[amsat-bb] The need for telemetry data -or what happened to FO-29-

[Stefan Wagener]

Hi folks,

Satellites are a precious commodity and the recent “loss” of FO-29 has made 
it clear again that we cannot just fix them in space. One key component of 
failure analysis is the availability of data, especially telemetry.

Right now the FO-29 team is looking for telemetry data helping them in 
figuring out what happened, which brings up an interesting problem. Many of 
us are used to “work” the satellites but few are capturing telemetry. I 
don’t remember the last time I actively captured telemetry form FO-29. Many 
times I focus on the new birds, the CubeSats and others to get them going 
and will respond to telemetry requests from teams assuming the sat is 
working. But the routine capturing of telemetry is not normally on my 
horizon. Maybe it should be and maybe here is an opportunity to use some of 
the automated “old” satgate stations and others who are interested in having 
their equipment run 24/7. I hope that the FO-29 team will find some data, 
although I don’t have high hopes. However, this “loss” is also an 
opportunity for all of us since the next satellite that will stop working is 
not far away.

My question is, can the satellite user community at large come up with a 
system that allows the routine capturing of satellite telemetry? Is there a 
role that AMSAT can play? What would it take?

Thoughts are appreciated.


73, Stefan VE4NSA