Preparing for TAMSAT linear transponder tests

TURKSAT-3USAT is a three unit CubeSat built jointly by TURKSAT and the Istanbul Technical University (ITU).

TAMSAT V/U Linear Transponder Test

Members of AMSAT-TR (TAMSAT), the Turkish Amateur Satellite Technologies Organisation, have designed and implemented an inverting V/U linear transponder for the satellite to provide amateur radio SSB/CW communications. The transponder input is 145.940-145.990 MHz and the output is 435.200-435.250 MHz. On 437.225 MHz is either a CW beacon or 9600 baud AFSK.

The VHF/UHF transponder and all other subsystems, except the stabilization, are doubled for redundancy. Where possible, both COTS systems and in-house development are employed.

TURKSAT-3USAT and Deployment Pod

The power is provided using solar panels and lithium polymer batteries together with super capacitors. Satellite stabilization is accomplished using passive magnetic attitude control system with hysteresis rods. There is a camera payload to take images of the Earth.

TURKSAT-3USAT was launched on April 26, 2013 at 0413 UT on a CZ-2D rocket from the Jiuquan Space Center into a 660 km Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The satellite has a de-orbiting system which will make it re-enter the atmosphere at the end of its operational life.

On February 9, 2013 TAMSAT President A. Tahir Dengiz, TA2T, and Vice-President Barış Dinc, TA7W, were at the laboratory in the Istanbul Technical University (ITU) where tests were carried out on the transponder.

TAMSAT team celebrating a successful test

Article in Google English about the satellite that explains how to use the inverting linear transponder
http://tinyurl.com/TURKSAT-3USAT-Article

Further information and pictures of the preliminary testing of the V/U transponder are at
http://www.tamsat.org.tr/tr/turksat-3usat-is-almost-ready/

Read the paper TURKSAT-3USAT: A 3U Communication CubeSat
http://www.nanosat.jp/images/3rd/pdf/%5BNSS-03-0409%5D_TURKSAT-3USAT_A_3U_COMMUNICATION.pdf

Read more on the TAMSAT website which can be seen in Google English at
http://tinyurl.com/TurkeyTAMSAT

TURKSAT-3USAT Satellite Fun Club Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Turksat3usat-Fun-Club/484648341591111

TAMSAT / AMSAT-TR
• Facebook https://www.facebook.com/tamsat.amsattr
• Twitter https://twitter.com/tamsat_tr
• YouTube http://www.youtube.com/user/tamsatvideo

Keplerian Two Line Elements (TLEs) ‘Keps’ for CubeSats are at
http://celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/cubesat.txt

TLEs / ‘Keps’ for new satellites launched in past 30 days
http://celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/tle-new.txt

Free satellite tracking software:
• SimpleSat Look Down http://www.tomdoyle.org/SimpleSatLookDown/
• Gpredict http://gpredict.oz9aec.net/
• Orbitron http://www.uk.amsat.org/?p=9051