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*                      AMSAT NA News Service Bulletins                       *
*                              NEWS163 11Jun88                               *
*  [ Copyright 1988 by AMSAT NA, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation.  ] *
*  [ Permission is granted for unlimited redistribution by electronic or   ] *
*  [ other means provided credit is given to AMSAT NA News Service (ANS).  ] *
*  [                    Edited for AMSAT NA by WA2LQQ.                     ] *
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Headlines:

1. All Systems "GO" For June 15 Phase 3C Launch
2. Launch Coverage Details
3. AMSAT Launch Info Net Update
4. Phase 3C To Become AMSAT OSCAR 13 After Launch
5. First AOS Timing For AO-13
6. The First Few Days Of AO-13's Life
7. Multinational Kourou Team Operating FY0EK On HF
8. Transpolar Skitrek Expedition Report #20: June 11, 1988
9. Soviets Launch Three Man Crew To Mir Space Station
10.Indiana Balloon Launch Post Script
11.Short Bursts

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    S P E C I A L    P H A S E  3 C   P R E - L A U N C H  C O V E R A G E

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1. All Systems "GO" For June 15 Phase 3C Launch

The word from AMSAT's international launch team in Kourou is that all
indicators are green and pointing to the V-22 launch on Wednesday morning,
June 15. Aboard the V-22 mission, the debut flight of the huge Ariane 4
launcher, will be AMSAT's Phase 3C, Meteosat and Panamsat's Simon Bolivar
satellites. Phase 3C will become AMSAT OSCAR 13 after its successful injection
into orbit. Phase 3C is a joint project of AMSAT-DL, AMSAT-NA with major
contributions from several collaborating organizations.

But not only affiliated AMSAT organizations and their members are poised. Much
of Amateur Radio is leaning closer to its radios this weekend hoping to glean
the latest word on prospects for a launch this week.  After nearly a two year
delay in reaching this point, the scene appears set in the steamy jungles of
equatorial South America. And Amateur Radio itself seems ready for the birth
of a new OSCAR which, coming at the rate of only a few per decade, is seen as
a major "happening".

The balky Ariane flight computer which last week had caused a five day launch
delay has been replaced and no further problems have occurred.

The launch will be covered by an unprecedented network of Amateur Radio and
commercial telecommunications facilities interconnecting five continents.
Meanwhile, millions will view the launch as images from Kourou, French Guiana
are broadcast on cable and satellite networks.  Current launch windows are
listed as 11:13 to 12:09 and 13:32 to 14:46 UTC, June 15.

A series of review meetings has occupied the launch team as they work with the
Arianespace managers to assure all relevant issues have been addressed and
"checked-off". Thursday's general communications check verified that
communications links among team members around the launch facility function
satisfactorily.

The AMSAT Team reports they have been very pleased by the professionalism
exhibited by all.  Indeed, the international AMSAT team is itself held in high
esteem by their colleagues in the space "business" from Arianespace, CNES and
representatives of the other two satellite launch teams: Meteosat and
Panamsat.

AO-13 will be available for general communications operations on its four
transponders beginning about a month after launch.  For general planning
purposes, August 1st would be a good date to keep in mind but it cannot be
ruled out that the satellite will be available earlier.  So there's still some
time to get that new antenna up and checked out for AO-13's debut and you
still have time to do some last minute shopping at that flea market.  But then
again, not that much time is left!

Details concerning frequencies of operation and suitable ground station
equipment may be found in an article in the June QST, page 22.  Other
interesting satellite articles may be found in the May, 1988 special satellite
edition of "73" magazine.  For more information on getting started in
satellites and on AMSAT membership, call AMSAT at 301-589-6062 or write: AMSAT
P.O. Box 27, Washington, DC 20044.  AMSAT members receive regular newsletters,
discounts on tracking software and, most of all, the satisfaction of knowing
they're part of the team which built AO-13.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

2. Launch Coverage Details

The Ariane V-22 mission will be covered by a vast network of telecommunication
systems.  AMSAT's own Launch Information Network will link together
transmitters on 5 continents (North and South America; Europe; Asia and
Africa) in an audio network providing live coverage of the launch beginning
about 30 minutes before the opening of the primary launch window.  AMSAT OSCAR
10 will carry the Phase 3C launch countdown on 145.957 MHz on the eve of its
fifth birthday.  It will, in effect, relay word of its younger sibling's
(AMSAT OSCAR 13) birth on the eve of its own birthday.  Phase 3B was launched
and became AO-10 on June 16, 1983.

