• [ANS] ANS-291 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

    From Mark Johns, K0JM via ANS@3:633/10 to All on Sat Oct 17 20:03:43 2026
    AMSAT News Service*ANS-291*
    *October 18, 2026*

    In this edition:

    * AMSAT 44th Annual Symposium Highlights
    * AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium 2026 Highlights
    * 65 Years of Amateur Radio Satellites
    * Student-Built CubeSats Launch to Test Open-Source Radio and
    Intersatellite Communications
    * AMSAT Director Appoints Three New Ambassadors to Volunteer Network
    * Meteor Scatter Communications on 6 Meters Using MSK144
    ** *AMSAT CubeSatSim Introduces Exciting New Features for 2026
    * Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for October 16, 2026
    * ARISS News
    * AMSAT Ambassador Activities
    * Satellite Shorts from All Over

    The AMSAT? News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and informat
    ion
    service 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 digital Amateur Radio satellites.

    The news feed on https://www.amsat.org publishes news of Amateur Radio in
    Space 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
    Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: https://mailman.amsat.org/postorius/lists/ans.amsat.org/ ------------------------------
    AMSAT 44th Annual Symposium Highlights


    *AMSAT 44th Annual Symposium [Credit: AMSAT]*

    *General Overview:*

    AMSAT held its *44th Annual Space Symposium* in Jacksonville, Florida. Presentations covered satellite operations, engineering, education, and
    future missions. Friday featured an education-focused session. Saturday included technical presentations and AMSAT?s Annual General Meeting
    .
    Speakers shared progress on current programs and also outlined ways to
    expand amateur radio in space.

    AMSAT President *Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA*, spoke at the Annual General
    Meeting. He discussed plans for satellite missions beyond low Earth
    orbit. AMSAT is forming a *High Orbit Committee* to create mission concepts
    and hardware proposals. They will build a portfolio of future mission
    ideas. These will be ready for rideshare or hosted-payload opportunities. Glasbrenner highlighted the need for partnerships between industry and academia.

    The event focused on bringing in students and new volunteers. AMSAT wants students to present their satellite work at future symposiums. They also
    noted that membership is free for students under 25.

    *CubeSat Simulator, GOLF, Fox-Plus Program Updates:*

    AMSAT?s CubeSat Simulator program was a key educational highlight d
    uring
    Friday?s sessions. This simulator lets students and amateur operato
    rs
    practice satellite communications using affordable, accessible hardware. AM
    SAT
    also partnered with the ARRL Teachers Institute to provide over 30
    simulator kits across three summer classes.

    Saturday?s engineering sessions focused on updates for the GOLF and
    Fox-Plus satellite programs. Jerry Buxton, N0JY, reviewed ongoing
    development for GOLF-T, while the Fox-Plus program moves closer to flight readiness. AMSAT officials are evaluating both government and commercial
    launch options to secure future flights. These satellite projects aim to advance space technology while expanding communication options for radio amateurs.

    *Linear Transponder Module Updates:*

    AMSAT also highlighted its Linear Transponder Module (LTM) program, which provides communications payloads to university satellite teams. The
    hardware features a 30 kHz linear transponder with a 2-meter uplink, a 70-centimeter downlink, and 1200-baud BPSK telemetry. Participating universities receive the radio package from AMSAT in exchange for hosting
    and operating the amateur transponder on their satellites. AMSAT plans to expand production of these modules to increase the total number of
    operational transponders in orbit.

    Recordings of the Friday education session and Saturday technical sessions, including the Annual General Meeting, are available through the AMSAT-NA YouTube channel for those unable to attend:

    Friday Session: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v?TIb-RBVYU

    Saturday Session: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v?49Dt9hRZE

    While AMSAT is still collecting papers an working to edit day-long videos, persons wanting to see presentation materials as they become available can
    find them at: https://www.amsat.org/2026-amsat-symposium-papers-and-presentations/ .

    *[ANS thanks AMSAT-NA for the above information.]* ------------------------------
    2026 AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium Highlights

    The *2026 AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium*, held on October 10?
    ??11,
    2026, at Kents Hill Park in Milton Keynes, focused on transitioning amateur radio into modern digital architectures and testing next-generation
    satellite payloads.

