
SB NEWS @ AMSAT $SPC0311
* SpaceNews 11-Mar-96 *


BID: $SPC0311


			       =========
			       SpaceNews
			       =========


                         MONDAY MARCH 11, 1996


SpaceNews originates at KD2BD in Wall Township, New Jersey, USA.  It is
published every week and is made available for unlimited free distribution.



* CELESTIAL BBS UPDATE *
======================== 
The URL for the new WWW site for the Celestial BBS is:
 
	http://www.mindspring.com/~tkelso/
 
This site will be the only source for data and software after 15 March 1996.
 
Current NORAD two-line element sets can be found there and software from this
system will be moving there soon. Data will also continue to be available via
anonymous ftp from:
 
	archive.afit.af.mil (129.92.1.66)
 
in the directory pub/space.
 
Inquiries regarding these systems should be sent to Dr TS Kelso at
tkelso@mont.mindspring.com or tkelso@afit.af.mil.

[Info via Dr. T.S. Kelso, relayed by Donald Roland, VE1AOE]


* GPS TRACKING VIA WO-18 *
==========================
Bob Bruninga reminds us that with WEBERSAT-OSCAR-18's digipeater in operation
on an uplink of 145.900 MHz using Manchester encoded FSK at 1200 bps, the
APRtrak program can be used to periodically transmit your geographical
location via WO-18 using <UI> packets and will plot the location of other
stations using the same technique and software on maps.

Bob points out that it's fun to see other stations in the footprint of the
satellite pop up on the displayed map.  Even if satellites aren't your
interest, APRtrak can be run from mobile stations that connect a GPS to 
one port of your PC, and your TNC to the other port, allowing your moving 
position will be plotted by all observers.  In addition, a keyboard 
messaging capability exists to allow communications with all other
stations without having to establish a connection first.

If you only have terrestrial AFSK modems, you might be able to find some 
APRS activity locally on 145.790 MHz or better yet, 10.1515 LSB to become
more familiar with the software and its operation.

[Info via Bob Bruninga]


* WEBERSAT-OSCAR-18 NEWS *
==========================
The digipeater function on WO-18 continues in operation using an uplink of
145.900 MHz.  The following status frame was copied from WO-18 by KD2BD in
New Jersey on 07-Mar-96:

WEBER-1>CAST <UI>:

02-Mar-96
*Collecting and Sending WOD
 Week3: BCR Ch# 21 22 29 2F 33 36
*New Images
*Monday, New Spectrum

73, IK3WVJ & KB7KCL


* LUSAT-OSCAR-19 NEWS *
=======================
The fileserver on LUSAT-OSCAR-19 has been shut down due to what appears to
be a directory glitch.  The digipeater is also not available.  The following
packet frames were copied from LO-19 by KD2BD in New Jersey on 07-Mar-96:

LUSAT-1>TIME-1 <UI>:
PHT: uptime is 260/11:59:44.  Time is Thu Mar 07 02:04:54 1996
 
LUSAT-12>BBSTAT <UI>:
SHUT ABCD: 
LUSAT-11>STATUS <UI>:
B: 141170999

LUSAT-1>AMARG <UI>:

March 5.

File server is off.
El BBS no esta disponible.

Norberto - LU8DYF.


* STS-76 SAREX NEWS *
=====================
Amateur (or "ham") Radio operators from around the world will point their
antennas at the sky during the upcoming shuttle mission, STS-76.  Many of
them hope to make radio contact with the astronauts aboard the Space Shuttle
Atlantis.  Some of these amateurs have volunteered to assist student groups
that have prepared questions to ask the astronauts via the ham radio
airwaves.  The project is called the Shuttle Amateur Radio EXperiment,
or SAREX.

The astronauts will use a transceiver aboard the shuttle, on frequencies
used by ham radio operators, to talk directly with large groups of students.
They'll demonstrate to young people, teachers, parents and communities how
Amateur Radio energizes students about science, technology, and learning.

