AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-012
In this edition:
* India Launches SpaDeX Satellites with Amateur Radio Experiment
* Parker Solar Probe Achieves Closest-Ever Approach to the Sun
* 3D-Printed Helicone Antenna Tested for L-Band Weather Satellites
* Cold War Mystery: Why Did Jimmy Carter Save the Space Shuttle?
* Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for January 10, 2025
* ARISS News
* Upcoming Satellite Operations
* AMSAT Ambassador Activities
* Satellite Shorts From All Over
The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and information se
rvice of AMSAT, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS publishes news
related to Amateur Radio in Space including reports on the activities of a
worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an active interest in
designing, building, launching and communicating through analog and digita
l Amateur Radio satellites.
The news feed on
https://www.amsat.org publishes news of Amateur Radio in S
pace as soon as our volunteers can post it.
Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor [at] amsat
.org<
http://amsat.org>
You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletin
s via the ANS List; to join this list see:
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ANS-012 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
To: All RADIO AMATEURS
From: Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation
712 H Street NE, Suite 1653
Washington, DC 20002
DATE 2025 Jan 12
________________________________
India Launches SpaDeX Satellites with Amateur Radio Experiment
India has launched the SpaDeX mission, designed to perform the country's fi
rst autonomous docking experiment in space. A Polar Satellite Launch Vehicl
e (PSLV-C60) carried two SpaDeX satellites into orbit from the Satish Dhawa
n Space Centre in Sriharikota, India on December 30, 2024, at 11:30 a.m. ES
T (1630 UTC). The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) sees this missi
on as a step toward supporting future Moon missions and building a space st
ation.
The Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) consists of two 220-kilogram (485 pou
nd) satellites, the Target and Chaser, which will test rendezvous and docki
ng procedures. ISRO Chairman S. Somanath confirmed the satellites were plac
ed in the correct orbit after launch. The first docking attempt is expected
to occur in the next several days. The mission will assess the transfer of
power between the docked spacecraft and evaluate dual-spacecraft control c
apabilities.
[
https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/ISRO-SpaDeX-Satellite-Docking-Experiment.jpg]
The SpaDeX mission will be India's first attempt at rendezvous and autonomo
usly docking two spacecraft. [Credit: ISRO<
https://www.isro.gov.in/>]
In addition to the docking experiment, the mission includes the POEM-4 (PS4
-Orbital Experimental Module), which carries 24 payloads. These include a r
obotic arm demonstration and a debris capture manipulator. The robotic arm
will test mobility for tasks in orbit, while the debris capture manipulator
will attempt to retrieve tethered objects in an effort to address space de
bris.
One of the payloads aboard POEM-4 is the BGS ARPIT, an amateur radio projec
t developed by the SJC Institute of Technology, the Upagrah Amateur Radio C
lub (VU2URC), and AMSAT-India to support educational activities and celebra
te India's 75th year of independence. This payload can transmit images via
Slow Scan Television (SSTV), audio messages, and telemetry data on 145.870
MHz, and it also functions as an APRS digipeater on 145.825 MHz. Approved f
or IARU frequency coordination on December 22, 2024, BGS ARPIT completed it
s first SSTV transmission period on January 10th, with more trial periods s
ure to come soon.
[
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https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/AMSAT-INDIA-BGS-ARPIT.jpg>
Watch for BGS ARPIT SSTV announcements from @nitin_vu2jek<
https://x.com/nitin_vu2jek> on X<
https://x.com/home>. [Credit: SJC Institute of Technology<h
ttps://sjcit.ac.in/>]
The autonomous docking technology tested in SpaDeX is crucial for ISRO's pl
anned Chandrayaan-4 lunar mission, which aims to return samples from the Mo
on's south pole. Docking capabilities will enable the transfer of samples t
o a return capsule in lunar orbit. This technology is also essential for th
e assembly and operation of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station, India's planne
d space station.