Meanwhile, this important launch will be covered by a host of TV and cable
networks around the world.  Arianespace, the marketing and management arm of
the European Space Agency, will transmit video from Kourou on C-Band satellite
GTE Spacenet 1, transponder 1.  Owners of TVRO systems will be treated to live
coverage of the launch as the 20-story tall Ariane 4 rocket leaps from the
ELA-2 pad into the morning sky over the Atlantic.

C-SPAN, the huge Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network, will broadcast the
launch to its nearly 3,000 cable TV systems which reach as many 30,000,000
homes.  The broadcast will appear on the C-SPAN #1 channel beginning at 11:00
UTC (7:00 AM EDT). For those with TVRO systems, the C-SPAN feeds are made via
Galaxy 3, transponder 24.  GTE Spacenet 1 is at 120 degrees West and Galaxy 3
is at 93.5 degrees West.

Eric Rosenberg, WA6YBT, says he's working with C-SPAN managers to investigate
the feasibility of broadcasting some AMSAT-supplied videotapes on C-SPAN
during its coverage of the launch. Eric says C-SPAN had been planning to cover
the launch live since they will be a future user of Panamsat transponders. But
when C-SPAN management learned their co-passenger was AMSAT Phase 3C, they
were fascinated by the project and they saw an opportunity to illustrate a
private-sector space project with many unique, public service aspects. Eric,
together with Ed O'Grady, KC2ZF, and Jeff Kelly, KT2K, are assembling some
AMSAT videotape taken during final Phase 3C preparations last month in Kourou.
They plan to edit it to a content suitable for broadcast should final C-SPAN
management approval be granted.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

3. AMSAT Launch Info Net Update

According to AMSAT VP of Operations Ralph Wallio, W0RPK, last minute updates
to the AMSAT Launch Information Network Service (ALINS) include addition of
more repeaters and the establishment of a link with AMSAT-LU in Buenos Aires.
Arturo Carou, LU1AHC, says he will be interfacing the ALINS feed with major
repeaters in Argentina for real-time coverage.  AMSAT-LU thus joins a huge
network spanning five continents in bringing real-time coverage of the launch
to a vitally interested Amateur Radio community.

Coverage of the launch will actually begin with the Pre-Launch nets on Monday,
June 13.  These nets will air at the times they normally do on Tuesday
evenings when convening the regular weekly AMSAT-NA 75 meter nets. These times
are: 21:00 EDT for the East Coast Net; 2100 CDT for the Mid-America Net and
20:00 PDT for the West Coast Net.  All nets meet on about 3840 kHz. The
special 75 meter nets will likely be relatively short providing only an update
on progress towards the launch on Wednesday.  The Tuesday 75 meter nets will
be held as usual but emphasize the Phase 3C spacecraft and ground station
operating requirements.

Other stations participating in the pre-launch and post-launch campaign
include: WA3NAN  at Goddard Space Flight Center, W6VIO at the Jet Propulsion
Laboratory and W1AW at ARRL HQ. The bulletin transmission schedule, based on a
June 15 launch, includes operations Monday, June 13 through Friday, June 17,
on the following schedule:

     W1AW    Published W1AW bulletin schedule and frequencies (all modes)
     WA3NAN  7,185 kHz - 14,295 kHz - 21,395 kHz
             1600 UTC beaming Europe
             1610 UTC beaming Africa
     W6VIO   14,282 kHz - 21,280 kHz
             2015 UTC 20m beaming SW
             2020 UTC 20m beaming NW
             2030 UTC 15m beaming NW
             2035 UTC 15m beaming SW

Beginning one half hour before the opening of the primary launch window, at
about 10:45 UTC, Wednesday morning, June 15, a teleconference network of
launch information sources and transmit stations will be placed in operation.
The net will provide real-time coverage of the launch from T-30 minutes to
completion of the thrust phase of the launcher third stage at T+20 minutes.
Deployment of AO-13 and its initial telemetry transmissions will take place
later.  Special post launch nets will be held the evening of the launch to
provide updates on AO-13's status.

