Northrop Grumman's Weightless Flights of Discovery program has been completed after flying 250 teachers on parabolic weightlessness flights aboard Zero-G aircraft: Northrop Grumman Concludes Weightless Teacher Program in Nation's Capitol: Teachers' Microgravity Experiences Have Succeeded in Delivering Renewed Enthusiasm for Math, Science to Thousands of Students - Northrop Grumman - Sept.30.0

[Update Oct.1.06: Keith Cowing reports on his flight with a group of teachers:
* Weightless Over Cleveland - Part 1: Floating Teachers - SpaceRef - Oct.1.06
* Weightless Over Cleveland - Part 2: Learning to Fly - SpaceRef - Oct.1.06
]

Great to see proof that a great man indeed said what he said he said: High-tech analysis may rewrite space history - Houston Chronicle - Sept.29.06
---
Alan Boyle writes about the Lunar Library created by Ken Murphy: Book list for a lunar library - Cosmic Log - Sept.29.06

[Update: AvWeek reports on the Opportunity rover and the status of the orbiters : Researchers Chase Victorias Secret - Aviation Week - Oct.2.06
]

The Opportunity rover has moved closer to the edge of Victoria Crater and transmitted some more marvelous images. (Get some stereo glasses if you don't have any.): 'Victoria Crater' from 'Duck Bay' - Sept.28.06

(This article from August gives a good overview of the status of the two rovers: Winter Solstice on Mars: Rovers Look Forward to A Second Martian Spring - JPL - Aug.7.06.)

The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter also has sent back the first image from its high resolution camera:
* New Mars Craft Sends Back First Detailed Images - SPACE.com - Sept.29.06
* NASA's New Mars Camera Gives Dramatic View of Planet - JPL - Sept.29.06
* NASA - New Mars Camera's First Image of Mars from Mapping Orbit

This was an unusual and interesting experiment:
* French Surgeons Claim Zero-Gravity Surgery a Success - SPACE.com/AP - Sept.27.06
* Doctors remove tumour in first zero-g surgery - New Scientist - Sept.27.06
* Surgeons perform zero-gravity operation on plane - Boston Globe/Reuters - Sept.27.06

After a long, long trek, the Opportunity rover has reached near the edge of a large, steep walled crater called Victoria: Mars rover reaches mouth of gaping crater - New Scientist - Sept.27.06

The flat images are wonderful: Opportunity rover arrives at dramatic vista - Spaceflight Now/NASA - Sept.27.06

But the 3-D images are stunning : Mars Exploration Rover Mission: Press Release Images: Opportunity - On the Rim of 'Victoria Crater' - Sept.27.06
---
The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter will soon get down to serious work as it nears its final orbit around the Red Planet:
* Mineral-mapping imager begins mission at Mars - Spaceflight Now/Johns Hopkins Univ. APL - Sept.27.06
* HiRISE camera to take first close-up pictures of Mars - Spaceflight Now/Univ. of Arizona - Sept.26.06
* Ground-Piercing Radar on NASA Mars Orbiter Ready for Work - NASA JPL - Sept.19.06
---
The current rover and other orbiter missions will also continue for some time yet: Mars rover, Global Surveyor, Odyssey missions extended - Spaceflight Now - Sept.26.06

The Japanese cubesat project HIT-SAT from Hokkaido University made it to orbit as a secondary payload on a Japanese space agency rocket launched on September 23rd: Japanese University Launches Amateur Radio CubeSat - ARRLWeb - Sept.26.06.

Check out the Galaxy Games at Bigelow Aerospace.

There are currently these Flash games:
* Navigate the Habitat
* Build Your Habitat

And Where in the World?, a game using images of the earth taken from their Genesis I spacecraft.

Well, they aren't exactly mass drivers, but these Induction Launchers look like fun. More at EM Rocketry - FastMHz.com.

Check out these videos:
* YouTube - FastMHz.com - EM Rocketry
* YouTube - FastMHz.com - EM Rocketry 2

Via Induction Coil Rocket Launcher - Street Tech - Sept.25.06

A reader in a comment asked recently about whether there was any news about the EEStor company and its purported ultra-ultracapacitor. By chance I saw this article yesterday via Slashdot: Gentlemen, stop your engines: EEStor's new automotive power source could eliminate the need for the combustion engine - and for oil. - CNN/Business 2.0 - Sept.18.06.

ARISS Status for the week of Sept. 24, 2006 via AMSAT News:

Kenneth Ransom, N5VHO ARISS Project Engineer reminds ISS radio fans to, "Please note, the amateur equipment on the ISS has not been functioning in the automatic modes properly and may be silent more than usual. Information about the next scheduled ARISS contact can be found at http://www.rac.ca/ariss/upcoming.htm#NextContact.

Random ISS voice activity expected the week of September 21-28. Space Station visitor Ansari has announced that she may be active on the Amateur Radio station on ISS. She is planning on a few pre-scheduled school links and some random contacts.

AMSAT News for the week of Sept. 23, 2006:

* HITSAT - New Amateur Radio Cubesat in Orbit
* AMSAT President's Club News
* AMSAT-UK Chief Discusses PoSAT End-of-Life Issues
* Microwave Update Conference 2006
* SSETI GTO Satellite Project Report
* AO-51 QRP Repeater to be Activated for JOTA
* 2006 AMSAT Space Symposium Registration
* Hawaii Activation on FM Satellites

HITSAT - New Amateur Radio Cubesat in Orbit
HITSAT, a new amateur radio cubesat, was successfully launched from
Japan on September 22. HITSAT was developed by the Hokkaido Cubsat
Development Ham club at the Hokkaido Institute of Technology under
the guidance of Assistant Professor Mitsuhashi Ryuichi. It rode to
orbit as a secondary payload aboard a Japanese Space Agency launch
of the Japanese Solar-B mission.

Satellite Call Sign JR8YJT
CW telemetry down-link 437.275MHz
1200 baud FM packet down-link 437.425MHz

HITSAT transmits its CW telemetry data every 40 seconds. Refer to
http://www.hit.ac.jp/~satori/gs/e/hitsatgs.html for a detailed des-
cription of the telemetry format.

After launch reception reports began to arrive from amateur radio
operators around the world. Pass predictions using the keplerian
elements from Space-Track.org have been narrowed down to Object A
or Object D, with Object D seeming to be the more accurate at press
time.

An excellent resource for HITSAT and other CubeSat information can
be found at: http://showcase.netins.net/web/wallio/CubeSat.htm.

[ANS thanks the HITSAT team and observant amateur radio operators
around the world for the above information]


AMSAT President's Club News
Past President Robin Haighton, VE3FRH, has been continuing his support
of AMSAT by leading the organizational efforts for the President's Club.
Robin has requested that President's Club members send him their email
addresses so that he can better keep in touch with them.

In response, Robin received the following from President's Club member
Jim Jerzycke, KQ6EA, who recently upgraded to "silver" level of member-
ship. Jim writes, "I upgraded to "silver" this year. It's my way of
paying back AMSAT for not only the enjoyment I get from this aspect of
Amateur Radio, but also the knowledge I gained which helped my career
immensely." Jim explains, "I never would have been employed by DirecTV,
and now Sea Launch, without the *practical* knowledge of satellite opera-
tions I gained by being an AMSAT member."

Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT
project funds, are also eligible to receive additional benefits.
You too can join the President's Club either through the website
at http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/membership/presclub.php or by
calling Martha at the AMSAT office, 1-888-322-6728.

[ANS thanks Robin, VE3FRH, for the above information]


AMSAT-UK Chief Discusses PoSAT End-of-Life Issues
Following the recent kind agreement of Consórcio SAT, the owners of
PoSAT (PO28 or 1993-061D) which was launched on the Ariane V59 from
Kourou on the 26th September 1993, work has been progressing at SSTL
and the Surrey Space Centre to switch transponder frequencies to the
amateur satellite service to serve as a voice FM transponder for use
by all radio amateurs worldwide.

Unfortunately, recent investigations now indicate that the PoSAT on-
board NiCd batteries are showing the effects of 12 years in orbit and
the approximately 100,000 charge /discharge cycles to which they have
subjected and are no longer holding sufficient charge to operate the
downlinks. This may mean that, sadly after all, it will not be possible
for the satellite to be made available for amateur use.

We fully understand the benefits that PO28 would offer radio amateurs
and work is continuing at Surrey to see if there is any way to revive
this 'old lady'. AMSAT-UK will provide updates when further informa-
tion becomes available.

Martin Sweeting G3YJO
http://www.uk.amsat.org

[ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information]


Microwave Update Conference 2006
Gerd, WB8IFM from Dayton, Ohio writes, "There is only a little over a
month left to the national Microwave Update Conference 2006. For the
first time this yearly conference will be held* in Dayton,Ohio on the
19th to the 22nd of October.