To operate Amateur Radio from the space shuttle, one or more of the
astronauts needs to have an Amateur Radio license.  Astronaut Richard A.
Searfoss will serve as the shuttle's Pilot, and has Amateur Radio call
sign KC5CKM.  Searfoss last operated SAREX from the Space Shuttle Columbia
during mission STS-58 in October/November 1993.  This will be his second
shuttle flight.  Linda M. Godwin is N5RAX, and will serve as a Mission
Specialist.  Her third shuttle flight, Godwin used ham radio aboard the
shuttle Atlantis during STS-37 in April 1991, and from aboard Endeavour
during STS-59 in April 1994.  Ronald M. Sega is KC5ETH, and is also a
Mission Specialist.  Sega used SAREX from Discovery during the first
joint US/Russian shuttle mission, STS-60, in February 1994.  The remaining
crew members include Commander Kevin P. Chilton, and Mission Specialists
Shannon W. Lucid and Michael R. Clifford.

During the mission, the shuttle will rendezvous and dock with the Russian
Space Station Mir.  Later, the shuttle will return to Earth, leaving
Shannon Lucid with Mir for a 5 month stay aboard the Russian complex.

Amateur Radio has been flying aboard the shuttles since 1983.

Launch is scheduled for March 21, 1996 at 0834 UTC (3:34 AM EST) from the
Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, Florida.  Landing is scheduled for
March 30, 1995 at 1707 UTC (12:07 AM EST) at the Kennedy Space Center,
Florida.  This is a 9 day mission.

The launch will place the shuttle into Earth orbit at an altitude of 196-245
statute miles (315-394 km) and an inclination of 51.6 degrees.

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 (and Amateur Radio call signs):

	Kevin P. Chilton,    Commander
	Richard A. Searfoss, Pilot, KC5CKM
	Shannon W. Lucid,    Mission Specialist, (awaiting license)
	Linda M. Godwin,     Mission Specialist, N5RAX
	Michael R. Clifford, Mission Specialist
	Ronald M. Sega,      Mission Specialist, KC5ETH

During the STS-76 mission, the Space Shuttle Atlantis will make its third
of seven shuttle flights to Mir, an effort known as Phase 1, the precursor
to building the International Space Station.

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.

Since this flight is a shuttle-Mir docking mission, and SAREX and Mir
Amateur Radio stations usually share the same downlink frequency (145.55
MHz), the SAREX Working Group has decided to use the following frequencies
during this mission.

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.

	FM Voice Downlink: 145.84 MHz
	FM Voice Uplink: 144.45, 144.47 MHz

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.  The FM voice call signs that will be used on STS-76 include
KC5CKM, N5RAX, and KC5ETH.

Reception reports and QSLs should be sent to ARRL EAD, STS-76 QSL, 225 Main
Street, Newington, CT 06111-1494, USA.  Include the following information
in your QSL or report: STS-76, date, time in UTC, frequency and mode.  In
addition, you must also include a SASE using a large, business-sized envelope
if you wish to receive a card.  The Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club in
Massachusetts has generously volunteered to manage the cards for this
mission.

The SAREX hardware will be flown in configuration M.  Configuration M uses
the shuttle/Mir VHF transceiver for FM voice radio contacts.

During final approaches to the Mir Space Station, a VHF transceiver is used
by the shuttle Commander to radio the Mir crew by ship-to-ship communications,
providing shuttle status and keeping them informed of major events from
that point on, including confirmation of contact, capture and conclusion
of damping.  This same VHF transceiver is used by the crew for SAREX
activities during shuttle/Mir docking missions.

[Info via N1OHJ]


* THANKS! *
===========
Thanks to all who sent messages of appreciation to SpaceNews, especially:

  N1IZD		VK2KTJ		AA6KC		KB7WFO		Mark Conway


* FEEDBACK/INPUT WELCOMED *
===========================
Comments and input for SpaceNews should be directed to the editor (John,
KD2BD) via any of the paths listed below:
 
FAX       : 1-908-747-7107
FTP       : pilot.njin.net  cd to /pub/SpaceNews
WWW       : http://www.njin.net/~magliaco/
PACKET    : KD2BD @ KS4HR.NJ.USA.NA
INTERNET  : kd2bd@amsat.org, magliaco@pilot.njin.net
SATELLITE : AMSAT-OSCAR-16, LUSAT-OSCAR-19
 
MAIL      : John A. Magliacane, KD2BD
	    Department of Engineering and Technology
	    Advanced Technology Center
	    Brookdale Community College
	    Lincroft, New Jersey  07738
	    U.S.A.
 
 
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/EX