The SpaDeX mission includes payloads developed by ISRO and collaborators fr
om universities and startups. The experiments focus on areas like satellite
servicing, space debris management, and educational outreach. The mission
serves as a platform to advance technologies needed for India's space explo
ration goals.
[ANS thanks the Tariq Malik, Space.com<
https://www.space.com/>, and AMSAT-I
ndia<
https://x.com/amsatindia>, for the above information]
________________________________
Parker Solar Probe Achieves Closest-Ever Approach to the Sun
NASA's Parker Solar Probe reached a significant milestone on December 24, 2
024, by coming within 3.8 million miles of the sun's surface-the closest a
human-made object has ever traveled toward a star. The spacecraft confirmed
its survival through a signal received at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physic
s Laboratory (APL) on December 26. This marks another step forward in the m
ission's effort to study the sun and its influence on the solar system. The
probe, traveling at 430,000 miles per hour (692,000 kilometers per hour),
continues to push the limits of solar exploration.
The mission allows the spacecraft to gather data from regions of the sun th
at were previously out of reach. Nicky Fox, associate administrator for NAS
A's Science Mission Directorate, said, "By studying the sun up close, we ca
n better understand its impacts throughout our solar system, including on t
he technology we use daily on Earth, as well as learn about the workings of
stars across the universe." This close approach opens the door for new mea
surements that could refine knowledge about solar wind, coronal heating, an
d other fundamental processes.
[
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NASA's Parker Solar Probe during pre-launch testing at Astrotech located in
Titusville, Florida. [Credit: NASA<
https://www.nasa.gov/>/Johns Hopkins AP
L<
https://www.jhuapl.edu/>]
Launched in 2018, the Parker Solar Probe used seven Venus flybys to adjust
its orbit and approach the sun. Its current orbit brings it near the sun ev
ery three months. A carbon foam heat shield, designed to withstand temperat
ures up to 2,600�F (1430�C), protects the spacecraft's instruments, whi
ch remain at a stable temperature. During its latest encounter, the shield
endured temperatures of 1,800�F (980�C), demonstrating the durability o
f its design and construction.
The spacecraft has already provided valuable data about solar phenomena. It
has observed magnetic field structures called switchbacks, which help expl
ain plasma heating and acceleration. Adam Szabo, mission scientist at NASA'
s Goddard Space Flight Center, noted, "This close approach will give us mor
e data to understand how the solar wind is accelerated closer in." Measurem
ents from within the solar corona offer new perspectives on how energy and
particles move through this region.
[
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Johns Hopkins APL confirmed that the Parker Solar Probe survived its close
approach to the sun. [Credit: NASA<
https://www.nasa.gov/>/Johns Hopkins APL
<
https://www.jhuapl.edu/>]
The Parker Solar Probe has also contributed to studies of Venus, detecting
thermal emissions from its surface and capturing images of its orbital dust
ring. These observations highlight the spacecraft's ability to gather insi
ghts beyond its primary mission. Data from the recent solar pass will soon
be transmitted to Earth, providing additional information for researchers.
Future solar passes are scheduled for March 22 and June 19, 2025. Ralph Sem
mel, John Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory Director, emphasized the team'
s efforts, stating, "Their incredible technological breakthroughs enabled t
his amazing mission, and they have delivered critical new insights that are
revolutionizing our understanding of heliophysics and space weather." As p
art of NASA's Living With a Star program, the Parker Solar Probe continues
to investigate the relationship between the sun and the Earth, providing va
luable knowledge for science and society.
[ANS thanks the Michael Buckley and Mara Johnson-Groh, Johns Hopkins Univer
sity<
https://hub.jhu.edu/> for the above information]
________________________________
The 2025 AMSAT President's Club Coins Have Just Arrived!
Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Amateur Radio on Human Spaceflight
[
https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2025-PC-Coin-2-Sided-Color-Web-300x148.jpg]
Help Support GOLF and Fox Plus.
