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===============================================
[ans]    ANS-088  AMSAT Weekly Bulletin
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 088.01

   From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
March 29, 2009
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-088.01

On March 25th, 2009 a team from the German space organisation AMSAT-DL
reached another milestone on its way to an own interplanetary probe
towards planet Mars. The ground station at the Bochum observatory
transmitted radio signals to Venus. After traveling almost 100 million
kilometers and a round trip delay of about 5 minutes, they were clearly
received as echoes from the surface of Venus. Receiving planetary echoes
is a premi=E8re in Germany and Europe. In addition, this is the farthest
distance crossed by radio amateurs, over 100 times further than echoes
from the moon (EME reflexions).

For receiving the EVE (Earth-Venus-Earth) reflections, an FFT analysis
with an integration time of 5 minutes was used. After integrating for 2
minutes only, the reflected signals were clearly visible in the display.
Despite the bad weather, signals from Venus could be detected from
1038UT on until the planet reached the local horizon.

The high power amplifier which is described in the current AMSAT-DL
journal has therefore passed this crucial test as a final key component
for the planned P5-A Mars mission. By receiving generated echoes from
Venus, the ground and command station for the Mars probe has been
cleared for operational use and the AMSAT-Team is now gearing up for
building the P5-A space probe.
For financing the actual construction and launch, AMSAT-DL is currently
in negotiation with the DLR (Deutsches Zentrum f=FCr Luft- und Raumfahrt)
among others, to obtain financial support for the remaining budget of 20
Mill EUR.

AMSAT-DL wants to show that low-budget interplanetary exploration is
possible with its approach.

More information and the link to the official press release:

http://www.amsat-dl.org//index.php?option=3Dcom_content&task=3Dview&id=3D16=
6&Itemid=3D97


The EVE experiment was repeated on Thursday, March 26th for several
hours with good echoes from Venus. Morse code was used to transmit the
well known =84HI=93 signature known from the AMSAT OSCAR satellites.


73s de DB2OS

Peter Guelzow
President AMSAT-DL

[ANS thanks Peter, DB2OS, for the above information]

/EX


SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-088.02
Frank H. Bauer, KA3HDO to Step Down from ARISS and AMSAT Duties

[ans]    ANS-088  AMSAT Weekly Bulletin
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 088.02

   From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
March 29, 2009
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-088.02

Frank H. Bauer, KA3HDO, announced today that, effective
immediately(3/24/09), he will be stepping down from all his Amateur
Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) duties.  This includes
his contributions to NASA Education as the ARISS program leader, his
support as the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS)
International Working Group Chair, his appointment as one of two ARISS
USA delegates, and as the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation=92s (AMSAT)
Vice President for Human Spaceflight Programs.

Mr. Bauer cited personal and professional reasons for his departure.  He
is currently the Chief Engineer for the Exploration Systems Mission
Directorate at NASA Headquarters.  This directorate is developing the
next generation human spaceflight vehicles that will take NASA to the
International Space Station and then to the Moon, Mars and beyond. He is
also providing some backup support to the Space Operations Chief
Engineer who supports the Space Shuttle and International Space Station
Programs.   =93Work responsibilities, which have increased substantially
over the past couple of years, coupled with some recent health issues
within my immediate family, led me to the conclusion that I could not
continue to provide the leadership and passion that has been
characteristic of my past support to these amateur radio endeavors,=94 Mr.
Bauer said.  =93This was a very hard decision.  I will certainly miss the
phenomenal ARISS international team and our mission to inspire the next
generation of space explorers using ham radio as our platform.  But I
thought it would be best to step down at this juncture,=94 Bauer
explained.  KA3HDO continues, =93Over the past 12 years, we have
developed, mentored and matured an outstanding volunteer team with a
wide breadth and depth.  I am fully confident that they will keep the
ARISS program running smoothly without missing a beat.=94

AMSAT President Barry Baines, WD4ASW, has tapped Will Marchant, KC6ROL,
to become the next AMSAT Vice President for Human Spaceflight Programs
and the AMSAT USA delegate of the ARISS International Working Group.
Barry Baines stated that =93AMSAT is fortunate that we have a very capable
leader in Will Marchant who is intimately familiar with ARISS, our
extensive human spaceflight program, and is well respected
internationally.=94  Barry observed, =93Frank=92s leadership has left a
significant mark on the overall ARISS program and the cooperative
relationship between amateur radio, NASA and other governmental space
agencies.   However, Frank also ensured that his team evolved to the
point where the work that he pioneered will be carried on by those that
he mentored and encouraged to take on greater responsibility.=94