Presentations are on Friday and Saturday (Oct 20 & 21) with a fleamarket
which will be held on Friday night. A banquet on is scheduled for Saturday
night with awards and drawings for prizes. There will be a spouse program
also.

This is an excellent opportunity to learn about ham activity on the micro-
waves, loosely described from about 400 Mhz to light! We hope to attract
many hams within driving distance of Dayton.

You have to the end of September to get the earlybird registration fee of
$40. After October 1st the registration fee will go up by $5. If you pay
at the door the cost will be $50. This fee includes a volume of the proceed-
ings which has the presented papers plus others that are not being present-
ed! AMSAT will be represented by Freddy, ON6UG.

For registration info and a more detailed plan go to:
http://www.microwaveupdate.org.

[ANS thanks Gerd, WB8IFM for the above information]


SSETI GTO Satellite Project Report
This week Graham G3VZV reported that the SSETI GTO satellite project is
still on track for a launch from Kourou in Nov 2008 with the planned
AMSAT-UK U/S linear transponder is on the manifest.

This transponder is expected to support the following features:
+ Approximate 50kHz bandwidth
+ 10 watts of RF output
+ Selectable DSP/SDX and analogue signal paths
+ 400bps beacon

The satellite may not have good, long term, attitude control therefore
the antennas are being designed to work well even if the satellite is
tumbling. Although the link budget is not as good as AO40 was nor as
P3E will be, circular polarisation of ground segment antennas will be
needed.

Before we operate the system as an amateur transponder, it will be used as
the initial main communications package for the reception of telecommands
to, and for the transmission of telemetry and mission data from, the
satellite - so it is quite important for the whole project.

The Preliminary Design Review will be completed during next month and an
engineering model of the satellite should be under construction early next
year. Hopefully this process will be visible using the same webcam system
as we were able to engineer during the SSETI Express construction.

The website at http://www.sseti.net/ has lots of info about the SSETI
program. Click on "missions" and ESEO for more details about their plans
for their GTO satellite.

A full report on the SSETI Express launch last year, the SSETI ESEO project
with the DSP transponder, and their SSETI ESMO (moon orbiter!) project will
be provided at the upcoming AMSAT-NA Symposium.

[ANS thanks Graham, G3VZV for the above information]


AO-51 QRP Repeater to be Activated for JOTA
The AO-51 Operations Group announced plans for AMSAT's support of the
Jamboree on the Air event (JOTA) on the weekend of October 21st and 22nd.
AO-51 will run in dual repeater mode with the 435.150 QRP repeater reserved
for JOTA contacts on the weekend. Please yield the 435.150 repeater to
JOTA contacts, especially between two JOTA stations. The normal AO-51 QRP
rules apply: 10 watts to omni or handheld antennas only.

Visit the AO-51 schedule at:
http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/echo/ControlTeam.php

[ANS thanks the AO-51 Operations Group for the above information]


2006 AMSAT Space Symposium Registration
The 2006 AMSAT Space Symposium will be held October 6, 7 and 8 at
the Crowne Plaza in Foster City, California in the beautiful San
Francisco Bay Area.

There is still plenty of time to sign up for the 2006 AMSAT Space
Symposium! Please note that registrations received after September 24
will cost $55.

Hotel registrations have filled the initial block of rooms at the
Crowne Plaza Hotel that were set aside for Symposium attendees. The
Symposium Committee worked with the hotel management and they are
now happy to report that additional rooms have been added to the
AMSAT block.

A glitch in the hotel's reservation system causes an occasional error
when trying to book rooms at the special AMSAT rate. If you try to
book your room through the central Crowne Plaza reservation system
(toll free number) they may tell you the dates are unavailable. If
this happens call the hotel directly (information on AMSAT web) and
be sure to mention the AMS group code.

If you still have problems please send Emily Clarke (n1did@amsat.org)
an email with your arrival and departure dates and she will arrange
to speak with the hotel manager directly.

One thing that isn't available through the website is that we can
upgrade to the Executive rooms. The rate for executive rooms
increases from $109 per night to $129 per night. Call the hotel
directly to take advantage of this offer.

Information about the Spouse Tours and Activities can be found online.
See: http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/symposium/2006GroupTours.php

Please visit http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/symposium for additional
information and an index to the expanded Symposium web pages.

[ANS thanks the 2006 Symposium Committee for the above information]


Hawaii Activation on FM Satellites
Ron, W6ZQ, and Rick, WH6FC will be active on SO-50 and AO-51 for the next
week or two from Hawaii. They are on the big island now. Ron will be
going to Maui next week for a week or two. Good hunting! Check those
westerly passes!

[ANS thanks John, K6YK for the above information]

In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the
President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors
to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive additional benefits.
Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office.


73,
This week's ANS Editor,
JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM
K9JKM at amsat dot org

The SpaceShow this week:

1. Tuesday, Sept. 26, 9:30-11 AM Pacific Time: Buzz Aldrin joins us for this special morning program with special news and project announcements.

2. Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2006, 7-8:30 PM Pacific: Robert Zimmerman returns to The Space Show for news and updates.

3. Friday, Sept. 29, 2006, 9:30-11:30 AM Pacific: Shubber Ali returns to the program and joins us from Australia for special announcements.

4. Sunday, Oct. 1, 2006, 12 - 1:30 PM Pacific: Don Scott, former NASA education specialist, is welcomed to The Space Show.

Pretty amazing how consistently and strongly the US public supports space exploration over the decades:
* New Gallup Poll Reveals Americans Continue to Strongly Support Space Exploration - SpaceCoalition/PRNewsWire - Sept.25.06
* Poll: Support Still Strong for NASA’s Space Exploration Vision - Space.com - Sept.25.06
* Info on previous polls

Unfortunately, I feel that NASA programs like Orion/Ares fall far short of what the agency could and should accomplish with the enormous resources that this public support brings to the agency.

[Update Sept.26.06: There is also this new poll showing a big lack of enthusiasm among young people for the NASA's Moon-Mars program: Dittmar Associates Finds Young Adults "Largely Disinterested" in the U.S. Vision for Space Exploration - Dittmar Associates - Sept.25.06 (BTW: I don't understand why people use "disinterested", which is defined as impartial, when they mean "uninterested".) Jeff Foust discusses both polls: Space Politics: A couple of polls.
]

Teachers, students, space fans, and all sun-lovers should get ready to celebrate Solar Week: October 2 - 6, 2006.

See also NASA's Sun-Earth Day site.

Don't forget that the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) site offers daily imaging of our dynamic home star.

Other real or near real-time imaging of the sun and space weather data are available via the In Space Now section here.

Check out the vivid pictures taken by the Mars Express orbiter of the region around the famous Cydonia site on Mars: Mars Express - Cydonia - the face on Mars - ESA - Sept.21.06

Rocket Boys author Homer Hickam now has a blog (via NASA Watch).

Opportunities for students to experience weightlessness expands to other areas around the world: Nigerian teen getting a taste of zero-G : Parabolic flight kicks off international educational program - MSNBC/AP - Sept.20.06

* Results of AMSAT 2006 BoD Election
* Space Traveler to Try QSOs From ISS
* AMSAT Symposium Pre-Registration Extended to September 24
* Call For AMSAT Journal Articles
* PCSAT-2 10 Meter Receiver Debugging
* AMSAT Member Wins QST Cover Plaque Award
* AMSAT-UK Welcomes Foundation Satellite Access
* French Amateurs Bounce Laser Signals Off a Rain Cloud

Results of AMSAT 2006 BoD Election
The results of the 2006 AMSAT Election:

Tom Clark, K3IO - 800 votes- Director
Lou McFadin, W5DID - 652 votes- Director
Bob McGwier, N4HY - 647 votes- Director
Lee McLamb, KU4OS- 321 votes - First Alternate
Paul Shuch, N6TX - 312 votes- Second Alternate

Please note Directors serve a two year term. The total number of
votes cast was 937.

Martha Saragovitz
AMSAT Manager

[ANS thanks Martha at AMSAT Headquarters for the above information]


Space Traveler to Try QSOs From ISS
US businesswoman Anousheh Ansari, will travel to the ISS on
September 18 as part of the Russian Soyuz "taxi mission," and
hopes to try ham QSOs from space. Ansari had decided originally
not to do ham contacts after realizing her heavy schedule didn't
allow her to study for her ham exam.

She was scheduled to fly in 2007, but when Daisuke Enomoto was
grounded due to medical issues, her ETA was moved up. Ansari
was trained on the ISS radios by the Russian ARISS Team quite
a few months ago.

Now, she has decided to go for a potential QSO with students at
George Washington University, her alma mater, on September 22.
"The ARISS AMSAT Washington DC Team was asked just recently to
support this QSO, and have done an outstanding job pulling
everything together quickly," says ARRL ARISS Program Manager
Rosalie White, K1STO.