    The major presentation and event highlights included:

    -

    *Andre, M6GND*, gave a technical presentation on implementing *CCSDS
    235.1* session control standards for amateur satellite communications.
    This highlights a community effort to normalize robust, commercial-grade
    open-source digital radio designs in amateur space telemetry.
    -

    *Peter G�lzow, DB2OS* (President of AMSAT-DL), presented a comprehe
    nsive
    update on active operations, ongoing optimizations for the geostationary
    QO-100 payload, and upcoming collaborative deep-space or high-orbit
    projects.
    -

    The weekend featured technical deep dives into the RADIANT platform?
    ??s
    progress and operational status.
    -

    Mirroring global initiatives like the AMSAT North America Symposium, the
    event highlighted advancements in the *CubeSat Simulator* project. Key
    focuses included using pre-configured Raspberry Pi ground station images
    (such as Fox-in-a-Box) to capture live telemetry in classrooms at low co
    st.
    -

    The formal Annual General Meeting took place over the weekend, detailing
    financial health and strategic planning for the next generation of UK
    payloads.


    -

    Attendees gathered at the nearby Woughton House Hotel for the
    traditional Saturday evening Gala Dinner, serving as the main networking
    event for international space operators.

    Recordings of the Saturday and Sunday sessions, including the Annual
    General Meeting, are available through the AMSAT-UK YouTube channel for
    those unable to attend:
    Saturday session:
    https://youtube.com/live/WQy0CXqjp3M <https://youtube.com/live/WQy0CXqjp3M?fbclid?ZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAcGRvZgVicm lkETEzTUNHODdiRGhJaWdXS0Fnc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHmem5Xqsg v8A55HO-SvtyrF5n3MIGadWe3vJPWUP1CCyYfhLoIDLQAvqSOu4_aem_XpGLA65OMEtblM6JNzY

    Sunday session:
    https://youtube.com/live/CS6i-xeDm7o <https://youtube.com/live/CS6i-xeDm7o?fbclid?ZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAcGRvZgVicm lkETEzTUNHODdiRGhJaWdXS0Fnc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHmem5Xqsg v8A55HO-SvtyrF5n3MIGadWe3vJPWUP1CCyYfhLoIDLQAvqSOu4_aem_XpGLA65OMEtblM6JNzY


    *[ANS thanks AMSAT-UK <https://amsat-uk.org/> and AMSAT-SM for the above information.]*
    ------------------------------
    65 Years of Amateur Radio Satellites: From OSCAR I to Canada-OSCAR 128

    The history of amateur radio satellite tracking spans over six decades,
    marked by key technical milestones from early spaceflight to modern
    portable operations. Two distinct satellite receptions illustrate the
    profound changes in equipment and techniques available to operators.
    The Launch of OSCAR I (December 1961)*OSCAR 1 Communications Satellite
    [Credit: National Air and Space Museum]*

    In *December 1961*, a group of student amateur radio operators at Case
    Western Reserve University combined their efforts to listen to *OSCAR
    1* (Orbiting
    Satellites Carrying Amateur Radio), the first amateur radio satellite.

    Station operations were divided among team members to handle the manual
    demands of early satellite tracking:

    -

    One student managed orbital calculations.
    -

    One student controlled azimuth positioning.
    -

    One student controlled elevation tracking.
    -

    One student managed frequency control.

    The team successfully heard the distinctive *?HI HI?* Morse
    code identifier
    broadcast from American OSCAR I.
    Modern Portable Tracking of CO-128 (August 2026)*Antenna Setup to Monitor**Canada-OSCAR
    128 [Credit: AMSAT-Canada]*

    In August 2026, a portable setup on Prince Edward Island monitored *Canada-OSCAR
    128* (CO-128 / MARMOTSat) transmitting on 145.875 MHz.

    The portable field station utilized:

    -

    *Tracking:* A cell phone to track azimuth and elevation.
    -

    *Receiver:* A Yaesu VX-8GR portable radio set to receive amplitude
    modulation.
    -

    *Antenna:* An Arrow II 146/440-14 antenna with a 4-element VHF Yagi.

