AMSAT Withdraws GOLF-TEE CubeSat from NASA Educational Launch

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AMSAT Withdraws GOLF-TEE CubeSat from NASA Educational Launch

At AMSAT’s request, NASA has “de-manifested” the GOLF-TEE CubeSat from the ELaNa-46 mission. ELaNa is NASA’s Educational Launch of Satellites program. ELaNa-46 was expected to launch no earlier than 2022. AMSAT said COVID-related restrictions and supply chain disruptions affecting both AMSAT’s vendors and team have put AMSAT’s ability to meet the mission integration timeline at high risk. Puns aside, GOLF acronym stands for Greater Orbit, Larger Footprint, while “TEE” stands for Technology Exploration Environment.

AMSAT Vice-President Engineering Jerry Buxton, N0JY, said the situation facing AMSAT is similar to what other payloads and space-industry providers are experiencing. The worldwide pandemic and supply chain shortages are threatening everyone’s ability to properly and successfully deliver for launches.

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Svalbard QO-100 Satellite DXpedition

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The very first Svalbard QO-100 Satellite DX-Pedition will take place 22-24 April 2022 from Kapp Linné – Isfjord Radio at 78° North.

They will operate two QO-100 satellite stations under the callsigns JW0W and JW100QO, while JW0X will be used by another team for contacts on shortwave.

With QO-100 only 3° above the horizon, Kap Linné was the only suitable place in the area with Svalbard at the edge of the satellite footprint. Looking for a suitable location to stay and getting there, is one of the biggest challenges and cost drivers for the team.

More information - https://amsat-dl.org/en/svalbard-qo-100-satellite-dx-pedition/

CAMSAT XW-3 (CAS-9) is Designated Hope-OSCAR-113 (HO-113)

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CAMSAT XW-3 (CAS-9) is Designated Hope-OSCAR-113 (HO-113)

At the request of the Chinese Amateur Satellite Group (CAMSAT), AMSAT Vice President of Operations Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, has announced the designation of the new Chinese XW-3 (CAS-9) satellite as Hope-OSCAR-113 (HO-113).

Developed by CAMSAT, in cooperation with the Chinese government’s aerospace and education departments, XW-3 was launched on 26th December 2021 at 0311 UTC on a CZ-4C Y39 vehicle from China’s Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center.

CAMSAT completed the design and manufacture of the amateur radio payload and manages the satellite’s in-orbit operation. Alan Kung, BA1DU, of CAMSAT announced the successful launch, and reports of telemetry and contacts soon followed. XW-3 has a linear transponder and a camera that can take photos of Earth.

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