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AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-294

In this edition:

* 42nd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium to Proceed After Hurricane Milton
* 2024 AMSAT-UK Colloquium: A Weekend of Satellite Innovation and Collabora tion
* SpaceX Achieves First Super Heavy Booster Catch in Landmark Starship Flig
ht
* NASA's Europa Clipper Embarks on Epic Journey to Explore Alien Ocean Worl
d
* European Spacecraft Launches to Investigate NASA's Asteroid Defense Test
* Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for October 18, 2024
* 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: https://mailman.amsat.org/postor ius/lists/ans.amsat.org/

ANS-294 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

To: All RADIO AMATEURS

From: Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation

712 H Street NE, Suite 1653
Washington, DC 20002

DATE 2024 Oct 20

________________________________
42nd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium to Proceed After Hurricane Milton

The 42nd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting will take place from October 24-27, 2024, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Tampa Rocky Poi
nt Waterfront in Tampa, Florida. Originally at risk due to damage from Hurr icane Milton, the hotel has completed repairs, allowing the event to procee
d as scheduled. All Symposium activities, including presentations, social e vents, and the annual banquet, will be held in the same ballroom due to res cheduled events at the venue. While there may be minor schedule adjustments
, AMSAT is confident the event will run smoothly.

Registration for the Saturday banquet and Sunday breakfast has closed, but attendees who have secured their spots can look forward to a full weekend o
f activities. The Symposium kicks off with the AMSAT Board of Directors mee ting on October 24-25, followed by paper sessions and the AMSAT Annual Meet
ing and Awards Ceremony on Saturday, October 26. The weekend will conclude
with the AMSAT Ambassador Breakfast on Sunday, October 27, offering a relax
ed setting for further networking and discussion.

This year's Symposium will focus on the latest developments in amateur radi
o satellite communications, with a variety of paper sessions and events thr oughout the weekend. The Friday night AMSAT Reception and Auction will prov
ide an informal space for participants to connect and exchange ideas. If yo
u have anything of interest that you can donate for the auction, please bri
ng it along! AMSAT remains excited to host the event despite the challenges
posed by Hurricane Milton and looks forward to celebrating the community's
passion for space-based communications. More information can be found at h ttps://launch.amsat.org/event-5833792.

[ANS thanks AMSAT<https://www.amsat.org/> for the above information]

________________________________
2024 AMSAT-UK Colloquium: A Weekend of Satellite Innovation and Collaborati
on

The AMSAT-UK Colloquium took place last weekend, bringing together enthusia
sts and experts from the amateur satellite community. Held as a dedicated s tream within the RSGB Convention, the event featured a range of presentatio
ns on the latest advancements in satellite technology and space-related top ics. The Colloquium provided an invaluable opportunity for participants to engage with cutting-edge developments and network with fellow amateur radio
operators.

One of the highlights of the weekend was the AMSAT-UK Annual General Meetin
g, where key updates and future plans were discussed. In addition to the te chnical sessions, attendees enjoyed social gatherings, including the AMSAT
Gala Dinner, which fostered further collaboration and exchange of ideas. Th
e event continues to serve as a cornerstone for the amateur satellite commu nity, offering both knowledge and inspiration for future projects.

