Category: Ham Satellite news

Repost from ANS-200 but very important to repeat:

The U.S. Space Force’s authoritative satellite catalog entered a new era on July 11, 2026, when newly assigned catalog numbers advanced from the five-digit sequence ending at 69,999 directly to six-digit catalog number 100,000. Space-Track announced the change and advised users to review its Alpha-5 information and frequently asked questions to ensure that Two-Line Element (TLE) and Three-Line Element (3LE) parsers, along with API queries, remain compatible with the expanded numbering system. The milestone marks the beginning of permanent six-digit catalog numbers for newly cataloged space objects.

The milestone was reached with the cataloging of Saramago, also known as Lusíada 3, one of four Portuguese communications satellites developed by LusoSpace. Named in honor of Nobel Prize-winning author José Saramago, the satellite is part of the Lusíada constellation, which uses Automatic Identification System (AIS) and VHF Data Exchange System (VDES) technology to improve maritime safety, vessel tracking, weather reporting, and ocean data services. The transition occurred one day earlier than CelesTrak had predicted.

Although the traditional TLE format has served the satellite community for decades, its fixed-field design was never intended to accommodate six-digit catalog numbers. Space-Track is maintaining compatibility through its Alpha-5 encoding system, while CelesTrak will distribute General Perturbations (GP) data for catalog numbers 100,000 and above using modern formats such as JSON, XML, CSV, and Key-Value Notation (KVN). These newer formats also eliminate the long-standing two-digit year limitation inherited from the legacy TLE format.

CelesTrak began supporting the modern GP formats in May 2020, giving software developers several years to prepare for the eventual transition. AMSAT likewise anticipated the change by introducing GP data distribution through its Orbital Elements service. Joe Fitzgerald, KM1P, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager, announced that AMSAT would provide orbital elements in JSON, XML, and KVN formats while continuing to publish traditional TLE bulletins indefinitely for satellites cataloged before the six-digit transition.

For most amateur satellite operators, the change will be largely transparent when tracking existing satellites. However, software that assumes all catalog numbers contain no more than five numeric digits may require updates before it can process newly cataloged spacecraft. Developers and operators of satellite tracking applications, automated ground stations, and custom scripts are encouraged to verify compatibility with Alpha-5 encoded TLEs or one of the newer GP data formats.

While the transition may appear to be a simple numbering change, it represents one of the most significant updates to satellite orbital data distribution in decades. As launch rates continue to increase and the number of tracked satellites and debris objects grows, six-digit catalog numbers and modern orbital data formats will ensure the U.S. Space Force’s authoritative satellite catalog continues to support both the amateur and professional space communities for years to come.

### For More Information

AMSAT General Perturbations data:
https://newark192.amsat.org/gpdata/current/

CelesTrak General Perturbations data formats:
https://celestrak.org/NORAD/documentation/gp-data-formats.php

Space-Track Alpha-5 information and frequently asked questions:
https://www.space-track.org/

[ANS thanks Joe Fitzgerald, KM1P, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager, Dr. T.S. Kelso of CelesTrak, and Space-Track for the above information]

Space-X Falcon 9 Transporter-17 launch 2026-07-07 contained a large amount of satellites, many of them un-coordinated 70 cm ham radio frequencies. It also will deploy MarmotSat.

A lot of information about the satellites at SatNogs:
https://community.libre.space/t/transporter-17-rideshare-vsfb-slc-4e-2026-07-07-07-10-utc/14950

The launch at Youtube:

MARMOTSat is a 3U CubeSat currently under development with an Amateur radio focus. It is slated to launch NET June 2026 on SpaceX Transporter-17.

Radio Frequencies

MARMOTSat will use the following frequencies for TT&C and Amateur experiments:

Amateur Experiment	Frequency
TT&C up- and downlink	436.125 MHz
Digipeater up- and downlink	145.875 MHz
CW telemetry beacon downlink	145.875 MHz
CW telemetry beacon downlink	29.410 MHz
DVB-S2 digital video beacon	29.410 MHz
Linear frequency modulation downlink	29.410 MHz

Frequencies in each band are shared. The Amateur experiments which use the same frequencies are mutually exclusive and will never be run at the same time.

