[amsat-bb] Fw: X-Band Mini deep space network opportunity

[Andrew Glasbrenner]

>From another list:

> ---
> NASA Science News for January 23, 2009
>
> NASA's twin STEREO spacecraft are giving astronomers an over-the-horizon
> look at the 'dark side' of the Sun. This new perspective could lead to
> important advances in space weather forecasting and solar physics 
> research.
> FULL STORY at
>
> http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/23jan_darkside.htm?list157891
>
>
>
> St. Cyr notes that experienced ham radio operators can participate in this
> historic mission by helping NASA capture STEREO's images. The busy Deep
> Space Network downloads data from STEREO only three hours a day. That's
> plenty of time to capture all of the previous day's data, but NASA would
> like to monitor the transmissions around the clock.
>
> "So we're putting together a 'mini-Deep Space Network' to stay in constant
> contact with STEREO," says Bill Thompson, director of the STEREO Science
> Center at Goddard.
>
> The two spacecraft beam their data back to Earth via an X-band radio
> beacon. Anyone with a 10-meter dish antenna and a suitable receiver can
> pick up the signals. The data rate is low, 500 bits per second, and it
> takes 3 to 5 minutes to download a complete image.
>
> So far, the mini-Network includes stations in the United Kingdom, France
> and Japan-and Thompson is looking for more: "NASA encourages people with
> X-band antennas to contact the STEREO team. We would gladly work with them
> and figure out how they can join our network."
>
>
>
>
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>


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