The launch day coverage will include major HF stations around the world in
addition to the continued involvement of the pre-launch participants W1AW,
WA3NAN and W6VIO. The following stations will provide real-time coverage:
W5RRR at the Johnson Space Center, Houston; G3RWL in UK; ZS6AKV for SA AMSAT
throughout Southern Africa; JA1ANG feeding a network in Japan; LU1AHC in
Buenos Aires.

Repeaters signed on include:

KA7GZH   Salt Lake City
N7RH     Reno
KD9QB    Indianapolis
N9GHZ    North Central WI
K9NO     Chicago
N4KHG    Tampa/St. Pete
AA0P     Denver
WB5PMR   Orlando
WD8CIK   Detroit
KB4KIN   Central Georgia
W4DOC    Atlanta
W1AW     Newington
W3ZM     Greenbelt, MD
W6VIO    Pasadena    } Feeding local repeaters
W0RPK    Des Moines  } Feeding local repeaters
W5RRR    Houston     } Feeding local repeaters

North American HF transmit frequencies will be as follows:

     W1AW       Published voice bulletin frequencies
                for North American coverage
     WA3NAN     3860 - 7185 - 14295 - 21395 - 147.45
                Beaming east on 20m and 15m
     W6VIO      14282 - 21280 - 3840 or 7165 + repeater network uplink
                Beaming west on 20m and 15m
     W5RRR      3840 - 7165 + repeater network uplink

WA2LQQ will uplink teleconference audio to AO-10 with a downlink frequency
of 145.957 MHz USB beginning at approximately 1045 UTC.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

4. Phase 3C To Become AMSAT OSCAR 13 After Launch

The big Ariane 4 launcher, the largest ever built by the European Space
Agency, will carry three payload satellites.  They are carried by an
egg-shaped composite structure large enough to carry a couple of large
Mercedes within together with a Volvo or two tucked in besides.  Within that
structure, called SPELDA, rides Panamsat's Simon Bolivar satellite.  Outside
of the SPELDA and sitting on top like a crown on the king's head is the large
Meteosat.  Supporting the "crown" as it were, is a cylindrical structure which
interfaces the bottom of Meteosat with the top of the SPELDA.  And within that
cylindrical structure is placed AMSAT's Phase 3C.  The overall array is
depicted in Amateur Satellite Report (ASR) #169.

The deployment sequence has Meteosat pop off the top of the stack first at
about 20 minutes after launch.  Next, the cylindrical carrying structure on
which Meteosat had been mounted and within which Phase 3C is enclosed, is
separated.  This happens 5 seconds after Meteosat is separated or just over 20
minutes into the launch.  Phase 3C will remain within the structure for a full
hour more.

At about 21 minutes after launch, the top of the egg-like SPELDA is separated
revealing Panamsat within.  Two minutes later, at 23 minutes into the mission,
Panamsat is ejected from the lower SPELDA section.

Finally, at 80 minutes after launch, Phase 3C, is popped from the cylindrical
carrying structure when the pyrotechnic bolt-cutters on the Marmon clamp band
shear the clamp bolt. The clamp band swings open and three springs, which had
been compressed, restore to their normal length.  In doing so, the springs
impart a small initial separation velocity to the spacecraft which then
becomes AMSAT OSCAR 13.

At the moment of birth, AO-13 will be over the eastern Indian Ocean south of
Sumatra at an altitude just over 14,000 km and in view of stations in
Australia, Japan and India. According to the Launch Team in Kourou, AO-13
separation will occur at T+4800 seconds (80 minutes) after liftoff.  This
should approximately correspond to Mean Anomaly (MA) 25 of the geostationary
transfer orbit (GTO) and occur at 12:33 UTC if the launch takes place at the
opening of the first window at 11:13.