Amateur Payload Overview

The Amateur payload is available to be used by all interested and propely licensed parties, gobally. The Amateur payload is the debut of the Modular CubeSat Radio, featuring the RF modules necessary to facilitate MARMOTSat’s Amateur radio and ionospheric science experiments. The MCR configuration for this mission is the core consisting of the SDR, computer and camera, as well as HF and VHF RF front ends, and wire antennas:

• HF antenna: Base loaded half-wave tape measure whip.
• VHF antenna: Half wave tape measure dipole.
• Radio: Low power HF SDR based on the Hermes Lite 2. Design here.
• HF RF front end: Two chain push/pull HF amplifier for 10m. Design here.
• VHF RF front end: HF to VHF transverter. Design here.
• Camera: Off the shelf serial camera module with resolution worse than <7.5m/pix.

Full information at: https://www.propagationlab.ca/satellite/

Image: Reception of a 5.84 GHz CW signal from Fuji-OSCAR 126 (FO-126) displayed on an Icom IC-905. [Credit: JA1OGZ]

OrigamiSat-2, one of eight satellites launched aboard Rocket Lab’s Kakushin Rising mission for JAXA on April 23, 2026, has now received an official OSCAR designation from AMSAT. Developed by the Institute of Science Tokyo, the satellite has been assigned the designation Fuji-OSCAR 126 (FO-126) following a request submitted through the Japan Amateur Satellite Association (JAMSAT). The announcement came after satellite teams confirmed successful deployment and initial on-orbit operations.

The 3U CubeSat was designed to demonstrate lightweight deployable membrane antenna technology and promote amateur use of the 5.8 GHz band. Mission goals include testing a high-gain deployable reflector array antenna, demonstrating its performance in orbit, and helping establish methods for future advanced satellite systems. OrigamiSat-2 carries both UHF and C-band transmitters and aims to expand amateur radio experimentation beyond traditional VHF and UHF operations.

IARU coordination lists downlinks on 437.505 MHz and 5840.000 MHz. The satellite supports CW and digital modes, including higher-speed data experiments over its 5.8 GHz link. Project information released by the team indicates a desire to openly share reception techniques and operational status with amateur operators, encouraging wider participation in receiving and decoding signals from the spacecraft.

Reports from the satellite team indicate the 5.8 GHz downlink has already been confirmed operational. Amateur satellite observers have expressed interest in monitoring activity from outside Japan as additional operational details become available. OrigamiSat-2 now joins the long-running OSCAR satellite tradition under its new designation, Fuji-OSCAR 126, continuing the international partnership between satellite developers and the amateur radio community.

[ANS thanks Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, AMSAT President / OSCAR Number Administrator, and Shiro Sakai, JH4PHW, JAMSAT President, for the above information]

Re-post from ANS-123:

Fuji-OSCAR 29 (FO-29 / JAS-2), the long-lived Japanese amateur radio satellite launched in 1996, continues to operate its V/U inverting analog linear transponder under the control of the Japan Amateur Radio League (JARL). Because the onboard batteries have failed years ago, the satellite depends entirely on solar power and can only function when its solar panels are illuminated.

Current Status (May 2026)

FO-29 entered a full-sunlight orbit in early March 2026 and lasted approximately 40 days. This continuous operation ended around April 21, 2026, after which the satellite entered an eclipse period for about one month.

A second, longer full-sunlight period is expected from approximately May 20 to mid-November 2026, during which continuous operation should resume.

Transponder Details

Mode: V/U inverting linear transponder (SSB and CW only)
Uplink: 145.900 – 146.000 MHz (LSB)
Downlink: 435.800 – 435.900 MHz (USB)
CW Beacon: 435.795 MHz (typically 100 mW)
Digitalker: 435.910 MHz FM (rarely activated)
The digital BBS (1k2/9k6) remains non-operational.

Important Restriction:
Digital modes are generally NOT permitted on the FO-29 linear transponder due to licensing and operational constraints.

Operating Procedure

During eclipse periods (or the transition out of full sunlight), the JARL control team sends specific commands to activate the transponder at designated UTC times. If the transponder does not turn on within about 2 minutes of the command start, the team terminates the attempt.

During confirmed full-sunlight periods, no regular command schedule is needed — the transponder stays active whenever the satellite is in sunlight.

