[amsat-bb] Re: Delfi-C3 / DO-64 Status update October 9th 08:00 UTC

[Wouter Jan Ubbels]

Hi all,

we have been unable to complete the command sequence for switching
back to telemetry mode during the pass of 10:00 UTC today, our next
opportunity is Monday Oct. 13th around 09:45 UTC, so stay tuned! In
the meantime, Delfi-C3 will continue to operate in transponder mode.

73 on behalf of the Delfi-C3 / DO-64 team,

Wouter Jan Ubbels PE4WJ


> Hi all,
>
> Delfi-C3 / DO-64 has now been in orbit for 164 days, and we regularly
> command the satellite back to BPSK telemetry mode during passes over
> our groundstation, after which the satellite reboots in linear
> transponder mode after the next eclipse. Since the satellite does not
> transmit any telemetry when in transponder mode, switching to BPSK
> telemetry mode allows us to monitor housekeeping values and hence
> assess satellite health.
> Since we would like to gather longer datasets of housekeeping
> telemetry, we will switch the satellite permanently to BPSK telemetry
> mode during the coming days, i.e. the satellite will boot in this mode
> after every eclipse. Our first opportunity is at approx. 10:00 UTC on
> Oct. 9th (today), switching may take a couple of passes due to the
> command sequence which is required to set this mode. We will switch
> the satellite to "basic mode" in which an AX.25 frame containing
> housekeeping telemetry is transmitted approx once every 4-5 secs, the
> rest of the transmission is filled with idle flags. Downlink frequency
> for this mode will be 145.930MHz, modulation is 1200bit/s BPSK.
> Telemetry can be captured using the RASCAL software and forwarded to
> our central servers just like during the first three months of science
> mission, this would be greatly appreciated by the team.
> At this moment, we do not know how long the satellite will be in this
> mode, but it will at least be a couple of weeks. We'll keep you
> informed on both our mission operations page at
>
> http://www.delfic3.nl/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=93&Itemid=122
>
> and via the AMSAT-BB.
>
> Best 73 on behalf of the Delfi-C3 /DO-64 team,
>
> Wouter Jan Ubbels PE4WJ
>