AO-40 is now at approximately ALON/ALAT = 45/24.
As we have reached our desired ALON/ALAT and the sun is in prime position for the move, we have stopped magnetorquing and will begin drifting immediately. The passbands have been turned off and will remain off for approximately 4 weeks. The middle beacon will remain on.
Drift rate is approximately 16 deg/week. We should be in a position to begin lowering ALAT and restarting the passbands during the 4th week in December.
The command team will make every effort to have FEC telemetry active, but this may not be possible on every orbit.
Thank you for your patience.
– –W4SM for the AO-40 Command Team.
Klla: amsat