• [ANS] ANS-200 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

    From Mitch Ahrenstorff (AD0HJ) via ANS@3:633/10 to All on Sat Jul 18 20:05:31 2026
    AMSAT News Service
    ANS-200
    July 19, 2026

    In this edition:

    * Voting Now Underway in 2026 AMSAT Board of Directors Election
    * U.S. Space Force Satellite Catalog Reaches Six-Digit Numbers
    * NASA's New Horizons Spacecraft Awakens from Record Hibernation
    * Scientists Building Massive Deep Synoptic Array in Nevada Desert
    * Updated VUCC & DXCC Satellite Standings for July 2026
    * Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for July 17, 2026
    * ARISS News
    * AMSAT Ambassador Activities
    * Satellite Shorts from All Over

    The AMSAT? News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and information
    service of AMSAT, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS publishes n
    ews related to Amateur Radio in Space including reports on the activities o
    f a worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an active interest
    in designing, building, launching and communicating through analog and dig ital 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/

    ________________________________
    Voting Now Underway in 2026 AMSAT Board of Directors Election

    The nomination period for the 2026 AMSAT Board of Directors Election conclu
    ded on June 15, 2026. The following candidates were nominated, and their of ficial candidate statements are available on the AMSAT 2026 Board of Direct
    ors Election website.

    * Rich Gopstein, KD2CQ
    * Mark Hammond, N8MH
    * Bruce Paige, KK5DO
    * Paul Stoetzer, N8HM
    * Douglas Tabor, N6UA

    Three seats on the AMSAT Board of Directors are being filled in this year's
    election. The three candidates receiving the highest number of votes will
    be elected to the Board. The candidates receiving the next highest vote tot
    als will be named First Alternate and Second Alternate, respectively. Votin
    g opened on July 15, 2026, and will conclude on September 15, 2026. Electio
    n results will be announced no later than September 30, 2026.

    Current AMSAT members may review the official candidate statements and cast
    their ballots on the AMSAT 2026 Board of Directors Election website: https ://launch.amsat.org/2026-BoD-Election

    [ANS thanks Douglas Tabor, N6UA<https://x.com/dtabor>, AMSAT Secretary, for
    the above information]

    ________________________________
    U.S. Space Force Satellite Catalog Reaches Six-Digit Numbers

    The U.S. Space Force's authoritative satellite catalog entered a new era on
    July 11, 2026, when newly assigned catalog numbers advanced from the five- digit sequence ending at 69,999 directly to six-digit catalog number 100,00
    0. Space-Track announced the change and advised users to review its Alpha-5
    information and frequently asked questions to ensure that Two-Line Element
    (TLE) and Three-Line Element (3LE) parsers, along with API queries, remain
    compatible with the expanded numbering system. The milestone marks the beg inning of permanent six-digit catalog numbers for newly cataloged space obj ects.

    The milestone was reached with the cataloging of Saramago, also known as Lu s?ada 3, one of four Portuguese communications satellites developed by Lu soSpace. Named in honor of Nobel Prize-winning author Jos? Saramago, the satellite is part of the Lus?ada constellation, which uses Automatic Iden tification System (AIS) and VHF Data Exchange System (VDES) technology to i mprove maritime safety, vessel tracking, weather reporting, and ocean data services. The transition occurred one day earlier than CelesTrak had predic ted.

