XPost: rec.radio.info

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-152

In this edition:

* Welcome SO-125! AMSAT-EA¡¯s HADES-ICM Joins the OSCAR Fleet
* Your Voice, Your Board: Nominate Now for 2025 AMSAT Election
* Another Batch of CubeSatSim Kits Available Soon in AMSAT Store
* SpaceX Starship Ninth Flight Yields Data, Misses Reentry Goals
* Japanese Private Lander Resilience Nears Lunar Touchdown
* GridMasterMap Satellite Top 100 Rovers June 2025 Rankings
* Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for May 30, 2025
* ARISS News
* AMSAT Ambassador Activities
* Satellite Shorts From All Over

The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and information service of AMSAT, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS publishes news related to Amateur Radio in Space including reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building, launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio satellites.


The news feed on https://www.amsat.org publishes news of Amateur Radio in
Space as soon as our volunteers can post it.


Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor [at] amsat.org<http://amsat.org>


You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: https://mailman.amsat.org/postorius/lists/ans.amsat.org/


ANS-152 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

To: All RADIO AMATEURS
From: Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation
712 H Street NE, Suite 1653
Washington, DC 20002

DATE 2025 Jun 01

________________________________
Welcome SO-125! AMSAT-EA¡¯s HADES-ICM Joins the OSCAR Fleet

AMSAT-EA¡¯s HADES-ICM satellite, a 1.5U PocketQube carrying an SDR-based FM
and digital repeater payload for amateur radio use, was launched on March 14, 2025, aboard a Falcon 9 rocket during SpaceX¡¯s Transporter-13 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.


Following deployment from the ION-SCV-017 Orbital Transfer Vehicle (OTV) on March 31, the satellite has been undergoing commissioning. The FM repeater is expected to be activated in June-initially on weekends, with plans to eventually transition to full-time (24/7) operation, as is currently the case with AMSAT-EA¡¯s earlier HADES-R mission.


HADES-ICM also hosts an experimental payload from the University of Manchester¡¯s Smart IR/Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC),
designed to test a very low-power active radiator under space conditions.
Data from this experiment will be publicly transmitted via telemetry packets.

The satellite carries an FM and digital repeater payload, built on an
improved SDR-based platform capable of transmitting up to 0.25W when battery conditions allow. This makes it accessible to stations using handheld
antennas like the Arrow antenna. The coordinated uplink frequency is 145.875 MHz, and the downlink is 436.666 MHz. The repeater operates with an open squelch and does not require a subtone. The satellite has been cataloged with NORAD ID 63492.


At the request of AMSAT-EA, AMSAT hereby designates HADES-ICM as SO-125 (Spain-OSCAR 125). We congratulate AMSAT-EA, thank them for their continued contributions to the amateur satellite community, and wish them success with this and future missions!


[ANS thanks Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA<https://x.com/glasbrenner>, AMSAT VP Operations / OSCAR Number Administrator for the above information]


________________________________
Your Voice, Your Board: Nominate Now for 2025 AMSAT Election

AMSAT has officially opened the nomination period for its 2025 Board of Directors election, which will take place during the third quarter of the
year.


Four director positions are set to expire in 2025. The current board members whose seats are up for election are:


* Barry Baines, WD4ASW
* Jerry Buxton, N0JY
* Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA
* Zach Metzinger, N0ZGO

In addition to these four full Director roles, up to two Alternate Directors may also be elected to serve one-year terms.


To nominate a candidate, a written submission is required. Nominations must include the nominee¡¯s name, call sign, and contact information, along with
the same details for either five AMSAT members in good standing or one Member Society endorsing the candidate.


Nominations should be directed to the AMSAT Secretary:

Douglas Tabor, N6UA
1133 Verlan Way
Cheyenne, WY 82009

Per AMSAT¡¯s bylaws, all nominations must follow the format specified by the Secretary. Doug Tabor has indicated that nominations will be accepted in both hard copy (via postal mail) and digital formats (including email or scanned documents). However, fax submissions are not permitted.


Email nominations should be sent to: dtabor [at] amsat [dot] org

All nomination petitions must be received by the Secretary no later than June 15th. After the submission deadline, the Secretary will confirm the
eligibility of each candidate and the supporting members or societies, with final notification to candidates provided by the end of June.


