• [ANS] ANS-124 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

    From Mitch Ahrenstorff (AD0HJ) via ANS@21:1/5 to All on Sat May 3 20:06:41 2025
    XPost: rec.radio.info

    AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
    ANS-124

    In this edition:

    * AMSAT Prepares for Major Presence at 2025 Dayton Hamvention
    * Amazon Kicks Off Kuiper Network with Ambitious First Satellite Launch
    * Europe's Vega C Rocket Launches Satellite to Map Forest Health
    * GridMasterMap Satellite Top 100 Rovers May 2025 Rankings
    * Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for May 2, 2025
    * ARISS News
    * Upcoming Satellite Operations
    * AMSAT Ambassador Activities
    * Satellite Shorts From All Over

    The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and information se rvice of AMSAT, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS publishes news
    related to Amateur Radio in Space including reports on the activities of a
    worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an active interest in
    designing, building, launching and communicating through analog and digita
    l Amateur Radio satellites.

    The news feed on https://www.amsat.org publishes news of Amateur Radio in S pace as soon as our volunteers can post it.

    Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor [at] amsat .org<http://amsat.org>

    You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletin
    s via the ANS List; to join this list see: https://mailman.amsat.org/postor ius/lists/ans.amsat.org/

    ANS-124 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

    To: All RADIO AMATEURS
    From: Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation
    712 H Street NE, Suite 1653
    Washington, DC 20002

    DATE 2025 May 04

    ________________________________
    AMSAT Prepares for Major Presence at 2025 Dayton Hamvention

    AMSAT will return to the 2025 Dayton Hamvention with a strong lineup of eve nts, volunteer opportunities, and social gatherings. The event is set for M
    ay 16-18 at the Greene County Fairgrounds in Xenia, Ohio, where AMSAT will again serve as one of the larger exhibitors, occupying booths 1007-1010 and
    1107-1110 in Building 1. Alongside its booth activities, AMSAT will host a
    variety of forums and after-hours events designed to engage and inform ama teur radio enthusiasts.

    In preparation for Hamvention, AMSAT is actively seeking volunteers to help
    staff the booth. Around 20 volunteers assisted during last year's event, p roviding a crucial link between AMSAT and the broader amateur radio communi
    ty. Whether attendees can offer a few hours or the entire weekend, AMSAT we lcomes all who are interested. Those wishing to volunteer or request more i nformation can contact Phil Smith, W1EME, via email at w1eme [at] astrocom [dot] net.

    The AMSAT Forum is scheduled for Saturday, May 17, from 1:35 PM to 3:10 PM
    EDT in Forum Room 2. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early and catch the
    ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) Forum at 12:40 PM
    in the same room. The forum will provide updates on current projects and f uture plans within the AMSAT community. [https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/AMSAT-Dayton-Ha mvention-2024-1024x576.jpg]<https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uplo ads/2025/05/AMSAT-Dayton-Hamvention-2024.jpg>
    Keith Baker, KB1SF and Mark Johns, K╪JM field questions at the AMSAT's Be ginner's Corner at Hamvention. [Credit: Fairly Amused<https://www.youtube.c om/@fairlyamused> / YouTube<https://www.youtube.com>]

    The 16th annual TAPR/AMSAT Banquet will take place on Friday, May 16, at 6:
    30 PM EDT at the Kohler Presidential Banquet Center in Kettering, Ohio. Thi
    s year's keynote speaker will be Phil Karn, KA9Q, who will discuss developm ents in his "ka9q-radio" software suite. Tickets are $70 and must be purcha
    sed in advance through the AMSAT Store<https://www.amsat.org/product/2025-t apr-amsat-friday-night-banquet-registration/> by Monday, May 12, at 5:00 PM
    EDT. Seating is limited based on the number of meals reserved with the cat erer, and no tickets will be sold or distributed at the AMSAT booth.

    On Thursday, May 15, AMSAT will host its annual informal gathering at Ticke
    ts Pub & Eatery in Fairborn, OH, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. No program or res ervations are required-just food, drinks, and conversation. All are welcome
    to attend and enjoy a relaxed evening ahead of the Hamvention weekend. Tic kets offers a wide menu of Greek and American fare along with beverages fro
    m the bar.