At about MA 62 (about 90 minutes later; T+170 minutes; just after 14:03 UTC)
the Mode B general beacon (GB) will be activated on 145.812 MHz. This is in
contrast to earlier reports which had the GB coming on immediately upon
ejection from the cylindrical carrying structure.  Apparently the dormancy
AFTER being ejected from the carrying structure is for further outgassing,
establishing thermal equilibrium and for peaking the battery charge prior to
activating the beacon.

Stations in Australia, New Zealand, Japan and throughout Asia and eastern
Africa will have AO-13 in view when the GB appears slightly less than 3 hours
after launch. On command from the ground command station, the telemetry
transmissions may be switched to the engineering beacon (EB) on either Mode B
or Mode L (145.985 or 435.677 MHz) or the Mode L GB (435.651 MHz).

According to the AMSAT Launch Team in Kourou, initial telemetry data will be
transmitted at 400 baud BPSK in the standard AMSAT format. On the hour and
half-hour, the telemetry will be briefly interrupted for five minutes by a
general satellite CW status message.  This will be sent at about 10 words per
minute.  RTTY transmissions will commence later at a date to be announced in
the CW message.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

5. First AOS Timing For AO-13

First to hear AO-13 will be stations in regions ringing the Indian Ocean and
along the western Pacific shores.  It reaches its first apogee just south of
India and then moves northwest. By its first apogee, 5.5 hours after launch,
AO-13 will be heard as far west as Munich (at 1.1 degrees elevation) and
Moscow (at 13 degrees elevation).  London will hear AO-13 for the first time
at T+6:48.

In the course of its GTO, the sub-satellite point of AO-13 will make tight,
S-shaped curves over the Equator where the extent of the "S" is plus and minus
10 degrees of latitude and girdles the circumference of the earth.

First AOS (Acquisition Of Signal) in the Western Hemisphere will occur when
coastal Mexico sees AO-13 for the first time at T+11:02.  The U.S. will gain
AOS simultaneously in southern Texas and California at T+11:06.  AO-13's
second apogee occurs at about T+16:13 at 74 degrees West over the Equator.
Virtually the entire Western Hemisphere will have AO-13 in view then.

Based on a launch time of 11:13 on June 15, the following Keplerian elements
will provide accurate tracking of a nominal trajectory for AO-13.

    Reference Epoch:  88167.5229
        Inclination:  9.996
               RAAN:  243.6836
       Eccentricity:  0.7309023
Argument of Perigee:  178.155
       Mean Anomaly:  36.51014
        Mean Motion:  2.259879
              Decay:  0
              Rev #:  0
    Semi-Major Axis:  24528.91

Using these values, analysts can determine their own AOS.  The period of the
GTO will be 10:37 and the orbital increment will be 200.4 degrees eastward
movement per orbit.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

6. The First Few Days Of AO-13's Life

Following ejection from the carrying structure at T+80 minutes, a series of
carefully planned activities is implemented.  After a period of outgassing,
establishing thermal equilibrium and topping of the batteries, the Mode B
beacon is activated at about T+170 minutes.

When the first frames of telemetry are received by command stations, they will
be carefully checked to establish that all electrical, thermal and pressure
values are within tolerance.  An important assessment to be made as soon as
possible is the attitude and spin rate of the satellite.  If all seems
according to plan, a decision will be made to activate the higher power
engineering beacons (EB) on either 2 meters or 70 cm.  Then, careful
monitoring of the telemetry will proceed thereafter in parallel with the first
major task following launch: orbit determination.

Working in league with various government tracking facilities around the
world, AMSAT engineers will attempt get a good fix on AO-13 on the first few
orbits.  During this period, commands will be issued to the satellite which
activate the magnetorquers during perigee passages.  These devices,
interacting with the geo-magnetic field, will change the orientation of the
satellite to the desired one and spin it up like a top to a relatively high
spin rate.  The spinning, perhaps as fast as 60 rpm, will add stability when
the kick motor is fired within about a week  or two of launch depending on
satisfactory orbital determinations, attitude maneuvers and system operating
conditions.

