[amsat-bb] QB50 precursor satellites receive OSCAR numbers

[Wouter Weggelaar]

Hi All,

The QB50 precursor satellites, launched on 19th of June 2014, are in good
health and still being commissioned.These satellites are part of a
risk-reduction program for the QB50 main mission.
Read all about QB50 on the project website at https://qb50.eu/

These satellites are also carrying amateur radio transponders:
- QB50p1 carries the FUNcube-3 transponder system by AMSAT-UK and AMSAT-NL
- QB50p2 carries an FM transponder by AMSAT-Francophone

I am grateful to be able to announce that these two CubeSat Satellites have
been awarded OSCAR numbers by AMSAT-NA: QB50p1 shall be known as European
OSCAR 79 or EO-79, and QB50p2 shall be known as European OSCAR 80 or EO-80.
Thank you AMSAT-NA!

The transponders are expected to be switched on after the main mission,
which lasts about 6 months depending on progress made.

Details about sending in reports and decoding the beacons can be found on
the ISIS Ham page at
http://isispace.nl/HAM/qb50p.html

Mike DK3WN has kindly made and published a decoder at his website:
http://www.dk3wn.info/software.shtml based on the published formats.

Thanks all for your support and reports, they are much appreciated!

Kind Regards,

Wouter Weggelaar PA3WEG
AMSAT-NL
QB50p team