SB SPACE @ ARL $ARLS002
ARLS002 RadFxSat-2 Satellite Signals Detected, AMSAT Engineering
Continues to Assess Status
ZCZC AS02
QST de W1AW
Space Bulletin 002 ARLS002
From ARRL Headquarters
Newington, CT January 29, 2021
To all radio amateurs
SB SPACE ARL ARLS002
ARLS002 RadFxSat-2 Satellite Signals Detected, AMSAT Engineering
Continues to Assess Status
AMSAT reports that it's continuing to assess the status of the
RadFxSat-2 / Fox-1E amateur radio CubeSat after a ham in Nevada
reported hearing his CW signal weakly via the spacecraft's
transponder on January 27. AMSAT Engineering and Operations was able
to confirm the reports from Brad Schumacher, W5SAT, and determined
that RadFxSat-2 is partially functioning, although signals are
extremely weak.
"We also appreciate those who joined in determining whether they
could detect their own or other signals in recent passes today,"
AMSAT said in a January 28 bulletin. "Please do not attempt to
transmit through the transponder until further notice. This is very
important to the next steps we are taking now."
The next crucial step in evaluating the condition of RadFxSat-2 is
to determine whether or not the 1200 bps BPSK telemetry beacon is
operating and, if possible, to copy telemetry from the beacon. AMSAT
continues to ask that those with 70-centimeter receive capability
listen on the beacon frequency of 435.750 MHz, +/- Doppler, upper
sideband (USB). Use FoxTelem to capture any telemetry, and set
FoxTelem to "Upload to Server" so that AMSAT will receive the
telemetry data.
Recordings are welcome, with a detailed description, at,
foxtelem@amsat.us .
FoxTelem can be found at,
https://www.amsat.org/foxtelem-software-for-windows-mac-linux/ .
AMSAT stressed that keeping the RadFxSat-2 / Fox-1E transponder
clear "is essential to putting all power and attention to the beacon
telemetry." Available data suggest that RadFxSat-2 is OBJECT M from
the Virgin Orbit LauncherOne launch, NORAD ID 47320, international
designation 21-002M.
"We thank the amateur satellite community for their perseverance and
assistance while the AMSAT Engineering and Operations teams work to
understand and resolve the situation with RadFxSat-2," AMSAT said.
NNNN
/EX