[ANS thanks Doug Tabor, N6UA<https://x.com/dtabor>, AMSAT Secretary, for the above information]


________________________________
Another Batch of CubeSatSim Kits Available Soon in AMSAT Store

A new batch of CubeSatSim Kits will be available for purchase in the AMSAT Store (https://www.amsat.org/product/cubesatsim-kit) on Thursday, June 5th,
at 7 pm US Eastern time. Priced at $550 with shipping included for U.S. addresses, the CubeSatSim Kit offers a hands-on learning experience with no soldering and some assembly, making it ideal for both educational use and public demonstrations.


The CubeSatSim Kit includes:

* Fully assembled and tested PCBs (Main, Solar, and Battery Boards)
* Raspberry Pi Zero 2 with a Pi Camera and fully programmed micro-SD
card, along with a fully programmed Raspberry Pi Pico WH

* AMSAT logo Remove Before Flight tag switch
* 3D printed frame, nylon screws, and nuts, with a mini screwdriver included for assembly

* Metal standoffs, stacking headers, and JST jumpers for stacking the
PCBs and Pi Zero 2

* 10 solar panels with pre-soldered JST connectors and mounting tape
* BME280 sensor (pressure, temperature, altitude, humidity) and MPU6050 IMU/gyro pre-soldered

* Two 6¡È SMA coax cables and two SMA antennas

The kit also comes with an instruction sheet, parts inventory, and links to online instructions. Assembly time is estimated to be under two hours, with scissors and the provided mini screwdriver.

[https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/CubeSatSim-KitKit-Parts-with-Labels.png]<https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/CubeSatSim-KitKit-Parts-with-Labels.png>
Limited quantities of the CubeSatSim Kit will soon be available for purchase from the AMSAT Store. [Credit: Alan Johnston, KU2Y]


The v2.0 CubeSatSim features improvements over v1.2, such as an FM
transceiver, Raspberry Pi Pico microcontroller, and RF command and control using DTMF or APRS packets. It can also be modified to function as a 500mW
high altitude balloon payload.


For those interested in creating their own CubeSatSim, v2.0 blank PCB sets
are available at the AMSAT Store for $35. These require additional
components, which can be purchased for approximately $400 using the provided Bill of Materials.


Additional resources include:

* Kit Instructions https://cubesatsim.org/kit
* Kit Videos https://cubesatsim.org/kit-videos
* Discussion Forum https://github.com/alanbjohnston/CubeSatSim/discussions

* Quick Start Guide https://cubesatsim.org/qsg

For more information or to borrow a loaner CubeSat Simulator, contact Alan Johnston, AMSAT VP Educational Relations, at ku2y [at] arrl.net<http://arrl.net>.


How to Order
Kits will be sold exclusively on the AMSAT Store website.
Only U.S. shipping addresses are eligible; orders with non-U.S. addresses
will be refunded and closed.


About CubeSatSim
CubeSatSim is a low-cost satellite emulator powered by solar panels and batteries. It transmits UHF radio telemetry and can be expanded with
additional sensors and modules, making it ideal for educational and public demonstrations.


[ANS thanks Alan Johnston, KU2Y, AMSAT Vice President Educational Relations
for the above information]


________________________________
SpaceX Starship Ninth Flight Yields Data, Misses Reentry Goals

SpaceX achieved partial success Tuesday with the ninth test flight of its massive Starship rocket, overcoming prior engine shutdown problems but discovering new issues during the vehicle¡¯s return from space. Launched from the company¡¯s Starbase facility in South Texas, the rocket reached space and achieved full engine cutoff for the first time using its current Block 2 design. However, the upper stage lost control during coast and reentry
phases, tumbling and eventually disintegrating over the Indian Ocean.


The early stages of the mission went according to plan. All 33 Raptor engines on the Super Heavy booster ignited successfully, pushing the rocket skyward with twice the thrust of the Saturn V. After separation, the Starship upper stage ignited its own engines and reached a near-orbital trajectory. Elon
Musk confirmed on X that the main engines completed their full burn and that the heat shield tiles remained intact during ascent-both major improvements over previous tests.


But soon after engine cutoff, SpaceX aborted a planned payload door test to deploy simulated Starlink satellites when the door failed to open. Minutes later, engineers reported a loss of tank pressure in the Starship¡¯s attitude control system, causing the rocket to enter a slow spin. This compromised SpaceX¡¯s ability to restart an engine for orbital maneuvering and made a controlled reentry impossible, eliminating the opportunity to gather key data on new heat shield tile configurations.