    Although the traditional TLE format has served the satellite community for decades, its fixed-field design was never intended to accommodate six-digit
    catalog numbers. Space-Track is maintaining compatibility through its Alph
    a-5 encoding system, while CelesTrak will distribute General Perturbations (GP) data for catalog numbers 100,000 and above using modern formats such a
    s JSON, XML, CSV, and Key-Value Notation (KVN). These newer formats also el iminate the long-standing two-digit year limitation inherited from the lega
    cy TLE format. [https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Lusiada_Constel lation_Satellites-1024x683.jpg]<https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/ uploads/2026/07/Lusiada_Constellation_Satellites.jpg>
    Saramago, part of Portugal's Lus?ada constellation, received the first si x-digit U.S. Space Force satellite catalog number. [Credit: LusoSpace<https ://lusospace.com/>]

    CelesTrak began supporting the modern GP formats in May 2020, giving softwa
    re developers several years to prepare for the eventual transition. AMSAT l ikewise anticipated the change by introducing GP data distribution through
    its Orbital Elements service. Joe Fitzgerald, KM1P, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager, announced that AMSAT would provide orbital elements in JSON, XML,
    and KVN formats while continuing to publish traditional TLE bulletins indef initely for satellites cataloged before the six-digit transition.

    For most amateur satellite operators, the change will be largely transparen
    t when tracking existing satellites. However, software that assumes all cat alog numbers contain no more than five numeric digits may require updates b efore it can process newly cataloged spacecraft. Developers and operators o
    f satellite tracking applications, automated ground stations, and custom sc ripts are encouraged to verify compatibility with Alpha-5 encoded TLEs or o
    ne of the newer GP data formats.

    While the transition may appear to be a simple numbering change, it represe
    nts one of the most significant updates to satellite orbital data distribut
    ion in decades. As launch rates continue to increase and the number of trac
    ked satellites and debris objects grows, six-digit catalog numbers and mode
    rn orbital data formats will ensure the U.S. Space Force's authoritative sa tellite catalog continues to support both the amateur and professional spac
    e communities for years to come.

    ### For More Information

    AMSAT General Perturbations data:
    https://newark192.amsat.org/gpdata/current/

    CelesTrak General Perturbations data formats: https://celestrak.org/NORAD/documentation/gp-data-formats.php

    Space-Track Alpha-5 information and frequently asked questions: https://www.space-track.org/

    [ANS thanks Joe Fitzgerald, KM1P, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager, Dr. T.S. Kelso<https://x.com/TSKelso> of CelesTrak, and Space-Track<https://www.spac e-track.org/> for the above information]

    ________________________________
    NASA's New Horizons Spacecraft Awakens from Record Hibernation

    NASA's New Horizons spacecraft has awakened from its longest hibernation pe riod ever and resumed active operations as it continues its pioneering expl oration of the Kuiper Belt beyond Pluto. Flight controllers confirmed on Ju
    ne 23 that the spacecraft had safely emerged from a 321-day hibernation tha
    t began on Aug. 7, 2025. Now approximately 5.9 billion miles (9.5 billion k ilometers) from Earth, New Horizons remains healthy and is preparing to ret
    urn stored science data collected during its dormant period. The spacecraft
    continues to operate far beyond Pluto as one of humanity's most distant ac tive planetary science missions.

    The successful wake-up demonstrates the remarkable reliability of autonomou
    s spacecraft operations across the vast distances of the outer solar system
    . Commands directing the spacecraft to awaken were uploaded nearly a year e arlier before New Horizons entered hibernation. Because radio signals now r equire approximately 8 hours and 52 minutes to travel one way between Earth
    and the spacecraft, confirmation of the wake-up reached mission controller
    s through NASA's Deep Space Network station near Madrid, Spain, nearly nine
    hours after it was transmitted. Such long communication delays require the
    spacecraft to perform routine operations independently while awaiting inst ructions from Earth.