"Mark Steiner, K3MS, is leading the effort. In addition,
Anoushe hopes to talk with US-licensed school children, and take
advantage of the astronauts as her Control Operator. She will be
listening at various times on Thursday, September 21, through
Tuesday, September 26, using RS0ISS." Because of third-party
issues, Ansari may only speak to youths who have ham licenses.
She is the fourth private citizen and the first female civilian,
to fly to the ISS.

[ANS thanks Rosalie White, K1STO for the above information]


AMSAT Symposium Pre-Registration Extended to September 24
Since most (about 90%) of Symposium Registrations have been through
the website the Symposium Committee has made a decision to extend
pre-registration at the $45 rate through the 24th of September.
We were able to do this because the production cycle for badges, etc.
is now automated and requires very little human intervention except
some minor paper handling!

So if you haven't signed up now is your chance to get in at the last
minute without having to pay the additional fee! Registrations received
after September 24 will cost $55.

Hotel registrations have filled the initial block of rooms at the
Crowne Plaza Hotel that were set aside for Symposium attendees. The
Symposium Committee worked with the hotel management and they are
now happy to report that additional rooms have been added to the
AMSAT block.

A glitch in the hotel's reservation system causes an occasional error
when trying to book rooms at the special AMSAT rate. If you try to
book your room through the central Crowne Plaza reservation system
(toll free number) they may tell you the dates are unavailable. If
this happens call the hotel directly (information on AMSAT web) and
be sure to mention the AMS group code.

If you still have problems please send Emily Clarke (n1did@amsat.org)
an email with your arrival and departure dates and she will arrange
to speak with the hotel manager directly.

One thing that isn't available through the website is that we can
upgrade to the Executive rooms. The rate for executive rooms
increases from $109 per night to $129 per night. Call the hotel
directly to take advantage of this offer.

Information about the Spouse Tours and Activities can be found online.
See: http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/symposium/2006GroupTours.php

The 2006 AMSAT Space Symposium will be held October 6, 7 and 8 at
the Crowne Plaza in Foster City, California in the beautiful San
Francisco Bay Area.

Please visit http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/symposium for additional
information and an index to the expanded Symposium web pages.

[ANS thanks the 2006 Symposium Committee for the above information]


Call For AMSAT Journal Articles
Ed, WA4SWJ, the Editor of the AMSAT Journal issued a call for articles
this week. Ed wrote, "Attention all you authors out there. I am calling
for more articles for the Journal. I would like to have anything you
would like to publish by September 22nd. Articles on many subjects about
amateur satellites are interesting and are good subjects for the Journal.

Get your computers warmed up and fly those fingers over the keyboard
and send me something! The e-mail address is journal@amsat.org.

[ANS thanks Ed, WA4SWJ, AMSAT Journal Editor for the above information]


PCSAT-2 10 Meter Receiver Debugging
Bob, WB4APR reported some progress toward solving the mysterious lack
of sensitivity on the PCSAT2 10 meter PSK-31 uplink. Two stations testing
on the 10 meter uplink noticed as one of them drifted lower in frequency
they could see PCSAT-2's PSK signal appear on the MIXW waterfall display.
PCSAT-2's 10 meter receiver may have shifted around 3.6 KHz lower than
originally configured.

PCSAT-2 was retrieved from its position outside of the ISS during a space
walk this week. It will be returned to Earth for further analysis.

[ANS thanks Bob, WB4APR, and the US Naval Academy Satellite Station for the above information]


AMSAT Member Wins QST Cover Plaque Award
Congratulations are in order for AMSAT member Al Bloom, N1AL, winner
of the August, 2006 QST Cover Plaque Award for his article "VHF/UHF
Mobile Propagation." The QST Cover Plaque award is given to the author
or authors of the best article in each issue which is determined by a
vote of ARRL members. Al is also a member of the Eagle Sensor Team
for AMSAT.

See: http://www.arrl.org/?artid=6767

[ANS thanks the ARRL for the above information]


AMSAT-UK Welcomes Foundation Satellite Access
The changes to the UK Amateur License mean Foundation holders now have
access to the Amateur Satellite Service. They will be able to work through
the many Amateur Satellites as well use the Voice and Packet repeaters on
the International Space Station (ISS).

AMSAT-UK is delighted that the new license will allow full satellite access
to Foundation holders. This will enable these enthusiastic operators to
experience the thrills and challenges of space communications.

Every year AMSAT-UK runs a Satellite Beginners Workshop to teach newcomers
how to operate through the satellites. Now that Foundation holders have
this valuable new privilege AMSAT-UK can look forward to record numbers
attending the next workshop.

[ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information]


French Amateurs Bounce Laser Signals Off a Rain Cloud
Two French radio amateurs have made a successful one way contact
over a distance of 40 km scattering laser signals from rain clouds.

The flash pulses were at times 12 dB above the noise at 40 km which
seem to indicate that under the right conditions a distance of 150 km
could be covered.

Laser communication systems are wireless connections through the
atmosphere.

They work similarly to fibre optic links, except that the beam is
transmitted through free space. While generally speaking the
transmitter and receiver must require line-of-sight conditions, they
have the benefit of eliminating the need for broadcast rights and
buried cables. Laser communication systems can be easily deployed
since they are inexpensive, small, low power and do not require any
radio interference studies. The carrier used for the transmission
signal is typically generated by a laser diode. Two parallel beams
are needed, one for transmission and one for reception.

Laser communication have been a hot topic lately, as solutions for
how to satisfy ever increasing bandwidth needs are in high demand.
Some have suggested that bandwidth could be distributed in neighbour-
hoods by putting laser communication systems on top of homes and
pointing them towards a common transceiver with a fast link to the
Internet. With possible transmit speeds of up to a gigabit per second,
this is an exciting area.

The French team proved that laser signals can be scattered from clouds
thus proving that the notion that laser communication can only be line
of sight is wrong.

[ANS thanks Amateur Radio Newsline Report #1518 for the above information]


In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the
President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors
to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive additional benefits.
Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office.

73,
This week's ANS Editor,
JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM
K9JKM at amsat dot org

ARISS Status for the week of September 11, 2006 via AMSAT News:

1. Upcoming School Contacts
Scheduling of ARISS contacts continues for the Expedition 13 and
14 crews. Due to shuttle activities, no specific information is
available at this time.

2. SuitSat-1 Re-enters Atmosphere
SuitSat-1, a surplus Russian Orlan spacesuit equipped with amateur
radio, was deployed from the ISS on February 3 of this year. On
September 7, 2006 at 16:00 GMT, SuitSat-1 re-entered the Earth’s
atmosphere approximately 1400 km south-southwest of Western Australia.
For more details, including the winners of the Chicken Little Contest,
please go to: http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/ariss/suitsatContest.php

3. ARRL Article on Tennessee School Contact
ARRL covered the Northeast Middle School contact in the article,
"Astronaut's Kin among Middle Schoolers for Space Contact via Ham Radio."
See: http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2006/09/08/100/?nc=1

4. ARISS International Meeting, October 9-10
The ARISS International face to face meeting will take place next month
in conjunction with the AMSAT-NA Annual Board Meeting and Space Symposium
in San Francisco. The AMSAT meetings begin on October 5 and the ARISS
International meeting will be held on Oct 9-10.

5. Astronaut Training Status
Educator Astronaut Barbara Morgan has been scheduled for a training
session with Kenneth Ransom at JSC on Wednesday, September 13. Topics
covered will include school contacts and radio operations.

[ANS thanks Carol, KB3LKI for the above information]

The SpaceShow this week:
1. Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2006, 7-8:30 PM Pacific: Dr. Dorin Patru of Rochester Institute of Technology will be our special guest. See the website newsletter for details. [This show is now available on line.]

2. Friday, Sept. 22, 2006, 9:30-11:30 AM Pacific. Lt. Col. Carol Welsch, Acting Commander Space Development Group, Space Development & Test Wing, Space and Missile Systems Center, USAF Space Command, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico.

3. Sunday, Sept. 24, 2006, 12 - 1:30 PM Pacific: Dr. Pat Hynes and Bill Gaubatz will be the guests to discuss the upcoming New Mexico State University International Symposium on Personal Spaceflight.

NASA and Wired magazine are sponsoring a video contest: Looking for NASA's Greatest Fan - NASA -Sept.18.06.

Video entries should show why their creators deserve the title of "NASA's Greatest Fan." The videos should demonstrate a passion for NASA and its programs, such as human spaceflight, space exploration, aeronautics, and space and Earth science. The videos cannot be longer than 30 seconds, or larger than two megabytes. They must also be appropriate for all audiences. The contest is open to U.S. residents only. Videos that do not meet those requirements will be disqualified. Entrants must be between the ages of 13 and 24.

The contest just opened on Monday and the deadline is already on Friday, Sept.22. This seems like very short notice as pointed out by Keith Cowing: Great Idea - Poor Execution - NASA Watch - Sept.18.06.

