This is a summery from ANS-296 and the AMSAT-NA Symposium 2022
AMSAT Symposium Takes Place in Minnesota
The 40th Anniversary AMSAT Space Symposium & Annual General Meeting was held in Bloomington, Minnesota, Oct 21-23. Digital copies of the Proceedings of this Symposium can be purchased through the AMSAT Store online at www.amsat.org
The first session was held Friday afternoon, and began with a brief welcome from AMSAT President Robert Bankston, KE4AL.
The first presentation was “Building a Portable Sta;on for QO-100, the Geosta;onary Satellite Es’hail-2 Carrying Amateur Radio” by Stefan Wagener, VE4SW. While QO-100 is not accessible from North America, Stefan discussed his approach to a portable station that he has taken on European vacations.
Randy Berger, WA0D, ARISS Director of Engineering followed with “What’s New, ARISS on ISS and Mission to the Moon with Lunar Gateway?” His presentation focused on the Student on Orbit Sensor System (SoOSS) which will send telemetry from various sensors on the ISS in a format that can be easily received and decoded in schoolrooms on Earth.
Randy also reported on prospects for amateur radio aboard the Lunar Gateway, a space station in a complex orbit around the moon. Opportunities exist and conversations with NASA are ongoing a the Gateway design emerges.
“OTA Software Update for LEO Satellites,” a presentation by Heimir Thor Sverrisson, W1ANT, discussed advantages and challenges of being able to reprogram satellites after launch with over the air updates.
Nick Pugh, K5QXJ, presented with details on the CAPE IV 3U satellite currently in development with input from several universities. The primary mission will focus on educational projects aimed at high school and middle school classrooms.
The afternoon session concluded with “Export Control and Economic Sanctions Policy” by Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT President. The presentation centered on the newly adopted ITAR/EAR policy formally adopted by the AMSAT Board at their meeting earlier in the day. The goal is to return to international cooperation in the building and launching of satellites while complying with Federal law.
On Saturday morning, Nick Pugh, K5QXJ, updated the Symposium on “University of Louisiana at Lafaye[e Education Initiative” which encourages primary and middle school students to get involved in satellite technology through hands-on projects.
Paul Graveline, K1YUB, provided and update on the AMSAT CubeSat Simulator project. The presentation included a pre-recorded video by AMSAT VP, Educational Relations Alan Johnston, KU2Y, reviewing educational events that have taken place in the previous months.
A GOLF TEE update was presented by Kipton Moravec, AE5IB, who is an engineering volunteer coordinating the Electonic Power Subsystem (EPS) for the first satellite in the Greater Orbit, Larger Footprint (GOLF) series, known as the Technology Exploration Environment (TEE).
“The AMSAT Linear Transponder Module” was presented by Burns Fisher, WB1FJ. The LTM is a multi-use transponder board set designed for universities and other partners launching cubesats who have need for a communications component. Similar to the radio systems in Fox and GOLF, the partnership provides easy downlinks for universities and a transponder for amateurs.
In the afternoon on Saturday, Jonathan Brandenburg, KF5IDY, AMSAT Assistant VP, Engineering presented “Building a Helmholtz Cage for Dynamic Magnetic Field Generation and CubeSat Aitude Control Testing.” Magnetorquers built to stabilize cubesats require test beds. A Helmholtz Cage provides the testing environment simulating the Earth’s magnetic field, but is not trivial to build.
AMSAT Board member Zach Metzinger, N0ZGO, provided a report on the reaction wheel project that will be used for 3-axis orientation of the GOLF satellites. The entire reaction wheel assembly is being constructed specifically for the project by AMSAT volunteers.
As the final presentation, Jerry Buxton, AMSAT VP of Engineering, gave an AMSAT Engineering Update touching on Fox, Fox+, GOLF, and other projects.
[ANS thanks Mark Johns, K0JM, for the above information]
AMSAT Board Elects Officers
During their meeting prior to the AMSAT Symposium, on Thursday, Oct. 20, the AMSAT Board of Directors elected officers for the coming year. Those elected are:
Robert Bankston, KE4AL, President
Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, Executive Vice President
Jerry Buxton, N0JY, Vice President – Engineering
Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, Vice President – Operations
Alan Johnston, KU2Y, Vice President – Educational Relations
Vacant Position, Vice President – Member Services
Frank Karnauskas, N1UW, Vice President – Development
Steve Belter, N9IP, Treasurer
Jeff Davis, KE9V, Secretary
In other business, reports on current status of various functions were received from the officers. President Robert Bankston reported that AMSAT’s financial status is strong. Reduced overhead from the closing of the Washington, DC office has resulted in more funds to build & launch satellites. Also, AMSAT membership remains steady at more than 4000 members representing 75 countries.
Acting Secretary Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, reported that the online election of Board members ran smoothly and resulted in considerable cost savings from the mailed paper ballot system previously used.
Steve Belter, N9IP, AMSAT Treasurer, reported that funds on hand are sufficient to meet the needs of day-to-day operations and satellite design and building projects currently underway. He also reported that Form 990 has been filed with IRS and will be posted publicly. Outside review of the books was conducted and found complete & correct. The Board voted unanimously to accept the review from McDaniel & Associates.
Mark Hammond, N8MH, reported on behalf of the Operations team. He gave a rundown on the current status of various satellites now in orbit. Of particular note, FalconSat-3 is predicted to re-enter the atmosphere in the next few months, but may be made available on a limited basis until that time. Also, AO-16 is in a period of continuous sunlight, but has not yet responded to commands to switch on. The operations team will continue to try to reactivate the satellite. The operations team wishes to thank AMSAT-DL for providing telemetry from AO-109 via their 20-meter diameter dish antenna.