    Mission teams periodically place New Horizons into hibernation during exten
    ded cruise phases to conserve onboard resources and reduce operational dema
    nds while continuing valuable scientific observations. During hibernation, operators do not send routine commands or retrieve stored data, but the spa cecraft continues collecting measurements using several science instruments
    . Throughout the 321-day hibernation period, New Horizons transmitted a wee
    kly health-status beacon indicating that all systems were functioning norma lly. According to Mission Operations Manager Alice Bowman, every weekly sta
    tus report received during the hibernation period was "green," confirming t
    he spacecraft remained in excellent health. [https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/New_Horizons_Re cord_Hibernation-1024x576.jpg]
    NASA's New Horizons spacecraft resumed active operations after a record 321 -day hibernation. [Credit: NASA<https://www.nasa.gov/>/Johns Hopkins APL<ht tps://www.jhuapl.edu/>/SwRI<https://www.swri.org/>]

    With the spacecraft once again fully operational, engineers will first revi
    ew spacecraft health and safety data before beginning the download of scien tific observations collected during hibernation. The Alice ultraviolet spec trograph will soon begin new observations of hydrogen gas in the outer heli osphere, while the Solar Wind Around Pluto (SWAP) instrument, the Pluto Ene rgetic Particle Spectrometer Science Investigation (PEPSSI), and the Veneti
    a Burney Student Dust Counter continue monitoring the space environment in
    the distant reaches of the solar system. The mission team is also completin
    g upgrades to ground-system software that will simplify long-term spacecraf
    t operations.

    Engineers have also updated the spacecraft's onboard autonomy software to s upport operations even farther from the Sun. The improvements account for t
    he gradual decline in electrical power produced by New Horizons' radioisoto
    pe power system and the steadily increasing communications delay as the spa cecraft travels deeper into interstellar space. These enhancements will all
    ow the spacecraft to continue conducting scientific observations with minim
    al intervention from Earth while remaining responsive to changing mission c onditions.

    Launched in January 2006, New Horizons became the fastest spacecraft ever l aunched at the time and completed a gravity-assist flyby of Jupiter in 2007
    before making humanity's first close exploration of Pluto in July 2015. Th
    e spacecraft later performed the first flyby of a Kuiper Belt object, Arrok oth, on Jan. 1, 2019, and has continued studying the Kuiper Belt, the outer
    heliosphere, and the space environment beyond the planets. More than two d ecades after launch, New Horizons continues expanding our understanding of
    the outer solar system while demonstrating the remarkable capabilities of l ong-duration deep-space communications and autonomous spacecraft operations
    .

    For more information on NASA's New Horizons mission, visit: https://science .nasa.gov/mission/new-horizons/

    [ANS thanks NASA<https://x.com/NASA> for the above information]

    ________________________________
    Buying from Ham Radio Outlet?
    Add AMSAT's Getting Started With Amateur Satellites to your order. [https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/HRO_Engineering _AMSAT_Book_Hard_Copy_1200px_650px-1024x555.jpg]<https://www.hamradio.com/d etail.cfm?pid?-019238>
    Available for $29.95 from HRO (free shipping on most orders over $100) https://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid?-019238 ________________________________
    Scientists Building Massive Deep Synoptic Array in Nevada Desert

    A new radio telescope planned for Nevada could dramatically change how astr onomers observe the radio universe. The Deep Synoptic Array (DSA), a projec
    t led by the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), recently passed
    its final design review, clearing the way for construction of what research
    ers describe as the most sensitive radio telescope ever built.

    When completed, the array will consist of 1,650 radio dishes spread across
    an area approximately 12 by 10 miles (20 by 16 kilometers). The telescope i
    s designed to combine the sensitivity normally associated with giant single -dish observatories with the sharp imaging capabilities of large interferom eter arrays. Science operations are expected to begin near the end of the d ecade.

    Researchers say the DSA will survey the sky at a pace far beyond existing r adio observatories. Current radio telescopes have collectively identified a pproximately 20 million radio sources, but project scientists estimate the
    DSA could detect a similar number during its first day of operation. Over t
    he course of its initial survey, the telescope is expected to catalog nearl
    y one billion radio-emitting objects. [https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Deep_Synoptic_A rray_Fat_Daddios_Feed-768x1024.jpg]<https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-cont ent/uploads/2026/06/Deep_Synoptic_Array_Fat_Daddios_Feed.jpg>
    DSA engineer Jonas Flygare displays a feed assembly made from Fat Daddio's cake pans. [Credit: Francois Kapp/Caltech DSA Project<https://www.deepsynop tic.org/>]

    Among the telescope's most ambitious goals is the study of fast radio burst
    s, pulsars, black holes, and other transient phenomena. The system will con tinuously monitor large portions of the sky, allowing astronomers to rapidl
    y locate brief events that might otherwise be missed. The telescope is also
    expected to support follow-up observations of gravitational-wave detection
    s and could discover more than 20,000 previously unknown pulsars.