Operators should always check real-time status via AMSAT Live Satellite Status, OSCAR Status pages, or recent community reports, as voltage instability in the aging satellite can occasionally cause unexpected behavior.

The scheduled activations for the eclipse period are:

May

1st 22:56~
2nd 22:00~
3rd 22:51~
4th 21:55~
5th 22:45~
6th 21:50~
7th 22:40~
8th 21:44~
9th 22:35~
15th 22:19~
16th 23:10~

Amateurs are reminded to:

• Use proper Doppler correction.
• Follow linear transponder etiquette (listen before transmitting, keep signals clean).
• Limit uplink power to avoid overloading the transponder (typically no more than a few watts with a modest antenna).

The JARL page provides the detailed historical and upcoming command schedules for eclipse periods across 2025–2026. For the absolute latest status and any updates from the Japanese control team, monitor the official JARL FO-29 page, AMSAT.org, and AMSAT bulletins.

FO-29’s continued operation nearly 30 years after launch remains a testament to robust engineering and the dedication of the JARL team.

[ANS thanks JARL for the above information.]

From ANS-102 and JARL: here is an update about FO-29:

Fuji-OSCAR 29 (FO-29 / JAS-2), the long-lived Japanese amateur radio satellite launched in 1996, continues to operate its V/U inverting analog linear transponder under the control of the Japan Amateur Radio League (JARL). Because the onboard batteries have failed years ago, the satellite depends entirely on solar power and can only function when its solar panels are illuminated.

Current Status (April 2026)

• FO-29 entered a full-sunlight orbit around March 9, 2026. During full-sunlight periods, the satellite experiences no or negligible eclipses, allowing the analog transponder to operate continuously on illuminated passes without scheduled command activations.
• The first full-sunlight window began in early March 2026 and lasted approximately 40 days.
• According to the JARL schedule, this continuous operation ends around April 21, 2026, after which the satellite will enter an eclipse period for about one month.
• A second, longer full-sunlight period is expected from approximately May 20 to mid-November 2026, during which continuous operation should resume.

Transponder Details

• Mode: V/U inverting linear transponder (SSB and CW only)
  • Uplink: 145.900 – 146.000 MHz (LSB)
  • Downlink: 435.800 – 435.900 MHz (USB)
• CW Beacon: 435.795 MHz (typically 100 mW)
• Digitalker: 435.910 MHz FM (rarely activated)
• The digital BBS (1k2/9k6) remains non-operational.
• Important Restriction: Digital modes are generally not permitted on the linear transponder due to licensing and operational constraints.

Operating Procedure

• During eclipse periods (or the transition out of full sunlight), the JARL control team sends specific commands to activate the transponder at designated UTC times. If the transponder does not turn on within about 2 minutes of the command start, the team terminates the attempt.
• During confirmed full-sunlight periods, no regular command schedule is needed — the transponder stays active whenever the satellite is in sunlight.
• Operators should always check real-time status via AMSAT Live Satellite Status, OSCAR Status pages, or recent community reports, as voltage instability in the aging satellite can occasionally cause unexpected behavior.

April 2026 Specifics

In early-to-mid April 2026 (while still in the March full-sunlight window), expect the transponder to be available on most or all illuminated passes with no fixed on/off times. After approximately April 21, operation will shift back to scheduled command activations until the next full-sunlight season begins in late May.

The scheduled activations for the eclipse period are:

April
24th 22:22~
25th 21:27~
28th 22:11~

May 
1st 22:56~
2nd 22:00~
3rd 22:51~
4th 21:55~
5th 22:45~
6th 21:50~
7th 22:40~
8th 21:44~
9th 22:35~
15th 22:19~
16th 23:10~

Amateurs are reminded to:

• Use proper Doppler correction.
• Follow linear transponder etiquette (listen before transmitting, keep signals clean).
• Limit uplink power to avoid overloading the transponder (typically no more than a few watts with a modest antenna).

The JARL page provides the detailed historical and upcoming command schedules for eclipse periods across 2025–2026. For the absolute latest status and any updates from the Japanese control team, monitor the official JARL FO-29 page, AMSAT.org, and AMSAT bulletins.

FO-29’s continued operation nearly 30 years after launch remains a testament to robust engineering and the dedication of the JARL team.

[ANS thanks JARL for the above information]