    As the central player in amateur satellite operations, AMSAT's presence at Hamvention continues to reflect its leadership in advancing space-based ama teur radio. >From technical presentations to social events and volunteer en gagement, AMSAT offers multiple ways for newcomers and seasoned operators a like to get involved and connect with the broader ham radio community.

    [ANS thanks AMSAT<https://www.amsat.org/amsat-at-hamvention-2025/> for the above information]

    ________________________________
    Amazon Kicks Off Kuiper Network with Ambitious First Satellite Launch

    Amazon launched the first 27 satellites for its Kuiper broadband internet c onstellation on Monday, marking the start of its long-anticipated challenge
    to SpaceX's Starlink network. The satellites lifted off aboard a United La unch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket at 7 p.m. EDT (2300 UTC) from Cape Canav eral Space Force Station in Florida, after an initial launch attempt earlie
    r this month was delayed by weather.

    The launch is part of Amazon's $10 billion Project Kuiper, which aims to de ploy 3,236 satellites into low-Earth orbit to deliver global broadband serv ice. Unveiled in 2019, the initiative targets consumers, businesses, and go vernments, a customer base already served by Starlink's rapidly growing pre sence in the satellite internet market. The service is also being positione
    d as a vital solution for rural and underserved areas.

    Amazon's Kuiper program has experienced more than a year of delays, pushing
    the inaugural deployment well past its original target of early 2024. Unde
    r a Federal Communications Commission mandate, Amazon must launch half of i
    ts satellite constellation-1,618 satellites-by mid-2026. Analysts expect th
    e company may need to seek an extension due to its late start. [https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Amazon-Kuiper-I naugural-Satellite-Launch-1024x576.jpg]<https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp- content/uploads/2025/05/Amazon-Kuiper-Inaugural-Satellite-Launch.jpg>
    ULA's Atlas V readies to launch Amazon's first Kuiper satellites from Cape Canaveral. [Credit: ULA<https://www.ulalaunch.com/> / YouTube<https://www.y outube.com/>]

    All 27 satellites from Monday's launch are functioning normally, according
    to Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, who confirmed the status on social media nearly s even hours after liftoff. The confirmation marks a key milestone in the pro ject. Amazon expects to begin customer service later this year, assuming de ployment and testing continue on schedule.

    Amazon could launch up to five additional Kuiper missions in 2025, accordin
    g to ULA CEO Tory Bruno. The company has indicated that initial service cou
    ld begin with as few as 578 satellites, enabling limited coverage in northe
    rn and southern regions, with global service expanding as more satellites a
    re deployed. Amazon's experience in consumer products and cloud infrastruct
    ure is seen by executives as a potential advantage over competitors.

    SpaceX, which has launched over 8,000 Starlink satellites since 2019, curre ntly leads the market with more than 5 million users in 125 countries. Desp
    ite SpaceX's head start, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos remains optimistic about
    Kuiper's future. "There's insatiable demand for internet," Bezos said in J anuary. "There's room for lots of winners."

    Read the full article at: https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/am azon-launches-first-kuiper-internet-satellites-taking-starlink-2025-04-28/

    [ANS thanks the Joey Roulette, Reuters<https://www.reuters.com/>, for the a bove information]

    ________________________________
    The 2025 AMSAT President's Club Coins Have Just Arrived!
    Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Amateur Radio on Human Spaceflight [https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2025-PC-Coin-2- Sided-Color-Web-300x148.jpg]
    Help Support GOLF and Fox Plus. Join<https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/> the AMSAT Presi dent's Club today!
    ________________________________
    Europe's Vega C Rocket Launches Satellite to Map Forest Health

    The European Space Agency (ESA) successfully launched its Biomass satellite
    aboard a Vega C rocket on April 29, advancing both Earth science research
    and Europe's independent access to space. The launch took place at 5:15 a.m
    . Eastern Daylight Time (0915 UTC) from the Guiana Space Centre in French G uiana. The satellite separated from the rocket's Avum upper stage nearly an
    hour later, entering a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 666 kilomet ers.

