Argentine Satellite Carrying Amateur Radio Payload Launched from China

The Argentine ÑuSAT-1 carrying the LUSEX (LU Satellite Experiment) Amateur Radio U/V linear transponder and 436 MHz beacon launched May 30 at 0317 UTC from China. With ÑuSAT-1 on the launch was sister satellite ÑuSAT-2, which carries a 437 MHz beacon. Gunter’s Space Page reports that the Argentinian ÑuSat Earth-observation satellites form the Aleph-1 constellation developed and operated by Satellogic S.A. The satellites are equipped with an imaging system operating in visible light and infrared. The Aleph-1 constellation will consist of up to 25 satellites. Signals have been reported from both telemetry beacons, and Satellogic reports, “All Systems: Nominal.”

LUSEX is an AMSAT-LU project AMSAT-LU reports that both satellites are sending strong telemetry on 70 centimeters. The satellites are being stabilized over the next few days, and activation of the U/V Amateur Radio transponder will be announced on the AMSAT Bulletin Board.

The transponder, with a 30 kHz bandwidth and transmitting with 250 mW, will have an uplink passband (SSB, CW) at 435.935~435.965 MHz, and a downlink passband at 145.965~145.935 MHZ. Basic CW telemetry will be transmitted on 145.900 MHz. The NuSAT-1 GFSK telemetry beacon is at 436.445 MHz, and the NuSAT-2 GFSK telemetry beacon is at 437.445 MHz.

Source:ARRL

“Dear Friends,

The launch of LUSEX, second AMSAT ARGENTINA amateur satellite next May 30, will mark an extraordinary event for our Institution and the fostering of hope for the satellite community. Details of LUSEX (LU Satellite EXperiment) are available on http://lusex.org.ar .

As mentioned on the announcement of the launch of this experiment, Amsat Argentina has been working on, for several years, to keep alive the dream of many Argentine amateurs: to get back into Space with their own satellite as a follow-up of the legendary 1990’s LUSAT-1, making use of the benefits of Technological advancement of our days.

We believe technical activities and the development of experiments in near space share the same goals: preserving the human group, enhancing their capabilities as well as disseminating and guiding the education and development of the activity, meanwhile contributing to Space available resources.

Satellogic Enterprises already launched three low orbit satellites: Captain Beto, Manolito, and Tita, two of which transmit telemetry and data currently in UHF identifying themselves with callsign LU7AA. Our agreement with Satellogic Enterprises allowed us to ride a linear analog amateur radio transponder and corresponding antenna aboard one of their next satellite, ÑUSAT-1.

AMSAT-LU provides simultaneous support for this mission and the ÑUSAT-2 mission, by operating one of the control stations at Tortuguitas, Buenos Aires.

The experiment developed by Amsat-LU evolved from an original design of our colleague and partner William, PE1RAH. The electronic adaptation, mechanics, and software was made by LUSEX group and was mounted on a 10 x 10 centimeters radiating plate, in which components of the power supply as well as a duplexer and dual band antenna were also incorporated.

This set was installed on the Ñusat-1 bus, which supplies power and is integrated as part of several other experiments this satellite will perform.

The transponder receives UHF which is broadcasted in VHF, has a bandwidth of 30 kHz and an output power of 250 mW.

435,935 ~ 435,965 are LSB/CW uplink.
145,965 ~ 145,935 are USB/CW downlink.
145,900 Basic CW Telemetry.

The launch will be done from a Chinese launcher to a polar orbit at 500 km altitude, with inclination of 97 degrees from Equator.

73 AMSAT ARGENTINA

http://www.amsat.org.ar
info [at] amsat.org.ar

Lanzamiento LUSEX 30-Mayo-2016
Estimados Amigos,

Con motivo del lanzamiento del LUSEX, segundo satélite de AMSAT ARGENTINA, el próximo 30 de Mayo – extraordinaria ocasión para nuestra Institución, y para todos los radioaficionados argentinos – ha sido creada una pagina Web que pueden ver tipeando http://lusex.org.ar .

Como citamos cuando el anuncio de la puesta en órbita de este experimento, Amsat Argentina viene trabajando desde hace varios años, en mantener vivo el sueño de muchos radioaficionados de volver al espacio con un satélite propio, que sea la continuidad del legendario LUSAT-1 de los añ:os 1990 y recogiendo los beneficios del avance tecnólogico de nuestros días.

Las actividades técnicas y desarrollos de experimentos en el espacio cercano, tuvieron un mismo objetivo: preservar el grupo humano, potenciar sus capacidades y difundir sus recursos orientándolos a la educación y el desarrollo de la actividad.

El acuerdo encarado con la empresa Satellogic – que ya lanzó tres satélites de órbita baja: el Capitán Beto, Manolito y Tita, dos de los cuales transmiten actualmente telemetría y datos en UHF identificándose con la señal distintiva LU7AA. – nos permite montar a bordo de uno de sus próximos satélites, el ÑUSAT-1, un transponder lineal analógico de radioaficionados y su correspondiente antena.

Simultaneamente Amsat-LU brinda soporte a esa misión y la del ÑUSAT-2, operando una de las estaciones de control en Tortuguitas, Prov. de Bs.As.

El experimento que aporta Amsat – diseño original del colega y socio William PE1RAH y adaptación electrónica, mecánica y de software del grupo LUSEX – está montado sobre una placa radiadora de 10 x 10 centímetros, en la que se incorporaron también los componentes de la fuente de alimentación, el duplexor y la antena bibanda.

El conjunto fué instalado en el bus del Ñusat, que proveerá la energía y formará parte de varios otros experimentos que realizará este satélite.

El transponder recibe en la banda de UHF y retransmite en VHF, tiene un ancho de banda de 30 KHz. y su potencia de salida es de 250 mW.

Frecuencias de subida 435.935~965 LSB/CW.
Frecuencias de bajada 145.965~935 USB/CW.
Telemetría básica en 145.900 CW.

El lanzamiento será con un lanzador Chino en una órbita polar a 500 Km. de altura y una inclinación de 97 grados respecto del Ecuador.

73 AMSAT ARGENTINA

http://www.amsat.org.ar
info [at] amsat.org.ar