Laura Woodmansee has good things to say about Space Adventures and the company's space tourism projects: OPINION: Space 'Adventurers' Paving The Way For the Rest of Us - SPACE.com - Sept.18.06

This report has interesting implications for the toughness of life and the possibilities that it may exist on Mars and perhaps on other spots in the solar system like Europa: Life found to exist in driest parts of Atacama desert. Discussion - Mars Rover Blog - Sept.16.06.

SpaceChannel.tv is expanding its Video Library:

Now on SpaceChannel.. See the Apollo 11 Moon Landing as never seen or heard before...

This film was shot from the Lunar Module Pilot's window using a 16mm camera running at 6 frames per second. The picture has been quantized (time-stretched) to synchronize it with the audio transmissions that took place between the crew and Mission Control in Houston.

The final film runs from just prior to engine ignition for powered descent until touchdown. Approximately fourteen minutes. The audio was severely hampered by loss of signal on a couple of occasions.

As well as the Public Affairs audio loop (which included CAPCOM Charlie Duke's voice and the Public Affairs Office commentator) the onboard audio loop of Armstrong and Aldrin has been included.

When the two are combined an authentic stereo recording is the result. CAPCOM and PAO are in one channel, Aldrin is in both channels for much of the time and Armstrong is in the other channel.

The surviving onboard audio recording was extremely poor due to a faulty voice recorder. A significant amount of filtering was required to achieve this soundtrack. The simulation of stereo allows the various voices to be easily defined for the first time.

The listener is encouraged to use headphones to hear the audio at its best.

An animation of the Lunar Module, depicting an approximation of its attitude and pitch, has been placed in the corner of the film.

Download it today! http://spacechannel.tv/

Great to hear that the American Astronomical Society will be giving out an annual prize for outstanding amateur astronomy accomplishments. Amateur astronomers do first rate science in a number of areas and deserve to get some recognition. The Chamblis Amateur Achievement Award includes a 224-gram (½-lb) silver medal and $1,000 in cash.

More info at New AAS Award for Backyard Research - Sky & Telescope - Sept.12.06

I've been told that the book Saturn: A New View, by Laura Lovett, Joan Horvath, and Jeff Cuzzi and with a foreword by Kim Stanley Robinson, began shipping today. Hope that Laura, Joan and Jeff have a space bestseller by Christmas time.

[Update: The authors might be visiting your town on their book tour.]

AMSAT News for the week of Sept. 10, 2006:

* Mentor Graphics Makes Generous Donation
* AMSAT Ballots due 9/15/06
* 2006 AMSAT Symposium
* AO-51 PL Needed
* Suit-Sat Re-enters

Mentor Graphics Makes Generous Software Donation
AMSAT is very pleased to annouced an extremely generous donation of
software tools from Mentor Graphics. Mentor Graphics has donated 20
licenses for entire suites of software with a total value in the
hundreds of thousands of dollars! The software will used for the
design, simulation, verification and test of circuits and multi-layer
printed circuit boards for both the Eagle spacecraft as well as
development of the User ground station for the digitial transponder.

This software will be a great benefit to the Eagle and HPSDR team
members working to develop the hardware that will make Eagle space and
ground systems a reality.

AMSAT thanks Mentor Graphics for their most generous donation.

[ANS thanks Rick, W2GPS, for the above information]


All AMSAT Ballots Due by Friday, 9/15/06
Note to All AMSAT Members. Please make your vote count and get them
mailed to AMSAT HQ by Friday, 9/15/06. Exercise your right to select
your leadership and steer the group in the direction you feel is the
proper course. Drop it in the mail now!
Background on all the candidates can be found on the AMSAT web site to
help your decisions.

[ANS thanks Martha for the above information]


2006 AMSAT Symposium
The annual Symposium is now about a month away. You can still sign up
to attend this exciting event being held in San Francisco, CA. Meet all
the leadeship and enjoy the classic talks given by superb speakers.
Mingle with those that make satellites a reality-yes, real rocket
scientists.
All the information you need to join in this event are on the website.
Stop by and read how to attend and see the great lineup of speakers and
demonstrations that make this event unique.

[ANS thanks Emily, N1DID, for the above information]


AO-51 PL Needed
Remember that you need a PL of 67 Hz to access AO-51 in mode J-FM
(except in QRP mode).

Please, especially if you haven't worked a given satellite in mode
J-FM before, make sure you can hear well enough copy callsigns before
transmitting. There might be occasions on SO-50 when you're the only
one on, but over the 'States, this is rather rare on AO-51, especially
in high power mode.

We're having problems with dead carriers on AO-51 this week, where
sometimes even the regulars with good antenna setups can't get in due
to interference from stations without PL. Please listen first and use
the correct PL.

73's and good luck!
September 11 to September 18
FM Repeater, L/S
Uplink: 1268.700 MHz FM, No PL Tone
Downlink: 2401.200 MHz FM

[ANS thanks KD6PAG, for the above information]



Suitsat Re-enters
All,

On September 7, 2006 at 16:00 GMT, SuitSat-1 re-entered about 1400 km
south-southwest of Western Australia. For more details, including the
winners of the Chicken Little Contest, please go to:

http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/ariss/suitsatContest.php

I want to thank all who made SuitSat-1 the phenomenal event that it
was. Your hard work and dedication paid off.

In just 3 weeks the SuitSat team developed and delivered a safe satellite
system that has gained the confidence of the international space
agencies. The web and PR team were able to garner unprecedented press
coverage of our ham/educational outreach activity, including over 9 million
hits on www.suitsat.org in February. Students around the world had the
opportunity to participate in a 7 month "school spacewalk" with the
artwork, pictures, signatures and voices on-board. And the "super-sleuth"
ham radio operator extraordinaires were able to pull a significant amount
of data from the satellite despite of its low signal strength.

And my congratulations to the students and adults who won the Chicken
Little contest!!

Next for SuitSat-1--the commemorative certificates/diplomas. And at the
AMSAT-NA symposium/ARISS meeting we will discuss our thoughts and plans for
a potential SuitSat-2.

Stay tuned!

73, Frank H. Bauer, KA3HDO
AMSAT V.P. for Human Spaceflight Programs
ARISS International Chairman

[ANS Thanks Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, for the above information]

In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the
President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors
to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive additional benefits.
Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office.

73, This week's ANS Editor,
Dee Interdonato, NB2F
nb2f at amsat dot org

ARISS Status for the week of September 4, 2006 via AMSAT News:

1. Tennessee School Contact Successful
On Monday, August 28, students from Northeast Middle School in Clarksville, Tennessee had the opportunity to speak with the ISS. Jeff Williams, KD5TVQ, answered 19 questions asked by ten children via the telebridge station VK4KHZ in Australia. Jeff Williams’ niece was one of the children selected to participate in the session. A local paper covered the contact. Twenty-one connections, including 3 repeater nodes, from 7 countries were made to the EchoLink AMSAT (101 377) and JK1ZRW (277 208) servers. Audio was also fed into the IRLP Discovery Reflector 9010, and was webcast courtesy of Verizon Conferencing. The Leaf-Chronicle wrote a story on the event entitled, “Students make long-distance call to astronaut in outer space.” See: http://www.theleafchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060829/NEWS01/608290319&SearchID=73255668465433

2. ARRL Article on Japanese Contact
ARRL covered the Sendai Yoshinari School contact in its article, “Junior High Schoolers in Japan Speak with Astronaut via Ham Radio.” See:
http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2006/09/01/3/?nc=1

3. School Contact Mentioned on Space.ref
The Space.ref website has a brief entry on the Teven Tintenbar School in Australia. See paragraph 19 on:
http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid=21694

4. Options to Speak with Friends, Family from Space Include Ham Radio
The Canadian Space Agency web site describes the options available to the ISS crew members for contacting friends and family on Earth. Ham radio is one of the options mentioned. See:
http://www.space.gc.ca/asc/eng/astronauts/living_relaxing.asp

5. ARISS TIM Held
The ARISS team held a Technical Interchange Meeting August 28 -31 at Goddard Space Flight Center. ARISS Delegate Sergey Samburov was able to attend the discussions which covered ARISS hardware and software, SuitSat-2 design and development, and school operations.

[ANS thanks Carol, KB3LKI, for the above information]

The SpaceShow this week:
1. Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2006, 7-8:30 PM Pacific: Dr. Hylan Lynon joins us for a very important discussion. See the website newsletter for details.
2. Friday, Sept. 15, 2006, 9:30-11:30 AM Pacific. Gil Moore, Director, Project Starshine is the guest.
3. Sunday, Sept. 17, 2006, 12 - 1:30 PM Pacific: Dr. Paul Webb is the guest regarding his unique space suit product.

NASA's Star Count project asks students to help answer the questions, " Do people everywhere see the same number of stars in the night sky? Why or why not?". Wanted: Star-counters for NASA - The Boston Globe - Sept.11.06

Star Count is part of NASA's Student Observation Network (son.nasa.gov) program that involves students in similar sky observation projects.

