[amsat-bb] Re: Oldest working orbiting satellite? Todays quiz!

[Rocky Jones]

Hello Chris...


> 
> >> Non-working Amateur Satellite still in-orbit? (AO-13?)
> >>
> >Oscar III...then Oscar V...Oscar V has no chance of coming back to life, it
> was battery powered.. III?  I dont think that there were enough solar cells
> on it to actually power the bird, but I could be >wrong.  I do listen for
> it.
> 
> > 
> 
> Ah, that's interesting.. I did have a quick check on Space Track via date
> search, but didn't know that III was still there!

Yeap III is still there as is 5...6 and 8 are there as well and one wishes that they would pull an 7 and come back to life!  It would be great if Arsene came back as well (while we are wishing!)


> 
> 
> 
> >> Non-working commercial sat? Vanguard-1?
> >Yes. Technically the rocket body is older but that is the oldest in orbit
> 
> > 
> 
> Technically the R/B isn't a satellite??

well its a satellite...I probably knew at one point but dont know...if the Vanguard rocket third stage had any beacon on it (I doubt it)...



> >> Working commercial satellite still in orbit?
> >Probably one of the 1960's ERG's...but I can check.
> >
> 
> From
> http://www.satellites.co.uk/forums/tech-head-news-items/140262-oldest-workin
> g-comms-sat.html : (Thanks John LA2QAA)
> 
>  
> 
> "The record holder appears to be ATS-3 still nominally operational after an
> amazing 41 years!"
> 
>  
well got me there...

although "working" might be the kicker.  Transit 5B makes "noise" on its beacon frequency but hasnt done any real "work"...thats 64...

I enjoy tracking whats "up" there...almost as much fun as "communicating".  

take care Robert WB5MZO life member Amsat/Arrl