Roland (py4zbz) recently posted within the FUNcube & FUNcube Dongle Yahoo group – http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/funcube/ his received NOAA-19 image using the AMSAT-UK FUNcube dongle
py4zbz NOAA-19 iamge
For more information or to order a FUNcube Dongle visit http://www.funcubedongle.com/
Join AMSAT-UK today here-https://amsat-uk.org/2012/10/03/join-amsat-uk/
A Dnepr launch
The Dnepr rocket is a converted ICBM used for launching satellites into orbit, operated by launch service provider ISC Kosmotras. The first launch, on April 21, 1999, successfully placed UoSAT-12, a 350 kg demonstration mini-satellite, into a 650 km circular Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
It is based on the R-36MUTTH ICBM designed by the Yuzhnoe Design Bureau in Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine. Its control system was developed and produced by the JSC “Khartron”, Kharkiv. The Dnepr is a three-stage rocket using storable hypergolic liquid propellants. The launch vehicles used for satellite launches are withdrawn from service with the Russian Strategic Rocket Forces and stored for commercial use. A group of 150 ICBMs can be converted for use and are available until 2020. The Dnepr can be launched from Baikonur in Kazakhstan and a newly created Cosmodrome at the Dombarovsky launch base, near Yasny, in the Orenburg region of Russia.
KickSat 437 MHz Sprite Satellite
Members and non-members are invited to a BIS KickSat 437 MHz Sprite satellite programming and planning day.
The event takes place on March 30, 2013, 11am-4pm at 27/29 South Lambeth Road, London, SW8 1SZ and has these aims:
• Developer kit: setup and programming tests
• Souvenir Sprite: soldering and programming tests
• Radio testing: receive test signals
• Other: agree next steps, owners and dates
Participation is encouraged, but not required.
The following equipment will be available on the day:
• KickSat Sprite developer kit
• Souvenir sprite, wires, soldering equipment and a launchpad
• FUNcube dongle and aerial (tbc – they are in the post)
• Laptop, projector and Wi-Fi
Bringing a laptop will be helpful. Also, if anyone can bring portable equipment to receive the test signals, this will also be much appreciated.
Further information at
http://www.bis-space.com/2013/03/24/9482/kicksat-programming-and-planning-day
KickSat Sprite Technical Summary
http://www.bis-space.com/2013/03/09/9301/kicksat-technical-summary
The KickSat Sprites from both the BIS and London Hackspace are planned to launch, with 198 others, on the ELaNa 5 / CRS 3 mission in mid to late Summer.
KickSat to deploy 200 Sprite satellites
https://amsat-uk.org/2012/09/21/kicksat-to-deploy-200-sprite-satellites/
FUNcube Yahoo Group http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/FUNcube
Amateur Radio Satellite FO-29
In this video Patrick Stoddard WD9EWK shows that high power isn’t needed to work the satellites.
On Saturday, March 9. 2013, at 1636 UT at the Scottsdale Amateur Radio Club Hamfest in Tempe, Arizona (grid DM43al) he showed you can work F)-29 using just 5 watts from a FT-817ND to a handheld Elk 2m/70cm antenna. In fact he used two FT-817ND’s, one for transmit on 2m the other for receive on 70cm.
FO-29 was launched from the Tanegashima Space Center on August 17, 1996 into a 1,330 by 808 km orbit.
Tania in Space
The French language version of the European Space Agency (ESA) website reports the latest in the series of comic books about the Adventures of Tania in Space was published on March 22, 2013.
ESA report that as well as the adventures of Tania the 176 page publication features articles on space and is prefaced by several astronauts such as Frank De Winne, Dirk Frimout, Jean-François Clervoy and Jean-Pierre Haigneré of ESA and even Pamela Melroy and Piers Sellers of NASA.
ESA report on the new comic book http://tinyurl.com/TaniaInSpaceESA
The comic book is published by Editions Joker http://www.editions-joker.com/
Space adventures of Tania http://tinyurl.com/SpaceAdventuresOfTania
STRaND-1 Ground Station Antennas
Surrey Space Centre report that the STRAND-1 satellite is healthy but they have had new ground station teething problems. That has diverted effort and delayed the eagerly awaited switch-on of the Google Nexus One smartphone carried by the CubeSat.
The team are currently scouting University of Surrey rooftops for a better antenna position for STRaND-1.
The STRaND-1 downlink frequency is 437.568 MHz using 9k6 bps AX.25 packet radio. Details of the telemetry format are at https://amsat-uk.org/satellites/strand-1/strand-1-telemetry/
Surrey Space Centre https://www.facebook.com/pages/Surrey-Space-Centre/147861435274871
Follow Surrey Space Centre https://twitter.com/SpaceAtSurrey
AMSAT-UK 
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