    Built by Airbus Defence and Space, the 1,250-kilogram Biomass satellite is
    part of ESA's Earth Explorer program. Its central feature is a P-band synth etic aperture radar (SAR), designed to measure the amount of carbon stored
    in Earth's forests by penetrating the tree canopy and mapping forest biomas
    s. Simonetta Cheli, ESA's director of Earth observation programs, likened t
    he technology to "a medical scan of the forest" during a prelaunch briefing
    .

    Biomass is designed for a 5.5-year mission. The first 18 months will focus
    on tomographic radar mapping of forest interiors, followed by four years of
    interferometric observations to track changes in forest height and biomass
    . Beyond forests, the satellite will also observe glaciers and deserts, usi
    ng the radar's ability to penetrate ice and sand. ESA plans to collaborate
    with NASA, sharing data with the forthcoming NISAR satellite, which operate
    s a similar SAR system at higher frequencies. [https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ESA-Biomass-For est-Canopy-Penetrating-Satellite-1024x576.png]<https://www.amsat.org/wordpr ess/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ESA-Biomass-Forest-Canopy-Penetrating-Satell ite.png>
    ESA's Biomass satellite will map forest carbon with P-band radar from low E arth orbit. [Credit: ESA<https://www.esa.int/>/ATG MediaLab<https://www.atg -europe.com/>]

    The satellite's radar system required new advancements in radio-frequency e lectronics due to the use of lower-frequency P-band waves. Airbus official Justin Byrne noted that engineers had to develop custom amplifiers and supp orting electronics. The radar's 12-meter deployable antenna, built by L3Har ris, will begin unfolding a few days after launch in a process expected to
    take four days.

    This mission marks Vega C's second launch since returning to flight in Dece mber 2024, following a 2022 failure during the VV22 mission. ESA and Ariane space officials emphasized the extensive reviews and oversight applied to t
    he rocket to ensure reliability. "We are scrutinizing, very closely, all of
    the launcher for any anomalies or weak points," said Toni Tolker-Nielsen, ESA's director of space transportation, who added that this level of review
    will continue through five launches.

    With Vega C and the upcoming Ariane 6 both operational, European officials underscored the strategic significance of sovereign launch capability. Aria nespace CEO David CavaillolΦs highlighted the importance of ending relian
    ce on foreign providers like SpaceX. Arianespace has conducted two launches
    so far in 2025 and plans six more by year's end. Responsibility for Vega C
    operations will soon shift to Avio, the rocket's manufacturer, with the tr ansition described as proceeding smoothly.

    Read the full article at: https://spacenews.com/vega-launches-biomass-satel lite/

    [ANS thanks the Jeff Foust, SpaceNews<https://spacenews.com/>, for the abov
    e information]

    ________________________________
    GridMasterMap Satellite Top 100 Rovers May 2025 Rankings

    The May 2025 rankings for the Top 100 Rovers (Mixed LEO/MEO/GEO) in satelli
    te operations, as determined by @GridMasterMap<https://x.com/GridMasterMap>
    on Twitter, has been released. The ranking is determined by the number of grids and DXCC entities activated, taking into account only those grids whe
    re a minimum number of QSOs logged on the gridmaster.fr<https://gridmaster.
    website have been validated by a third party. Grid numbers do not dire
    ctly reflect the exact number of activations. Satellite operators are encou raged to upload their LoTW satellite contacts to https://gridmaster.fr<http s://gridmaster.fr/> in order to provide more accurate data.