Presentations from the 2024 AMSAT-UK Colloquium are available on YouTube. P rovided below are links to the individual topics from both Saturday and Sun day.
Opening Address
Prof Sir Martin Sweeting, G3YJO
https://www.youtube.com/live/4ve4q43pdF0?t�0s
Getting Started with Satellites
Heather Nickalls, M�HMO
https://www.youtube.com/live/4ve4q43pdF0?t35s
Report on Operations via Q0100 from North America
Ravi Gopan, M�XUU & Graham Shirville, G3VZV https://www.youtube.com/live/4ve4q43pdF0?tS40s
FUNcube Lite on Jovian-1
David Bowman, G�MRF
https://www.youtube.com/live/4ve4q43pdF0?t�95s
Surrey and Space Based Solar Power
Professor Craig Underwood, G1WTW https://www.youtube.com/live/4ve4q43pdF0?t110s
FUNcube Update
Dave Johnson, G4DPZ
https://www.youtube.com/live/4ve4q43pdF0?t735s
ARISS-UK Update / 40 years of Amateur Radio on Human Space Flight
Ciaran Morgan, M�XTD
https://www.youtube.com/live/4ve4q43pdF0?t$205s
An SDR Transponder Update
Martin Ling, M�LNG
https://www.youtube.com/live/uOHP2G_-ryU?t45s
Automated Reception of FUNcube, APRS and Weather Satellite Pictures
Iain Young, G7III
https://www.youtube.com/live/uOHP2G_-ryU?tI30s
AMSAT-DL Update
Peter G�lzow, DB2OS
https://www.youtube.com/live/uOHP2G_-ryU?t�15s
AMSAT-NA
Burns Fisher, WB1FJ
https://www.youtube.com/live/uOHP2G_-ryU?t305s

[ANS thanks AMSAT-UK<https://amsat-uk.org/> for the above information]

________________________________
SpaceX Achieves First Super Heavy Booster Catch in Landmark Starship Flight

SpaceX successfully launched its fifth Starship vehicle on October 13, 2024
, marking a milestone with the unprecedented recovery of the Super Heavy bo oster at the launch site. The mission, dubbed "Flight 5" by SpaceX, lifted
off from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, at 8:25 a.m. Eastern time. The laun
ch represented a significant step in SpaceX's long-term goal of achieving r apid reusability for its massive Starship/Super Heavy system.

The key innovation in this test was the planned recovery of the Super Heavy
booster, known as Booster 12. After liftoff, the booster performed a serie
s of precise maneuvers to guide itself back to the launch site. The booster
was caught by a pair of mechanical arms-often referred to as "chopsticks"- mounted on the launch tower. About seven minutes after liftoff, the arms cl osed around the top of the booster, just below its grid fins, successfully completing the first-ever "catch" of a returning booster. [https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/SpaceX-IFT-5-Ch opsticks-Booster-Catch-scaled.jpg]<https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-conte nt/uploads/2024/10/SpaceX-IFT-5-Chopsticks-Booster-Catch-scaled.jpg>
Final phases of Flight 5 Booster 12 catch as seen from the top of SpaceX's second Starship tower at Starbase. [Credit: @SpaceX<https://x.com/SpaceX>]

SpaceX officials expressed excitement over the achievement, which is critic
al for the company's vision of rapid reflight capability. The ability to la
nd the booster directly on the launch pad and prepare it for another flight
within days or even hours is a key component of SpaceX's goal to make spac
e travel more efficient. "I don't know what to say!" Gwynne Shotwell, Space
X president and chief operating officer, posted on social media along with
a video of the landing, capturing the surprise and enthusiasm following the
success.

The mission's second stage, Starship, flew on a suborbital trajectory, reac hing a peak altitude of 212 kilometers before reentering the atmosphere. Un like the booster, Starship was not intended to be recovered. It performed a
controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean, where it exploded several secon
ds after touchdown. SpaceX noted improvements to Starship's heatshield from
previous flights, which allowed it to survive reentry in better condition. [https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/SpaceX-IFT-5-Bo oster-Mechazilla-Arms.jpg]<https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploa ds/2024/10/SpaceX-IFT-5-Booster-Mechazilla-Arms.jpg>
Super Heavy used its three center Raptor engines to precisely steer into po sition between the Mechazilla arms. [Credit: SpaceX<https://x.com/SpaceX>]

The launch came just hours after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted SpaceX an updated launch license. The revised license, issued after
concerns about environmental impacts, allows SpaceX to conduct the next fl ight-Flight 6-without needing a new authorization. The changes to the licen
se included adjustments to the areas where debris, such as the interstage r ing, might land, and an analysis of sonic boom impacts from the returning S uper Heavy booster.

