SB ALL @ AMSAT $ANS-107.01 First Phase 3C Team Returns HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 107.01 FROM AMSAT HEADQUARTERS WASHINGTON, DC April 16, 1988 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT The first AMSAT NA launch team returned to its home base in the U.S. last week while the second team began spacecraft fueling operations. Even while this was going on, the countdown clock was edging towards a launch of AMSAT's Phase 3C satellite in about 6 weeks. Depending on what happens with preparations with the V-23 launch now scheduled for May 11, AMSAT's payload on V-22 could be launched on or about June 1. The new flight designations have the flight sequence out of order, that is, V-22 follows V-23. Returning from Kourou Tuesday, April 12, AMSAT NA Team Leader Jan King, W3GEY, said everything was going well in preparing the spacecraft for launch. All the transponders have been tested and their frequencies have been calibrated. (The new frequency list was released recently and will be included in the weekly news periodically. It appears in ASR #173 as well.) In addition, the thermal coatings have been applied and the solar cells cleaned and prepared. King's assessment was that progress achieved to date placed the project close to planned schedule. The arrival of the AMSAT NA second team in Kourou April 9 marked the beginning of the critical spacecraft fueling operation. This was due to be completed the weekend of April 16-17. When fueling is complete and the spacecraft is completely prepared, a third team will deploy to Kourou. The task of the third team is to participate in integrating the spacecraft into the launcher itself. Then, when this is done, they will monitor the spacecraft condition via the telemetry links to assure all systems are functioning normally right up through launch time. The launch will be covered live on an AMSAT Launch Information Network Service (ALINS). The network will provide worldwide radio coverage of the launch from numerous transmitters in the U.S., UK, South Africa and elsewhere. Live feeds for repeater operators are available if the operator pays for the cost of the telephone link to the conference bridge. Contact W0RPK for details. With the launch countdown finally closing in on day-zero, expectations are high in AMSAT circles and in the Amateur Radio community at large that they are about to witness the birth of the most powerful OSCAR to date. Many have already prepared their Mode JL stations for the new satellite. Mode JL is expected to dominate operating times since its performance will far exceed any other mode ever fielded. And as always, AMSAT membership helps support the program. Sign-up or renew soon. P.O. Box 27, Washington DC 20044. /EX SB ALL @ AMSAT $ANS-107.02 "World Series" Space Meeting HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 107.02 FROM AMSAT HEADQUARTERS WASHINGTON, DC April 16, 1988 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT The U.S. Space Foundation held its Fourth National Space Symposium in Colorado Springs from April 12 - 15 under the theme "A Call To Action, Space Challenge 88, Summit Meeting on Space". And a summit meeting it was with senior government policy makers, leading industrial, military and science figures on hand. It had been billed as the "World Series of Space Symposia" and judging by the attendees, it probably lived up to its billing. AMSAT played a minor role in the symposium overall but established both a presence and visibility that will be vital in dealing with policy making bodies in the future. Featured speakers included NASA Administrator Dr. James C. Fletcher as well as former Administrator Dr. James M. Beggs. Dr. James Odom, NASA Associate Administrator for the Space Station was on hand as was a group of former astronauts including "Buzz" Aldrin (second man on the moon), Gene Cernan, Jim "Ox" Van Hoften and Deke Slayton. All participated in the symposium. High ranking civilian and military officers presented their views on the current challenges to the U.S. space effort. "East-West Launch Competition" was the title of one session featuring a panel comprised of the Presidents of Arianespace, Martin Marietta Commercial Titan, McDonnell-Douglas Astronautics, Space Services Inc. as well as a representative of Glavcosmos, the Soviet launch authority. Representatives of NASDA and CNES, the national space agencies of Japan and France, respectively, also gave interesting talks. Japan will probably become a seller of launch capacity in a few years attendees were told. In another session, Aviation Week and Space Technology Editor in Chief Donald E. Fink blasted the Reagan administration for its sluggish response in the area of national space policy. He said the recently articulated national policy statement was in effect "too little, too late." A Space Law and Policy Forum featured the world's leading authorities on the subject. Mr. Gregg R. Fawkes, Director of Commercial Space Programs at the U.S. Department of Commerce, addressed the issue of export controls, a subject of vital interest to AMSAT in light of recent preliminary agreements that the Soviets will launch an AMSAT/SatelLife PACSAT from the Mir Space Station. The PACSAT may require an export license. Presently, satellites are categorized as munitions and are controlled tightly insofar as export is concerned. The U.S. Space Foundation is vitally interested in space education and has several pilot projects under way. AMSAT is looking into ways it might combine its Space Education activities with those of the U.S. Space Foundation. Among its other missions, the Foundation seeks to instill an awareness in the public of the importance of a strong national commitment to space and to have that support reflected in Congressional budgets. The Foundation has commissioned a series of superb TV spot ads which drive home the benefits of space technology in terms of its spinoffs for everyday life. These spots were produced by Academy Award winning producer Doug Morrow. Once you've seen one you'll never forget it. They feature various "odd couples" such as Barry Goldwater and Jesse Jackson; Tip O'Neil and William F. Buckley; Willie Shoemaker and Kareem Abdul Jabaar; and more. The message? Despite sharp differences in some domains, each asserts space technology spinoffs are important and relevant to all of us. AMSAT encourages TV viewers to ask their local stations to run these absolutely first rate spots sponsored by the Ad Council frequently and in favorable time slots. In this way AMSAT members can help build a stronger national space commitment through better public awareness. And a stronger national space commitment is what is needed if AMSAT is to fulfill some of its most basic objectives. Do your part today. Call or write your TV station and encourage the airing of the U.S. Space Foundation spot ads. You'll love them when you see them and your nation will be the better for it. /EX SB ALL @ AMSAT $ANS-107.03 Short Bursts HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 107.03 FROM AMSAT HEADQUARTERS WASHINGTON, DC April 16, 1988 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT There are still conflicting reports on when the Soviet Shuttle will be launched. Latest educated guess: May Day. The Dayton Hamvention is drawing near. Field Operations VP Doug Loughmiller, KO5I, is organizing this year's event for AMSAT together with a strong team from Ohio and elsewhere. Extensive forums are planned. The new AMSAT Phase 3C poster will premier and new software will be running. Chairman Jan King, W3GEY, will be giving a last minute update on Phase 3C and may have some exciting videotape footage of the current activity in Kourou. See you there! AMSAT Phase 3C ads showing the Bill Hans painting are scheduled to debut in the June issue of several of the popular ham magazines including QST. Watch for them. /EX