    The operator captured the call sign CQ DE VA7UVS in Morse code. The AM
    output produced more static than a tone during transmission. Nearby power
    lines initially caused a buzzing sound over the signal, but placing a
    finger on the antenna?s aluminum main boom eliminated the distortio
    n and
    made DE VA7UVS easier to hear.

    *[ANS thanks AMSAT-Canada, John DeDourek, VE9TFB (ex K8TFB), and Brent Petersen, VY2/VE9EX, W1IY, for the above information.]* ------------------------------
    Student-Built CubeSats Launch to Test Open-Source Radio and Intersatellite Communications
    *Launch of SpaceX Falcon 9 with Student CubeSat [Credit: NASA]*

    A SpaceX Falcon 9 launched two student-built CubeSats to the International Space Station on Oct. 13, 2026, as part of *NASA?s 35th* commercial
    resupply mission. NASA?s *CubeSat Launch Initiative (CSLI) *provide
    d the
    mission, led by Cal Poly Pomona, to demonstrate open-source space
    technology and support amateur radio operations.

    The two CubeSats belong to the open-source Pleiades Five / PROVES project:

    -

    *PROVES-Maia (Texas State University):* Assembled and tested by students
    at NASA?s Johnson Space Center, it will relay digital messages f
    or radio
    operators over UHF and S-band frequencies and evaluate intersatellite
    routing.
    -

    *PROVES-Taygeta (Cal Poly Pomona & Mt. San Antonio College):* Features
    an amateur radio payload, a camera that transmits downloadable orbital
    photos, and a student-monitored radiation sensor that accepts on-demand
    data requests.

    Both student missions test *intersatellite data routing via the open-source Dynamic Relay* for Intersatellite Fault Tolerance (DRIFT) protocol. This
    launch builds on three earlier student-built PROVES satellites (Alcyone,
    Atlas, and Electra) launched in April.

    *[ANS thanks NASA and CSLI for the above information.]* ------------------------------
    Give Your Next Rove a Payload ? Put Your Lunch into Orbit!
    *Pack the rover dogs and hit the grid line with an all-newAMSAT Round Logo Metal Lunchbox.**Keep Amateur Radio in Space ? and your lunch in th
    e box!* https://www.zazzle.com/amsat_round_logo_metal_lunchbox-256761530568368967 ------------------------------
    AMSAT Director Appoints Three New Ambassadors to Volunteer Network

    *Bo Lowry, W4FCL*, AMSAT Director of the Ambassador Program, is pleased to announce the addition of three new AMSAT Ambassadors:

    -

    *Sam Albus, KR4EJD* ? Jacksonville, FL
    -

    *Josh Tate, KF4EAG* ? Fuquay-Varina, NC
    -

    *Joseph DiVerdi, K0NMR* ? Fort Collins, CO

    *Frank Karnauskas, N1UW, AMSAT Ambassador and Vice President ?
    Development.RST HamFest 2024 [Credit: AMSAT]*

    AMSAT Ambassadors are *dedicated volunteers* who represent AMSAT at local
    ham fests, maker fairs, and club meetings. In their roles, Ambassadors
    agree to attend at least one local event per year and mentor area radio amateurs looking to get started with satellite operations.

    To support their outreach efforts, each Ambassador receives:

    -

    A custom AMSAT Ambassador callsign badge
    -

    A 3? x 5? AMSAT banner flag
    -

    An ?FAQ? presentation binder designed for interactive de
    monstrations

    The presentation binder includes visual aids explaining core concepts such
    as satellite types, orbital mechanics, tracking software, antenna configurations, Doppler shift compensation, and operating techniques. The binder?s front cover features a QR code that directs interested ope
    rators
    directly to beginner articles and getting-started resources.

    The Ambassador Program is open to current AMSAT members residing in the
    United States. U.S. members interested in joining the program can
    contact *volunteer@amsat.org
    <volunteer@amsat.org>*.

