles and an inclination of 28.45 degrees.
WHY: NASA's intent in making astronauts available for SAREX operations is to
involve the largest possible numbers of people, particularly students, in
technology and the US space program with the help of Amateur Radio.
During SAREX missions, the astronauts will typically make the following types
of Amateur Radio contacts:
Scheduled radio contacts with schools.
Random radio contacts with the Amateur Radio community.
Personal contacts with the astronauts' families.
CREW MEMBERS (titles and Amateur Radio call signs):
James D. Halsell, Commander, KC5RNI
Susan L. Still, Pilot
Janice E. Voss, Payload Commander, KC5BTK
Donald A. Thomas, Mission Specialist, KC5FVF
Michael L. Gerhardt, Mission Specialist
Roger Crouch, Payload Specialist
Greg Linteris, Payload Specialist
PAYLOAD: On board STS-83, the payload bay will house the first Microgravity
Science Laboratory (MSL-1). The Microgravity Science Laboratory is a key
component of the bridge between present Spacelab and future Space Station
operations. Additional MSL-1 information can be obtained from NASA at this
World Wide Web page: http://liftoff.msfc.nasa.gov/spacelab/msl/welcome.html
Additional STS-83 mission information can also be obtained from NASA at:
* NASA Shuttle World Wide Web Home Page: http://shuttle.nasa.gov
* NASA Spacelink computer information system (look under
Spacelink.Hot.Topics)
BBS: (205) 895-0028 [VT-100, 8-N-1]
Telnet, FTP, and Gopher: spacelink.msfc.nasa.gov
World Wide Web: http://spacelink.msfc.nasa.gov
Internet TCP/IP address: 192.149.89.61
SAREX SPONSORS: The Shuttle Amateur Radio EXperiment (SAREX) is sponsored by
the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), The Radio Amateur Satellite
Corporation (AMSAT) and The National Aeronautics and Space Administration
(NASA). SAREX is supported by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS: Schools are selected from around the world to make
contact with the shuttle during most SAREX missions. These contacts are
prearranged, giving the schools a greater chance at making a successful
contact. A few students at each of the selected schools ask questions of
the astronauts during the contact. The nature of these contacts embodies the
primary goal of SAREX--to excite students' interest in learning. The
following schools were selected by the SAREX Working Group for a scheduled
radio contact during this mission:
Artesia Public Schools
Artesia, NM
Lexington Traditional Magnet School
Lexington, KY
Troy Intermediate School
Troy, TX
Crittenden Middle School
Mountain View, CA
Edgewater High School
Orlando, FL
S.J. Davis Middle School
San Antonio, TX
Mountain View Elementary School
Dewey, AZ
PS 9 (Public School 9)
New York, NY
Lawrence Intermediate School
Lawrenceville, NJ
Sonny Carter Elementary School
Macon, GA
County College of Morris
Randoph, NJ
Ione Junior High School
Jackson, CA
Robert J. Burch Elementary School
Tyrone, GA
Alvin C. York Agricultural Institute
Jamestown, TN
Beau Chene High School
Arnaudville, LA
Center Street School
El Segundo, CA
Lester Middle School
Okinawa, Japan
Tsinghua University
Beijing, People's Republic of China
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR AMATEUR RADIO OPERATORS-
SAREX RADIO FREQUENCIES: During most SAREX missions, many of the crew members will
make random contacts with earth-bound hams. They make these contacts
during their breaks, before and after meal time, and during their pre-sleep time. In fact, over the
past years the astronauts have contacted thousands of amateurs around the world. On many
missions, they have even carried a 2-meter packet radio station. Innovative computer software
allows the crew to operate the packet gear in an "unattended" mode, allowing amateurs to make
contacts with the ROBOT station
when the astronauts are working or sleeping.
The SAREX Working Group has designated the following frequencies
during this mission.
FM Voice Downlink: (Worldwide) 145.55 MHz
FM Voice Uplink: 144.91, 144.93, 144.95, 144.97, and 144.99 MHz
FM Voice Uplink: (Europe only) 144.70, 144.75, and 144.80 MHz
FM Packet Downlink: 145.55 MHz
FM Packet Uplink: 144.49 MHz
The crew will use separate receive and transmit frequencies. PLEASE do not
transmit on the shuttle's DOWNLINK frequency. The DOWNLINK is your receiving
frequency. The UPLINK is your transmitting frequency.
The crew will not favor either uplink frequency, so your ability to
communicate with SAREX will be the "luck of the draw." Transmit only
when the shuttle is within range of your station, and when the shuttle's
station is on-the-air.