    Updated: 2025-05-01
    1
    ND9M
    26
    KX9X
    51
    AC0RA
    76
    N4UFO
    2
    NJ7H
    27
    ON4AUC
    52
    W7WGC
    77
    PT2AP
    3
    JA9KRO
    28
    KG5CCI
    53
    N6DNM
    78
    AA8CH
    4
    UT1FG
    29
    N5BO
    54
    JL3RNZ
    79
    PT9BM
    5
    N5UC
    30
    K8BL
    55
    EA4NF
    80
    VE1VOX
    6
    DL6AP
    31
    KE4AL
    56
    SM3NRY
    81
    FG8OJ
    7
    OE3SEU
    32
    KB5FHK
    57
    DF2ET
    82
    YU0W
    8
    WI7P
    33
    F4BKV
    58
    XE1ET
    83
    KJ7NDY
    9
    DP0POL
    34
    VE3HLS
    59
    LU4JVE
    84
    N6UTC
    10
    K5ZM
    35
    PA3GAN
    60
    KI7QEK
    85
    AF5CC
    11
    F5VMJ
    36
    KI0KB
    61
    AA5PK
    86
    KI7UXT
    12
    N6UA
    37
    JO2ASQ
    62
    SP5XSD
    87
    PS8BR
    13
    LU5ILA
    38
    KI7UNJ
    63
    F4DXV
    88
    WA9JBQ
    14
    HA3FOK
    39
    LA9XGA
    64
    AD7DB
    89
    KB2YSI
    15
    N9IP
    40
    BA1PK
    65
    VE1CWJ
    90
    N4DCW
    16
    WY7AA
    41
    VA3VGR
    66
    KE9AJ
    91
    JM1CAX
    17
    W5PFG
    42
    N7AGF
    67
    BG7QIW
    92
    K0FFY
    18
    AK8CW
    43
    VK5DG
    68
    DL4EA
    93
    VE3GOP
    19
    DL2GRC
    44
    XE3DX
    69
    N8RO
    94
    N0TEL
    20
    AD0DX
    45
    KE0WPA
    70
    KM4LAO
    95
    KG4AKV
    21
    N4AKV
    46
    PR8KW
    71
    W8LR
    96
    W8MTB
    22
    AD0HJ
    47
    KE0PBR
    72
    VA7LM
    97
    CU2ZG
    23
    WD9EWK
    48
    K7TAB
    73
    M1DDD
    98
    VE7PTN
    24
    ND0C
    49
    JK2XXK
    74
    W1AW
    99
    DK9JC
    25
    DJ8MS
    50
    EB1AO
    75
    HB9GWJ
    100
    K6VHF

    [ANS thanks @GridMasterMap<https://x.com/GridMasterMap> for the above infor mation]

    ________________________________ [https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/AMSAT-SDR-Gen2- GNU-Radio-Based-Transverter.jpg]<https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content /uploads/2025/02/AMSAT-SDR-Gen2-GNU-Radio-Based-Transverter.jpg> ________________________________
    Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for May 2, 2025

    Two Line Elements or TLEs, often referred to as Keplerian elements or keps
    in the amateur community, are the inputs to the SGP4 standard mathematical model of spacecraft orbits used by most amateur tracking programs. Weekly u pdates are completely adequate for most amateur satellites. TLE bulletin fi
    les are updated daily in the first hour of the UTC day. New bulletin files
    will be posted immediately after reliable elements become available for new
    amateur satellites. More information may be found at https://www.amsat.org /keplerian-elements-resources/.

    NOTICE: In an effort to minimize confusion between sources of two line elem
    ent sets, AMSAT is adopting the convention of listing the USSF/NORAD Satell
    ite Catalog name first, followed by any secondary name or names in parenthe ses. For example, "POEM 4 (BGS ARPIT)" was added recently where "POEM 4" is
    the name that appears in the US Space Force Satellite Catalog, and "BGS AR PIT" is the name best known within the amateur satellite community. Expect
    name changes for affected satellites in the coming weeks as this change is fully implemented.

    This week there are no additions or deletions to the AMSAT TLE distribution
    .

    [ANS thanks AMSAT Orbital Elements<https://www.amsat.org/keplerian-elements -resources/> page for the above information]

    ________________________________
    ARISS NEWS

    Amateurs and others around the world may listen in on contacts between amat eurs operating in schools and allowing students to interact with astronauts
    and cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station. The downlink freque
    ncy on which to listen is 145.800 MHz worldwide.

