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AMSAT asks patience as Echo AO-51
checkout continues
July 23, 2004 -- AMSAT-NA says "much more work and
testing is yet to be done" before it can open the Echo AO-51 Amateur Radio
satellite for general use by the amateur community. Commissioning continues for
AO-51, with ground controllers checking out the satellite's software on the
ground. "The team continues reloading and testing software on the satellite,"
an AMSAT bulletin reported. "The satellite has been in a low-power mode while
software is loaded." When Echo is in the sun, telemetry data also are being
collected to work on attitude determination.
AMSAT says the command team also must ensure that the
satellite's hardware is working properly before making it available for use. At
various times, ground controllers will disable the current operating mode to
compete necessary tests. "This will occur without prior warning," AMSAT notes.
At some point in the AO-51 proveout, the satellite will become available for
experimental operation. "At the present time it is anticipated that Echo will
be opened initially in 9k6 digital mode, via the BBS system," AMSAT said.
"After running a few days in that mode, the FM repeater may be enabled." AMSAT
says all modes will start at low power and gather data while looking at the
overall health of the satellite--specifically the power consumption in each
configuration.
As the command team members gain knowledge of AO-51's
operational characteristics, AMSAT says, they will gradually increase the power while continuing to watch the data.
"The command team asks at the present time, that you
continue to not transmit to
Echo," AMSAT said. "Please continue to show restraint, and you will be making
your first contacts through Echo soon."
AMSAT-NA will issue a bulletin when AO-51 becomes
available for use.--AMSAT News Service via
Mike Kingery, KE4AZN
Page last modified: 12:54 PM, 23 Jul 2004 ET
Page author: awextra@arrl.org
Copyright © 2004, American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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