CALL SIGNS:
FM voice call signs: KC5RNI, KC5BTK and KC5FVF
FM packet call sign: W5RRR-1
QSL VIA: Send reports and QSLs to ARRL EAD, STS-83 QSL, 225 Main Street,
Newington, CT 06111-1494, USA. Include the following information in your QSL
or report: STS-83, date, time in UTC, frequency and mode (FM, voice or
packet). In addition, you must also include a SASE using a large, business-
sized envelope if you wish to receive a card.
SHUTTLE TRACKING: Current Keplerian elements to track the shuttle are
available from the following sources:
* NASA Spacelink computer information system
BBS: (205) 895-0028 [VT-100, 8-N-1]
Telnet, FTP, and Gopher: spacelink.msfc.nasa.gov
World Wide Web: http://spacelink.msfc.nasa.gov
Internet TCP/IP address: 192.149.89.61
* NASA SAREX WWW Home Page: http://www.nasa.gov/sarex/sarex_mainpage.html
* ARRL
W1AW news bulletins (frequencies and times listed under "FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION")
BBS: (860) 594-0306
ARRL World Wide Web: http://www.arrl.org/sarex/
* AMSAT
World Wide Web: http://www.amsat.org
* Johnson Space Center Amateur Radio Club
World Wide Web: http://www.phoenix.net/~mbordel/jscarc/index.html
BBS: (713) 244-5625
* Goddard Amateur Radio Club
BBS: (301) 286-4137
World Wide Web: http://garc.gsfc.nasa.gov/www/garc-home-page.html
Packet: WA3NAN on 145.090 MHz in DC area
CONFIGURATION: During STS-83, the SAREX hardware will be flown in
configuration C.
SAREX configuration C consists of a hand-held transceiver, I/F module, PGSC
(serves as the packet data terminal), spare battery set, window antenna,
packet module, SAREX headset assembly, personal recorder, and the required
cable assemblies. The packet module contains a power supply and packet TNC.
The power supply provides power for the TNC and the hand-held transceiver. The
TNC interconnects with a radio transceiver so that data to and from the
computer is transmitted to and received from other amateur radio stations.
Configuration C is capable of operating in either the voice or data mode in
communications with amateur stations within LOS of the Orbiter. This
configuration can be operated in the attended mode for voice communication
and either the attended or automatic mode for data communications. The payload
control weight is 45 lb. (20.41 kg).
SAREX ELECTRONIC MAILING LIST:
The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation in North America (AMSAT-NA) operates
the Internet host AMSAT.ORG to provide for efficient communications between
people interested in the amateur satellite program. Periodic mailings to the
SAREX list include information and press releases pertaining to SAREX
missions. This mailing list is very active during SAREX missions, and can be
fairly quiet in between missions. To subscribe to the SAREX mailing list, send
a message with your request to listserv@amsat.org. Be sure to include your
call sign (if any), your correct e-mail address, and the proper name of the
mailing list you wish to receive (SAREX). Your request will be processed
manually for now, so the format of your request is not important. To
unsubscribe from the mailing list, send another message with your request to
listserv@amsat.org.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Contact the American Radio Relay League
Educational Activities Department
225 Main Street, Newington CT 06111-1494 USA
Telephone (860) 594-0301, FAX (860) 594-0259, ARRL BBS (860) 594-0306
Internet sarex@arrl.org
World Wide Web http://www.arrl.org/
CompuServe 70007,3373
America Online HQARRL1
ARRL's (Newington, CT) Amateur Radio station (call sign W1AW) transmits news
bulletins (9:45 PM, 12:45 AM EST) on HF bands at 1.855, 3.99, 7.29, 14.29,
18.16, 21.39, 28.59 megahertz (MHz) and in the central Connecticut-area on
VHF at 147.555 MHz. W1AW bulletins are also forwarded on packet.
Members of the Goddard Amateur Radio Club (Greenbelt, MD) re-transmit live,
shuttle air-to-ground audio over the amateur frequencies from their club
station, WA3NAN. To listen-in, tune to Amateur Radio high frequency (HF) bands
at 3.86, 7.185, 14.295, 21.395, and 28.65 megahertz (MHz) and in the
Maryland/DC area, on a very high frequency (VHF) band at 147.45 MHz.
The "SAREX Bulletin" contains additional general information on SAREX. This
document may be obtained electronically from many of the popular on-line
electronic services (look for SAREXFAQ.TXT).
The American Radio Relay League, Newington Conn. USA
STS83FCT.TXT
GS 31JAN97
Vy's 73 from F1TTE Jean-Michel
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