Paul Sutherland wrote to tell me about his new weblog called SpaceStories.com's Skymania News in which he will report on happenings in space and astronomy.

Check out also the Society for Popular Astronomy (SPA) organization, where Paul has been "editor and webmaster at various times".

Apollo 12 astronaut Alan Bean talks about his space art with the Independent: Alan Bean: Out of this world: Alan Bean is one of only 12 men to have walked on the Moon. Now, his mission is to record his adventures for mankind on canvas, he tells Charlotte Cripps - Independent - Sept.11.06

BBC radio has produced three radio segments about how non-professionals can make significant contributions to some areas of science such as conservation and astronomy: Meet the citizen scientists - BBC - Sept.10.06. The programs are available on line at BBC - Radio 4 - Citizen Science

Keith Cowing of NASA Watch and Alan Boyle of MSNBC recently flew on a Zero-G flight along with a group of teachers via a program sponsored by Northrop-Grumman:
* Weightless Over Cleveland - NASA Watch - Sept.10.06
* Northrop Grumman's Weightless Teacher Flights Touch Down in Cleveland: First-of-its-Kind Training Program Helps Midwest Educators Inspire Students to Pursue Technical, Scientific Careers Related to Space Exploration - Northrop/Primezone - Sept.9.06

Cowing includes a clip showing Alan learning to catch an M&M in weightlessness: ZeroG.clip.(mov)
---
By the way, check out this cool on line tool that Cowing used to get the flight path of the Zero-G flight: FlightAware is a cool on line tool to see flight tracks and obtain other info about current flights.

Ken Murphy has opened a much expanded and more easily searched version of his extensive Lunar Bibliography under the new title: Lunar Library v2.0. The old version had been temporarily housed at HobbySpace, while the new version is hosted at Out-of-the-Cradle. Ken describes the many enhancements in the new version here: Lunar Library v2.0 - Selenian Boondocks - Sept.9.06

The current offering of hybrid automobiles mostly use a combination of a combustion engine (gas or diesel) and an electric motor, both capable of powering the vehicle. This is done via either a series or parallel arrangement of the two.

However, another approach is to use only electric motor(s) to drive the wheels of the vehicle and to rely on the gas engine only to drive a generator to recharge the batteries. The engine can be a small, compact and highly efficient design that runs at an optimal setting for the recharging.

This is the approach taken by PML Design for its prototype Electric Mini:
* PML Builds 640hp Electric MINI - worldcarfans.com - July.24.06
* Electric Mini: 0-60 in 4 Seconds: It Has Motors In Its Wheels - Treehugger - Aug.30.06

The electric motors on each wheel provide excellent performance and the lithium batteries and ultracapciators combined with regenerative braking give it a range of 200-250 miles in all-electric mode. The range goes over 930 miles (1,500 km) when used with the gas engine to recharge the batteries.

I've not seen an estimated price for a production Electric Mini but I think this design offers potentially a cheaper approach than the standard hybrid since a full sized engine isn't needed.

My wife and I recently watched on DVD the entire Firefly series and the Serenity movie as well. We were really knocked out by them. I had caught parts of a couple of episodes when the program was on Fox but I wasn't really all that attracted to it. By watching the series from the begining, however, especially the initial two-part pilot episodes that explain the overall scenario and the backgrounds of the characters, it became a terrifically absorbing set of great stories.

While not exactly Solar Sci-fi, the program didn't rely very much on magic technologies. For example, they mostly used regular guns rather than lasers. Also, there are no aliens. Although some of the action occurs in a star system outside of Earth's, this wasn't really emphasized. The colonies where the episodes took place were said mostly to be on terraformed moons. The plots could just as easily have all taken place on planets, moons, and O'Neill habitats within our solar system.

Many of the locales had a primitive, wild west look to them. This was probably taken a bit too far but it's not out of the question that some space colonies might choose to follow a low-tech lifestyle. Just a matter of time till there is an Amish colony is space!

Unfortunately, the series got canceled before people like me got hooked on it. I seem to have this tendency with sci-fi shows. I didn't get into the original Star Trek until it was in reruns and the same with Babylon 5.

Firefly was placed in a bad time slot on Fridays and also the sequence of episodes got scrambled by the network, e.g. that two hour pilot wasn't actually shown first so people who watched the debut of the series had no idea who these people were and what kind of universe they were in.

Trekkers have long lamented the fact that the original series only made it through two and half seasons for a total of 79 episodes. Firefly fans should be so lucky. There were only eleven hour long episodes produced.

If you don't want to buy or rent the DVDs, you can watch or record all of these eleven episodes in one day during a Firefly marathon on September 18th on the Sci-Fi channel in the US: SCIFI.COM | Schedulebot

Despite the brevity of the series, it has attracted a devoted band of fans who still have hopes that the series will be resurrected. The producers and writers are also intensely devoted to the concept and managed to get a film made despite the cancellation of the TV series. If another network cannot be convinced to restart the series, they might try a new type of program funding approach such as syndicated pay-per-view via the Internet or via DVD sales. Hope something can be worked out.

Here are lots of resources for more info about Firefly:
* FireflyFans.net
* Browncoats.com
* Firefly at SciFiSpace.com
* Firefly - Wikipedia
* Firefly at Universe Guide
* Fireflyat scifi.com
* Firefly at FoxTV
* Serenity The Movie

My Amazon affiliate banners:

A planetary formation simulation indicates a much greater potential for earth-like planets than expected by the researchers: Earth-like planets may be more common than once thought, says new U. of Colorado-Penn State study - Eureka/Univ.Colorado - Sept.7.06 (via a HS reader). If confirmed, then there should be more targets for SETI than expected as well.

Check out the new SpaceMusic Project website. There is also the companion site at Myspace.com/SpaceMusicProject. The project offers some space inspired music and they welcome contribution of tracks from other musicians.
---
From the New York Times comes more info about the "new" Pluto addition to the Planets Suite from Holst: Pluto, Paradoxically, Joins ‘The Planets’ - New York Times - Sept.8.06. It isn't known if Holst would approve of a dwarf planet in his collection.

The Moon Society Blog has become active recently.

Searching for extrasolar planets with low cost equipment is becoming increasingly practical: Modified Backyard Telescopes Find Extrasolar Planet - SPACE.com - Sept.8.06.

See also
* TransitSearch.org
* Amateurs Help Discover Transiting Exoplanet - Sky and Telescope - May.22.06
* An army of planet hunters - Cosmic Log / MSNBC.com - May.18.06

Robert Steinke and company are developing some interesting concepts for low altitude vertical-takeoff/vertical-landing (VTVL) rocket vehicles aimed at the recreational motor sports market: SpeedupWorld.com.

Anousheh Ansari gets some recognition from George Washington University where she got her masters in electrical engineering: GW Alumna to be First Female Space Tourist: Anousheh Ansari Will Board Sept. 18 Russian Mission to International Space Station - GW News Center - Sept.7.06. Check her website's news page for latest articles on her flight. Here weblog will open on Sept.9th.
---
Meanwhile, Charles Simonyi is getting ready for his trip to the ISS next year: Ex-Microsoft billionaire starts space tourism training in Russia - RIA Novosti - Sept.7.06.
---
Some actors who portray space travelers on TV and in the movies, however, are not keen to take even suborbital flights via the first generation of spaceships: William Shatner does not want to throw up in space - Personal Spaceflight - Sept.7.06

The Team America Rocketry Challenge for 2007 is getting underway: World's Largest Rocket Contest Opens Registration: Students Across America Eligible for $60,000 in Prizes - AIA/PRNewswire - Sept.6.06.

Students teams from grades 7-12 from any U.S. school or non-profit youth organization can compete. The program is sponsored by the AIA and the National Association of Rocketry (NAR) and supported by NASA and many other organizations and companies.

Here are two reports about what happened to Smart-1 last weekend:
* Watch the moondust fly - Cosmic Log - Sept.6.06
* SMART-1 may have slammed into lunar mountainside - New Scientist - Sept.7.06

Courtesy of Jesse Londin, I see that there are a number of interesting articles in the latest issue of the Journal of Space Law, published at the Univ. of Mississippi: Journal of Space Law, Summer '06 - Space Law Probe - Sept.5.06

In the latest isse of The Space Review, space historian and journalist Dwayne Day gives a big thumbs up to the Anime Planetes series: Hardhats, salarymen and zero-g: a Japanese vision of humanity's future in space - The Space Review - Sept.5.06 -

Daniel Schmelzer, however, says there are several space anime series that are much better than Planetes: The Japanese Love Outer Space - Carried Away - Sept.5.06

The Virtual Heritage program at the University of Central Florida is developing an extensive set of historical resources related to space related development and events along the "Space Coast". The Florida Space Coast History Project includes, for example, the Virtual Cape Canaveral interactive tool for finding what happened where on Cape Canaveral.