    A key feature of the project is a real-time processing system that develope
    rs describe as a "radio camera." Rather than recording massive quantities o
    f raw data for later analysis, the system will create science-ready radio i mages as observations are collected. This approach dramatically reduces sto rage requirements while allowing observations to be shared quickly with res earchers around the world.

    The Deep Synoptic Array also incorporates several unusual engineering solut ions aimed at reducing costs while maintaining performance. Among them is t
    he use of specially modified aluminum cake pans manufactured by the bakewar
    e company Fat Daddio's as components within the antenna feed system. Combin
    ed with room-temperature receivers, GPU-based processing, and a high-speed fiber-optic network, the innovations demonstrate how modern radio astronomy
    increasingly relies on advances in both computing and manufacturing to exp lore the universe.

    Read the full article at: https://www.caltech.edu/about/news/caltech-readie s-to-build-worlds-most-sensitive-radio-telescope

    [ANS thanks Whitney Clavin, Caltech<https://www.caltech.edu/>, for the abov
    e information]

    ________________________________
    Updated VUCC & DXCC Satellite Standings for July 2026
    VUCC Satellite Award/Endorsement Changes for June 01, 2026 to July 01, 2026
    .
    Callsign
    Previous VUCC Grids
    Updated VUCC Grids
    DF2ET
    1801
    1902
    DL2GRC
    1650
    1800
    F4BKV
    1300
    1502
    VU2LBW
    1000
    1111
    UW7LL
    754
    1009
    N0GVK
    871
    899
    LU3FCA
    684
    734
    A65BR
    701
    733
    JI5USJ
    526
    551
    SV8CKM
    285
    417
    K5WO
    350
    365
    N8HRZ
    343
    361
    WA8ZID
    230
    233
    KG5IPA
    135
    201
    WB5TX
    170
    175
    M0AQM
    New
    105
    N4ERZ
    New
    101

    Congratulations to M?AQM and N4ERZ on earning their VUCC Satellite Awards
    ! M?AQM is the first VUCC Satellite award holder from Maidenhead grid IO8
    3.

    DXCC Satellite Award/Endorsement Changes for June 01, 2026 to July 01, 2026
    .
    Callsign
    Previous DXCC Entities
    Updated DXCC Entities
    OE9DGV
    217
    221
    DL2GRC
    201
    203
    SP8NR
    177
    194
    I3BUI
    180
    189
    G4GIR
    176
    185
    HB9RYZ
    173
    175
    EA2AA
    172
    174
    F6AOJ
    153
    162
    LA6OP
    160
    162
    IK5CBE
    154
    160
    DL4ZAB
    139
    159
    LA7XK
    119
    132
    K8DP
    129
    131
    I4DOR
    113
    130
    I4MKN
    101
    130
    TF1A
    117
    119
    K8LG
    New
    116
    OH3DP
    101
    110
    SV8CKM
    100
    109
    HB9BIN
    104
    105
    YL2KF
    New
    100

    Congratulations to new DXCC Satellite award holders K8LG and YL2KF!

    [ANS thanks Jon Goering, N7AZ<https://x.com/N7AZhikesAZ>, for the above inf ormation]

    ________________________________
    The 2026 Coins Are Here! Help Support GOLF-TEE and Fox-Plus.
    Annual memberships start at only $120.

