From: kd2bd@ka2qhd.DE.COM (John Magliacane)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: * SpaceNews 17-Aug-92 *
Date: 15 Aug 1992 18:07:15 -0700
Organization: UCSD Usenet Gateway
NNTP-Posting-Host: ucsd.edu


SB NEWS @ AMSAT < KD2BD $SPC0817
* SpaceNews 17-Aug-92 *

Bulletin ID: $SPC0817


                              =========
                              SpaceNews
                              =========


                        MONDAY AUGUST 17, 1992


SpaceNews originates at KD2BD in Wall Township, New Jersey, USA.  It
is published every week and is made available for unlimited distribution.



* KITSAT-A/OSCAR-23 NEWS *
==========================
A new "star" was born last week with the successful launch of KITSAT-1,
OSCAR-23.  Testing and loading of spacecraft operational software is
progressing as the spin rate of the satellite decreases.  Once the tests
are complete, the satellite will be commissioned for general use.  Until
then, please do not attempt to transmit to the satellite.

The following is a current NASA Two-Line element set for KITSAT/OSCAR-23:

KITSAT-1
1 22077U 92 52  B 92225.06456239 -.00172574  00000-0 -81247 0 0    58
2 22077  66.0615 251.4411 0065291 150.0309 210.4986 12.77521848   154


* THE FREJA SCIENTIFIC SATELLITE *
==================================
The FREJA scientific satellite, designed and built by the Swedish Space
Corporation is intended for research into the aurora.  It will be
launched "piggyback" by a Long March 2C rocket from the Jiuquan
Satellite Launch Center in China (41N, 100E) in the beginning of
October 1992.  Launch is planned for October 5 at 0615-0800 UTC.
FREJA is planned to enter an orbit with perigee at 605 km, apogee at
1748 km inclined at 63 degrees.  The argument of perigee is planned to
be 262 degrees.  FREJA is a sun-pointing spinner (10 RPM) with a 2.2m
diameter weighing 257 kg at launch and 215.5 kg in its final orbit.

The CZ-2C puts the Chinese FSW-1 main satellite and FREJA into a 203-317
km parking orbit at a 63 degrees inclination.  FREJA's orbit must be
raised to reach scientifically interesting regions and to keep the
satellite from decaying.  A Thiokol STAR 13 A rocket motor fires at the
southern apex of the parking orbit to give FREJA an apogee of 1748 km.
As the apogee is reached approximately 50 minutes later, a Thiokol STAR
6B rocket motor fires to raise perigee to 605 km, high enough to keep
the orbital attitudes unchanged for 1 to 2 years.

FREJA will transmit low-speed telemetry (1200 baud V.23) on 400.550 MHz
(in addition to high-speed telemetry on S-band, 2208.1629 MHz).  The
transmitter has 2 watts of RF output power.  The V.23 signals are
frequency modulated on the carrier and can be received on a normal NBFM
scanner receiver.  A circularly polarized antenna is recommended since
the transmit antenna is a simple quarter-wave whip giving linear
polarization.

The satellite will transmit a 20 second long message containing:

- Housekeeping telemetry from the platform and experiments.

- A one-page operational message from the FREJA Operations Center (FOC)
  at Esrange, Kiruna, Sweden.  Typical contents are: Orbital parameters,
  attitude, spin rate, experiment operational modes, etc.

A decoding, readout, and display software package for operation under
MS-DOS will be available from SSC after launch.  This link is called the
LSL (Low Speed Link) and will operate twice per day; one pass over Europe
and one pass over North America.  The transmitter will be on

- Over Europe on passes with the ascending node at 10 degrees west +/-
  23 degrees, or 120 degrees west +/- 23 degrees, whichever occurs closest
  to normal working hours.

- Over North America on passes with the ascending node at 113 degrees east
  +/- 23 degrees, or 120 degrees west +/- 23 degrees, whichever occurs
  closest to normal working hours.

[Info via Sven Grahn, FREJA Project Manager, Swedish Space Corporation]


* WORLD SPACE CONFERENCE NEWS *
===============================
Hans van de Groenendaal ZS6AKV, President of SA AMSAT will be
delivering a paper at the World Space Congress 1992 to be held in
Washington DC from August 28 till September 5.

His paper "Use of Satellite and Satellite signals to inspire
interest in Natural Sciences in Developing Countries" has been
scheduled in the session on Educational Opportunities in the Space
Life Sciences on Saturday September 5.

The paper will review current and planned Amateur Radio
Satellites, SAREX missions and weather satellites and the
opportunities offered for projects in schools to develop an
interest in the natural sciences.

The value of Electronic Clubs at schools as a means of introducing
a wide spectrum of pupils to the sciences will also be discussed
and role satellites and in particular Amateur Radio Satellites can
play, explored.

[Info via Hans ZS6AKV]


* FEEDBACK/INPUT WELCOMED *
===========================
Mail to SpaceNews should be directed to the editor (John, KD2BD) via any
of the following paths:

FAX      : 1-908-747-7107
UUCP     : ...ocpt.ccur.com!ka2qhd!kd2bd
BITNET   : ...princeton!ocpt!ka2qhd!kd2bd
PACKET   : KD2BD @ NN2Z.NJ.USA.NA
INTERNET : kd2bd@ka2qhd.de.com

MAIL     : John A. Magliacane, KD2BD
           Department of Electronics Technology
           Advanced Technology Center
           Brookdale Community College
           Lincroft, New Jersey  07738
           U.S.A.


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