Join<
https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/> the AMSAT Presi
dent's Club today!
________________________________
3D-Printed Helicone Antenna Tested for L-Band Weather Satellites
Gabe Emerson, KL1FI, the creator behind the YouTube channel saveitforparts<
https://www.youtube.com/@saveitforparts> has unveiled a new video highlight
ing a 3D-printable helical antenna for receiving weather data from polar-or
biting L-band satellites such as NOAA and Meteor. Designed by a user named
t0nito<
https://www.thingiverse.com/t0nito>, the 1.7 GHz HRPT Helicone Anten
na design is freely available on Thingiverse. Its compact size, straightfor
ward assembly, and effective performance have the potential to make it a hi
t among amateur radio and satellite enthusiasts. The manual, instructions,
and 3D printer files can be accessed at
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6
436342.
The video begins with the challenges encountered during the printing proces
s. Early attempts at creating the antenna's helical scaffold were plagued b
y warping issues in the support legs, resulting in several failed prints. T
o address this, the original 3D model was modified to include additional ce
nter supports, ensuring a stable print. Once the printing phase was complet
e, the assembly process involved wrapping wire around a two-inch pipe, craf
ting a reflector from metal window screen, and piecing everything together.
[
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e-Antenna-Is-Fantastic.png>
Gabe gives build suggestions for the 1.7 GHz Helicone antenna after complet
ing the initial antenna assembly. [Credit: saveitforparts<
https://www.youtube.com/@saveitforparts>]
Testing the completed antenna proved its effectiveness. Using an RTL-SDR re
ceiver and the SatDump software, Gabe successfully received data from the N
OAA-18 HRPT satellite. By manually tracking the satellite, clear and detail
ed weather images, including nighttime thermal and infrared captures, were
obtained, showcasing the antenna's capability for high-quality data recepti
on.
Designed with simplicity in mind, the Helicone antenna features a Right-Han
ded Circular Polarization (RHCP) configuration. Instead of relying on screw
s, the assembly process used hot glue and materials such as copper wire and
sheet metal were sourced from everyday household items. These choices high
light its accessibility and affordability for hobbyists of all experience l
evels.
[
https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Saveitforparts-Helicone-Antenna-vs-Dish-Antenna-Comparison-.png]<
https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Saveitforparts-Helicone-Antenna-vs-Dish-A
ntenna-Comparison-.png>
The Helicone antenna provided similar results when compared with a larger L
-band dish antenna. [Credit: saveitforparts<
https://www.youtube.com/@saveitforparts>]
A performance comparison with an existing motorized tracking antenna reveal
ed that the Helicone delivered comparable signal strength and image quality
. While hand-tracking limited its functionality, its portability and ease o
f use were standout features. The lightweight design and straightforward as
sembly make it an ideal choice for amateur satellite enthusiasts looking fo
r a practical and cost-effective solution.
Gabe concludes with praise for the antenna's design and a call to action fo
r viewers to try building one themselves. Future enhancements, such as inte
grating the Helicone with a motorized tracking system, are already being co
nsidered. For now, this detailed guide offers an excellent starting point f
or satellite hobbyists eager to explore affordable and efficient ways to re
ceive weather data from orbiting satellites. The video titled "This 3D-Prin
ted Satellite Antenna Is Fantastic!" can be found on the saveitforparts<htt
ps://
www.youtube.com/@saveitforparts> YouTube channel at
https://youtu.be/PFQ6UKulxSo.
[ANS thanks Gabe Emerson, KL1FI, and RTL-SDR.com,<
https://www.rtl-sdr.com/>
for the above information]
________________________________
Cold War Mystery: Why Did Jimmy Carter Save the Space Shuttle?