The next major task is to modify the GTO to a more usable one. The initial
orbit as provided by the Ariane will have a 222 km perigee; 36,000 km apogee;
10 degree inclination.  The desired final orbit has perigee at 1500 km; apogee
at about 36,000 km and inclination at 57 degrees.

The orbit modification will be accomplished using the on-board rocket engine
called a kick motor.  This small rocket produces a thrust of 400 Newtons or a
little under 100 pounds.  That's enough to keep a small car rolling against
frictional and aerodynamic forces on level ground.  But on the 140 kg
spacecraft, the result is much more noticeable.  In a series of not less than
two and likely not more than four episodes, the kick motor will be ignited to
modify the GTO.  The resultant acceleration imparted to AO-13 is an amazing
0.9 miles per second or about Mach 5.  AO-13 could, in a sense, out run an
SR-71 based on the acceleration yielded by the little MBB kick motor it
carries.

The first kick motor burn will be accomplished as soon as possible; within a
week of launch is likely. Plans call for a first burn yielding a delta V
(change in velocity) of 454 m/sec, giving an intermediate orbit of 856 km x
36086 km with inclination of 26 degrees.  Then, burn #2 would require a delta
V of 904 m/sec giving a final orbit of 1500 km x 36086 km inclined 57 degrees.

The first burn gives an opportunity to calibrate the motor performance by
analyzing the actual intermediate orbit. Quick and accurate ranging during
this period will be essential.  If the burn is a little short, another one
with the same orientation can be accomplished to make up the difference.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

7. Multinational Kourou Team Operating FY0EK On HF

The Launch Team currently in Kourou, French Guiana consists of six individuals
from three AMSAT organizations.  From AMSAT-DL are Hanspeter, DK1YQ (Leader);
Don DJ0HC/KE6MN; Hermann, DK8CI and Hans, DF4FE.  From Brazil AMSAT is Junior,
PY2BJO.  Dave, WD0HHU, currently represents AMSAT-NA.

The team has been operating HF on the Kourou station FY0EK and is interested
in making contacts with as many others as practical.  Their operating
schedule, subject to launch preparations, is:

   Target Area          UTC      Frequency
   -----------          ---      ---------
   Europe/S.Africa      17-20    21.280 or 14.282 MHz   (+/-QRM)
   USA/S.America        00-03    14.282 or  7.080 MHz
   South Pacific        08-11     7.080 or 14.282 MHz
   Asia/Japan           12-15    21.280 or 14.282 MHz
   Bavaria              17-20    21.280 or 14.282 MHz

They plan to provide general information about the satellite, operating
procedures and frequencies during these periods, as well as to try to make as
many contacts as possible for those stations interested in acquiring a QSL
card from the special operation French Guiana. With the multi-national team on
hand, they are capable of communicating in English, German, Spanish and
Portuguese, depending on which operator is at the station. If some times and
frequencies are inappropriate for a target area, particularly Asia/Japan, they
will adjust the schedule as necessary. Suggestions from OM in those areas will
be appreciated.

On launch day, during the hours around lift-off, they expect to be operating
FY0EK most likely on 21.280 MHz with the antenna directed towards Europe.
During the actual launch, they will relay the latest information from the
launch control center.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

8. Transpolar Skitrek Expedition Report #20: June 11, 1988

The thirteen members of the Transpolar Skitrek Expedition have spent the past
week in medical testing and debriefings after their 3 months on the arctic
ice. One unexpected outcome of the expedition may be a medical confirmation of
the recently discovered thinning of the ozone layer over the arctic. Increased
solar radiation at ultraviolet wavelengths may be responsible for the very
deep sunburns received by all skiers despite their use of sunblocking creams
that only let in some 4 percent of the sun's harmful rays.  This is the
speculation of Canadian skier/doctor Matthew Buxton who cautioned reporters to
remember that the thirteen never experienced night during most of the trek and
therefore received long sun exposure albeit at a low sun angle.