[https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/SpaceX-Starship-Flight-9-Liftoff-1024x576.jpg]<https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/SpaceX-Starship-Flight-9-Liftoff.jpg>
Starship Flight 9, a megarocket as tall as a 38-story building, lifts off
from Starbase, Texas. [Credit: SpaceX<https://x.com/SpaceX> / X<https://x.com/>]


The mission ended with the vehicle tumbling into the atmosphere and breaking apart during reentry. Despite the premature conclusion, SpaceX officials
noted that they collected valuable data on a number of new systems. The
company has been working to improve the durability of heat shield tiles,
which are critical to the Starship¡¯s goal of rapid reuse. Tuesday¡¯s flight included multiple experimental tile designs and attachment methods that engineers are eager to analyze, even with the limited reentry data available.

There was also progress on the Super Heavy booster. For the first time,
SpaceX reused a booster from a previous flight, testing modifications aimed
at improving fuel efficiency and failure recovery during landing burns. Although the booster exploded near the end of its descent rather than
splashing down intact, it flew well through much of its return. SpaceX
believes data from this flight will inform future attempts to catch returning boosters with launch pad arms.


The latest setback underscores the challenge of developing a fully reusable heavy-lift rocket capable of missions to the Moon and Mars. SpaceX began 2025 with ambitious goals for up to 25 test flights, but that timeline now appears unlikely. However, Musk indicated that the next three Starships could launch within weeks of each other. Meanwhile, the Federal Aviation Administration is reviewing the flight, and engineers are analyzing telemetry to confirm
whether new issues or previously known problems led to the vehicle¡¯s demise. As SpaceX prepares for its next test, company officials remain cautiously optimistic.


Read the full article at: https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/05/spacex-may-have-solved-one-problem-only-to-find-more-on-latest-starship-flight/

[ANS thanks the Stephen Clark<https://x.com/StephenClark1>, Ars Technica<https://arstechnica.com/>, for the above information]


________________________________
The 2025 AMSAT President¡¯s Club Coins Have Just Arrived!
Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Amateur Radio on Human Spaceflight [https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2025-PC-Coin-2-Sided-Color-Web-300x148.jpg]
Help Support GOLF and Fox Plus. Join<https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/> the AMSAT President¡¯s Club today!

________________________________
Japanese Private Lander Resilience Nears Lunar Touchdown

Japan¡¯s ispace is aiming for a June 5 landing attempt with its Resilience lunar lander, now orbiting the moon. The spacecraft is targeting Mare
Frigoris, a volcanic plain in the moon¡¯s northern hemisphere. If the landing succeeds, it would mark the first moon touchdown by a private Japanese
company and only the second lunar landing for Japan overall.


Resilience launched on January 15 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, sharing
the ride with Firefly Aerospace¡¯s Blue Ghost lander. Blue Ghost landed successfully on March 2, while Resilience took a longer, energy-efficient
route to the moon, entering orbit on May 6. The mission follows ispace¡¯s earlier attempt in 2023, which failed during descent after the lander
misjudged the rim of a crater.


On May 22, ispace released a photo taken by Resilience showing the moon¡¯s south polar region. The image, posted on social media, reveals a rugged cratered surface and drew attention for an optical illusion in which the craters can appear as raised bumps. While Resilience will land far from the south pole, the photo demonstrated the spacecraft¡¯s ability to capture detailed lunar imagery.

[https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Ispace-Resilience-Moon-Photo-1024x750.jpg]<https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Ispace-Resilience-Moon-Photo-scaled.jpg>
Resilience captured a photo of the lunar south pole from orbit ahead of its scheduled June 5 landing. [Credit: ispace<https://x.com/ispace_inc>]


The mission carries five payloads, including a small rover named Tenacious developed by ispace¡¯s European division. The rover is tasked with collecting lunar soil under a NASA contract awarded in 2020. It also carries a small artwork titled Moonhouse, created by Swedish artist Mikael Genberg and
mounted to the rover¡¯s front bumper.