The Space Shuttle program, an enduring symbol of American ingenuity, came p
erilously close to cancellation in the late 1970s. With the recent passing
of Jimmy Carter at age 100, a fascinating story has resurfaced: how the 39t
h president, despite his well-known skepticism toward manned spaceflight, p
layed a critical role in rescuing the program. This surprising twist in Col
d War history highlights Carter's pragmatism and the complex interplay betw
een space exploration and geopolitics during his presidency.
This story first emerged during an interview with Chris Kraft, the former N
ASA Johnson Space Center director and a key architect of the Apollo program
. Kraft recounted a critical 1978 meeting at NASA's Houston headquarters, w
here dire financial constraints threatened the shuttle's future. By then, t
he program was years behind schedule and hundreds of millions over budget.
Faced with insufficient funding, NASA leaders considered two bleak options:
securing a massive funding boost or relegating the shuttle to a mere resea
rch vehicle, incapable of fulfilling its ambitious mission to deliver paylo
ads into orbit.
[
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NASA launched the first space shuttle, Columbia, on April 12, 1981, from th
e Kennedy Space Center in Florida. [Credit: NASA<
https://www.nasa.gov/>]
NASA Administrator Robert Frosch took the crisis to Washington, presenting
President Carter with a stark ultimatum. Carter, known for his ambivalence
toward manned spaceflight, surprised everyone by asking, "How much do you n
eed?" According to Kraft, Carter's decision was influenced by recent discus
sions with Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev during Strategic Arms Limitation T
alks (SALT). Carter reportedly highlighted the shuttle's capability to veri
fy Soviet compliance with arms agreements, a claim that underscored its nat
ional security value. While some details of this account remain disputed, C
arter's administration approved supplemental funding in 1979 and 1980, effe
ctively saving the shuttle program.
Carter's support for the shuttle is striking given his prior skepticism abo
ut its purpose. Early in his presidency, Carter dismissed the shuttle as a
"contrivance to keep NASA alive." His vice president, Walter Mondale, had a
lso labeled the program a "senseless extravaganza." Yet, by the late 1970s,
escalating Cold War tensions reframed the shuttle's significance. A key me
mo from the National Security Council emphasized the shuttle's strategic va
lue, arguing that canceling the program would undermine national pride and
technological leadership.
[
https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Jimmy_Carter_Vists_Kennedy_Space_Center.jpg]<
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Jimmy Carter, Rosalynn Carter, and Amy Carter touring Kennedy Space Center
on October 1, 1978. [Credit: NASA<
https://www.nasa.gov/>]
While some NASA officials, including Shuttle Program Manager Robert Thompso
n, downplayed the risk of cancellation, the financial reality was grim. Dev
elopment of critical components, such as the shuttle's main engines and the
rmal protection tiles, was years behind schedule. Without Carter's interven
tion, the shuttle might never have achieved its iconic role, flying 135 mis
sions over three decades and laying the groundwork for the International Sp
ace Station.
In later reflections, Carter acknowledged his lack of enthusiasm for human
space exploration but defended his decision to fund the shuttle. "I didn't
want to waste the money already invested," he explained, noting that he dis
cussed the shuttle's peaceful intentions with Brezhnev during SALT II negot
iations. While Carter's motivations may have been rooted in pragmatism and
diplomacy, his actions ensured the shuttle's place in history. Despite his
mixed legacy on space policy, Carter's pivotal role in salvaging the shuttl
e underscores his capacity to recognize the broader implications of technol
ogical leadership during a turbulent era.
[ANS thanks Eric Berger, Ars Technica<
https://arstechnica.com/>, for the ab
ove information]
________________________________
Need new satellite antennas?
