[amsat-bb] Re: Please help us Track the FASTRAC satellites once they are launched Nov. 19th!!

[Andrew Glasbrenner]

Congratulations on making it to this point. The next week I'm sure will 
be full of anticipation waiting for that rocket to lift off!

One of the things I think is so great about your project, from what I 
have read and been told, is that you've incorporated a secondary amateur 
two-way digipeater capability into your satellites. As I understand it, 
you plan to operate this after your primary mission is completed? It 
might be a great motivation to the AMSAT folks on amsat-bb to hear some 
details of this planned operation, as I'm sure others like myself are 
particularly interested in helping out student satellites that give back 
to the community. With so many new student satellites, it's rare to see 
one that may eventually be open for everyone to use, and that is to be 
commended and rewarded with support. So, if you don't mind, let the 
folks at amsat-bb at amsat.org know what your plans are in this regard.

On a separate note, I've started and entry on the AMSAT-NA satellite 
status pages for FASTRAC-1 and -2 
(http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/satellites/futures.php), and hope to 
fill in the details over the next few days. Please, once your satellites 
reach orbit and operate, apply for an OSCAR number from AMSAT-NA and 
join the fleet of amateur radio satellites 
(http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/satellites/futures.php). I'll also ask 
that your Keplerian elements get included in the AMSAT distribution 
list. Please let me know if there is anything else the amateur community 
can do to help.

73, and good luck,
Drew KO4MA
AMSAT-NA VP Operations