FUNcube-1 last test dashboard frame

The FUNcube-1 software team is working feverishly to complete the FUNcube Dashboard software that will be used to decode and display the telemetry that will be transmitted from the spacecraft on 145.935 MHz after the launch planned for November 21 at 07:10:11 UT.

A Dnepr launch

Whilst they finish their work here are some provisional pre-launch Keplerian Elements (Keps). We may well receive an updated set nearer to the day of launch but we expect that these should be good enough for the first few hours/days after launch.

Satellite: FUNCUBE-1
Catalog number: 99991
Epoch time:      13325.309563080
Element set:    1
Inclination:      97.7956 deg
RA of node:      38.2570 deg
Eccentricity:    0.0059925
Arg of perigee:  198.5190 deg
Mean anomaly:    336.5388 deg
Mean motion:  14.77841394 rev/day
Decay rate:      0.00000106
Epoch rev:          1

Two-Line Elements (TLE’s):
FUNcube
1 999991 00  0  0 13325.30956308  .00000106  00000-0  00000-0 0  0010
2 99999 097.7956 038.2570 0059900 198.5190 336.5388 14.77841394000000

The particular method of deployment used by this Dnepr launch vehicle means that the dispersion of all the objects may be somewhat more rapid than we are commonly used to, so this may help the experts determine which object is which.

AMSAT-UK FUNcube Mission Patch

FUNcube-1 will initially be transmitting only about 30 mW of output power, this is its “Safe Mode”, so a steerable Yagi will greatly help reception.

When the spacecraft is eventually transmitting data in its normal “Educational Mode” the signal is expected to be about 10 dB louder.

To stay up-to-date with what has happening with the FUNcube project and, in particular, with the FUNcube-1 spacecraft please visit http://www.funcube.org.uk/

You can register for automatic email notifications of all the updates by clicking on the “follow this blog” tab towards the bottom right hand corner of the front page.

best 73

Graham G3VZV

Satellite Tracking https://amsat-uk.org/beginners/satellite-tracking/

CubeSat deployment pods mounted on lower ring

The FUNcube-1 launch service provider, ISIS Launch Services, has been very busy at Yasny these past few days. They have been integrating all their charges into ISIPODs and then mounting the ISIPODs onto the SHM (Space Head Module).

On Thursday, November 8 the ISIPOD that contains FUNcube-1 was mounted onto the SHM so it has taken the next step en-route to space!

It is good to see the careful progress that is being made to ensure that FUNcube-1 has a smooth ride and all those involved in developing the satellite are very grateful to the team presently in Yasny who are making it all possible.

More details of the integration process can be seen at http://blog.isilaunch.com/

FUNcube Yahoo Group https://amsat-uk.org/funcube/yahoo-group/

Thanks to the very good work of Richard Limebear G3RWL the first edition of the “FUNcube Handbook” is now available.

The handbook provides an initial introduction to the project overall and the FUNcube-1 spacecraft in particular. An updated edition may be available sometime after the launch which is currently planned for November 21, 2013.

The primary mission of the FUNcube-1 CubeSat is to provide a telemetry beacon that can be easily received by schools and colleges for educational outreach purposes. When not in educational mode the spacecraft switches on a communications transponder for use by radio amateurs.

It is presently being translated into French, Dutch and Italian and AMSAT-UK would be delighted to receive offers of translation into other languages. Contact AMSAT-UK here.

The handbook and other FUNcube documents can be downloaded from http://funcube.org.uk/working-documents/

Direct link to the FUNcube Handbook v1.3 PDF

FUNcube Yahoo Group https://amsat-uk.org/funcube/yahoo-group/