The environmental analysis, a requirement for the revised license, determin
ed that there would be no significant impacts from the mission. However, Sp aceX is still required to conduct monitoring and take measures to protect t
he local wildlife surrounding the Boca Chica site. The FAA granted SpaceX t
he ability to proceed with Flight 6 under the same conditions, but the comp
any must comply with strict regulations, including submitting monitoring da
ta and environmental reports.

[ANS thanks Jeff Foust, SpaceNews.com<https://spacenews.com/>, for the abov
e information]

________________________________
The 2024 AMSAT President's Club coins are here now!
Help Support GOLF and Fox Plus [https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2024-Coin-Both_ 586-300x148.jpg]
Join the AMSAT President's Club today and help
Keep Amateur Radio in Space! https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/ ________________________________
NASA's Europa Clipper Embarks on Epic Journey to Explore Alien Ocean World

NASA's highly anticipated Europa Clipper mission officially launched on Mon day, October 14, 2024, embarking on a journey to explore Jupiter's moon, Eu ropa. The spacecraft lifted off at 12:06 p.m. Eastern Time aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The launch, described by NASA commentator Derrol Nail as unveiling "the my steries of an enormous ocean lurking beneath the icy crust of Jupiter's moo
n Europa," marks the beginning of an ambitious astrobiology mission.

The Falcon Heavy's 27 first-stage Merlin engines roared to life as the rock
et ascended, with the two side boosters detaching about three minutes into flight. Separation of the second stage occurred shortly afterward, and Euro
pa Clipper was deployed on its interplanetary trajectory nearly an hour lat
er. Mission control successfully established communication with the probe, confirming that the spacecraft's solar arrays had deployed as planned, sign aling a smooth start to its mission. [https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/NASA_Europa_Cli pper_Spacecraft_Over_Moon_Europa-scaled.jpg]<https://www.amsat.org/wordpres s/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/NASA_Europa_Clipper_Spacecraft_Over_Moon_Europ a-scaled.jpg>
Artist's illustration depicts NASA's Europa Clipper spacecraft in orbit ove
r Jupiter's icy moon Europa. [Credit: NASA<https://x.com/NASA>/JPL-Caltech]

Monday's launch faced a slight delay due to Hurricane Milton, which made la ndfall on Florida's Gulf Coast last week, forcing NASA to close the Kennedy
Space Center temporarily. Originally scheduled for October 10, the launch
was pushed back while teams secured Europa Clipper inside a SpaceX hangar n
ear Pad 39A. This marked the 11th Falcon Heavy launch and only the second t
ime the rocket has been used for an interplanetary mission.

The Europa Clipper mission has faced a long and complex path to the launchp
ad. Initially, NASA intended to launch the probe using its Space Launch Sys
tem (SLS), a powerful moon rocket still in development in the mid-2010s. Ho wever, repeated delays in the SLS program, along with NASA's commitment to using the early SLS vehicles for its Artemis moon missions, forced the agen
cy to opt for a commercial alternative. A 2021 budget proposal allowed NASA
to choose SpaceX's Falcon Heavy, though the shift meant the mission's jour
ney to Jupiter would take nearly six years instead of three. [https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Europa-Clipper- Solar-Array.jpg]<https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/10 /Europa-Clipper-Solar-Array.jpg>
Europa Clipper's massive solar arrays have a span of more than 100 feet (30
.5 meters) when unfolded. [Credit: NASA<https://x.com/NASA>/Kim Shiflett]

At the heart of the mission is Europa, a moon thought to harbor a vast subs urface ocean beneath its icy crust. Europa has long intrigued scientists as
one of the best places in the solar system to search for signs of life. Ho wever, NASA emphasizes that Europa Clipper's mission is not to find life di rectly but to assess the moon's habitability. The spacecraft, carrying a su
ite of nine science instruments, will study the composition of Europa's oce
an, investigate its icy shell, and look for any signs of recent activity.

After a journey of nearly six years, Europa Clipper is expected to enter or
bit around Jupiter in April 2030, where it will begin an extended series of
flybys of Europa. Over the course of its mission, the probe will make clos
e passes to the moon, gathering data that could inform future missions, inc luding a potential lander. The mission is set to conclude in 2034, with NAS
A planning to crash Europa Clipper into Jupiter's moon Ganymede to avoid co ntaminating Europa's pristine environment.