Purchase an M2 LEO-Pack from the AMSAT Store!<
https://www.amsat.org/shop/>
[
https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/cm/LEO-Pack1-300x298.png]<
https://www.amsat.org/product/m2-leo-pack-antenna-system/>
When you purchase through AMSAT, a portion of the proceeds goes towards
Keeping Amateur Radio in Space.
https://amsat.org/product-category/hardware/________________________________
Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for January 10, 2024
Two Line Elements or TLEs, often referred to as Keplerian elements or keps
in the amateur community, are the inputs to the SGP4 standard mathematical
model of spacecraft orbits used by most amateur tracking programs. Weekly u
pdates are completely adequate for most amateur satellites. TLE bulletin fi
les are updated daily in the first hour of the UTC day. New bulletin files
will be posted immediately after reliable elements become available for new
amateur satellites. More information may be found at
https://www.amsat.org/keplerian-elements-resources/.
NOTICE: In an effort to minimize confusion between sources of two line elem
ent sets, AMSAT is adopting the convention of listing the USSF/NORAD Satell
ite Catalog name first, followed by any secondary name or names in parenthe
ses. For example this week "POEM 4 (BGS ARPIT)" was added where "POEM 4" is
the name that appears in the USSF Satellite Catalog, and "BGS ARPIT" is th
e name best known within the amateur satellite community. Expect name chang
es for affected satellites in the coming weeks as this change is fully impl
emented.
The following satellite has been added to this week's AMSAT TLE distributio
n:
POEM 4 (BGS ARPIT) NORAD Cat ID 46495
The following satellites have been removed from this week's AMSAT TLE distr
ibution:
PRISM (HITOMI) NORAD Cat ID 33493 Likely defunct
YUBELEINY 2 (RS-40) NORAD Cat ID 33735 Likely defunct
CHUBUSAT-2 NORAD Cat ID 41338 Likely defunct
CHUBUSAT-3 NORAD Cat ID 41339 Likely defunct
PRATHAM NORAD Cat ID 41783 Likely defunct
D-SAT NORAD Cat ID 42794 Likely defunct
RANGE-B NORAD Cat ID 43772 Likely defunct
CySat-1 NORAD Cat ID 61501 Decayed from orbit on or about 09 January 2025
MRC-100 NORAD Cat ID 56993 Decayed from orbit on or about 05 January 2025
[ANS thanks AMSAT Orbital Elements<
https://www.amsat.org/keplerian-elements-resources/> page for the above information]
________________________________
ARISS NEWS
Amateurs and others around the world may listen in on contacts between amat
eurs operating in schools and allowing students to interact with astronauts
and cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station. The downlink freque
ncy on which to listen is 145.800 MHz worldwide.
+ Upcoming Contacts
Federal Telecommunications Institute (IFT) and Vermont School, Mexico City,
Mexico, telebridge via IK1SLD
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS
The scheduled crewmember is Nick Hague KG5TMV
The ARISS mentor is VE3TBD
Contact is go for: Fri 2025-01-17 17:00:18 UTC
The crossband repeater continues to be active (145.990 MHz up {PL 67} & 437
.800 MHz down). If any crewmember is so inclined, all they have to do is pi
ck up the microphone, raise the volume up, and talk on the crossband repeat
er. So give a listen, you just never know.
The packet system is also active (145.825 MHz up & down).
As always, if there is an EVA, a docking, or an undocking; the ARISS radios
are turned off as part of the safety protocol.
Note, all times are approximate. It is recommended that you do your own orb
ital prediction or start listening about 10 minutes before the listed time.
The latest information on the operation mode can be found at
https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html
The latest list of frequencies in use can be found at
https://www.ariss.org/contact-the-iss.html
[ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team mentors f
or the above information]
________________________________
Upcoming Satellite Operations
8R, GUYANA:
Watch out for Aldir, PY1SAD, signing 8R1TM from Georgetown between
Jan. 1 and Feb. 8. QRV on 160-10m (CW, SSB, digital modes) and via
satellites. QSL direct via Home Call, LoTW, eQSL, qrz.com<
http://qrz.com/>.
NA-057; HR, BAHIA ISLANDS: Alex, K6VHF, returns to Roatan Isl. and
operates as K6VHF/HR9 between the 5th and 12th. QRV on 160-6m and
via RS-44 satellite. QSL via K6VHF (d/B), ClubLog OQRS,
LoTW, eQSL.