In his new role, Will Marchant will work with the other ARISS USA
delegate, Rosalie White, K1STO, from the American Radio Relay League
(ARRL) and the other ARISS International Delegates and the ISS Space
Agencies to coordinate the development and operations of the amateur
radio systems onboard the ISS.  Rosalie stated that =93I look forward to
working with Will in his new role.   He has provided outstanding
leadership and support to ARISS from its very beginning, most recently
as an Operations team leader.  And he helped pioneer the school group
mentor role as part of the Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment (SAREX)
program in the early 1990=92s.=94  She continued, =93Frank will be missed
tremendously. It is incredible how much volunteer time and effort he put
into ARISS educational activities; it was easy to see it was his passion.=
=94

With Mr. Bauer stepping down from the ARISS International Chairman role,
the ARISS International Vice Chair, Mr. Gaston Bertels, ON4WF will
become the ARISS International Chairman effective immediately.  Mr.
Bertels has been a leader of ARISS from its inception and serves as the
Chairman of the ARISS-Europe team. Mr. Bertels has established a close
relationship between ARISS and ESA, the European Space Agency. This
resulted in the development and the installation of ARISS L- and S-band
antennas on the nadir of Columbus, the European Space Laboratory.  Mr.
Bertels also chairs the ARSPEX (Amateur Radio Space Exploration) working
group of the International Amateur Radio Union, Region 1.  Mr. Bertels
stated: "We can understand the reasons of Frank Bauer's resignation, but
we also feel how difficult this decision has been.  Frank has inspired a
worldwide group of passionate radio amateurs, working together to a
common goal.  Now it is up to us to continue in the same direction and
with the same spirit.  That's the best farewell present we can offer Frank".

Mr. Bauer=92s departure today represents the culmination of over 25 years
of leadership and support to amateur radio activities on human
spaceflight vehicles, including NASA sponsored ham radio activities on
the Shuttle, Space Station Mir, and the International Space Station.
Starting in 1983, he led the Goddard Amateur Radio Club team that
provided around-the clock Space Shuttle retransmissions from the WA3NAN
club station.  These retransmissions provided the international ham
radio community up-to-the-minute information during the flight of Owen
Garriott, W5LFL on STS-9 and subsequent SAREX flights.  These real-time
bulletins and frequent orbital element updates could only be obtained
through amateur radio in the days prior to the internet.  In 1991, AMSAT
then President Bill Tynan, W3XO tapped Frank to be the AMSAT VP for
Human Spaceflight, a position he has held until today.

In 1996, when the International Space Station design development was
well underway, NASA Headquarters Education Office executive Pam Bacon
(Mountjoy) requested that the amateur radio community form a single,
international team to provide one voice for all ham radio development
and operations on the ISS.  The SAREX Working Group, led by Roy Neal,
K6DUE, was tapped to turn this vision into reality.  In November 1996,
Roy (ARRL), with the other SAREX working group members Frank Bauer,
KA3HDO (NASA/AMSAT), Rosalie White K1STO (ARRL), and Matt Bordelon,
KC5BTL, (NASA) organized a joint NASA-international amateur radio
meeting at the Johnson Space Center in Houston.  This led to the
formulation of the ARISS International Working Group of delegates
representing Canada, Europe, Japan, Russia and the USA=97and the rest is
history.

Since those austere beginnings, the ARISS team of volunteers has
developed and deployed ham radio equipment that resides in three modules
of the ISS---the Service Module, the FGB and the Columbus Module as well
as having deployed a short duration satellite in a space suit called
SuitSat-1/Radiosskaf/AO-54.  These systems enable the ARISS team to
inspire over 15,000 students each year, encouraging them to pursue
careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics through
amateur radio communications with the ISS on-orbit crew.  It also
introduces these students and millions from the worldwide general public
to the fun, exciting, multi-faceted world of amateur radio.

The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), is an educational,
not-for-profit corporation founded 40 years ago and is based in Silver
Spring, MD.  Its primary objective is to foster Amateur Radio=92s
participation in space research, communications, and education through
the development and operation of amateur radio satellites in space.  To
date, there are over 60 amateur radio satellites that have been built by
volunteers around the world and flown in space.