[ANS thanks Josh Dinner, Space.com<https://www.space.com/> for the above in formation]

________________________________
European Spacecraft Launches to Investigate NASA's Asteroid Defense Test

A European spacecraft, along with two CubeSats, has launched to investigate
the aftermath of NASA's first planetary defense mission, known as DART. Th
e European Space Agency's Hera mission took off on October 7, 2024, aboard
a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The mission aims
to study the consequences of NASA's 2022 mission, which deliberately crash
ed a spacecraft into the asteroid Dimorphos, changing its orbit.

The Hera mission, slated to arrive at Dimorphos and its larger companion as teroid Didymos in 2026, is expected to offer a detailed "crash scene invest igation," according to European scientists. NASA's DART mission had tested whether a kinetic impact, or crashing a spacecraft into a celestial body at
high speeds, could alter the object's trajectory. While neither asteroid p oses a threat to Earth, Dimorphos was chosen for the experiment because of
its size, which is comparable to asteroids that could potentially be hazard
ous in the future. [https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Hera-Spacecraft -Undergoes-Vibration-Testing.jpg]<https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-conten t/uploads/2024/10/Hera-Spacecraft-Undergoes-Vibration-Testing.jpg>
Hera's main spacecraft undergoes vibration testing at ESA's ESTEC Test Cent
re in the Netherlands. [Credit: ESA<https://x.com/esa>/SJM Photography]

Observations following DART's collision with Dimorphos in September 2022 re vealed that the spacecraft succeeded in altering the asteroid's orbital per
iod by about 32 to 33 minutes. However, many questions remain unanswered, s
uch as whether the impact merely left a crater or completely reshaped Dimor phos. The Hera mission is tasked with solving these mysteries by providing detailed data on the structure and composition of both asteroids, which wil
l further refine planetary defense strategies.

Hera is scheduled to reach the Didymos system in late 2026, after a mid-Mar
ch 2025 flyby of Mars to gain the necessary momentum. During the flyby, Her
a will test its suite of instruments and observe Mars' moon Deimos, capturi
ng data that will support Japan's upcoming Martian Moons eXploration missio
n. Once Hera arrives at the Didymos system, it will spend six weeks conduct
ing surveys of both asteroids, using a variety of instruments to study thei
r shapes, masses, and thermal properties. [https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Hera_Milani_Cub eSat_Team.jpg]<https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/H era_Milani_CubeSat_Team.jpg>
The Milani CubeSat will perform close-up mineral prospecting of the Dimorph
os asteroid and survey its surrounding dust. [Credit: ESA<https://x.com/esa

]

Hera will also release two CubeSats, Juventas and Milani, to conduct more s pecific investigations. Juventas will use radar to probe the interior of Di morphos, while Milani will study the mineral composition and dust environme
nt of both asteroids. These CubeSats will communicate their findings to Her
a and relay the data back to Earth, providing scientists with unprecedented
insights into the double-asteroid system.

Ultimately, the Hera mission could end with experimental landings on either
Didymos or Dimorphos, further extending its ability to study the asteroids
up close. Scientists hope the data collected will deepen understanding of
how asteroid deflection technology can be used to protect Earth from future
threats. As Patrick Michel, principal investigator of the Hera mission, no ted, while DART was a success, Hera will complete the story by offering cru cial details that could inspire future planetary defense initiatives.

[ANS thanks Ashley Strickland, CNN<https://www.cnn.com/>, for the above inf ormation]

________________________________
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.pn g]<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 October 18, 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/.

The following satellites have been added to this week's AMSAT TLE distribut ion:
DORA NORAD Cat ID 61502 IARU coordinated downlink 436.825 MHz
CySat-1 NORAD Cat ID 61501 IARU coordinated downlink 436.375 MHz

[ANS thanks AMSAT Orbital Elements 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.