Find out more about the project in this article: Space program's history plays on 'virtual stage' - Orlando Sentinel - Sept.6.06

ARISS Status for the week of 28 August 2006 via AMSAT News:

1. Japanese School Contact
Sendai Municipal Yoshinari Junior High School in Sendai, Miyagi, Japan experienced an ARISS contact on Friday, August 25. Only five students were able to have their questions answered due to technical difficulties the school experienced with the audio. An audience of approximately 240 students, teachers and parents attended. Four television stations including NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) and five newspapers covered the contact.

2. Change Made to Spaceflight Participants
Japanese businessman and space visitor Dice-K Enomoto was expected to fly on the next Soyuz flight in September. He has experienced some medical issues and will not be able to participate. His backup, Iranian American businesswoman Anousheh Ansari, will take his place. The ARISS team is making arrangements for her training and school contacts. News of the switch may be found in the following articles:

"American Businesswoman Could Step In as Next Civilian Space Traveler"
http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2006/08/21/100/?nc=1

"Space Adventures' Client, Anousheh Ansari, Prepared to Take Flight"
http://www.spaceadventures.com/media/releases/2006-08/424

3. ARRL Articles on SSTV Testing, SuitSat-1 and Upcoming Atlantis Flight
ARRL covered the Slow Scan Television (SSTV) testing that has been carried out on the ISS in an article, "ISS Crew, ARISS Team Troubleshooting Slow-Scan TV System." See:
http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2006/08/22/2/?nc=1

SuitSat-1 was deployed on February 3, 2006. It is expected to reenter the earth's atmosphere in the very near future. See:
http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2006/08/24/1/?nc=1

ARRL posted a short story on the upcoming shuttle flight entitled "Two radio amateurs to be aboard shuttle Atlantis." See:
http://www.arrl.org/?artid=6709

4. ARRL Article on Australian Contact
On August 18, Australian Reece and Devonport High School students experienced an ARISS contact. ARRL's article, "Astronaut, Tasmanian students Work Through ISS Ham Radio Contact Glitches," may be found at:
http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2006/08/24/2/?nc=1

5. ARRL Magazine QST Articles
Several ARISS related articles were published in the September issue of QST. The first is an article by ARRL writer Rick Lindquist, N1RL, about Thomas Reiter, DF4TR, (with his picture) being delivered to the ISS as a new crew member. It is titled "Shuttle Drops off New ISS Ham Radio Crew Member." There is another story by Lindquist which covers Bill McArthur earning the Worked All States (WAS) award and inspiring students to pursue science, space and radio. It includes a picture of ARISS Chairman Frank Bauer awarding a special WAS plaque to McArthur and is entitled, "Astronaut Honored for WAS, Inspiring Others from Space." A column written by ARRL's Steve Ford, WB8IMY, is entitled "APRS and the ISS" and talks about how to try APRS (Automatic Position Reporting System) with the ISS, and how this activity is educational and entertaining.

[ANS thanks Carol, KB3LKI for the above information]

AMSAT News for the week of Sept. 2, 2006:

* Deadline for Submitting AMSAT BoD Ballots Approaching
* Dr. Scott Sanford, AMSAT Symposium Tour Speaker
* 2006 AMSAT Symposium Final Call for Papers
* AO-51 Operating Schedule for September 2006
* JAMSAT Announces a New Satellite Operating Award
* Commission Probing Dnepr Crash Presents Preliminary Conclusions

Deadline for Submitting AMSAT BoD Ballots Approaching
If you have not mailed your AMSAT ballot , now is the time to do so!
The ballot must arrive at the office by September 15th. Look over
the bios at
http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/articles/2006_Board_Candidates/
and VOICE YOUR CHOICE and VOTE!!!

[ANS thanks Martha at AMSAT HQ for the above information]


Dr. Scott Sanford, AMSAT Symposium Tour Speaker
AMSAT, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, is very pleased to
announced that NASA Principal Investigator, Dr. Scott Sanford has
generously accepted our invitation to provide a key presentation during
the Symposium tour of the Ames Exploration Center. Dr. Sanford, who is
co-director of the NASA Ames Astrochemistry Laboratory, will speak about
sample return from comets and asteroids in general, and specifically
about the Stardust Sample and Return Mission to Comet Wild 2.

Dr. Sanford was one of the original team members to propose capturing
dust from a comet and bringing it back to Earth. Stardust was launched
in February 1999, and in January 2004 approached Wild 2 within 150 miles
of the nucleus, collecting samples and capturing detailed imagery of the
comet's surface. On January 15th 2006 Stardust re-entered the Earth's
atmosphere and successfully completed it's mission after landing in the
salt flats of northwestern Utah.

So be sure to join us Sunday afternoon for what promises to be an
exciting event.

The 2006 Space Symposium will be a joint meeting with the ARISS
International Delegates and will also include the IARU Satellite
Advisory Panel annual meeting, and a meeting of AMSAT International
Delegates. For additional information and to register for
transportation to the Ames Exploration Center please visit the AMSAT
website at http://www.amsat.org/symposium.

Emily Clarke, N1DID
Symposium Chair

[ANS thanks Emily, N1DID, for the above information]


2006 AMSAT Symposium Final Call for Papers
2006 AMSAT North America Space Symposium
6-8 October 2006, Foster City, California
Call for Papers: Final Call
http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/symposium/2006CallForPapers.php

Invitation: Speakers are invited to submit and present papers dealing
with the science of Amateur Radio Satellites and associated technologies
for the AMSAT 2006 Space Symposium. The Symposium will be held at the
Crowne Plaza Hotel in Foster City, California approximately 10km south
of San Francisco International Airport. This is an annual Symposium,
however the 2005 Symposium was cancelled due to hurricane damage caused
by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Speakers originally scheduled for the
2005 Symposium are invited to re-submit papers for the 2006 Symposium.

Topics: Recommended topics include but are not limited to the following
categories:

· AMSAT P3E
· AMSAT Eagle
· Microsatellite Projects
· Cubesat and Nanosatellite Projects
· ARISS
· Attitude Determination and Control
· Propulsion
· Communications
· Mechanical
· Antennas
· Groundstations
· Digital Modes
· Education and Outreach
· Launch Opportunities
· Status Reports

Other Activities:
· The AMSAT Board of Directors will meet on 5-6 October.
· The AMSAT Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on 6 October.
· AMSAT International will meet 8 October
· The IARU Satellite Committee will meet during the Symposium and
will hold a public round table discussion on frequency coordination
on 8 October
· The ARISS International Delegates Meeting will be held on 9-10
October
· "Birds of a Feather" sessions (BOFS) will be available on request

Deadline: Applications for papers must be received ASAP. Papers must be
submitted no later than 12 September 2006.

Procedure: The planning committee has created an online registration
system where you can submit your abstract and track it. Using this
system you will allow you to submit your paper and any subsequent
changes online.

Visit the 2006 Symposium Paper Registration webpage for instructions:
http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/symposium/2006PapersProcedure.php

Contact Emily Clarke, N1DID for additional information or Jean Fletcher
KG6IAK for additional information

Venue: See the 2006 Space Symposium web page for additional information
about the venue.

[ANS thanks Emily, N1DID, for the above information]


AO-51 Operating Schedule for September 2006
Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, has posted the AO-51 operating schedule for
September. Drew explains, "We've tried to include a little bit of
everything this month". Drew also requests that all requests to the
ao51-modes@amsat.org list include "AMSAT" in the subject line. This will
help sort out the valid requests from the waves and waves of spam that
must be filtered through to be forwarded to the rest of the Committee.

Mode changes generally occur at ~0200Z on the dates indicated below.

September 1 to September 4
FM Repeater, V/S
Uplink: 145.920 Mhz FM, No PL Tone
Downlink: 2401.200 Mhz FM

September 4 to September 11
FM Repeater, V/U, High Power Mode
Uplink: 145.920 Mhz FM, 67 hz PL Tone
Downlink: 435.300 Mhz FM

September 11 to September 18
FM Repeater, L/S
Uplink: 1268.700 Mhz FM, No PL Tone
Downlink: 2401.200 Mhz FM

September 18 to September 24
"Normal" Mode
FM Repeater, V/U
Uplink: 145.920 Mhz FM, 67 hz PL Tone
Downlink: 435.300 Mhz FM
9k6 Digital, V/U, PBP BBS (Pacsat Broadcast Protocol BBS)
Uplink: 145.860 Mhz FM, 9k6 PBP Digital
Downlink: 435.150 Mhz FM, 9k6 PBP Digital

September 24 to October 2
38k4 Digital, V/U, PBP BBS (Pacsat Broadcast Protocol BBS)
Uplink: 145.860 Mhz FM, 9k6 PBP Digital
Downlink: 435.150 Mhz FM, 38k4 PBP Digital

73, Drew KO4MA
AMSAT LM2332
For the AO-51 Operations Group

[ANS thanks Drew, KO4MA, for the above information]


JAMSAT Announces a New Satellite Operating Award
Mikio Mouri, JA3GEP, President of Japan-AMSAT (JAMSAT) announced the
availability of the new JAMSAT Five Stars Award on August 17, 2006.