Vice President – Development, Frank Karnauskas, N1UW, reported that membership in the President’s Club remains steady. Grant requests have been made and are pending. Kidzsat and BuzzSat programs are starting up. For these programs, it is important to focus on being an educational and scientific organization. “Amateur radio isn’t our purpose, it’s our reward,” he noted.
Mark Johns, K0JM, Senior Editor of the AMSAT News Service bulletins, reported that there is an ongoing need for volunteer editors to assist with creating and distributing the weekly bulletins. A long-term goal is to transition from plain text to html format for the email editions, but the Board expressed concerns that the bulletins remain accessible across various radio platforms, as well as via the internet. Concerns were raised about reporting of information embargoed by launch providers. AMSAT is bound by launch agreements to honor these restrictions.
The AMSAT Journal has been successful in digital format, however content is needed. AMSAT members are encouraged to work with the Journal editors to develop ideas and projects into articles.
The IT team has worked diligently on maintaining various email lists and systems. The Discord channel has several hundred members currently. AMSAT is seeking a webmaster to revamp the website for easier navigation.
Contests & Awards Manager, Bruce Paige, KK5DO, reported that the Gridmaster Award has been the most sought after in the past year, but other awards are holding steady. Store receipts are similar to last year.
At the close of the morning session, the Board adjourned for lunch.
[ANS thanks Mark Johns, K0JM, for the above information]
Financial Policy is Focus of AMSAT Board
Policy decisions surrounding finances were the focus of the afternoon session of the AMSAT Board of Directors meeting in Bloomington, Minnesota on Thursday, Oct. 20. A A Policy Proposal for the handling of financial reserves was discussed, and a revised Financial Procedures Manual was discussed at length. Final copy will be approved at an upcoming meeting.
Technical discussion was focused on development of a flight platform that could speed up testing of critical components. The platform would allow rapid testing of individual systems that can keep volunteer engineers engaged and speed deployment of new satellites. The test platform could be launched into short duration, low orbit flights that would be sufficient to verify system operation for insertion into longer duration projects, such as GOLF. Basic components could be sourced at low cost from Consumer Off-The-Shelf (COTS) components, and the AMSAT-built experimental segments can be added as needed.
[ANS thanks Mark Johns, K0JM, for the above information]
AMSAT Board Adopts ITAR/EAR Policy
At an AMSAT Board of Directors held on Friday morning, Oct. 21, a detailed policy statement on compliance with U.S. technology export regulations. The purpose of the policy is to enable and encourage resumption of international cooperation in the building and launching of satellites while remaining within the bounds of Federal law.
International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) is “a United States regulatory regime to restrict and control the export of defense and military related technologies to safeguard U.S. national security and further U.S. foreign policy objectives,” according to the U.S. State Department.
The Export Administration Regulations (EAR) are a set of regulations administered by the U..S Commerce Department. The EAR regulates whether a person or organization may export something from the U.S. to another in a foreign country. The EAR apply to physical objects, as well as intellectual property such as technology and software.
“It’s beem more than a decade since AMSAT has collaborated with a non-U.S. organization to build and launch a satellite,” said AMSAT President Robert Bankston, KE4AL. “We need to learn how to get back to that while operating in this new legal environment.”
The new policy will give AMSAT engineering volunteers guidance on how to do their work in collaboration with international partner while remaining within the law. By clarifying the steps necessary for compliance, volunteers can be more confident about their activities.
[ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information]
Volunteer For AMSAT
AMSAT needs qualified volunteers for a number of positions!
If you want to be a part of the solution in making AMSAT operational and work toward designing, building and finding a launch, WE NEED YOU! No pay for 5+ hours per week, but a great deal of satisfaction in knowing you are helping make something happen. We need people with wide range of technical and non-technical skills.
Immediate Openings
- RF Engineer
- Mechanical Engineers
Satellite Development Technical Experience
- Thermal design
- Power systems design
- RF systems design
- Internal Housekeeping Unit (IHU) systems, command, and control hardware
- IHU software design and development
- Especially SDR and DSP
- PC board layout and construction
- Systems Engineering
- Test planning and system testing
- Mechanical design and construction
- Ground station software development
If you have hardware or software technical skills, and proven experience directly applicable to satellite design, please contact the AMSAT Vice President of Engineering (N0JY).
Due to the American International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be either a US Citizen or a permanent resident (ITAR Qualifications). This is not our reflection on foreign citizens, but is required by existing US law. Recent changes suggest that this restriction may soon be lifted or at least modified. If and when this happens, we will be delighted to be able to again work freely with our foreign colleagues.
AMSAT News and Communications
Communications through ANS and the AMSAT Journal are essential in keeping both with our members and the wider public informed. If your have good communications skills and are interested, please contact AMSAT Communications Volunteer Coordinator.
- Join the AMSAT News Service (ANS) team as a weekly editor on a rotating schedule reporting on amateur radio in space and related activities.
- Assistant Editor for the AMSAT Journal magazine working with authors, columnists and members developing and publishing print articles on amateur radio in space and related activities.
General AMSAT support
- Web design and maintenance
- Web site information maintenance
- Video recording, digital conversion and editing
- Write technical or instructional material
- Educational activities
Promoting AMSAT as an Ambassador
Any other area you think you think you can make a difference.
AMSAT is an organization of self starters. While we sometimes have tasks which we can assign, our most important contributions come from someone who sees a need, has the skills to solve the problem, and then goes ahead and does so. So pick an area that you think needs improvement and explain what you will do to make it better.
AMSAT has developed a survey which gives us a good general idea of someone’s interests and experience. You can download it at https://bit.ly/3shvGV6 and fill in the information on screen. Please follow the instructions, and send it, along with any additional information you feel relevant, to volunteer@amsat.org.
[ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information]