+ Recently Completed Contacts

Istituto Comprensivo "Elena Lucrezua Corner", Foss�, Italy, direct via IQ
3RW
The ISS callsign was OR4ISS
The scheduled crewmember was Sunita Williams KD5PLB
The ARISS mentor was IZ2GOJ
Contact was successful for: Fri 2024-10-18 09:09:46 UTC

Colegio Cervantes, Torreon. Mexico, Telebridge via K6DUE
The ISS callsign was NA1SS
The scheduled crewmember was Don Pettit KD5MDT
The ARISS mentor was VE3TBD
Contact was successful for: Fri 2024-10-18 16:59:43 UTC

TEACH-NW Charter School, Springfield, OR, direct via KJ7NLL
The ISS callsign was NA1SS
The scheduled crewmember was Sunita Williams KD5PLB
The ARISS mentor was N7GZT
Contact was successful for: Fri 2024-10-18 18:27:52 UTC
Watch for Livestream at https://www.youtube.com/live/Yarcl0FgiA4?t60s

+ Upcoming Contacts

The Robert Drake Primary School, Essex, UK, telebridge via K6DUE
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be TBD
The scheduled crewmember is Sunita Williams KD5PLB
The ARISS mentor is M�XTD
Contact is go for: Mon 2024-10-21 09:42:16 UTC

Ceip San Ignacio Del Viar, Alcal� Del Rio, Spain, direct via EG7SIV
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS
The scheduled crewmember is Don Pettit KD5MDT
The ARISS mentor is IK0USO
Contact is go for: Mon 2024-10-21 11:33:54 UTC

Magnet Innovation Center, Inlet Beach, FL, direct via WD9GIU
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS
The scheduled crewmember is Nick Hague KG5TMV
The ARISS mentor is AA4KN
Contact is go for: Thu 2024-10-24 15:23:10 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.ar iss.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

Guyana: Aldir, PY1SAD (ZZ1M), operates from Georgetown as 8R1TM between Oc
t. 12 and Nov. 24 on 160-10m (CW, SSB, digital modes) and via satellites. Q
SL via LoTW, eQSL, qrz.com<http://qrz.com/>. (From DXNL 2427 - October 9, 2 024)

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, AMSAT rover page manager, for the above info rmation]

________________________________
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,

AMSAT Ambassadors delight in spreading the word regarding AMSAT and satelli
te operations. Think a lively, informative - and FUN - 60-75-minute present ation would be appropriate for YOUR members?

I have three Zoom presentations coming up: Southern CA, Maine, and Germany
(!).

175 presentations so far ... and each is customized to my audiences. NEVER
have I given the exact same show twice! Between 20 and 26 "slides" are uniq
ue to each presentation.

Clint Bradford K6LCS
AMSAT Ambassador
ARRL Affiliated Club Coordinator, Legacy Circle member
Work-Sat.com
+01 951-533-4984 (cell)

Pacificon 2024, ARRL Pacific Division Conference - October 18th thru 20th,
2024
San Ramon Marriott
2600 Bishop Drive
San Ramon, CA 94583
https://www.pacificon.org/

WU0I

2024 AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting - October 25th thru 2 7th, 2024
Doubletree by Hilton Tampa Rocky Point Waterfront
3050 N Rocky Point Drive West
Tampa, FL 33607
https://www.amsat.org/

SmallSat Education Conference - October 26th thru 27th, 2024
AMF Center for Space Education, Kennedy Space Center - Visitor Center
M6-306 405 State Road
Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899
http://www.smallsateducation.org

Fredric Raab, KK6NOW, will be presenting "Classroom Activities with the AMS
AT CubeSat Simulator" showcasing the work by the CubeSatSim Educational Mat erials Team: Paul Graveline (sk), K1YUB, Alan Johnston, KU2Y, Fredric Raab,
KK6NOW, Mark Samis, KD2XS and David White, WD6DRI.