    *[ANS thanks Bo Lowry, W4FCL, AMSAT Director ? Ambassador Program,
    for the
    above information.]*
    ------------------------------
    Meteor Scatter Communications on 6 Meters Using MSK144

    Amateur radio operators looking to expand beyond traditional local or HF
    modes can use *meteor scatter propagation* to make contacts over distances
    from 400 to 2,000 kilometers. As Earth moves through space, millions of
    meteors enter the upper atmosphere at altitudes of 80 km to 120 km,
    creating short-lived ionized trails that reflect VHF radio signals. While activity in southern Africa has historically lagged compared to active
    regions in North America and Europe, techniques using modern digital modes
    make this propagation path highly accessible.
    How Meteor Scatter Works

    Because meteor trails persist for only milliseconds to a few seconds, traditional voice communication is generally impractical outside of major annual meteor showers (such as the Perseids or Geminids). Instead,
    operators use specialized digital protocols:

    -

    *Mode:* *MSK144* (Minimum Shift Keying at 144 baud), designed
    specifically for efficient meteor scatter communications within software
    like *WSJT-X*.
    -

    *Transmission Cycles:* Stations exchange short data bursts using
    synchronized 15-second transmit/receive intervals.
    -

    *Frequency:* The primary calling frequency on the 6-meter band is *50.26
    0
    MHz*.
    -

    *Interference-Free Operation:* Because meteors enter the atmosphere at
    random angles across a shared sky area, multiple stations can operate on
    the same frequency simultaneously without interfering with one another.

    *Perseids Meteor Shower [Credit: AMSAT-SA]*Recommended Equipment & Station Setup

    Setting up a station for MSK144 meteor scatter requires minimal specialized hardware:

    -

    *Transceiver:* A 50 MHz (6-meter) radio capable of moderate power
    (typically 50W to 100W, though higher power increases contact speed).
    -

    *Antenna:* A horizontal directional antenna (such as a 5- to 7-element
    Yagi) is strongly recommended over a vertical antenna to properly spread
    the signal horizontally across the reflection zone.
    -

    *Software:* A computer running WSJT-X connected via a USB interface for
    CAT control, audio input/output, and PTT timing. Accurate PC clock
    synchronization (via an internet time server like Dimension 4) is critic
    al
    to maintain precise 15-second sequencing.

    Operating Tips for Success

    -

    *Timing:* While meteor scatter occurs 24/7, success rates improve
    significantly in the early morning when atmospheric meteor activity peak
    s,
    or during dedicated annual shower windows.
    -

    *Patience:* Pings may be brief, and completing a full QSO can take
    several minutes or longer depending on trail density and geometry.
    Operators monitor real-time spotting via platforms like PSK Reporter to
    coordinate active sessions.

    *[ANS thanks AMSAT-SA and the Southern Africa VHF group for the above information.]*
    ------------------------------
    *AMSAT CubeSatSim Introduces Exciting New Features for 2026*

    *Alan Johnston, KU2Y, AMSAT VP* ? Educational Relations, announced
    several
    significant upgrades to the CubeSatSim satellite simulator, expanding its capabilities for amateur radio enthusiasts, educators, and students. The
    new software releases, *versions 2.2 and 2.3*, make the low-cost,
    open-source simulator an even more versatile tool for learning about
    satellite communications.

    *CubeSatSim Kit [Credit: AMSAT]*

    One major addition is *PacSat* mode, which simulates a packet-radio
    satellite that can store and forward digital messages and files between
    ground stations. Users can practice uploading and downloading information, recreating the operations of actual amateur radio satellites.

    Another improvement is simulated *Doppler shift*, which reproduces the
    changing radio frequency experienced as a satellite passes overhead. During
    a simulated ten-minute pass, the transmitted frequency changes by
    approximately 18 kHz, providing realistic training for satellite operators.

    A new *web-based Dashboard* lets users configure and control CubeSatSim
    from a computer or smartphone. The added Wi-Fi hotspot eliminates the need
    for an existing wireless network.

    Version 2.2 also introduced simulated equipment failures, allowing students
    to practice identifying satellite problems through telemetry analysis.

    Built around a Raspberry Pi Zero 2, CubeSatSim.org <https://cubesatsim.org/?utm_source?atgpt.com> provides complete
    construction plans, software, and documentation.

