[amsat-bb] Delfi-C3 / DO-64 status update January 29th 2009 10:00 UTC

[Wouter Jan Ubbels]

Hi all,

please find a status update of the Delfi-C3 / DO-64 satellite below.

1. Following our earlier reports about the transponder issue, we sadly
have had to conclude that the linear transponder is not operational
anymore. Delfi-C3 / DO-64 has been in basic mode (a mode in which only
housekeeping mode is transmitted) for a number of months in order to
investigate this issue.
Following our extensive tests, we have decided to switch the satellite
back to science mode, which from a mission point of view is the most
useful mode since it yields valuable science data about the Thin Film
Solar Cell payload and the Autonomous Wireless Sun Sensor payload.

2. Today during the 09:33 UTC pass we have successfully commanded the
satellite to science mode using the primary downlink at 145.870MHz,
1200Bd AX.25 BPSK and stored this mode in the on board data base.
Subsequent database dumps indicated that the new settings have been
stored successfully.
This mode is recognized by the higher rate of telemetry frames on the
downlink, 3 payload frames are transmitted followed by 1 housekeeping
frame.
Note that the satellite boots in this mode on 145.870MHz whenever she
comes out of eclipse (no battery on board). It is possible, that the
satellite decides to use the 145.930 MHz backup downlink. If you hear
Delfi-C3 / DO-64 on this frequency, your reports are highly
appreciated!

3. Contrary to basic mode, in which the downlink is on continuously,
downlink drop outs are likely to occur in science mode. Therefore, it
is possible that the satellite is not heard, and due to the orbit, the
chances that the downlink is still on over VK / ZL are slim, sorry to
all of you down under! However, if you hear the satellite, your
reports are very much appreciated! We regularly post the satellite
status on the Oscar status page at http://oscar.dcarr.org/ and
encourage you to do so as well.

4. Telemetry can be received using the RASCAL program, which is
available at http://www.delfic3.nl/rascal At this moment, the total
amount of frames has exceeded the 500000 mark, more precisely 504364
(which amounts to approx. 72.14 MB), a truly magnificent number.
Thanks once again to all of you receiving and submitting telemetry!
When in science mode, the IV curves of the Thin Film Solar Cell
payload can be viewed by clicking "options" --> "show IV curves".

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

Wouter Jan Ubbels PE4WJ