Stone Mountain Hamfest, ARRL State Convention - November 2nd and 3rd, 2024 Gwinnett County Fairgrounds
2405 Sugarloaf Parkway
Lawrenceville, GA 30042
https://stonemountainhamfest.com/

K4RGK

Oro Valley Amateur Radio Club - November 9th, 2024
Marana Middle School
11285 West Grier Road
Marana, AZ 85653
https://www.tucsonhamradio.org/copy-of-hamfest-2022

N1UW

Yuma HAMCON - February 20th thru 22nd, 2025
Yuma, AZ

N1UW

[ANS thanks Bo Lowrey, W4FCL, Director - AMSAT Ambassador 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://ww w.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-256716714 380264543>
Keeping Amateur Radio in Space
https://www.zazzle.com/amsat_gear
________________________________
Satellite Shorts From All Over

+ On October 4, United Launch Alliance (ULA) successfully launched its seco
nd Vulcan rocket, despite one of the solid-propellant strap-on boosters enc ountering an anomaly 37 seconds after liftoff. The booster emitted sparks a
nd debris, but the rocket continued its ascent and reached orbit. This miss
ion is part of the certification process for the Vulcan rocket, which will
soon carry national security payloads for the U.S. Space Force and the Nati onal Reconnaissance Office (NRO). ULA included a dummy payload and technolo
gy experiments to gather data and validate the rocket's performance. The bo oster issue is under investigation, but the key mission objectives were met
, according to ULA CEO Tory Bruno. The Vulcan rocket, powered by Blue Origi
n's BE-4 engines, will replace ULA's Delta 4 and Atlas 5 rockets, positioni
ng the company for future success in the competitive space market. (ANS tha
nks Spaceflight Now<https://spaceflightnow.com/> for the above information)

+ Four astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) are awaiting
their return as mission managers monitor unfavorable weather conditions of
f the coast of Florida. The Crew-8 mission, which includes NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, Mike Barratt, and Jeanette Epps, along with Roscosmos cos monaut Alexander Grebenkin, is nearing its conclusion after seven months in
space. While they prepare for their journey home, the crew spent the week relaxing and engaging in pre-departure activities. A weather briefing occur
red on Wednesday, October 16, at 11 a.m. EDT, assessing conditions for thei
r splashdown. Mission managers are now targeting a new undocking time of no
earlier than 3:05 a.m. EDT on Sunday, October 20. (ANS thanks SciTechDaily <https://scitechdaily.com/> for the above information)

+ The FAA authorized SpaceX to resume Falcon 9 flights on October 11, follo wing a suspension caused by an upper stage anomaly during the Crew-9 missio
n on September 28. The anomaly occurred when the Merlin engine burned 500 m illiseconds longer than planned, resulting in reentry outside its designate
d zone. SpaceX conducted an investigation, and the FAA approved their corre ctive actions, though neither disclosed specific details of the findings. A
special exception had been made for the European Space Agency's Hera missi
on on October 7, as it posed no public safety risk. With the issue resolved
, Falcon 9 operations fully resumed on October 15. SpaceX marked its return
with a double Starlink mission, launching from both Vandenberg and Cape Ca naveral on the same day. (ANS thanks SpaceNews<https://spacenews.com/> for
the above information)

+ Following Hurricane Helene, T-Mobile and Starlink activated their satelli
te texting service in preparation for Hurricane Milton to ensure Florida re sidents could stay connected despite potential cellular outages. After the Federal Communications Commission granted emergency approval, the service e nabled T-Mobile users to send and receive basic texts, including 911 messag
es, even if the network went down. Starlink's Direct to Cell satellites wer
e also employed to send emergency alerts to all phones and carriers in the affected areas. Users could determine if their phone connected to a Starlin
k satellite by the presence of one to two bars of signal and the network na
me displaying "T-Mobile SpaceX." The satellite service worked best outdoors
or near windows, although users sometimes had to retry sending messages if
they didn't go through on the first attempt. SpaceX has also delivered ove
r 10,000 Starlink kits in response to Hurricane Helene, as part of ongoing recovery efforts. (ANS thanks Engadget<https://www.engadget.com/> for the a bove 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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