Amateur/Student Satellite, Space Radio

AMSAT & ISS amateur radio news

Go to AMSAT News for the latest headlines about developments in amateur and student satellites and for updates about amateur radio on the ISS.

ANS 251 Weekly AMSAT Bulletin – September 7, 2013:
* Mail your AMSAT-NA Board of Directors Ballots TODAY
* US Space Fence Shut Down
* Say HI to Juno
* Space Station Slow Scan TV Active
* FUNcube-1 is in its Pod
* 2013 AMSAT Symposium Tours Announced
* CEPT Considers Use of 5830-5850 MHz Satellite Band
* ARISS News
* Satellite Shorts From All Over

Space Science, The Moon

LADEE overcomes start-up glitch

NASA’s LADEE science probe had a problem with its reaction wheels shortly after the launch by the Minotaur V last night (see earlier post), but it doesn’t look too serious:

The local area enjoyed the launch: VA SHORE LAUNCH: One small step for space exploration, one giant leap for a region – The Daily Times/delmarvanow.com

Update: More about the flight and the reaction wheel issue: Minotaur Launch Report | Moon mission blasts off, overcomes pointing problem – Spaceflight Now

Space Policy

Space policy roundup – Sept.7.13

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Some space policy items:

Update: Notes From NASA Deputy Administrator Garver’s Farewell Reception – NASA Watch

Events, Rockets, The Moon

Night launch of Minotaur V with lunar probe

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1:15 am ET/Sept.7.13:  This fact sheet from Emily Lakdawalla outlines the tasks for LADEE in the coming days and months. It will actually do several burns to get into the lunar orbit to begin its science mission: LADEE prelaunch facts – The Planetary Society.

11:59 pm ET: Success! Congratulations to the Orbital team for sending the LADEE spacecraft on the start of its journey to the Moon. LADEE will later fire its own on-board engine to complete the trip. NASA has been able to contact the spacecraft.

9:57 pm ET: The countdown is going well for the launch of the Orbital Sciences five-stage Minotaur V rocket from Wallops Island Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. (See earlier post.)  Liftoff is expected at 11:27 p.m. EDT. The rocket will send NASA’s LADEE science probe to orbit the Moon.

Updates on the launch status can be found here:

[ Update: Here is a video of the launch:

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