Tag Archives: CAMSAT

Mar 20 2022

CAS-10 CubeSat has an Amateur Radio Transponder

CAMSAT’s CAS-10 is an 8U CubeSat that will carry an Amateur Radio VHF to UHF linear transponder for SSB communications.

A follow on mission from CAS-9 and also known as Hope-4 (XW-4) CAS-10 is an 8U CubeSat, approx 228 x455x 100mm, with a mass of 12kg. The satellite will carry:

1. A VHF uplink and UHF downlink linear transponder with a bandwidth of 30kHz. This transponder will work all day during the life cycle of the satellite, and amateur radio enthusiasts around the globe can use it for two-way radio relay communications.

2. A camera, and the pictures it takes are stored in the flash memory on the satellite, we have designed a simple remote control system based on DTMF, and amateur radio enthusiasts around the globe can send DTMF commands to download the camera photos.

3. A CW beacon to send satellite telemetry data, which is also a feature that is widely welcomed by amateur radio enthusiasts.

4. A AX.25 4.8k/9.6kbps GMSK telemetry downlink

Planning a launch in November 2022 from Hainan Launch Center using a CZ-7 launch vehicle into a 400km circular 42.9 degree inclination orbit.

Source IARU Satellite Frequency Coordination Status pages http://www.amsat.org.uk/iaru/

Dec 18 2021

XW-3 (CAS-9) Satellite Launch December 26

XW-3 (CAS-9) satellite

The CAMSAT XW-3 (CAS-9) satellite carrying a 145/435 linear transponder was launched from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center at 03:11:31 GMT on December 26, 2021.

XW-3(CAS-9) satellite was piggybacked on the rocket with primary payload ZY-1(02E) satellite. The satellite orbit is a circular sun-synchronous orbit with an altitude of 770.1 kilometers and an inclination of 98.58 degrees, the running cycle is 100.14 minutes.

The functions of XW-3(CAS-9) satellite include UHF CW telemetry beacon, GMSK telemetry data transmission, V/U mode linear transponder, a visible light band space camera and an experimental thermoelectric generator for high school students.

Deployment from the launcher took place at 98.858° east longitude and 28.413° north latitude at 03:35:58 GMT, location close to Western Australia. The amateur radio CW beacon and GMSK telemetry signals were activated approximately 38 seconds after the satellite separated from the launch vehicle, and the linear transponder was switched on approximately 49 seconds later.

Download the XW-3 (CAS-9) Amateur Radio Satellite User’s Manual V1.11

Download the XW-3 (CAS-9) Amateur Radio Satellite Launch Time Sequence

TLEs

Doppler measurements show that XW 3 (CAS 9) is object 50466 (2021-131B).

Frequency CW beacon: 435.57515 MHz.

XW-3(CAS-9)
1 50466U 21131B   21361.15310929 -.00000045  00000-0  00000+0 0  9991
2 50466  98.5981  73.3722 0003165 299.3678  60.7297 14.38435478   149

Updated at 11:45 UTC on the 27th Dec 2021

SatPC32 Doppler.SQF Line

XW-3(CAS-9),435180,145870,USB,LSB,REV,0,0
Jun 20 2020

CAS-6 antenna deployed, transponder activated

CAS-6 Satellite

CAS-6 Satellite

The CAMSAT CAS-6 satellite was launched December 20, 2019. Alan Kung BA1DU reports the V/UHF antenna was deployed on Saturday, June 20, 2020 and the linear transponder activated.

Due to some OBC failures, CW beacon and GMSK telemetry are not working properly. At present, only the carriers are transmitted on the two frequencies, the linear transponder has been put into operation. We will then try to diagnose and then determine whether the CW and telemetry data stream transmission can be recovered.

Frequencies:

• CW Telemetry Beacon: 145.910 MHz

• AX.25 4.8kbps GMSK Telemetry: 145.890 MHz

• U/V Linear Transponder Downlink: 145.925 MHz, 20 kHz bandwidth, Inverted

• U/V Linear Transponder Uplink: 435.280 MHz

TLE:

CAS-6(2019-093C)
1 44881U 19093C 20170.81187924 -.00001118 00000-0 -13581-3 0 9991
2 44881 97.9575 246.8556 0015830 36.2280 323.9959 14.81412013 26893

73!
Alan Kung, BA1DU

Further information on the 35 kg micro-satellite is at
https://amsat-uk.org/2019/12/19/camsat-cas-6-satellite/

Dec 19 2019

CAMSAT CAS-6 satellite launched December 20

CAS-6 Satellite

CAS-6 Satellite

CAMST’s amateur radio payload CAS-6 piggybacked on a technology test satellite TIANQIN-1 launched at 03:21 UTC on December 20, 2019 at the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center of China using a CZ-4B launch vehicle.

Update December 20: Alan BA1DU reported:
“Today CAS-6 has been successfully launched, the satellite is currently in orbit testing, the amateur radio payload is expected to be operational in about three days. Thank you for your interest.”

The primary payload of this launch is China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellite CBERS-4A.