    [Presidents' Club 2026 Coin]<https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-president s-club/>

    Join the AMSAT President's Club today and help Keep Amateur Radio in Space! https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/ ________________________________
    Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for July 17, 2026

    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/<https://www.amsat.org/keplerian-elements-res ources/>.

    + This week there are no additions or deletions to the AMSAT TLE distributi
    on.

    General Perturbations Data Support

    AMSAT is pleased to announce that modern forms of what are called General P erturbations data are being disseminated via modern formats including JSON,
    XML and KVN at https://newark192.amsat.org/gpdata/current/. The reason thi
    s change is being made is that we are running out of 5-digit catalog number
    s and the TLE format is not viable for satellites launched after July of th
    is year. See https://celestrak.org/NORAD/documentation/gp-data-formats.php
    for details.

    These data are presently considered in beta test for the next two months wh
    ile hosted on the test server newark192.amsat.org<https://newark192.amsat.o rg/>, and we are very open to community feedback at webmaster [at] amsat.or g<http://amsat.org>. Testers may experience outages and errors while we mak
    e improvements. We intend to put this into production on our main web serve
    r in July as we expect that satellites launched after this summer will requ
    ire one of the new formats to accommodate longer object numbers. AMSAT will
    continue to publish TLE bulletins for satellites launched before July 2026
    indefinitely.

    [ANS thanks Joe Fitzgerald, KM1P, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager, for the a bove 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.

    Scheduled Contacts

    + Recently Completed

    Pacific State University, Khabarovsk, Russia, direct via TBD
    The ISS callsign was RS?ISS
    The crewmember was Pyotr Dubrov
    The ARISS mentor was RV3DR
    Contact was successful: Fri 2026-07-17 09:15 UTC
    Congratulations to the Pacific State University students, Pyotr, and ARISS mentor RV3DR!

    + Upcoming Contacts

    Planetario de Orizaba, Orizaba, Veracruz, Mexico, telebridge via ON4ISS
    The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS
    The scheduled crewmember is Sophie Adenot KJ5LTN
    The ARISS mentor is VE3TBD
    Contact is go for: Thu 2026-07-23 17:07:12 UTC

    POIC at Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL, telebridge via ON4ISS
    The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be TBD
    The scheduled crewmember is Williams KJ5GEW
    The ARISS mentor is KI5SDP
    Contact is go for: Fri 2026-07-24 17:56:30 UTC

    Many times, a school makes a last-minute decision to do a Livestream or run
    s 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.

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

    The crossband repeater remains configured in the Columbus Module (145.990 M
    Hz up {PL 67} & 437.800 MHz down). If a crewmember decides to pick up the m icrophone and turn up the volume, you may hear them on the air-so keep list ening, as you never know when activity might occur.

    Kenwood D710GA in the Zvezda Service Module - Call sign RS0ISS. Please note
    we're still in the process of troubleshooting and testing this radio. APRS
    is currently active on 437.825 MHz. Feel free to check out status reports
    at https://ariss-usa.org/ARISS_APRS/.

    HamTV in the Columbus Module (2395.00 MHz) is currently transmitting a test
    signal. The color bar test generator portion of the system is experiencing
    technical issues, and troubleshooting is underway. For more information, v isit the ARISS Ham TV Live site at https://live.ariss.org/hamtv/.

    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]

    ________________________________
    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

    44th AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual Membership Meeting - October 8 thru 1
    1, 2026
    Crowne Plaza JAX Airport
    14670 Duval Road
    Jacksonville, FL 32218
    https://www.amsat.org/2026-amsat-symposium/

    For more information go to: https://www.amsat.org/ambassador/

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

    ________________________________
    [SDR Gen 2 Ad - 2026]
    ________________________________
    Satellite Shorts from All Over

