Sep 9 2012

Plasma Powered Amateur Radio Satellite PROITERES Launched

The Japanese amateur radio satellite PROITERES was launched Sunday, September 9 at 0423 UT on PSLV-C21 from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Satish Dhawan space centre. The satellite SPOT6 was on the same launch into a 654 km × 643 km, 98.28º inclination orbit. The rocket was fitted with the mini Redundant Strapdown Inertial Navigation System (mRESINS).

PROITERES was built by a team of students and faculty members of Osaka Institute of Technology (OIT) and the spacecraft aims to demonstrate powered flight using a Pulsed Plasma Thruster (PPT) engine.

Mike Rupprecht DK3WN reported hearing PROITERES, callsign JL3YZK, on 437.485 MHz at 07:36 UT.

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Sep 9 2012

Smartphone and Kinect Satellite Presentations at Guildford

Dr Christopher Bridges (2nd from left) discussing why space is cool on Sky News

Dr Chris Bridges recently appeared on the nationwide TV channel Sky News discussing why space is cool. On September 15-16 he will be giving two presentations to the AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium at the Holiday Inn, Guildford, GU2 7XZ.

Chris will cover the Nexus Android Smartphone amateur radio satellite STRaND-1 which will carry both a Resistojet and a Pulsed Plasma Thruster (PPT) module and STRaND-2 which comprises two 3U CubeSats that will use Microsoft Xbox Kinect controller technology for docking.

UPDATE: For videos of the two STRaND presentations see http://www.uk.amsat.org/?p=10297

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Sep 9 2012

AMSAT-UK Colloquium – Visit to SSTL Kepler Building

SSTL-Kepler-Building

SSTL Kepler Building

The 27th AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium, is open to all. It takes place September 15-16 at the Holiday Inn, Guildford, GU2 7XZ and will provide an opportunity to visit the satellite facilities in the new Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) Kepler Building.

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Sep 9 2012

Exclusive New SDR Product Launch at AMSAT-UK Colloquium

AMSAT-UK are delighted to announce that Howard Long, G6LVB, will be present at the Colloquium this year and will be launching a new “FUNcube Dongle PRO-PLUS” during his presentation. UPDATE: For a video of the presentation see http://www.uk.amsat.org/?p=10297

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Sep 9 2012

Dr. Mark Hammond N8MH to speak at Space Colloquium

Dr Mark Hammond N8MH

The 27th AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium will be held on the weekend of 15-16 September at the Holiday Inn Hotel, Guildford, GU2 7XZ, England close to the University of Surrey. UPDATE: For a video of the presentation see http://www.uk.amsat.org/?p=10297

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Sep 9 2012

IARU International Amateur Radio Satellite Forum

Hans van de Groenendaal ZS6AKV

The IARU International Amateur Radio Satellite Forum will this year be held in conjunction with the AMSAT-UK Colloquium which takes place in Guildford, England on the weekend of September 15-16.

The forum, chaired by IARU Amateur Satellite Advisor Hans van de Groenendaal ZS6AKV, takes place on Saturday, September 15 at 1700 BST (1600 UT).

On the Agenda is a report on the activities of the IARU Satellite Adviser and his Advisory Panel.

UPDATE: For videos of the IARU satellite planning forum and the AMSAT-SA presentation given by Hans ZS6AKV see http://www.uk.amsat.org/?p=10297

Colloquium information http://www.uk.amsat.org/colloquium/twelve

IARU Amateur Radio Satellite Frequency Coordination http://www.iaru.org/satellite/