Fifty or sixty Amateur Radio operators were behind the communications effort
involved in the Transpolar Skitrek Expedition. We are indebted to a number of
these for their support and involvement in our Skitrek education program. In
Canada we are especially grateful to Tom Atkins, VE3CDM, CRRL President who
provided basic information appearing in the guide and additional support
throughout the expedition. John Henry, VE2VQ, a member of AMSAT's Board of
Directors, provided the SARSAT-OSCAR 11 connection. Garth Hamilton, VE3HO,
provided us directly with information from the trekkers following his stint at
Resolute Bay. At the University of Surrey's UoSAT Control Center, Michael
Meerman, G0/PA3BHF, programmed the Digitalker during the trek, put our
progress reports on the UO-11 weekly 1200 baud bulletins, and represented us
on his trip to the skiers at the North Pole. We are especially indebted to
Ralph Wallio, W0RPK, AMSAT's VP for Operations who taped and transcribed the
daily HF Nets from the far north and provided us with much of the information
appearing in the progress reports. Ralph's bulletin board was the access route
to information for many North American schools following the trek.

The Skitrek was followed by at least 100,000 students worldwide of all age
levels. From New Zealand 5 year olds to University students in Sri Lanka, the
trek was followed in a variety of modes and levels. All discovered satellites
through the Digitalker and expanded their understanding of the far North. The
questionnaires which are now being returned as well as letters from educators
show a tremendous enthusiasm for this project and a hunger for more links
between ham radio satellites and the classroom.

Looking back as an educator/ham over the last three months, it has been very
gratifying to see growing connections being made between the Amateur Radio and
education community. Educators are always looking for new and innovative
approaches to their craft, especially when hands-on experiences related to
concepts they teach are offered to students. AMSAT leadership believes that
there is much more we can offer to the education community. To that end an
international task force of education minded amateurs will shortly be formed
to devise a plan leading to a wide ranging set of space education
materials/activities to be used in future AMSAT classroom endeavors. If you
are interested in being a member of that task force or just having input to
it, please contact:

           Richard C. Ensign, N8IWJ
           AMSAT Science Education Advisor
           421 N. Military, Dearborn, MI 48124, U.S.A.

Finally, thanks to the hundreds of hams around the world who took their hobby
to the schools and shared this marvelous adventure with students. You can look
for more sharing opportunities in the near future as AMSAT uses its resources
to develop classroom space education materials. (By Rich Ensign, N8IWJ; AMSAT
Science Education Advisor)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

9. Soviets Launch Three Man Crew To Mir Space Station

The dusty desert haze of Soviet Central Asia was set ablaze last Tuesday when
an SL-4 booster blasted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome.  On top of the huge
liquid fueled rocket was the Soyuz TM-5 payload and within it, three
Cosmonauts: two Russians and a Bulgarian.  Leaving the 95-degree desert scorch
behind, mission commander Anatoly Solovyov, 40, and flight engineer Viktor
Savinykh, 48, both Soviets, and Bulgarian researcher Alexander Alexandrov, 36,
soon were headed to the Mir space station to rendezvous with Russian
colleagues there.

Solovyov and Alexandrov are both rookies while Savinykh is a veteran of two
previous missions. The launch occurred at 6:03 PM Moscow time (14:03 UTC) and
was carried live throughout the Eastern Bloc. Cable News Network showed the
final moments prior to launch as well as the liftoff itself.

The mission, code named "SHIPKA", docked with the orbital station Mir on
Thursday shortly before 8 PM Moscow time (16:00 UTC) while the station was
over the Soviet Union. The 10-day mission will be engaged in vision
experiments in zero-G, activation of a Bulgarian device to study the stars and
other distant objects, mixing of metals, and searching for natural resources
in Bulgaria.

The crew was greeted on board Mir by resident Cosmonauts Vladimir Titov and
Musa Manarov who have been aboard the station since December 23 and will
remain into 1989.

The normal voice and telemetry channels were in use for the Soyuz mission,
according to John Biro, K1KSY. The Soyuz was monitored on 121.750 MHz (FM)
and, of course, Mir continues to use 143.625 (FM). In addition, on 18.035 MHz,
John also monitored transmissions that had the appearance of AMTOR with a 130
Hz shift.  Max White, of the Royal Greenwich Observatory, observed the Soyuz
with it's final stage preceding it in the night sky over England.