    + Bird Chaser Bingo Summer 2026 has added two more operators to its list of
    Full Eclipse achievers, with Nestor, N6CKC, of Phoenix, Arizona, and Endaf
    , N6UTC, of Long Beach, California, completing every square on the challeng
    e card. A Full Eclipse is awarded to participants who complete the entire B
    ird Chaser Bingo operating card, the event's most demanding achievement. Bi
    rd Chaser Bingo encourages amateur radio satellite operators to complete a variety of operating objectives involving contacts, grids, satellites, and special operating situations throughout the summer. Operators may also earn
    recognition by completing traditional bingo patterns while working toward
    a Full Eclipse. The event continues through August 31, 2026, with completed
    cards due by September 15, 2026. Additional information and downloadable b ingo cards are available at https://borgersons.com/. (ANS thanks Sean Borge rson, KK7OVF<https://x.com/BorgersonS>, for the above information)

    + A new satellite tracking application for iPhone and iPad, AllMySat<https: //allmysat.com/en>, is now available for amateur radio operators and satell
    ite enthusiasts. The app combines live satellite tracking with pass predict ions, antenna alignment tools, and customizable alerts to assist operators
    in the field. It includes a 3D globe, a 2D map, and augmented reality viewi
    ng modes, along with a catalog of more than 34,000 satellites, rocket bodie
    s, and debris objects. According to the developer, orbital data is updated every six hours using recognized space data sources, and additional feature
    s include Doppler correction, satellite frequency information, and launch t racking. A free version is available, with an optional premium subscription
    offering expanded capabilities such as extended prediction windows and dat
    a export. Additional information is available at https://allmysat.com and t
    he application can be downloaded from Apple's App Store. (ANS thanks AllMyS at<https://allmysat.com/> for the above information)

    + NASA astronaut Anil Menon and Roscosmos cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina launched aboard the Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodr
    ome in Kazakhstan on July 14. The Soyuz rocket lifted off at 1447 UTC and s uccessfully placed the crew into orbit for a fast rendezvous with the Inter national Space Station. The spacecraft docked with the ISS after a two-orbi
    t flight, where the trio joined the station's Expedition crew. Menon is mak
    ing his first spaceflight, while Dubrov and Kikina are each beginning their
    second missions to the orbiting laboratory. The crew is expected to spend approximately eight months aboard the ISS conducting scientific research an
    d supporting station operations. Menon's research will include experiments
    in semiconductor crystal growth and AI-assisted medical ultrasound techniqu
    es that could benefit future long-duration space missions. (ANS thanks Spac e.com<https://www.space.com/> for the above information)

    + The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has authorized Reflect O rbital to launch its experimental E?rendil-1 satellite, which will test t
    he use of a large reflective film to redirect sunlight onto selected areas
    of Earth during nighttime. Operating from a planned 625-kilometer low Earth
    orbit, the technology demonstration will evaluate whether an 18-meter refl ector can briefly illuminate areas several kilometers across. Reflect Orbit
    al says the concept could eventually support emergency response, remote con struction projects, and nighttime solar energy applications. The proposal h
    as drawn criticism from astronomy organizations and dark-sky advocates, who
    warn that reflected sunlight could increase light pollution, interfere wit
    h astronomical observations, and affect wildlife. The FCC noted that the au thorization applies only to a single experimental satellite and that any fu ture constellation would require additional regulatory approval. If success ful, the mission could open the door to a new class of space-based illumina tion systems while renewing debate over their impact on the night sky. (ANS
    thanks WIRED<https://www.wired.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).
    * Students enrolled in at least half-time status are eligible for free membership to age 25.
    * Memberships are available for annual and lifetime terms.

    Contact info [at] amsat.org<http://amsat.org> for additional membership inf ormation.

    73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space!

    This week's ANS Editor,

    Mitch Ahrenstorff, AD?HJ
    mahrenstorff [at] amsat.org<http://amsat.org>

    ANS is a service of AMSAT, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, 712 H S treet NE, Suite 1653, Washington, DC 20002
    AMSAT is a registered trademark of the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation.

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