JAMSAT's goal is to get more activity on amateur radio satellite
communications, to get more hams interested in this aspect of the
hobby,and to protect the frequency allocation of the amateur satellites.

This Award is opened for world wide, with following rules.

1. The applicant is required to establish a QSO with five(5) different
stations over five (5) different Satellites. (Total 25 QSL Cards
required)

2. Each specific satellite is counted once, even the QSO was made on
different mode or band on the same satellite.

3. Valid only for 2way QSOs. Cross mode QSOs are not valid on this
award.

4. The QSOs using Digital mode and SSTV are valid, however you are
requested to get QSL Cards. (e-QSL is not acceptable.)

5. No specific endosement (eg. CW, SSB) is provided.

6. QSOs made after the January 1st, 2006 at 00:00 UTC are valid.

7. As for the application, no specific format is provided. You can use
your own QSO list, however it is recomended to use formats used by
ARRL or JARL. You need to have your application certified by 2
local radio amateurs, but please DO NOT send QSL cards to us. (We
can not take any responsiblity for them.)

8. Fee on the application: Outside of Japan please send Ten(10) "NEW"
IRCs with the application. Japanese radio amateurs should include
800 yen by Postal Money Order. (If you are a member of the JAMSAT,
then 400 yen is applicable).

9. Donations are welcomed: This is not a requirement, but any donations
to build new amateur satellites will be most welcome. If you wish to
donate, please add this amount to your award application fee. JAMSAT
will remit your donations to AMSAT-DL and/or AMSAT-NA accordingly.
(Please understand that the JAMSAT-Board is entitled to divide the
sum of donations for each party and project.)

10. Mailing address--Please forward your application to the following.

JAMSAT AWARD OFFICE
For the attention of Mr. S. Murakami
PO Box 26, Mizushima Post Office,
Kurashiki, Okayama 712-8691, Japan

11. Questions and Information
If you have had any questions, please send your message by e-mail
to: madoguchi@jamsat.or.jp

[ANS thanks JAMSAT for the above information]


Commission Probing Dnepr Crash Presents Preliminary Conclusions
The commission investigating the crash of the Dnepr launch vehicle in
Kazakhstan in July has come to its preliminary conclusions regarding the
cause of the accident, Kosmotras, the company responsible for the
rocket's launch, said in a press release and reported by Interfax.

"The conclusions presented by the commission in its preliminary report
indicate that the command system functioned without a hitch during the
rocket's launch," the release reads.

The report continues, "A brief malfunctioning of the hydraulic gear of
one of the combustion chambers of the first stage's engine unit is the
reason behind the abortive launch. The cause of the hydraulic gear's
failure has been established. The commission is preparing
recommendations on how to repair this problem".

[ANS thanks the Moscow Staff Writers at SpaceDaily.com for the above
information]


In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the
President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors
to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive additional benefits.
Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office.

73, This week's ANS Editor,
Lee McLamb, KU4OS
ku4os at amsat dot org

The SpaceShow this week:
1. Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2006, 7-8:30 PM Pacific: David Moore will be our guest discussing the relationship of space with science fiction, planet finding, and more.

2. Friday, Sept. 8, 2006, 9:30-11:30 AM Pacific: Tim Pickens, CEO of Orion Propulsion returns as our guest.

3. Sunday, Sept. 10, 2006, 12 - 1:30 PM Pacific: Laura Woodmansee returns to The Space Show to discuss her new book, "Sex In Space." The last half hour of the program will be Open Lines.

The following press release just arrived from the Arts Catalyst in Britain:

A repeat of the Space Soon announcement:

Space Soon
Art and Human Spaceflight

New commissions by Aleksandra Mir, N55 and Neal White, London Fieldworks, Michelle Griffiths
Special appearances by Laurie Anderson and Apollo astronaut Alan Bean
Plus projects by Jerry Dammers and Kodwo Eshun, Resonance FM, Jane & Louise Wilson, Alexei Fedorchenko, Semiconductor and more

9-13 September 2006
ROUNDHOUSE, Chalk Farm Road, London NW1, UK

SPACE SOON EXHIBITION
For a short, intense period, the Roundhouse will be transformed into a rocket factory, constructing a rocket that is going nowhere - Gravity by Aleksandra Mir. Outside, the Space on Earth Station team, radical Danish architects N55 and artist Neal White, reverses into the future by building a Mars base-type habitation, in order to explore our terrestrial neighbourhood. Below, in the hive-like labyrinth of Roundhouse Studios London Fieldworks investigate long-term space travel and hibernation.
Sat 9 – Wed 13 Sep 2006, 12 – 6pm / admission free
WITH Michelle Griffiths’ Lunar Capsule, Sat 9 September only, 12 – 6pm. In the spirit of Jules Verne’s ‘From the Earth to the Moon’, a woman wishes she can fly through space. She has been building herself a spaceship ...

SYMPOSIUM : TAKING CONTROL - SPACEFLIGHT FOR HUMANS
Scientists, artists, psychologists and space architects meet in this 2-day symposium to explore the future of space exploration from the human perspective. SOME PLACES STILL AVAILABLE. BOOK NOW
Sat 9 - Sun 10 Sep 2006 / £60 (£50 concessions)
More info .. Or call +44 (0) 870 389 1846 to book
http://www1.roundhouse.org.uk/whatson/event.aspx?prod=257&perf=0

COSMIC ENGINEERS
Space music, electronic images, distressed signals and robot moods programmed by Jerry Dammers and Kodwo Eshun. Special screening of Andrei Ujica’s cult Russian space film Out of the Present.
Sat 9 Sep 2006 / £8 (£6 concessions)
More info or Book now..
http://www1.roundhouse.org.uk/whatson/event.aspx?prod=244&perf=560

SECRET ARTIST ON THE MOON – APOLLO ASTRONAUT ALAN BEAN
Legendary Apollo astronaut, Alan Bean, discusses his experience of walking on the moon, the impact of spaceflight on the human mind, and the power of art with Andrew Smith, author of Moondust.
Sun 10 Sep 2006 / £20 (£15 concessions)
More info and how to book..
http://www1.roundhouse.org.uk/whatson/event.aspx?prod=245&perf=564

FILM NIGHT : BRILLIANT NOISE - GLORIOUS SOVIET COSMOS
Alexei Fedorchenko’s astonishing documentary First on the Moon, Jane & Louise Wilson’s Dream Time, and Semi-Conductor’s Brilliant Noise.
Mon 11 Sep 2006 / £7 (£5 concessions)
More info or Book now..
http://www1.roundhouse.org.uk/whatson/event.aspx?prod=246&perf=568

LAURIE ANDERSON
In conversation with Kodwo Eshun. NASA's former (and first and last) artist-in-residence reflects on her NASA experience and her visit to Russia’s space programme.
Tue 12 Sep 2006 / £12
More info or Book now..
http://www1.roundhouse.org.uk/whatson/event.aspx?prod=243&perf=572

WE’RE ALL GOING TO DIE
Resonance FM host an operatic, radiophonic concatenation of space ephemera and near-Earth collision paranoia.
Wed 13 Sep 2006 / £8 (£6 concessions)
More info or Book now..
http://www1.roundhouse.org.uk/whatson/event.aspx?prod=247&perf=576

Resonance FM will be broadcasting live from the Roundhouse throughout Space Soon
Tune in on http://www.resonancefm.com/ or 104.4 FM in London.

BOOKING & ACCESS

To book tickets and for access enquiries please contact:
Telephone +44 (0) 870 389 1846 and select the Access related booking line
Minicom +44 (0) 20 7485 9009
Online bookings http://www1.roundhouse.org.uk/
Email marketing@roundhouse.org.uk
Fax +44 (0) 20 7424 9992

The Roundhouse strives to be universally accessible. Please inform Box Office staff of your access requirements when booking in person or via telephone/textphone.

For hearing impaired patrons the Roundhouse is able to offer:
Infra-red hearing system in the main auditorium and studio.
Induction loop in the Box Office.

'That's How It Felt To Walk On The Moon*'
Secret Artist on the Moon - Apollo Astronaut Alan Bean

Sun 10 Sep 2006, 7pm - Roundhouse, London, UK / £20 (£15 concessions)
Legendary Apollo astronaut, Alan Bean, one of only nine men alive today who walked on the moon, visits London for the first time to discuss his experience of visiting the moon and the power of art with Andrew Smith, author of Moondust.

Alan Bean, courtesy NASA

Alan Bean, moonwalker and artist, was captured perfectly in Andrew Smith's best-selling book Moondust evoking the rawness of that moment 37 years back when he grabbed hold of something solid and looked up: "This is the Moon, that's the Earth, I'm really here, I'm really here."

