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WG3K > ANS 05.05.25 00:24z 9 Lines 3937 Bytes #999 (0) @ AMSAT
BID : ANS124.9
Subj: Satellite Shorts From All Over
Path: HB9ON<DK0WUE<PD0LPM<IR0AAB<VK2RZ<N6PNK<VE3CGR<WW4BSA<N3HYM<WG3K
Sent: 250504/2354Z 17087@WG3K.#SMD.MD.USA.NOAM LinBPQ6.0.24
+ Juan Carlos, CO8TW, reports that a WhatsApp channel titled Satellites for Hams...!!! now has 338 active subscribers. The channel shares regular updates and information of interest to amateur radio satellite operators, including how to become a member of AMSAT. It can be accessed directly at: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaIMu2D4IBhG7yR2Tb2d. To join, download the free WhatsApp app from your device's app store-App Store for iPhonehttps://apps.apple.com/us/app/whatsapp-messenger/id310633997 or Google Play Store for Android-or access it from your computer at https://web.whatsapp.com. WhatsApp, owned by Meta, is a global messaging platform that supports text, voice, video, and multimedia sharing. It remains a popular tool among hams for coordinating and exchanging satellite-related information in real time. (ANS thanks Juan Carlos, CO8TWhttps://x.com/JC_CO8TW, for the above information)
+ Firefly Aerospace's Alpha rocket suffered a launch failure early Tuesday after lifting off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Roughly two-and-a-half minutes into flight, the rocket's first stage separated, but a bright white vapor cloud appeared-possibly an explosion-just before the upper stage ignited. Though the upper stage's Lightning engine fired for more than six minutes, damage to its nozzle significantly reduced thrust, preventing the rocket from reaching orbital velocity. The mission, which was carrying Lockheed Martin's LM-400 tech demo satellite, ended with the rocket and payload falling into the Pacific Ocean. This marks another setback for Alpha, which has now only achieved two fully successful missions out of six. Despite contract wins and plans for a more capable vehicle, Firefly must improve Alpha's reliability to compete in the crowded small-to-medium launch market. (ANS thanks Ars Technicahttps://arstechnica.com/ for the above information)
+ NOAA has announced that satellites NOAA 15, 18, and 19 will be reclassified as end-of-life effective June 16, 2025. These polar-orbiting weather satellites are widely used by amateur radio enthusiasts and RTL-SDR hobbyists to receive APT and HRPT imagery. The news was first reported by Carl Reinemann on the USradioguy.comhttps://usradioguy.com/ blog, where he clarified that despite the end-of-life designation, transmissions will continue. NOAA has confirmed that signals will still be broadcast on a "data of opportunity" basis, meaning they are no longer intended for operational or safety-critical use but remain suitable for hobbyist reception. NOAA also stated that no ground intervention will be provided for future sensor or hardware failures. Should any critical malfunctions occur, the satellites may be decommissioned, as was nearly the case with NOAA 15's scan motor, which previously failed and later resumed function under unclear circumstances. (ANS thanks RTL-SDR.comhttps://www.rtl-sdr.com/ and USRadioguy.comhttps://usradioguy.com/ for the above information)
+ A Soviet spacecraft originally intended for Venus, Cosmos 482, is expected to make an uncontrolled reentry into Earth's atmosphere around May 9-10, after orbiting the planet for over 53 years. Launched in March 1972, the mission failed when the upper stage of its Soyuz booster cut off prematurely, stranding the Venus lander in Earth orbit. The descent module-designed to endure Venus' harsh atmosphere-remains intact and may potentially survive Earth reentry due to its heavy thermal shielding. Satellite tracker Marco Langbroek has modeled its descent and predicts it could hit the ground or ocean at speeds exceeding 145 miles per hour. Although the risk to people or infrastructure is low, the lander's size and mass make its reentry comparable to a small meteorite impact. Its fiery return is a rare and fascinating reminder of Cold War-era space exploration still orbiting above us. (ANS thanks Space.comhttps://www.space.com/ for the above information)
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