[ANS thanks Barry, WD4ASW, for the above information]

/EX

SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-088.03
Will Marchant, KC6ROL Appointed AMSAT=92s VP-Human Space Flight

[ans]    ANS-088  AMSAT Weekly Bulletin
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 088.03

   From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
March 29, 2009
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-088.03
Will Marchant, KC6ROL Appointed AMSAT=92s VP-Human Space Flight

AMSAT President Barry Baines, WD4ASW has appointed Will Marchant, KC6ROL
of Marshall, VA as VP-Human Space Flight and to serve as the AMSAT USA
delegate to the ARISS International Working Group.  These appointments
follow the resignation of Frank Bauer, KA3HDO that was announced on
Tuesday morning, 24 March due to family and professional reasons.
=93AMSAT is fortunate that we have a very capable leader in Will Marchant
who is intimately familiar with ARISS, our extensive human spaceflight
program, and is well respected internationally.=94   Barry observed,
=93Frank=92s leadership has left a significant mark on the overall ARISS
program and the cooperative relationship between amateur radio, NASA and
other governmental space agencies.  Frank has also ensured that his team
evolved to the point where the work that he pioneered will be carried on
by those that he mentored and encouraged to take on greater responsibility.=
=94
Will Marchant, KC6ROL was first licensed in 1990 when he was assisting
search and rescue organizations in California and wanted to use amateur
radio as a backup to local law enforcement communications.  One of his
early activities as an amateur radio operator was to track and listen
for the space shuttle and MIR.
Will increased his participation in amateur radio in space in 1992 with
the Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment (SAREX).  At that time, he managed
a shuttle contact with Lawrence Hall of Science of the University of
California, Berkeley, CA with STS-57.  From that point on, Will
increased his activities in the SAREX program following his relocation
from Berkeley to Virginia in 1994.  He served as a mentor for various
school contacts and was appointed to serve as Operations Manager for
SAREX in 1995.   As SAREX Operations Manager Will coordinated both
school contacts and =91family  & friends=92 contacts for four years,
spending time at Mission Control in Houston during SAREX missions
managing these contacts.
When the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS)
International Working Group was established in 1996, Will was involved
under Frank Bauer=92s leadership.  The first International Space Station
module was sent into orbit in 1998 and has been continuously manned
since 2000.  Over the past nine years (with two years =91off=92 from SAREX
and ARISS to complete a Master=92s Degree in Space Sciences), Will has
been heavily involved with ARISS Telebridge operations, School Technical
Support, and training of personnel for amateur radio operations in
Space.  For example, Will worked extensively with Richard Garriott,
W5KWQ prior to his =91space tourist=92 trip to the ISS in Fall 2008 to help
him prepare for his amateur radio operations from space.
Rosalie White, K1STO of the ARRL is the other US Delegate to the ARISS
International Working Group.  She commented, =93Will and I have worked
closely together on a number of SAREX and ARISS projects over the years,
and we 'click.'  A hard worker, he believes strongly in the use of ARISS
by teachers as an educational tool.  I will absolutely miss Frank in our
work as US ARISS delegates and ARISS International Officers, but having
Will step up is the consolation."
In response to his appointments, Will noted, =93I=92m excited about assuming
responsibility as AMSAT=92s VP-Human Space Flight as well as serving as
the AMSAT USA delegate to the ARISS International Working Group.  ARISS
continues to play a significant role in science education as well as
providing an opportunity for AMSAT to participate in human activities in
space.  I look forward to working with an outstanding team that Frank
created, encouraging greater educational outreach by AMSAT as well as
working as AMSAT=92s delegate within ARISS International Working Group.=94
Currently based in Virginia, Will is employed by the University of
California Berkeley as a senior programmer and is involved with several
space science missions.



[ANS thanks Barry, WD4ASW, for the above information]

/EX


SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-088.04
AMSAT Booth Volunteers for Dayton 2009

[ans]    ANS-088  AMSAT Weekly Bulletin
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 088.04

   From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
March 29, 2009
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-088.04

AMSAT Booth Volunteers for Dayton 2009

I am looking for volunteers to help in the AMSAT booth during the 2009
Dayton Hamvention, May 15-17.  I would like people to volunteer for 2
hour shifts on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  Multiple shifts are
welcome.  I also need help with booth setup and take down on Thursday
May 14 and Sunday May 17.  With enough people we have been able to setup
and take down the booth in 3 - 4 hours ( or less).  Please volunteer to
Gould, WA4SXM at wa4sxm@amsat.org.  This is a great opportunity to give
back to AMSAT and to have an enjoyable time talking with other AMSAT
members and future members.
Please visit the AMSAT website and follow the Hamvention information
to find out the latest details on AMSAT activities at Dayton.  Don't
forget to order your banquet tickets via the website too.