    *[ANS thanks Alan Johnston, KU2Y, AMSAT VP ? Educational Relations
    for the
    above information.]*
    ------------------------------
    The 2026 Coins Are Here! Help Support GOLF-TEE and Fox-Plus.
    *Annual memberships start at only $120.*

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


    *Join the AMSAT President?s Club today and help Keep Amateur Radio
    in
    Space!https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/ <https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/>* ------------------------------
    Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for October 16, 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 updates are completely adequate for most amateur satellites. TLE bulletin
    files 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/.

    Bulletin format elements <https://www.amsat.org/tle/daily-bulletin.txt> for
    all satellites of interest to radio amateurs. This file is updated at
    least every 24 hours.

    Bare elements <https://www.amsat.org/tle/dailytle.txt> are derived from the bulletin, but contain no header or footer. These data are used as input to
    the AMSAT Pass Predictions <http://www.amsat.org/track/index.php> page.

    *This week there are no additions or deletions to the AMSAT TLE
    distribution.*
    General Perturbations Data Support

    AMSAT is pleased to announce that modern forms of what are called General Perturbations data are being disseminated via modern formats including
    JSON, XML and KVN at https://newark192.amsat.org/gpdata/current/. The
    reason this change is being made is that we are running out of 5-digit
    catalog numbers and the TLE format is not viable for satellites launched
    after July of this 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
    while hosted on the test server newark192.amsat.org, and we are very open
    to community feedback at webmaster [at] amsat.org. Testers may experience outages and errors while we make improvements. We intend to put this into production on our main web server in July as we expect that satellites
    launched after this summer will require 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 above information.]*
    ------------------------------
    ARISS News

    Amateurs and others around the world may listen in on contacts between
    amateur radio operators at schools and astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station. The downlink frequency on which to listen is 145.800 MHz worldwide.
    *Scheduled Contacts*

    *+ Recently Completed*


    *Ecole Internationale PACA de Manosque, Manosque, France ? direct v
    ia F4KKM*The
    ISS callsign was *NA1SS*
    The scheduled crewmember was *Joshua Kutryk, KJ5BFU*
    The ARISS mentor is *F6ICS*
    Contact was successful: Fri 2026-10-16 10:03 UTC

    Congratulations to the students of international school EIPACA, crew member Joshua Kutryk, KJ5BFU, and mentor F6ICS.


    *EcoTarium Science Center, Worcester, MA ? telebridge via AB1OC*The
    ISS
    callsign was
    *NA1SS.*The scheduled crewmember is *Luke Delaney, KJ5PPF*.
    The ARISS mentor was
    *AB1OC*Contact was successful: Thu 2026-10-15 15:28 UTC

    Congratulations to the students at EcoTarium Science Center, crew member
    Luke Delaney, KJ5PPF, and mentor AB1OC.

    *+ Upcoming Contacts*

    *No Upcoming Contacts.*

    Many times, a school makes a last-minute decision to do a Livestream or
    runs into a last-minute glitch requiring a change of the URL, but ARISS may
    not get the URL in time for publication. You can always check https://live.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.

    *+ Upcoming SSTV Events*

    *2026-10-14 Expedition 75 Series 34 ?ARISS Hardware?*
    Begins Thursday, October 22; time TBD
    Concludes Sunday, October 25; time TBD
    Images will be transmitted at 437.55 MHz (+/- Doppler shift), decode with
    Robot 36 mode, transmission 36 seconds on, two minutes off.
    Submit your images to the SSTV gallery for event certificate.

    *SSTV Series 34 [Credit: Ariss.org <https://www.ariss.org/>]*

    The crossband repeater remains configured in the Columbus Module (145.990
    MHz up {PL 67} & 437.800 MHz down). If a crewmember decides to pick up the microphone and turn up the volume, you may hear the crew member on the
    air?so keep listening, as you never know when activity might occur.

    Kenwood D710GA in the Zvezda Service Module ? Callsign RS?ISS.
    Please note
    we?re still in the process of troubleshooting and testing this radi
    o. APRS
    is currently active on 437.825 MHz. Feel free to check out status reports a
    t
    https://ariss-usa.org/ARISS_APRS/.

