Video of successful ISS amateur radio contact with Italian schools

This video shows the successful ARISS contact for Italian Schools in Govone, Priocca and Diano dAlba, Italy.

On Thursday, November  8, 2012 at 1204 UT, students from Institute Comprehensive in Govone, Nino Costa Middle school in Priocca and Institute Comprehensive in Diano dAlba, Italy established ARISS contact with JAXA astronaut Akihiko Hoshide KE5DNI onboard the International Space Station. Astronaut Akihiko Hoshide KE5DNI operated with the ISS callsign OR4ISS.

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Attempt to Recover the F-1 Amateur Radio CubeSat

FSpace F-1 Amateur Radio CubeSat

Since the amateur radio F-1 CubeSat was deployed from the International Space Station (ISS) on October 4 there have been no confirmed reception reports.

The attempts to recover the CubeSat are now focusing on reception of the backup UHF FM channel 437.485 MHz (+/-10 kHz Doppler shift). This FM beacon should transmit Morse Code for 20 seconds every 80 seconds during daylight.

The team would appreciate any reports of the beacon which can be sent to Thu Trong Vu XV9AA at thuvt@fpt.edu.vn

The FPT University FSpace team have issued a statement:

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Ahmedabad students hope for Amateur Radio contact with ISS Commander Sunita Williams KD5PLB

Sunita Williams KD5PLB on the International Space Station

The Times of India reports that a group of students in Gujarat will reach out to the stars. About 500 students hope to have a live amateur radio contact with the Commander of the International Space Station Sunita Williams KD5PLB. It is believed this would be the first ISS contact made by Indian students and should take place using the ham radio station at Science City in Ahmedabad.

The newspaper says it is hoped to hold the contact between November 12 and 16. Read the story at
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Ahmedabad-students-to-make-space-call-to-Sunita-Williams/articleshow/16975944.cms

First picture from FITSAT-1 on 5840.0 MHz

First picture from FITSAT-1 on 5840.0 MHz showing the solar panels on the ISS

When the FITSAT-1 CubeSat was deployed from the International Space Station on October 4 it took a picture using the on-board camera. On Friday, October 19 UT, the team successfully downloaded the picture using the high-speed 115.2 kbps data transmitter on 5840.0 MHz.

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Sarah Brightman to fly to International Space Station

Private Spacefarer Sarah Brightman Undergoes Medical Tests

Private Spacefarer Sarah Brightman Undergoes Medical Tests

On Wednesday, October 10 it was announced in Moscow that UK private spacefarer Sarah Brightman had passed the required mental and physical examinations to fly into space. In 2013 she will undertake six months of training at Star City in Moscow in preparation for her mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

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Radio amateurs asked to help track and decode the F-1 CubeSat

FSpace Team Phạm Quang Hưng, Đinh Quốc Trí, Khánh Has, Thu Trong Vu XV9AA, Hong Thai Pham, Dao Thang picture taken by Nguyễn Trần Hoàng

The F-1 CubeSat, callsign XV1VN, developed by the FSpace team of young engineers and students at the FPT University, deployed from the International Space Station (ISS) on Thursday, October 4 at 15:44 UT. A Google English newspaper report with pictures of the F-1 team’s attempts to receive the satellite after deployment can be seen at http://tinyurl.com/Chungta-F-1-Article. F-1 Keps (1998-067CP) are at http://celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/tle-new.txt.

On Sunday, October 7 Thu Trong Vu XV9AA provided this update:

So far the team has received several mixed reports about F-1 status, there is no definite conclusion yet. We will continue to collect information and analyze the situation, this afternoon we will hold a team meeting to discuss different situations that may happen with the little satellite up there. Please continue to help us listening for F-1 on 437.485 in daylight and 145.980 in the dark, thank you!

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