    + Recently Completed

    Wireless Institute of Australia AGM and Technical Expo, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia, telebridge via K6DUE
    The ISS callsign was NA1SS
    The scheduled crewmember was Takaya Onishi KF5LKS
    The ARISS mentor was VK4KHZ
    Contact was successful: Sat 2025-05-03 11:12:24 UTC

    + Upcoming Contacts

    IISS Copernico Pasoli, Verona, Italy, telebridge via K6DUE
    The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS
    The scheduled crewmember is Jonathan (Jonny) Kim KJ5HKP
    The ARISS mentor is IZ2GOJ
    Contact is go for: Mon 2025-05-05 09:36:54 UTC

    Many times a school may make a last minute decision to do a Livestream or r
    un into a last minute glitch requiring a change of the URL but we at ARISS
    may not get the URL in time for publication. You can always check https://l ive.ariss.org/ to see if a school is Livestreaming.

    The crossband repeater continues to be active (145.990 MHz up {PL 67} & 437 .800 MHz down). If any crewmember is so inclined, all they have to do is pi
    ck up the microphone, raise the volume up, and talk on the crossband repeat
    er. So give a listen, you just never know.

    The packet system is also active (145.825 MHz up & down).

    A special ARISS-Russia SSTV event is on the ISS schedule beginning May 5 at
    12:00 UTC. This is a celebration commemorating a regional holiday.

    Monitor 145.800 MHz for potential activity during passes. This will impact
    the availability of APRS digipeater.

    As always, if there is an EVA, a docking, or an undocking; the ARISS radios
    are turned off as part of the safety protocol.

    Note, all times are approximate. It is recommended that you do your own orb ital prediction or start listening about 10 minutes before the listed time.

    The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ar iss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html

    The latest list of frequencies in use can be found at https://www.ariss.org /contact-the-iss.html

    [ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team mentors f
    or the above information]

    ________________________________
    Upcoming Satellite Operations

    None currently posted.

    A growing number of satellite rovers are currently engaged in sharing their
    grid square activations on https://hams.at. By visiting the website, you g
    ain easy access to comprehensive information about the operators responsibl
    e for activating specific grid squares. Additionally, you have the ability
    to assess the match score between yourself and a particular rover for a giv
    en pass, while also being able to identify the upcoming satellite passes th
    at are accessible from your location.

    [ANS thanks Ian Parsons, K5ZM<https://x.com/k5zm_>, AMSAT rover page manage
    r, for the above information]

    ________________________________
    AMSAT Ambassador Activities

    AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests,
    conventions, maker faires, and other events.

    AMSAT Ambassador Clint Bradford, K6LCS, says,

    "Think a 75-minute presentation on "working the easy satellites" would be a ppropriate for your club or event? Let me know by emailing me at k6lcsclint
    (at) gmail (dot) com or calling me at 909-999-SATS (7287)!"

    Clint has NEVER given the exact same show twice: EACH of the 150+ presentat ions so far has been customized/tailored to their audiences.

    Scheduled Events

    Dayton Hamvention - May 16th thru 18th, 2025
    Greene County Fair and Expo Center
    210 Fairground Road
    Xenia, OH 45385
    https://www.amsat.org/amsat-at-hamvention-2025/
    https://hamvention.org/

    Rochester Amateur Radio Association Hamfest 2025 - June 21, 2025
    Barnard Fire Department Park
    410 Maiden Lane
    Rochester, NY 14616
    KB2YSI
    https://rochesterham.org/hamfest.htm

    Interested in becoming an AMSAT Ambassador? AMSAT Ambassadors provide prese ntations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host in formation tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and
    other events.