A growing number of satellite rovers are currently engaged in sharing their
grid square activations on
https://hams.at. By visiting the website, you g
ain easy access to comprehensive information about the operators responsibl
e for activating specific grid squares. Additionally, you have the ability
to assess the match score between yourself and a particular rover for a giv
en pass, while also being able to identify the upcoming satellite passes th
at are accessible from your location.
[ANS thanks Ian Parsons, K5ZM<
https://x.com/k5zm_>, AMSAT rover page manage
r, for the above information]
________________________________
AMSAT Ambassador Activities
AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through
amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests,
conventions, maker faires, and other events.
AMSAT Ambassador Clint Bradford, K6LCS, says,
"Think a 75-minute presentation on "working the easy satellites" would be a
ppropriate for your club or event? Let me know by emailing me at k6lcsclint
(at) gmail (dot) com or calling me at 909-999-SATS (7287)!"
Clint has NEVER given the exact same show twice: EACH of the 150+ presentat
ions so far has been customized/tailored to their audiences.
Cowtown Hamfest / 2025 ARRL North Texas Section Convention - January 17th t
hru 18th, 2025
Forest Hill Civic and Convention Center
6901 Wichita Street
Forest Hill, TX (Fort Worth)
https://www.cowtownhamfest.com/N5HYP
Gwinnett Amateur Radio Society TechFest - February 1st, 2025
Gwinnett County Fairgrounds
Expo Center Building
2405 Sugarloaf Parkway
Lawrenceville, GA 30045
http://www.techfest.info/K4RGK
HamCation 2025 / ARRL Southeastern Division Convention - February 7th thru
February 9th, 2025
Central Florida Fairgrounds and Expo Park
4603 West Colonial Drive
Orlando, FL 32808
https://www.hamcation.com/KE4AL
Yuma HAMCON and Southwestern Division Convention - February 20th thru 22nd,
2025
Yuma County Fairgrounds
2520 East 32nd Street
Yuma, AZ 85365
https://www.yumahamfest.com/N1UW
[ANS thanks Bo Lowrey, W4FCL<
https://x.com/kyharleyfan>, Director - AMSAT A
mbassador Program, for the above information]
________________________________
Want to fly the colors on your own grid expedition?
Get an AMSAT car flag and other neat stuff from our Zazzle store<
https://www.zazzle.com/store/amsat_gear>!
25% of the purchase price of each product goes towards Keeping Amateur Radi
o in Space
[
https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/AMSAT-Car-Flag-e1705691761784-300x235.png]<
https://www.zazzle.com/amsat_car_flag-256716714380264543>
Keeping Amateur Radio in Space
https://www.zazzle.com/amsat_gear________________________________
Satellite Shorts From All Over
+ Eutelsat's OneWeb internet constellation experienced a 48-hour outage sta
rting on December 31, 2024, due to a software glitch likely caused by faili
ng to account for the leap year. The issue disrupted internet services but
was resolved once the root cause, a ground segment software problem, was id
entified and addressed. Eutelsat operates over 630 satellites and has been
building the OneWeb constellation since 2020 to provide global high-speed i
nternet, targeting business clients rather than direct consumers. The compa
ny faced challenges in launching its satellites due to strained relations w
ith Roscosmos following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, forcing it to rely
on SpaceX and India for launches. Despite completing its constellation in
2023, regulatory delays in countries like India and Turkey have prevented g
lobal broadband coverage, leaving services available only in limited region
s. Eutelsat is now planning to update its constellation with 100 new satell
ites by Airbus, aiming for improved reliability and full global service rol
lout by spring 2025. (ANS thanks Gizmodo<
https://gizmodo.com/> for the abov
e information)
+ Florida's Space Coast set a record with 93 launches in 2024, surpassing t
he previous year's 74, thanks to innovations from Space Launch Delta 45 and
private sector collaboration. Brig. Gen. Kristin Panzenhagen credited adva
ncements like automation, modernized infrastructure, and streamlined proces
ses for the milestone. SpaceX dominated with 88 launches from Florida and c
