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WG3K > ANS 07.07.24 03:31l 28 Lines 1195 Bytes #106 (0) @ AMSAT
BID : ANS-189.4
Read: GUEST
Subj: LUSAT, Dead or Alive?
Path: IZ3LSV<I0OJJ<EA2RCF<LU9DCE<W0ARP<K7EK<KA1VSC<WG3K
Sent: 240707/0128Z 6009@WG3K.#SMD.MD.USA.NOAM LinBPQ6.0.24
LO-19, co-ordinated by AMSAT Argentina, the LUSAT (named after the LU
amateur designation for Argentina) microsatellite was launched on the first
ARIANE ASAP flight V35 with SPOT 2, on the 22 January 1990 (01:35:27 GMT)
into an 780 km sun-synchronous, 98 degree inclined orbit.
It carried a Digital Store and Forward packet communications transponder
similar to AO-16. Downlink was AX.25 at 437.125 MHz SSB 1200 bps RC-BPSK.
It is box shaped with dimensions of 213 × 230 × 230 mm, with four solar
panels and weighs 13.76 kg.
Long past its expected useful life, in recent years LUSAT has only been
transmitting an unmodulated carrier signal.
On June 29, Gustavo Carpignano, LW2DTZ, reported that recent observers had
failed to detect the carrier. Gustavo declared LO-19 dead.
However, on July 1, Nico Janssen, PAØDLO, reported receiving the carrier,
but at a signal strength much weaker than over previous years. Nico
suggested that, perhaps, the onboard power amplifier has failed.
Well-equipped ground stations may wish to give a listen to test what they
can hear.
[ANS thanks Gustavo Carpignano, LW2DTZ, Nico Janssen, PAØDLO, and Gunterâ€Ös
Space Page, for the above information]
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