Resilience joins a growing list of privately developed missions targeting the lunar surface. It follows earlier commercial efforts like Firefly¡¯s Blue
Ghost and Intuitive Machines¡¯ Odysseus, which landed in early 2024. These missions contribute to broader scientific and technical goals for lunar exploration.


In addition to demonstrating landing capabilities, Resilience will test technologies designed for future ispace missions, including navigation, communications, and thermal control systems. Data from the lander and its payloads will inform development of ispace¡¯s next-generation landers, which are intended for satellite servicing and lunar cargo delivery.


Read the full article at: https://www.space.com/astronomy/moon/private-japanese-moon-probe-snaps-photo-of-lunar-south-pole-ahead-of-june-5-landing

[ANS thanks the Mike Wall<https://x.com/MichaelDWall>, Space.com<https://www.space.com/>, for the above information]


________________________________
GridMasterMap Satellite Top 100 Rovers June 2025 Rankings

The June 2025 rankings for the Top 100 Rovers (Mixed LEO/MEO/GEO) in
satellite operations, as determined by @GridMasterMap<https://x.com/GridMasterMap> on Twitter, has been released.
The ranking is determined by the number of grids and DXCC entities activated, taking into account only those grids where a minimum number of QSOs logged on the gridmaster.fr<https://gridmaster.fr/> website have been validated by a third party. Grid numbers do not directly reflect the exact number of activations. Satellite operators are encouraged to upload their LoTW
satellite contacts to https://gridmaster.fr<https://gridmaster.fr/> in order
to provide more accurate data.


Updated: 2025-05-30
1
ND9M
26
KX9X
51
EB1AO
76
N4UFO
2
NJ7H
27
ON4AUC
52
AC0RA
77
PT2AP
3
JA9KRO
28
KG5CCI
53
W7WGC
78
AA8CH
4
UT1FG
29
N5BO
54
XE1ET
79
PT9BM
5
N5UC
30
K8BL
55
N6DNM
80
VE1VOX
6
DL6AP
31
KE4AL
56
EA4NF
81
FG8OJ
7
OE3SEU
32
KB5FHK
57
SM3NRY
82
YU0W
8
DP0POL
33
PA3GAN
58
DF2ET
83
N6UTC
9
F5VMJ
34
F4BKV
59
LU4JVE
84
AF5CC
10
K5ZM
35
VE3HLS
60
AA5PK
85
KI7UXT
11
WI7P
36
KI0KB
61
KI7QEK
86
JM1CAX
12
LU5ILA
37
JO2ASQ
62
SP5XSD
87
KJ7NDY
13
N6UA
38
KI7UNJ
63
F4DXV
88
PS8BR
14
HA3FOK
39
LA9XGA
64
DL4EA
89
N4DCW
15
N9IP
40
BA1PK
65
AD7DB
90
WA9JBQ
16
WY7AA
41
VA3VGR
66
VE1CWJ
91
KB2YSI
17
W5PFG
42
N7AGF
67
KE9AJ
92
K0FFY
18
AK8CW
43
VK5DG
68
BG7QIW
93
VE3GOP
19
DL2GRC
44
XE3DX
69
N8RO
94
N0TEL
20
AD0DX
45
JL3RNZ
70
VA7LM
95
KG4AKV
21
N4AKV
46
PR8KW
71
W8LR
96
DK9JC
22
AD0HJ
47
KE0WPA
72
KM4LAO
97
W8MTB
23
WD9EWK
48
KE0PBR
73
M1DDD
98
CU2ZG
24
ND0C
49
K7TAB
74
W1AW
99
K6VHF
25
DJ8MS
50
JK2XXK
75
HB9GWJ
100
VE7PTN

[ANS thanks @GridMasterMap<https://x.com/GridMasterMap> for the above information]


________________________________ [https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/AMSAT-SDR-Gen2-GNU-Radio-Based-Transverter.jpg]<https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/AMSAT-SDR-Gen2-GNU-Radio-Based-Transverter.jpg>
________________________________
Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for May 30, 2025

Two Line Elements or TLEs, often referred to as Keplerian elements or keps in the amateur community, are the inputs to the SGP4 standard mathematical model of spacecraft orbits used by most amateur tracking programs. Weekly updates
are completely adequate for most amateur satellites. TLE bulletin files are updated daily in the first hour of the UTC day. New bulletin files will be posted immediately after reliable elements become available for new amateur satellites. More information may be found at https://www.amsat.org/keplerian-elements-resources/.


