Aihnss.201
net.ham-radio
utzoo!decvax!ucbvax!mhtsa!harpo!houxf!ihnss!karn
Wed Nov 18 10:38:20 1981
Amsat news
>From the 11/16/81 issue of Amsat Satellite Report, and the Amsat nets:
Work on the liquid fuel kick motor design for Phase III-B is
progressing well. Recent pressure tests in Germany have satisfied
ESA (the European Space Agency, who will launch the Ariane
carrying Phase III-B) that the fuel tank design is sound.
Phase III-B will use a UDMH/Nitrogen Tetroxide engine originally
manufactured by MBB for the Symphonie satellite program and donated
to Amsat.
The liquid fuel motor will allow a larger payload, consisting of an
extra transponder for 23cm -> 70cm, increased radiation
shielding for the onboard computer memories, and a better
Molniya-type orbit.
The next launch of an Ariane (L04, the 4th test flight) is scheduled
between 20 and 23 Dec 1981. A maritime communications satellite
called MARECS A will be aboard LO4. Phase III-B is currently
expected to fly on L7 (the 7th Ariane, an operational mission)
in October 1982 along with the ECS-1 spacecraft (European
Communications Satellite 1).
Still no word on the expected launch of 3 new Soviet amateur radio
satellites. Anyone hearing the new birds is urged to call Amsat
headquarters at 301-589-6062.
Engineering evaluation work on Uosat-Oscar-9 (launched 6 October) is
progressing well. The speech synthesizer and both computers have
been tested and found to be operational. It is expected that despin
maneuvers using the torquing electromagnets will begin within a week
or so. Following this, the gravity gradient boom may be deployed,
and the HF beacon experiments turned on.
de KA9Q
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