In Secret Artist On the Moon, Alan Bean - who now makes paintings that attempt to bring to life that elusive experience - brings a uniquely human insight to that rare moment, never repeated, when humans for a few years left the earth's orbit to voyage to our nearest neighbour. We have never returned.

At this event, the audience will not just hear a tale of space travel, but will encounter a uniquely human perspective on voyaging further away from home than any other person has ever been.

Alan Bean is taking part in SPACE SOON, a creative five days of exhibitions, events, performances and films about art and human spaceflight, presented by The Arts Catalyst, the science-art agency which pioneered zero-gravity flights for artists (http://www.artscatalyst.org)

Hurry to book 44 (0) 0870 389 1846 or on:
http://www1.roundhouse.org.uk/whatson
(save money - book online)

More info - http://www.artscatalyst.org

*Title of painting by Alan Bean, owned by NASA

Here's an earlier press release:

Taking Control
International symposium on the science & culture of human spaceflight

9 & 10 Sept 2006, 10am–6pm
ROUNDHOUSE, London, UK / £60 (£50 concessions)
http://www1.roundhouse.org.uk/whatson

Was the Apollo programme, its origins in Cold War posturing, ultimately the most successful art project in history? What do we really gain from human space exploration, culturally and scientifically? How do we design long-term space missions, such as the mooted trip to Mars, so that astronauts are able to have a humanising experience? In an unstable world, who should be the decision makers in the quest for space?

Scientists, artists, psychologists and space architects meet in this 2-day international symposium to explore the future of space exploration from the human perspective. Sessions include, Habitat Design, Build Your Own Space Programme, the Human Body and Mind in Space, and Adapting to Alien Environments.

“Sometimes an inch or a foot is nothing at all, other times it is discomfort or death, it might be here on earth or in outer space … it might simply be in your head.” - Garrett Finney, space architect

Speakers:

Andrew Smith (UK), author of Moondust. discusses how he set out to interview all the remaining nine astronauts who walked on the moon; finding out how they were forever caught between the gravitational pull of the moon and the earth’s collective dreaming.

Marko Peljhan (Slovenia), artist, presents the conceptual and technological challenges that are arising in the process of the construction of the first artists’ remote sensing and communications micro-satellite (launch date – third quarter of 2008).

Garrett Finney (USA), former senior architect at Habitability Design Center at Johnson Space Center, discusses fun, design, technology, anthropometrics, human factors, fun, performance, objects in motion, transformation, fun, ecology, systems, ergonomics, efficiency, fun, and the future of humans in space.

Prof Gro Mjeldheim Sandal (Norway) is one of the world’s leading behavioural scientists studying psychological factors in space. She is currently leading one of the first psychological studies of crews on the International Space Station. Her recent research has focused on the implications of individual and cultural differences.

Tim Otto Roth (Germany), artist, introduces his proposed light flash experiment for the International Space Station, an artistic project which highlights the phenomena of light flashes seen by astronauts in space.

Dr Kevin Fong (UK), an authority on space medicine, explores the reasons for a mission to Mars, arguing that sending humans to examine the red planet for signs of life will help to answer the question: Are we alone in the universe and what is the likelihood of making ‘contact’?

Semiconductor (Joseph Gerhardt and Ruth Jarman) (UK), will discuss and present works from their fellowship at the UC Berkeley Space Sciences Laboratory.

Sarah Jane Pell (tbc) (Australia), artist, discusses SubCulture, her underwater habitat vision, in the context of a future lunar habitat mission she has been developing with the International Space University & the NASA Ames Research Centre.

Ronald Jones (USA/Sweden), Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies at Konstfack University, Stockholm, addresses the threat of potentially fatal contamination of the Earth by extraterrestrial microbes brought back from space.

With Space Soon artists:
Aleksandra Mir (Sweden), Neal White (UK), Ion Sorvin (Denmark), London Fieldworks (Bruce Gilchrist and Jo Joelson) (UK) and Michelle Griffiths (UK).

Live link-ups to international space science and art specialists, including lunar scientist Dr Paul D Spudis, who has advised the White House on US Space Exploration Policy, establishing a base on the Moon and the first human mission to Mars, and space art pioneers Frank Pietronegro and Lowry Burgess will report on their recent zero gravity art flight.

BOOK NOW. Limited places.

Box office 44 (0) 0870 389 1846 or on:
http://www1.roundhouse.org.uk/whatson

The symposium fee of £60 (£50 concessions) includes free entry to the SPACE SOON VIP opening night on Friday 8 September, the Cosmic Engineers party on Saturday 9 September and the film night Brilliant Noise – Glorious Soviet Cosmos on Monday 11 September.

You can call to book or book online to guarantee your place and then call or email the box office with your booking reference number to get your tickets to the other events.

Delegates can also add Secret Artist on the Moon – Apollo astronaut Alan Bean to the package for the discounted price of £15. This can only be booked via the Roundhouse box office.

More info - http://www.artscatalyst.org

The NASA World Wind, a standalone program that displays imagery of the Earth and the Moon, continues to be improved: The Moon in your hands - NASA has a developed a virtual Moon, much like Google Earth, that lets users zoom around three-dimensional visualizations of the terrain. Declan Butler talks to Patrick Hogan, manager of NASA's World Wind project, about the software. - news @ nature.com - Sept.1.06. This month they will be

adding shading and lighting for the Earth version. The Sun will be in its correct position, and the shadows on Earth will be where they are supposed to be. If you go down into the atmosphere, you will be able to see sunrises and sunsets. We are adding three-dimensional volumetric clouds, and light and colour will be reflected upon the clouds, which will then also be reflected on the land, and on the correct side of the mountains. It's absolutely gorgeous; we are getting towards reality. If you ask me, World Wind will soon be the video-game graphics engine of choice.

Alan Boyle reports on the plans by the Mars Society to carry out a four month Mars base simulation next year in the Canadian Arctic: Signing up for an Arctic Mars - Cosmic Log - Sept.1.06.

Here is the formal call from the Mars Society for volunteers for the mission: Four-Month Mars Mission Simulation at the Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station: Hard Work, No Pay, Eternal Glory - August 9, 2006.

Here is some advice on observing Smart-1 smack into the Moon this weekend: How to observe SMART-1's impact on the Moon - New Scientist- Sept.1.06.

[Update Sept.3.06: Doesn't appear that the impact flash was very easy to see: SMART-1 crashes into the Moon - spacetoday.net - Sept.3.06.]

Here is a news release from SpaceChannel.TV:

SpaceChannel.TV Premieres Documentary about Mars Training Expedition to Utah

Toronto, Ontario -- IPX Entertainment, Inc. (IPXN) has released its first documentary film, Crew 44 - The Spirit of Exploration, now available on its internet television channel / video download service SpaceChannel.TV.

CREW 44 tells the story of eight young scientists and engineers training and conducting research at the Mars Desert Research Station during the winter of 2006.

Set in the surreal desert landscape of southern Utah, the film delves into the human side of space exploration, revealing the hopes and expectations of the aspiring adventurers, and enquiring into the human desire to explore new worlds.

Through awe-inspiring imagery and reflective interviews, the film takes the viewer on a journey into the world of Mars analogue research, and into the dreams of modern-day pioneers.

Filmed in High-Definition and released in DVD-quality digital video formats (WMV, MP4), the film shows for the first time the scope of Mars Society of Canada's new series of Mars Analog Training expeditions, preparing a crew to take on roles in its more ambitious Mars Research expedition series.

Torrents of the video are available to support peer-to-peer downloading of the file for just $2. There is a small surcharge of $0.50 for direct downloading if the torrent is not used.

Please visit http://spacechannel.tv and
1. Create an account if you have not already done so, or sign in with your existing account.
2. Purchase some SpaceDimes if you have not already done so.
3. Visit the Video Library, find the Crew 44 video (available as either WMV or MP4), and click Buy.
4. Confirm that you want to buy that video.
5. Hit proceed.
6. You'll be back in the video's description page, but now you'll see links to actually get the video. Click on the Torrent file rather than the Direct Download link.
7. Save the .torrent file to your computer.
8. If you do not already have a torrent file sharing program please download microTorrent from http://www.utorrent.com/ , and install it (or any other torrent program you choose).
9. Open the .torrent file with your torrent program and let it download.

SpaceChannel is an entertainment service created by IPX Entertainment, that will be soon offering space-themed programs such as Zero Gravity Football, reality shows, video games, space history series, news, documentaries and science fiction dramas. We believe that the entertainment and advertising industries can pay for getting people into space, and we want you to not only believe it, but space experience it for yourself.

Sign up today for your SpaceDimes (tokens used to buy products and services on SpaceChannel) and get two free entries in an online tournament with a suborbital flight in Space as the Grand Prize!

IPX, IPXN, SpaceChannel, and SpaceDimes are trademarks of IPX Entertainment, Inc., which is a U.S. subsidiary of Interplanetary Expeditions Inc. of Canada.