    For more information go to: https://www.amsat.org/ambassador/<https://www.a msat.org/ambassador/>

    [ANS thanks Bo Lowrey, W4FCL, Director - AMSAT Ambassador Program, for the above information]

    ________________________________
    AMSAT Remove Before Flight Key Tags Now Available
    Yes, These are the Real Thing! [https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Keytag1D-300x15 5.jpg]<https://www.zazzle.com/amsat_car_flag-256716714380264543>
    Your $20 Donation Goes to Help Fly a Fox-Plus Satellite
    Includes First Class Postage (Sorry - U.S. Addresses Only)
    Order Today at https://www.amsat.org/product/amsat-remove-before-flight-key chain<https://www.amsat.org/product/amsat-remove-before-flight-keychain/> ________________________________
    Satellite Shorts From All Over

    + Juan Carlos, CO8TW, reports that a WhatsApp channel titled Satellites for
    Hams...!!! now has 338 active subscribers. The channel shares regular upda
    tes and information of interest to amateur radio satellite operators, inclu ding how to become a member of AMSAT. It can be accessed directly at: https ://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaIMu2D4IBhG7yR2Tb2d. To join, download the fre
    e WhatsApp app from your device's app store-App Store for iPhone<https://ap ps.apple.com/us/app/whatsapp-messenger/id310633997> or Google Play Store fo
    r Android-or access it from your computer at https://web.whatsapp.com. What sApp, owned by Meta, is a global messaging platform that supports text, voi
    ce, video, and multimedia sharing. It remains a popular tool among hams for
    coordinating and exchanging satellite-related information in real time. (A
    NS thanks Juan Carlos, CO8TW<https://x.com/JC_CO8TW>, for the above informa tion)

    + Firefly Aerospace's Alpha rocket suffered a launch failure early Tuesday after lifting off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Roughly t wo-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 u pper stage ignited. Though the upper stage's Lightning engine fired for mor
    e than six minutes, damage to its nozzle significantly reduced thrust, prev enting the rocket from reaching orbital velocity. The mission, which was ca rrying 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 launc
    h market. (ANS thanks Ars Technica<https://arstechnica.com/> for the above information)

    + NOAA has announced that satellites NOAA 15, 18, and 19 will be reclassifi
    ed as end-of-life effective June 16, 2025. These polar-orbiting weather sat ellites are widely used by amateur radio enthusiasts and RTL-SDR hobbyists
    to receive APT and HRPT imagery. The news was first reported by Carl Reinem
    ann on the USradioguy.com<https://usradioguy.com/> blog, where he clarified
    that despite the end-of-life designation, transmissions will continue. NOA
    A has confirmed that signals will still be broadcast on a "data of opportun ity" basis, meaning they are no longer intended for operational or safety-c ritical use but remain suitable for hobbyist reception. NOAA also stated th
    at no ground intervention will be provided for future sensor or hardware fa ilures. Should any critical malfunctions occur, the satellites may be decom missioned, as was nearly the case with NOAA 15's scan motor, which previous
    ly failed and later resumed function under unclear circumstances. (ANS than
    ks RTL-SDR.com<https://www.rtl-sdr.com/> and USRadioguy.com<https://usradio guy.com/> for the above information)

    + A Soviet spacecraft originally intended for Venus, Cosmos 482, is expecte
    d 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 mi ssion 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 E arth reentry due to its heavy thermal shielding. Satellite tracker Marco La ngbroek has modeled its descent and predicts it could hit the ground or oce
    an at speeds exceeding 145 miles per hour. Although the risk to people or i nfrastructure is low, the lander's size and mass make its reentry comparabl
    e to a small meteorite impact. Its fiery return is a rare and fascinating r eminder of Cold War-era space exploration still orbiting above us. (ANS tha
    nks Space.com<https://www.space.com/> for the above information)

    ________________________________

    Join AMSAT today at https://launch.amsat.org/

    In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to:

    * Societies (a recognized group, clubs or organization).
    * Primary and secondary school students are eligible for membership at one- half the standard yearly rate.
    * Post-secondary school students enrolled in at least half-time status shal
    l be eligible for the student rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years
    in this status.
    * Memberships are available for annual and lifetime terms.

    Contact info [at] amsat.org<https://www.amsat.org> for additional membershi
    p information.

    73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space!

    This week's ANS Editor, Mitch Ahrenstorff, AD╪HJ
    mahrenstorff [at] amsat.org<https://www.amsat.org>



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