CubeBUG-1 On 16-07-2013 10:22 UTC
Date and Time: 16-07-2013 10:22 - 10:35 UTC Object : 2013-018D Max elevation: 50 degree Azimuth : 018 - 183 degree Polarization : LHCP Strongest Signal : max 15 db above noise Frequency : 437.438300 MHz FM +/- doppler Status : Active Remark : Weak Audio
An IQ wav file was recorded with SDRSharp and can be downloaded via the following link: download
Erich Eichmann DK1TB has released a new SatPC32 version.
This 12.8c version has the following new features and fixes. Erich has used a new programming environment for this release and even after testing he would like to hear if others that use this new version can share there experiences with this new release.
Here a small list with changes, new features and fixes:
All information regarding this new version can be found at the following location: SatPC32 V.12.8c release notes
The new version can be downloaded on the bottom of the main website from DK1TB.
Homepage and other references:
SatPC32 main English website
AAUSat-3 17 July 2013 18:47 UTC – 19:01 UTC
As always this small Cubesat is strong ….
This is how AAUSat-3 sounds:
AAUSAT3 transmits CSP packets encapsulated in a custom space-link framing format. The radio subsystem works as a router, where subsystems communicate directly with the ground station server.
The spacelink frames start with a variable length training sequence (default 60 bytes), followed by a 6 byte syncword (“OZ3CUB”). The packet format supports two different packet lengths, either 25 or 86 bytes. A one byte Frame Size Marker (FSM) is used to differentiate between long and short packets. The FSM is 0xA6 for short frames and 0x59 for long frames.
Technical Details:
I am not able to decode these signals because as far as I now there is no decoder available to the Amateur Radio community. Would be nice when University’s are using HAM radio frequency space that we the Ham radio community could benefit also.
Main website: AAUSat-3
I had a couple of nice ESTCube-1 passes this day and I gave it a try.
I used my FUNcube Dongle Pro+, SDRSharp, DDE Plugin and SatPC32. To decode the signals I used my sound card modem setup. This gave me a total of 277 frames that I tried to decode with the ESTCube-1 FM decode software from DK3WN.
Below is a raw TLM kiss frame:
2013-07-10 11:35:53.570 UTC: [236 Bytes KISS Frame (without CRC)]
ctrl: 3 PID: F0 {UI} 217 Payload Bytes
from ES5E-11 to ES5EC-1:
1 > 05 06 00 D5 02 42 51 D1 04 E8 18 09 00 C8 00 00 00 95 02 8E
21 > 03 D3 02 6B 03 22 02 99 01 6F 01 66 01 40 01 17 01 13 01 FC
41 > 00 2D 01 6B 01 AE 01 0A 02 90 01 67 01 55 01 54 01 C4 01 08
61 > 02 9D 01 7E 01 54 01 2D 01 4F 01 B2 01 AD 01 C9 01 99 01 A5
81 > 01 7C 01 55 01 31 01 44 01 36 01 15 01 53 01 6E 01 37 01 34
101 > 01 79 01 96 01 61 01 58 01 57 01 8A 01 6C 01 CB 01 52 01 A2
121 > 01 85 01 94 01 5B 01 79 01 5F 01 60 01 5C 01 3B 01 22 01 57
141 > 01 14 01 20 01 0F 01 18 01 0D 01 0E 01 46 01 EA 01 50 01 2C
161 > 01 54 01 B0 01 A3 01 9C 01 4C 01 96 01 A9 01 6D 01 2F 01 62
181 > 01 4E 01 36 01 50 01 AB 01 9A 01 89 01 42 01 61 01 42 01 3F
201 > 01 49 01 9E 01 5F 01 B0 01 A2 01 C7 01 8E 01 99 01
...Õ.BQÑ.è...È...•.Ž.Ó.k.".™.o.f.@.....ü.-.k.®....g.U.T.Ä....~.T.-.O.²..É.™.¥.|.U.1.D.6...S.n.7.4.y.–.a.X.W.Š.l.Ë.R.¢.….”.[.y._.`.\.;.".W... .........F.ê.P.,.T.°.£.œ.L.–.©.m./.b.N.6.P.«.š.‰.B.a.B.?.I.ž._.°.¢.Ç.Ž.™.
Decoded TLM data:
When I used this software it also created a image.raw file but I am unable to convert it into an image. The kiss file can be downloaded at the following location so if somebody else can give it a try, be my guest.
Radio Hams Plasma Thruster CubeSat
Radio amateurs Benjamin Longmier KF5KMP and James Cutler KF6RFX of the University of Michigan hope to raise $200,000 on Kickstarter for a CubeSat propulsion project.
The CubeSat Ambipolar Thruster (CAT) is a new plasma propulsion system which will push small spacecraft like CubeSats around in orbit or far beyond the Earth. They aim to use the CAT plasma thruster to propel a 5kg satellite into deep space at 1/1000th the cost of previous missions.
Just like a normal rocket that produces thrust from the burning and expansion of hot gases, CAT produces thrust from the expansion of a super-heated 350,000 °C plasma stream. Plasma is an ionized gas that can be accelerated to produce thrust (F=ma). The force generated by this thruster will be very low (milli-newtons) but very efficient. The engine will be turned on for long durations, accelerating the spacecraft to much higher velocities than a typical chemical rocket.
First, the propellant will be injected from its storage container into the plasma discharge chamber, a quartz bottle that distributes the gas and contains the plasma. The gas is turned into a plasma by a radio frequency antenna that surrounds the chamber and launches a plasma wave known as a “helicon.” The plasma is then launched out of the quartz bottle and guided by magnetic fields from extremely powerful permanent magnets. As the plasma escapes the CAT engine, this causes an equal and opposite thrust, pushing the satellite in the opposite direction. Unlike conventional rockets, almost any substance can be used as propellant for CAT – even liquid metals or water vapor!
Find out more about the project and watch the video on the Kickstarter site.
Kickstarter – CAT: A Thruster for Interplanetary CubeSats
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CubeSatAmbipolarThruster
[PE0SAT Thanks Amsat-UK for the above information]
ARISS Contact HV2VO
Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesu’, Rome, State of Vatican City, direct via HV2VO Contact is a go for: Wed 2013-07-10 12:36:28 UTC 66 deg
HV2VO temporary callsign for ARISS school contact, VHF/UHF and satellite activity during the mornings of 4 July, 8 July and 9 July 2013 An International Space Station educational contact is scheduled with participants of Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesu, Rome, State of Vatican City. The event is to begin at approximately 12:36 UTC, which is 14:36 CEST. This will be a direct contact operated by HV2VO. The event will be webcast on http://www.livestream.com/amsat_italia. The downlink signal will be audible in Europe. Interested parties are invited to listen on 145.800MHz FM.