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KP4IG > SAT 01.02.04 01:33l 46 Lines 1998 Bytes #999 (0) @ AMSAT
BID : ANS-032.02
Read: DB0FHN GUEST
Subj: AO-40
Path: DB0FHN<DB0RGB<OK0PPL<DB0RES<ON0AR<WB0TAX<KP4IG
Sent: 040131/2327Z @:KP4IG.#JD.PR.USA.NA #:36602 WFBB7.00i $:ANS-032.02
From: KP4IG@KP4IG.#JD.PR.USA.NA
To : SAT@AMSAT
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 032.02 From AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD. February 1, 2004
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-032.02
The Board of Directors of AMSAT-NA met on Thursday evening, to review the
current situation with AO-40.
As you are all probably aware the satellite does not appear to be
transmitting at this time, and every effort is being made to accurately
determine the cause of failure and to make suitable corrections. For
detailed technical information see the AMSAT-BB and/or the AMSAT-DL web site.
In summary it seems that the primary battery has failed and that the
secondary or auxiliary battery is not sufficiently charged to take over at this
time. The next few weeks will be of great interest as the satellite is entering
into a sun angle which is becoming increasingly favourable for charging the
batteries.
From the telemetry that was being sent during the last few hours (and
minutes) of the batteries life, tests are being made on spare batteries in our
Orlando Laboratory to try and simulate the failure and determine what can be
done for recovery.
At this time AMSAT engineers and scientist at both Orlando and at AMSAT-DL
are optimistic about the chances of recovery but (like the NASA Spirit problem)
this may take some time to accomplish.
The Board of Directors of AMSAT-NA unanimously want to commend the AO-40
controllers and those working on the problem for their expertise and dedication
in determining the nature of the problem, trying to simulate the problem on
Earth, and hopefully in developing a technique to resolve the situation.
Meanwhile AMSAT-NA and AMSAT-DL each have a high orbit satellite under
design and construction which will ultimately, with your support, replace AO-40.
ECHO, our new LEO satellite will be launched this Spring, In a window
starting March 31st.
Your support is, as always, critical to AMSAT's efforts.
[ANS thanks Robin Haughton, VE3FRH, for the above information.]
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