Satellite Name: CAS-6/TIANQIN-1

Orbit:
• Orbit type : SSO
• Apogee : 629km
• Inclination : 97.89˚
• Period : 97min

Satellite Architecture: Micro-satellite
• Mass: 35kg
• Stabilization: three-axis stabilization system with its +Y surface facing the earth

Amateur Radio Payload:
• Call sign: BJ1SO
• VHF Antenna: one 1/4λ monopole antenna with max.0dBi gain is located at +Z side
• UHF Antenna: one 1/4λ monopole antenna with max.0dBi gain is located at -Z side
• CW Telemetry Beacon: 145.910 MHz 17dBm
• AX.25 4.8k Baud GMSK Telemetry: 145.890 MHz 20dBm
• U/V Linear Transponder Downlink: 145.925 MHz 20dBm, 20 kHz bandwidth, Inverted
• U/V Linear Transponder Uplink: 435.280 MHz

CAS-6 Satellites Digital Telemetry Description

CAS-6 CW Telemetry Encoding Format

CAMSAT News Release for CAS-6 Satellite

FloripaSat-1 CubeSat carrying a Digital Repeater payload is on the same launch as CAS-6
https://floripasat.ufsc.br/communication-info/

Jul 8 2019

CAS-7B with FM transponder launched

CAS-7B / BP-1B satellite schematic diagram

CAS-7B / BP-1B satellite schematic diagram

The Amateur Radio satellite CAS-7B (BP-1B), carrying an FM transponder, was launched at 05:00 GMT on July 25, 2019 and the FM transponder and Telemetry Beacon have been received.

The satellite was launched on Hyperbola-1 from Jiuquan into a 300 km 42.7 degree inclination orbit. CAS-7B is expected to have a lifetime of less than a month before reentry.

CAS-7B is a spheriform spacecraft of 500 mm diameter with a mass of 3 kg
• CW Telemetry Beacon: 435.715 MHz 20 dBm
• V/U FM Transponder Downlink: 435.690 MHz 20 dBm, 16 kHz bandwidth
• V/U FM Transponder Uplink: 145.900 MHz 16 kHz bandwidth

Update July 30, 2019: CAS-7B Designated BIT Progress-OSCAR 102 (BO-102)

On July 25, 2019, the CAS-7B (BP-1B) microsatellite was launched on a Hyperbola-1 launch vehicle from the Jiuquan Space Center, China.

CAS-7B (BP-1B) was developed by the Chinese Amateur Satellite Group (CAMSAT), and in cooperation with the Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT). CAMSAT completed the project planning, design, build, and testing, and manages the on-orbit operation of the satellite. BIT provided the satellite environmental testing, launch support, and financial support. Many students from BIT were involved with the project, learning about satellite technology and amateur radio. The satellite carries a CW telemetry beacon and FM repeater that has been active since launch.

At the request of CAMSAT and the BIT team, AMSAT hereby designates CAS-7B (BP-1B) as BIT Progress-OSCAR 102 (BO-102). We congratulate the owners and operators of BO-102, thank them for their contribution to the amateur satellite community, and wish them continued success on this and future projects.

Further CAS-7B information from Alan Kung BA1DU https://amsat-uk.org/2019/06/02/cas7b-bp1b-satellite/

Jun 2 2019

CAS-7B ( BP-1B ) amateur radio satellite now ready for launch

CAS-7B / BP-1B undergoing test

CAS-7B / BP-1B undergoing test

CAS-7B ( BP-1B ) satellite is an amateur radio satellite combined with educational. Chinese Amateur Satellite Group ( CAMSAT ) is working the project with Beijing Institute of Technology ( BIT ), one of the most famous aerospace universities in China. The university provides support in launch of the satellite, there are many teachers and students from this university are participating in the development and testing of the satellite. With the help of CAMSAT, the university has established an amateur radio club (call sign: BI1LG), many students are the members, they are learning amateur radio satellite communication and experience endless fun.

CAS-7B / BP-1B satellite schematic diagram

CAS-7B / BP-1B satellite schematic diagram

Because of the orbital apogee and the size and mass of the satellite, the orbital life of the satellite is expected to be only one week, up to a maximum of one month, which will also provide with an opportunity for hams to track and monitor satellite entering the atmosphere.

The CAS-7B ( BP-1B ) is scheduled to be launched at the end of June 2019. The launch will use a new launch vehicle from a small commercial rocket company. This is the first launch of this launch vehicle, and there is a large possibility of failure, if the launch fails, we will have another launch later this year.

Satellite Name: CAS-7B/BP-1B
• Architecture: 1.5U Cube-satellite with flexible film ball
• Dimensions: 263Lx140Wx105H mm with 500 mm diameter flexible film ball
• Mass: 3kg
• Stabilization: Pneumatic resistance sail passive control

Orbit:
• Orbit type : LEO
• Apogee : 300km Circular orbit
• Inclination : 42.7º
• Period : 90.6min

Payload:
• VHF Antenna: one 1/4λ monopole antenna with max.0dBi gain is located at +Y side
• UHF Antenna: two 1/4λ monopole antennas with max.0dBi gain are located at –Z and +Z side
• CW Telemetry Beacon: 435.715MHz 20dBm
• V/U FM Transponder Downlink: 435.690MHz 20dBm, 16kHz bandwidth
• V/U FM Transponder Uplink: 145.900MHz 16kHz bandwidth

CAMSAT CAS-7B ( BP-1B ) News Release PDF with Telemetry Format – CAMSAT CAS-7B News Release

CAS-7B / BP-1B undergoing thermal vacuum test

CAS-7B / BP-1B undergoing thermal vacuum test