The crew is expected to return to the steppes of Kazakstahn on the 17th of
June.  Soviet television will likely broadcast the recovery live.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

10. Indiana Balloon Launch Post Script

Last Saturday's balloon launch reached an altitude of 115,000 ft +/- 5000 ft
when it burst at 12:28 EDT. It continued to transmit all the way down and for
5 hours thereafter until it was located and recovered in the thickest part of
the Hoosier National Forest. The balloon was found after a very difficult
search hanging 60 ft up in a tree with the package some 20 ft off the ground.
If it had not still been transmitting it never would have been found. At
recovery, its 13.3 volt lithium batteries were still at full power reading
12.8 volts.  WB8ELK indicates that it will be launched again this summer with
camera on board. The AMSAT Nets will keep you posted as to this activity.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

11. Short Bursts

Frequencies of Phase 3C operation have been published in ASR 173 and the ASR
Special Edition #177.  The frequencies also appear in June QST, page 22.  The
operating bandplan and schedule will be announced after launch.

                                     ***

With the launch of Phase 3C just days away, it's time to include the new Phase
3C poster proudly in your shack.  This handsome full color poster is now
available from AMSAT HQ and at conventions where AMSAT booths are established.
Obtain your poster and help support the development and operation of
satellites like Phase 3C.  We need your support now.  Call or write AMSAT HQ
today.  301-589-6062 or P.O. Box 27, Washington, DC, 20044.

                                     ***

Here is the AO-10 operating schedule:

             From June  1 thru June 14       MA 25 through MA 225
             From June 15 thru June 30:      MA 30 through MA 230

Please use minimum power required for communications.

                                     ***

Here is the FO-12 operating schedule.

Mode  From (UTC)
----------------
DI  Jun 12  0654   D  = All systems off
JD      14  0505   DI = Systems off except CPU and memory
DI      15  0613   JA = Analog mode
JD      18  0533   JD = Digital mode
D       19  0439
JA      22  0156
D       23  0304
JA      25  0318
D       27  0131
JA      29  0143
D   Jun 30  0049
JA  Jul 02  0103
D       04  0116
JD*     07  1530
JD      07  1935
DI      08  0143
JD      09  0049
DI      09  2355
JA      13  1409
D   Jul 14  1315

*From 1530 to 1732 UTC, July 7, acquisition of telemetry will be every 2
seconds.  The mailbox will be disabled during this interval.

The transponders will be off at other times. The actual operating schedule may
change due to unexpected situations such as variations in available power.

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Date: 14 Jun 88 19:35:00 GMT
From: [e-mail]
Subject: AMSAT News 163

/* Written 12:12 pm  Jun 13, 1988 by [e-mail] in uiucdcsm:rec.ham-radio */
/* ---------- "AMSAT News 163" ---------- */
Posted: Sun  Jun 12, 1988   2:59 AM GMT              Msg: IGII-3579-7417
From:   VRIP
To:     IS
Subj:   NEWS.163

******************************************************************************
*                      AMSAT NA News Service Bulletins                       *
*                              NEWS163 11Jun88                               *
*  [ Copyright 1988 by AMSAT NA, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation.  ] *
*  [ Permission is granted for unlimited redistribution by electronic or   ] *
*  [ other means provided credit is given to AMSAT NA News Service (ANS).  ] *
*  [                    Edited for AMSAT NA by WA2LQQ.                     ] *
******************************************************************************
[...]
9. Soviets Launch Three Man Crew To Mir Space Station
[...]
Solovyov and Alexandrov are both rookies while Savinykh is a veteran of two
previous missions.
[...]
/* End of text from uiucdcsm:rec.ham-radio */

A factual correction here.  Vladimir Solovyov was on a highly
successful mission to Salyut 7, spending 237 days in orbit from
February 8- October 2, 1984.  While aboard, he performed a virtuoso
repair of a burst propellant line, a job that required a total of six
EVA's.  He is hardly a rookie.

Alexandrov is a first-timer, although he did train with a backup crew
last year.  Note that he is not the same Aleksandr Aleksandrov who
spent 150 days in space aboard Salyut 7 in 1983.

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