[amsat-bb] PO-28 SK

[Kyle Yoksh]

Thanks for the link, Pat. I have been asking for quite some time for an 
update, ANY update on this bird.

Here is the post for those who may have missed it:


      AMSAT-UK -- POSAT
      Written by G3YJO
      Monday, 18 September 2006
      Following the recent kind agreement of Consórcio SAT, the owners of 
PoSAT (PO28 or 1993-061D) which was launched on  the Ariane V59  from Kourou 
on the 26th September 1993, work has been progressing  at SSTL and the 
Surrey Space Centre to  switch transponder frequencies to the amateur 
satellite service  to serve as a voice FM transponder for use by all radio 
amateurs worldwide.

      Unfortunately, recent investigations now indicate that the PoSAT 
onboard NiCd batteries are showing the effects of 12 years in orbit and the 
approx 100,000 charge /discharge cycles to which they have subjected and are 
no longer holding sufficient charge to operate the downlinks. This may mean 
that, sadly after all, it will not be possible for the satellite to be made 
available for amateur use.

      We fully understand the benefits that PO28 would offer radio amateurs 
and work is continuing at Surrey to see if there is any way to revive this 
'old lady'. Watch this space for further updates.

      Martin Sweeting G3YJO



--- Original Message --- 

Date: Tue, 19 Sep 2006 09:29:29 -0400 (EDT)
From: McGrane
Subject: [amsat-bb]  POSAT, PO-28
To: Amsat BB <amsat-bb at amsat.org>


Greetings

To G3YJO, Martin

Regarding PO-28 and the NICAD batteries; Could the satellite operate
independant of the batteries in sunlight?

reference:

http://www.uk.amsat.org/

thanks, pat n2oeq