    HamTV in the Columbus Module (2395.00 MHz) is currently transmitting a test signal. For more information, visit the ARISS Ham TV Live site at https://live.ariss.org/hamtv/.

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

    The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.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
    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 fairs, and other events.

    AMSAT Ambassador Clint Bradford, K6LCS, says,

    ?Think a 75-minute presentation on ?working the easy satell
    ites? would be
    appropriate 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 same show twice: EACH of the 150+ presentations
    so far has been customized to its audiences.
    Scheduled Events

    November 14, 2026
    *Southern Arizona Fall Hamfest*
    Oro Valley Amateur Radio Club
    Marana Middle School
    11285 W. Grier Rd.
    Marana AZ
    https://www.tucsonhamradio.org/hamfest
    N1UW

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

    *[ANS thanks Bo Lowrey, W4FCL, Director ? AMSAT Ambassador Program,
    for the
    above information.]*
    ------------------------------
    Buying from Ham Radio Outlet?
    Add AMSAT?s *Getting Started With Amateur Satellites* to your order
    .
    <https://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid?-019238>Available for $29.95
    from HRO (free shipping on most orders over $100) https://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid?-019238
    ------------------------------
    Satellite Shorts from All Over

    + Five spacecraft are currently docked at the International Space Station
    after a *SpaceX Dragon* cargo capsule arrived on Thursday morning,
    delivering over 6,300 pounds of scientific experiments, crew supplies, and roll-out solar arrays. Station crew members have begun transferring
    critical biological research and preparing for upcoming spacewalks on Oct.
    29 and Nov. 5 to install the new solar arrays, while Roscosmos cosmonauts completed robotics and spatial orientation studies. *[ANS thanks NASA for
    the above information.]*

    + Media representatives are invited to attend the *Europa-Park Science Days
    *
    from *October 22?24, 2026*, in Rust, Germany, featuring presentati
    ons,
    STEM activities, and media opportunities with ESA experts. Highlights on Thursday, October 22, include a keynote address and interview opportunities with German ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst, alongside talks by ESA directors
    and interactive exhibits spanning VR experiences, robotics, and planetary science models. *[ANS thanks ESA for the above information.]*

    + Using NASA?s Chandra X-ray Observatory, eROSITA, and LOFAR, scien
    tists
    observed a merging galaxy cluster nicknamed the *?treble clef?
    ?* due to its
    distinct, music-note-shaped radio emission. Researchers report in Astronomy
    & Astrophysics that it was likely generated and amplified by a violent collision between two galaxy clusters. *[ANS thanks Space.com for the above information.]*

    + Scientists from the *Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA)* and international collaborators analyzed joint observations of solar coronal
    mass ejections (CMEs) captured by India?s Aditya-L1 and ESA?
    ?s Proba-3
    satellites. By combining spectroscopic data from *VELC aboard Aditya-L1* wi
    th
    imaging from ASPIICS on Proba-3, the cross-checked observations provided
    new insights into CME mass, density, thermal energy, and early-stage
    dynamics in the low solar corona. *[ANS thanks The Hindu and ISRO for the
    above information.]*

    + The Australian Space Agency and the *Roo-ver Consortium* unveiled the
    latest design model of *?Roo-ver,?* Australia?s fir
    st lunar rover, at the
    Queensland University of Technology?s Lunar Testbed and Space Lab d
    uring
    World Space Week on October 7, 2026. Scheduled to land at the lunar South
    Pole in 2030 aboard an Intuitive Machines lander under NASA?s Comme
    rcial
    Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, the semi-autonomous rover will
    collect and analyze regolith to support sustainable human exploration
    through the Artemis program. Designed to withstand extreme lunar
    temperature swings from -246øC to 121øC, the vehicle features hom
    egrown
    Australian technology including specialized treaded wheels, thermal
    management systems, and tools to mitigate against lunar dust and
    radiation. *[ANS
    thanks the Australian Space Agency 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 for additional membership information.

    *73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space!*

    *This week?s ANS Editor,*

    *Vidya Gopalakrishnan, K4VGK*


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


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