ompleted 134 missions globally, including government, commercial, and test
flights. The Space Force introduced initiatives like the "One Falcon" progr
am to support SpaceX's rapid launch cadence, unifying personnel across rang
es to enhance efficiency. Although only four launches directly supported na
tional security, innovations in commercial space strengthen resilience and
responsiveness for military missions, exemplified by the Rapid Response Tra
ilblazer mission. With Blue Origin's New Glenn and ULA's Vulcan Centaur pre
paring for national security roles, competition is poised to grow, diversif
ying capabilities and bolstering launch options. (ANS thanks SpaceNews<http
s://spacenews.com/> for the above information)
+ SpaceX's next-generation Starship, Version 2 or Block 2, is set to launch
on its seventh test flight from Starbase, Texas, as early as Monday, Janua
ry 13, 2025, with the launch window opening at 5:00 p.m. EST (4:00 p.m. CST
; 2200 UTC). This iteration, taller and more advanced than its predecessors
, introduces numerous upgrades, including smaller, repositioned flaps for b
etter heat protection, an enhanced propulsion system, and improved avionics
for extended missions. For the first time, SpaceX will test Starship's pay
load deployment mechanism, releasing mock Starlink satellites on a suborbit
al trajectory and conducting reentry experiments to refine the vehicle's he
at shield and reuse capabilities. The Super Heavy booster, equipped with ad
ditional protections and sensor enhancements, aims to achieve another tower
catch, a feat last accomplished in October. The mission also marks progres
s toward full reusability, with one of the booster's engines recovered and
reused from a previous flight. These advancements, combined with a focus on
orbital refueling and vehicle endurance, lay the groundwork for Starship's
future goals, including lunar landings under NASA's Artemis program and be
yond. (ANS thanks Ars Technica<
https://arstechnica.com/> for the above info
rmation)
+ Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost Mission 1, named "Ghost Riders in the Sky,
" is set to launch in mid-January aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, marking
the company's first lunar mission. The lander, recently integrated at NASA'
s Kennedy Space Center, will carry 10 NASA payloads and technology demonstr
ations as part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program.
These payloads will test conditions between Earth and the moon, investigate
lunar geology, and demonstrate innovative technologies like radiation-resi
stant hardware and lunar GPS. The 60-day mission includes 25 days in Earth
orbit, a four-day translunar injection, 16 days in lunar orbit, and two wee
ks of operations on the moon's surface. During its time on the moon, Blue G
host will collect critical data and images, including capturing a solar ecl
ipse and documenting the phenomenon of lunar dust levitation, last observed
during Apollo 17. The mission will provide valuable insights to support NA
SA's goal of a sustainable human presence on the moon through Artemis while
also showcasing the technical capabilities of private industry. Firefly CE
O Jason Kim emphasized the mission as a tribute to Apollo's legacy and a pi
votal step forward in advancing lunar exploration. (ANS thanks Space.com<ht
tps://
www.space.com/> for the above information)
________________________________
Join AMSAT today at
https://launch.amsat.org/In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to:
* Societies (a recognized group, clubs or organization).
* Primary and secondary school students are eligible for membership at one-
half the standard yearly rate.
* Post-secondary school students enrolled in at least half-time status shal
l be eligible for the student rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years
in this status.
* Memberships are available for annual and lifetime terms.
Contact info [at] amsat.org<
https://www.amsat.org> for additional membershi
p information.
73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space!
This week's ANS Editor, Mitch Ahrenstorff, AD�HJ
mahrenstorff [at] amsat.org<
https://www.amsat.org>
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[ANS] ANS-012 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins