Tag Archives: ISS

Mar 2 2014

ISS Ham Video Commissioning now scheduled

Front panel of the HamTV transmitter

Front panel of the HamTV transmitter

The Ham Video transmitter, which is stored in the Columbus module of the International Space Station (ISS), will be installed March 6, 2014. The transmitter will be powered on briefly, just the time needed to check that the connection cables to the antenna, to the power supply and to the camera are installed properly. All control LEDs nominal, the transmitter will be considered ready for Commissioning and will be unpowered.

HamTV Antennas at ARISS Telebridge Station IK1SLD in Casale Monferrato, Italy

HamTV Antennas at ARISS Telebridge Station IK1SLD in Casale Monferrato, Italy

The first Commissioning step is planned March 8, 2014. Using call sign OR4ISS, crew will power on the Ham Video transmitter in configuration 1:
• ARISS antenna 41
• Frequency 2.422 GHz
• Symbol rate 1.3 Ms/s

The transmission will start shortly before the pass of the ISS over the Matera ground station in south Italy at approximately 13.29 UT.

The ground station will stream the video over the BATC server http://www.batc.tv/ Please select Member Streams and ISS.

During the pass, different configurations will be tested with ARISS antenna 41.

After the pass, the Ham Video transmitter will stay powered on in configuration 1 till the following Commissioning step, which is planned Sunday March 9, 2014 at approximately 12.40 UT.

For about 24 hours, the DATV signal will be transmitted permanently, but the camera will be powered off. The reason is, that the camera is battery powered and no provisions are made for frequent battery replacement. This mode is called “blank” transmission.

A basic amateur radio station that should be able to receive HamTV from ISS - Image AMSAT-Italia

A basic amateur radio station that should be able to receive HamTV from ISS – Image AMSAT-Italia

During Commissioning step 2, different configurations will again be tested, this time with ARISS antenna 43. The Matera ground station will stream the video over the BATC server.

Possibly, blank transmissions will occur in the period between Commissioning step 2 and the following step, which is not yet planned.

We will circulate Ham TV Bulletins to inform on blank transmissions.
Reports on reception of blank transmissions are very welcome. Reports can be filed via this webpage: http://www.spaceflightsoftware.com/ARISS_FSTV/submit.php

Participants using the Tutioune receiving software, developed by Jean Pierre Courjaud F6DZP, can record as well as stream detailed parameters of the received signal. Please see:
http://www.vivadatv.org/

Thank you for your participation

73,
Gaston Bertels, ON4WF
ARISS Europe chair

ARISS-EU HamTV Bulletins http://www.ariss-eu.org/

HamTV https://www.facebook.com/Hamtvproject

Feb 28 2014

ISS Amateur Radio CubeSats Deployed

SDR image of the LituanicaSAT-1 beacon taken by Dmitry Pashkov UB4UAD

SDR image of the LituanicaSAT-1 beacon taken by Dmitry Pashkov UB4UAD

On Friday, February 28, 2014 at 0730 UT astronaut Koichi Wakata KC5ZTA deployed a batch of amateur radio CubeSats from the International Space Station (ISS).

Deployment of Amateur Radio CubeSats from ISS 2014-02-28-0730

Deployment of Amateur Radio CubeSats from ISS 2014-02-28-0730

LituanicaSAT-1, LitSat-1, ArduSat-2 (2U), UAPSAT and the 915 MHz SkyCube were successfully ejected from a NanoRacks deployment pod.

At 0855 UT Dmitry Pashkov UB4UAD received the LituanicaSAT-1 beacon. and received LitSat-1 at 1030 UT.

At 1022 UT Mike Rupprecht DK3WN received LitSat-1. Mike had heard UAPSAT at 0845 UT.

There is another amateur radio Cubesat still on the ISS, the Peruvian Chasqui-1 which was launched to the space station on February 5, 2014. It is understood that Chasqui 1 is scheduled to be hand-deployed during a future Russian Extravehicular Activity (EVA).

Frequency information at https://amsat-uk.org/2014/02/20/iss-cubesat-deployments-to-resume-february-25/

UB4UAD website in Google English http://tinyurl.com/UB4UAD

DK3WN satellite blog http://www.dk3wn.info/p/

SDR image of the LitSat-1 beacon taken by Dmitry Pashkov UB4UAD

SDR image of the LitSat-1 beacon taken by Dmitry Pashkov UB4UAD

Feb 21 2014

Amateur radio CubeSats prepared for deployment

Koichi Wakata KC5ZTA installing CubeSat deployers on the Multipurpose Experiment Platform inside the Kibo laboratory of the ISS

Koichi Wakata KC5ZTA installing CubeSat deployers on the Multipurpose Experiment Platform inside the Kibo laboratory of the ISS

NASA reports that on Thursday, February 20, 2014, International Space Station (ISS) astronaut Koichi Wakata KC5ZTA worked in the Japanese Kibo laboratory to prepare the second batch of NanoRacks CubeSats for their deployment beginning next Tuesday.

He opened the inner hatch to the airlock and replaced the empty deployers on the Multipurpose Experiment Platform with loaded deployers. The platform and its deployers will be passed outside through the airlock to the Exposed Facility where Kibo’s robotic arm can grapple the platform and position the nanosatellites for launch. NanoRacks provides customers with CubeSat deployment services through a Space Act Agreement with NASA.

The deployment of the 12 commercial Planet Labs CubeSats is expected to take place at 1700 UT on Tuesday, February 25. The four amateur radio CubeSats LituanicaSat-1, LitSat-1, ArduSat-2, UAPSat-1 along with the 915 MHz SkyCube are expected to be deployed on Friday, February 28 at 07:30 UT.

Another amateur radio CubeSat the Peruvian Chasqui-1 was sent to the ISS on February 5, 2014. It is understood that Chasqui 1 is scheduled to be hand-deployed during a future Russian Extravehicular Activity (EVA).

CubeSats deployments are streamed live at http://m.ustream.tv/channel/live-iss-stream

For frequencies of the amateur radio CubeSats and pictures of previous deployments see
https://amsat-uk.org/2014/02/20/iss-cubesat-deployments-to-resume-february-25/

Feb 20 2014

ISS CubeSat deployments to resume February 25

The first of the Planet Lab Dove CubeSats were deployed from the ISS on February 11, 2014 about 0831 UT

The first of the Planet Lab Dove CubeSats were deployed from the ISS on February 11, 2014 about 0831 UT

According to NanoRacks the deployment of the second batch of CubeSats from the International Space Station (ISS) will commence at 1700 UT on Tuesday, February 25, 2014. The CubeSats deployments were streamed live at http://m.ustream.tv/channel/live-iss-stream

ISS Kibo Japanese Experiment Module (JEM)

ISS Kibo Japanese Experiment Module (JEM)

Earlier this month astronaut Koichi Wakata KC5ZTA successfully deployed the first part of the Flock-1 constellation comprising 16 Dove 3U CubeSats developed by Planet Labs. The remaining 12 Dove CubeSats along with the amateur radio CubeSats LituanicaSat-1, LitSat-1, ArduSat-2, UAPSat-1 and the 915 MHz SkyCube should be deployed in the second batch.

The amateur radio CubeSats may be deployed on Friday, February 28 at 0730 UT. Another amateur radio CubeSat the Peruvian Chasqui 1 was sent to the ISS on February 5, 2014. It is not yet clear if this will also be deployed on Feb. 28.

Eight NanoRacks deployers are installed on the Multi-Purpose Experiment Platform (MPEP). Each deployer has a capacity of 6U and so can hold up to six 1U CubeSats or two 3U CubeSats. They are carried by Japanese Experiment Module-Remote Manipulator System (JEM-RMS).

Two 3U CubeSats (6U total) can be deployed every one to two orbits to prevent collisions. For the first batch of Flock-1 CubeSats about two deployments took place each day.

Planet Labs CubeSat Constellation

Planet Labs CubeSat Constellation

LituanicaSat-1 carries a 145/435 MHz FM transponder while LitSat-1 has a 435/145 MHz linear transponder for SSB/CW communications.

Kibo Robot Arm CubeSat Deployment

Kibo Robot Arm CubeSat Deployment

The IARU coordinated frequencies are listed as:

LituanicaSAT-1
• FM Transponder Uplink 145.950 MHz Downlink 435.180 MHz
• AX25 Uplink 145.850 MHz AX25 Downlink 437.550 MHz
• CW Beacon 437.275 MHz
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Lituanicasat1

LitSat-1
• SSB Transponder Uplink 435.180 MHz Downlink 145.950 MHz
• AX25 Uplink 437.550 MHz Downlink 145.850 MHz
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/palydovas

ArduSat-2
• 9k6 MSK CCSDS data format downlink 437.? MHz
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/575960623/ardusat-your-arduino-experiment-in-space

UAPSAT
• AX.25 Packet Radio uplink 145.980 MHz downlink 437.385 MHz
http://www.uapsat.info/ Twitter https://twitter.com/uapsat Facebook https://www.facebook.com/uapsat

Chasqui-1 (Peru) was launched to the space station on February 5, 2014. It is understood that it is scheduled to be hand-deployed during a future Russian Extravehicular Activity (EVA).
• AX.25 Packet Radio downlink on 437.250 MHz http://www.chasqui.uni.edu.pe/eng.html

Two Planet Labs Dove CubeSats deployed from the ISS February 11, 2014

Two Planet Labs Dove CubeSats deployed from the ISS February 11, 2014

Koichi Wakata KC5ZTA https://twitter.com/Astro_Wakata

NanoRacks https://twitter.com/nanoracks/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nanoracks

Close-up of Planet Labs Dove CubeSats leaving NanoRacks deployer February 11, 2014

Close-up of Planet Labs Dove CubeSats leaving NanoRacks deployer February 11, 2014

Planet Labs https://twitter.com/planetlabs

A Dove in Space https://twitter.com/adoveinspace

Southern Stars https://twitter.com/south_stars

Video of NanoRacks interview: Deploying CubeSats from the Space Station
https://amsat-uk.org/2014/01/31/video-deploying-cubesats-from-the-space-station/

February 11, 2014 ISS CubeSats deployed
https://amsat-uk.org/2014/02/11/cubesats-deployed-from-international-space-station/

Jonathan’s Space Report (JSR) has been covering robotic and human spaceflight activity for 25 years
https://amsat-uk.org/2014/02/09/a-quarter-century-of-jonathans-space-report/
Twitter http://twitter.com/planet4589

Astronaut Koichi Wakata KC5ZTA prepares NanoRacks CubeSat Deployers

Astronaut Koichi Wakata KC5ZTA prepares NanoRacks CubeSat Deployers

Feb 15 2014

Brazilian students talk to Space Station using Amateur Radio

ARISS PV8DX students at Escola Estadual 'Gonçalves Dias'

ARISS PV8DX students at Escola Estadual ‘Gonçalves Dias’

An Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) school contact took place at 17:24 UT on Thursday, February 13, 2014.

International_Space_StationStudents at Escola Estadual ‘Gonçalves Dias’, Boa Vista, Brazil, using the station of Paulo PV8DX, were able to talk to astronaut Michael Hopkins KF5LJG who was using the callsign OR4ISS. The contact lasted about 9 minutes and took place in English on 145.800 MHz FM.

The school, founded in 1977, works in two shifts, morning and afternoon with a total of 800 students. The school has a specialty program dedicated to Computer Science and related areas – students in this area were directly involved in the ARISS event. These same students were involved in the development of questions and related studies. The school has 70 teachers and 30 administrative support staff.

International Space Station ISS 2011The students asked these questions:

1. Why did you decide to be an astronaut?
2. How long can a person live in space?
3. How do you communicate with your family?
4. After the mission, what are the most critical physical and psychological effects on your body and mind?
5. If someone is critically injured on the ISS, what would you do with  them?
6. In case of illness, how is aid provided?
7. What kind of research are you doing on the ISS?
8. Do you feel disoriented when you return home?
9. Given the incredible committment to become an astronaut, do you ever doubt your choice?
10. How do you bathe on the ISS?
International Space Station ISS with shuttle Endeavour 2011-05-2311. What is the most interesting thing you have seen in Space?
12. Is oxygen recycled continually on the ISS or do supply vehicles bring up new oxygen?
13. What is a typical day like on the ISS?
14. Since there are people from different countries on the ISS, what is the language spoken on the Station and what kind of food do you eat?

A recording of part of the contact made by PY2TNA can be heard here .

Michael Hopkins KF5LJG / OR4ISS

Michael Hopkins KF5LJG / OR4ISS

Media coverage can be seen at

http://g1.globo.com/rr/roraima/noticia/2014/02/estudantes-de-rr-fazem-contato-com-astronauta-em-estacao-espacial.html

http://g1.globo.com/rr/roraima/jornal-de-roraima/videos/t/edicoes/v/estudantes-roraimenses-tem-contato-com-astronauta-por-meio-de-projeto-da-nasa/3147827/

http://www.rr.gov.br/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=12994:no-espaco-comunicacao-entre-estudantes-de-roraima-e-astronauta-americano-foi-um-sucesso&catid=198:2014fevereiro&Itemid=210

Sign up for the SAREX maillist at http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/sarex

Amateur Radio on the International Space Station http://www.ariss.org/

Feb 11 2014

CubeSats deployed from International Space Station

The first of the Planet Lab Dove CubeSats were deployed from the ISS on February 11, 2014 about 0831 UT

The first of the Planet Lab Dove CubeSats were deployed from the ISS on February 11, 2014 about 0831 UT

On Tuesday, February 11, 2014 astronaut Koichi Wakata KC5ZTA successfully deployed the first of the 33 CubeSats that were launched from the Wallops Flight Facility, VA to the International Space Station (ISS) in the Cygnus freighter on January 9.

The first two of the Flock-1 constellation of 28 Dove 3U CubeSats developed by Planet Labs were deployed at about 0831 UT Feb 11 into a 409 x 418 km orbit with another two Dove CubeSats deployed at 1241 UT.

ISS Kibo Japanese Experiment Module (JEM)

ISS Kibo Japanese Experiment Module (JEM)

Eight NanoRacks deployers are installed on the Multi-Purpose Experiment Platform (MPEP). Each deployer has a capacity of 6U and so can hold up to six 1U CubeSats or two 3U CubeSats. They are carried by Japanese Experiment Module-Remote Manipulator System (JEM-RMS).

Two 3U CubeSats can be deployed every one to two orbits to prevent collisions. For Flock-1 two deployments took place each day.

Deployment summary, all times UT, possible object numbers in brackets
0831 Feb 11 – Flock-1-1, Flock-1-2 (39512, 39515)
1241 Feb 11 – Flock-1-3, Flock-1-4  (39516, 39517)
0235 Feb 12 – Flock-1-5, Flock-1-6 deployment fails
???? Feb 12 – Flock-1-7, Flock-1-8 deployment fails ?
0830 Feb 12 – Flock-1-9, Flock-1-10 (39518, 39519)
0820 Feb 13 – Flock-1-5, Flock-1-6 (39520, 39521)
0415 Feb 14 – Flock-1-11, Flock-1-12
1146 Feb 14 – Flock-1-13, Flock-1-14
0700 Feb 15 – Flock-1-7, Flock-1-8
1055 Feb 15 – Flock-1-15, Flock-1-16 (39531, 39532)

The deployment pods were then returned to the airlock to be loaded with the final batch of CubeSats.

Planet Labs CubeSat Constellation

Planet Labs CubeSat Constellation

In addition to the 28 Planet Labs CubeSats there are four amateur radio CubeSats – LituanicaSat-1, LitSat-1, ArduSat-2, UAPSat-1 – and the 915 MHz SkyCube.

Kibo Robot Arm CubeSat Deployment

Graphic of Kibo Robot Arm CubeSat deployment

LituanicaSat-1 carries a 145/435 MHz FM transponder while LitSat-1 is thought to carry a 435/145  MHz linear transponder for SSB/CW communications.

The IARU coordinated frequencies are listed as:

LituanicaSAT-1
• FM Transponder Uplink 145.950 MHz Downlink 435.180 MHz
• AX25 Uplink 145.850 MHz AX25 Downlink 437.550 MHz
• CW Beacon 437.275 MHz
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Lituanicasat1

Planet Labs Dove CubeSats emerging from NanoRacks deployer February 11, 2014

Planet Labs Dove CubeSats emerging from NanoRacks deployer February 11, 2014

LitSat-1
• SSB Transponder Uplink 435.180 MHz Downlink 145.950 MHz
• AX25 Uplink 437.550 MHz Downlink 145.850 MHz
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/palydovas

ArduSat-2
•  9k6 MSK CCSDS data format downlink 437.? MHz
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/575960623/ardusat-your-arduino-experiment-in-space

UAPSAT
• AX.25 Packet Radio uplink 145.980 MHz downlink 437.385 MHz

Two Planet Labs Dove CubeSats deployed from the ISS February 11, 2014

Two Planet Labs Dove CubeSats deployed from the ISS February 11, 2014

Koichi Wakata KC5ZTA https://twitter.com/Astro_Wakata

NanoRacks https://twitter.com/nanoracks/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nanoracks

Close-up of Planet Labs Dove CubeSats leaving NanoRacks deployer February 11, 2014

Close-up of Planet Labs Dove CubeSats leaving NanoRacks deployer February 11, 2014

Planet Labs https://twitter.com/planetlabs

A Dove in Space https://twitter.com/adoveinspace

Southern Stars https://twitter.com/south_stars

Video of NanoRacks interview: Deploying CubeSats from the Space Station
https://amsat-uk.org/2014/01/31/video-deploying-cubesats-from-the-space-station/

CubeSats deployments are streamed live at http://m.ustream.tv/channel/live-iss-stream

Jonathan’s Space Report (JSR) has been covering robotic and human spaceflight activity for 25 years
https://amsat-uk.org/2014/02/09/a-quarter-century-of-jonathans-space-report/
Twitter http://twitter.com/planet4589

Astronaut Koichi Wakata KC5ZTA prepares NanoRacks CubeSat Deployers

Astronaut Koichi Wakata KC5ZTA prepares NanoRacks CubeSat Deployers