[ANS thanks Gould, WA4SXM, for the above information]

/EX


SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-088.05
ARISS Status - 23 March 2009

[ans]    ANS-088  AMSAT Weekly Bulletin
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 088.05

   From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
March 29, 2009
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-088.05

1.	Upcoming School Contacts

An Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact has
been scheduled for Cotswold School in Christchurch, New Zealand. The
contact took place on Thursday, March 26 at 23:52 UTC via telebridge
station VK5ZAI in Australia. Cotswold is a primary school which has an
enrollment of 500 children, ages 5 to 11. The ARISS contact has been
integrated into the school=92s science curriculum which covers the solar
system and space exploration. Students have learned what the
requirements are to become an astronaut and about life in space. The
school is in the process of setting up an amateur radio station; ten
children have joined the amateur radio club. These students have also
learned about sound waves, the history of radio communication, and basic
circuit building.

St. Joseph High School in Nepean, Ontario, Canada QSO has been
accomplished with the International Space Station (ARISS) on Friday,
March 27 at 13:38 UTC. This was a telebridge contact via LU1CGB in
Argentina.

An Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact with
the Istituto Comprensivo Statale =93Alessandro Volta,=94 in Mandello Del
Lario, Lecco, Italy happened Friday, March 27 at 14:03 UTC. This was a
direct and telebridge contact via stations I2JRY and IZ2PBM. The ARISS
contact will be integrated into the school curriculum as students are
taught lessons in radio, astronautics, astronomy and English.

Parkside Community College in Parkside, Cambridge, U.K. has been
scheduled for an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station
(ARISS) contact on Monday, March 30 at 17:00 UTC. Station GB4FUN will
handle the connection.

The Girl=92s Middle School (GMS) in Mountain View, California has been
scheduled for an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station
(ARISS) contact on Monday, March 30 at 18:22 UTC via telebridge station
K6DUE in Maryland. The contact is planned with spaceflight participant
Charles Simonyi, KE7KDP/HA5SIK. GMS is a small, independent school for
girls in 6th - 8th grade.  The school=92s mission is to nurture and
empower girls during this pivotal time in their lives.  It looks for
non-traditional educational opportunities to help girls expand their
horizons.

An Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact has
been scheduled for Marcelino Canino Canino Middle School in Dorado,
Puerto Rico. The contact will take place on Tuesday, March 31 at 15:36
UTC. The student body is made up of 577 students of which approximately
77% live under the poverty level. 100% of the students receive Title I
services and over 100 students receive special education services. A
Microsatellite Student Program has been implemented where students
design, construct, build and launch microsatellites which are then
tracked and recovered with the help of amateur radio operators. The
coordinating teacher has prepared a NASA Explorer Schools proposal and
other science oriented proposals in the school to help motivate its
largely underprivileged population to become competitive professionals
in the global economy.  Two contests have been held at the school =96 one
for an activity logo and another for an essay.  Scientists, state
government functionaries, Department of Education representatives, and
students from other grade levels in elementary and high school have been
invited to attend the event.  Of major interest to the students is the
fact that Joseph Acaba, the first astronaut of Puerto Rican descent,
flew to the ISS on STS-119.  The school is planning its own press
releases and expects media coverage.

Milwee Middle School in Longwood, Florida has been scheduled for an
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact on
Wednesday, April 1 at 17:55 UTC via telebridge station ON4ISS in Belgium.

Carl Sandburg Elementary in the Lake Washington School district in
Kirkland, Washington has been approved for an Amateur Radio on the
International Space Station (ARISS) contact. The contact is slated for
Thursday, April 2 at 19:35 UTC, assisted by telebridge station W6SRJ in
California.

2.	 Article on Hampton Bays Contact

Hampton Bays Middle School students participated in an Amateur Radio on
the International Space Station (ARISS) contact on Wednesday, February
25. The Southampton Press published a news story on the event.  See:
http://www.27east.com/story_detail.cfm?id=3D197658
Video is also available: http://www.27east.com/video.cfm?video=3D98

3.	General Radio Contacts

STS-119 Mission Specialist Joseph Acaba, KE5DAR, made voice contacts
over Puerto Rico on March 20.
Mike Fincke, KE5AIT, made general contacts last weekend as ground
stations wished him a happy birthday.

4.	ARISS Team Meeting to be Held

The next ARISS International Team meeting will be held on Tuesday, March
24 at 11:15 UTC.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

[ANS thanks Carol, KB3LKI, for the above information]

/EX


In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the
President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors
to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive additional benefits.
Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office.

73,
This week's ANS Editor,
Dee Interdonato, NB2F
nb2f at amsat dot org




















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http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans

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