NOTICE: In an effort to minimize confusion between sources of two line
element sets, AMSAT is adopting the convention of listing the USSF/NORAD Satellite Catalog name first, followed by any secondary name or names in parentheses. For example, "POEM 4 (BGS ARPIT)" was added recently where "POEM 4" is the name that appears in the US Space Force Satellite Catalog, and "BGS ARPIT" is the name best known within the amateur satellite community. Expect name changes for affected satellites in the coming weeks as this change is fully implemented.


This week there are no additions or deletions to the AMSAT TLE distribution.

[ANS thanks AMSAT Orbital Elements<https://www.amsat.org/keplerian-elements-resources/> page for the above information]


________________________________
ARISS NEWS

Amateurs and others around the world may listen in on contacts between
amateurs operating in schools and allowing students to interact with
astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station. The
downlink frequency on which to listen is 145.800 MHz worldwide.


+ Recently Completed

Royal Moroccan Air Academy, Marrakech, Morocco, direct via CN8ERA
The ISS callsign was OR4ISS
The scheduled crewmember was Nichole Ayers KJ5GWI
The ARISS mentor was IN3GHZ
Contact was successful: Wed 2025-05-28 12:55:36 UTC

Yonezawa 5th Junior High School, Yonezawa, Japan, direct via 8N7Y5JH
The ISS callsign was OR4ISS
The scheduled crewmember was Takaya Onishi KF5LKS
The ARISS mentor was 7M3TJZ
Contact was successful: Thu 2025-05-29 09:23:02 UTC
Watch the livestream at https://www.youtube.com/live/sxpw07oNZSg

Atkarsk, Saratov region, Russia, direct via TBD
The ISS callsign was RS¨ªISS
The scheduled crewmember was Sergey Ryzhikov
The ARISS mentor was RV3DR
Contact was successful: Thu 2025-05-29 13:55 UTC

Starominskiy District, Russia, direct via TBD
The ISS callsign was RS¨ªISS
The scheduled crewmember was Kirill Peskov
The ARISS mentor was RV3DR
Contact was successful: Sat 2025-05-31 10:35 UTC

+ Upcoming Contacts

Technical University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland, direct via EI1ISS
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS
The scheduled crewmember is Takaya Onishi KF5LKS
The ARISS mentor is EI8BP
Contact is go for: Wed 2025-06-04 12:07:37 UTC

Many times a school may make a last minute decision to do a Livestream or run into a last minute glitch requiring a change of the URL but we at ARISS may
not get the URL in time for publication. You can always check https://live.ariss.org/ to see if a school is Livestreaming.


The crossband repeater continues to be active (145.990 MHz up {PL 67} &
437.800 MHz down). If any crewmember is so inclined, all they have to do is pick up the microphone, raise the volume up, and talk on the crossband repeater. So give a listen, you just never know.


The packet system is also active (145.825 MHz up & down).

As always, if there is an EVA, a docking, or an undocking; the ARISS radios
are turned off as part of the safety protocol.


Note, all times are approximate. It is recommended that you do your own
orbital prediction or start listening about 10 minutes before the listed
time.


The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html


The latest list of frequencies in use can be found at https://www.ariss.org/contact-the-iss.html


[ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team mentors for the above information]


________________________________
AMSAT Ambassador Activities

AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events.


AMSAT Ambassador Clint Bradford, K6LCS, says,

¡°Think a 75-minute presentation on ¡°working the easy satellites¡± would be appropriate for your club or event? Let me know by emailing me at k6lcsclint (at) gmail (dot) com or calling me at 909-999-SATS (7287)!¡±


Clint has NEVER given the exact same show twice: EACH of the 150+
presentations so far has been customized/tailored to their audiences.


Scheduled Events

Rochester Amateur Radio Association Hamfest 2025 - June 21st, 2025
Barnard Fire Department Park
410 Maiden Lane
Rochester, NY 14616
KB2YSI
https://rochesterham.org/hamfest.htm

Greater Louisville Hamfest - September 6th, 2025
Paroquet Springs Conference Centre
395 Paroquet Springs Drive
Shepherdsville, KY 40165
W4FCL
https://louisvillehamfest.wixsite.com/louisvillehamfest

43rd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium & Annual General Meeting - October 16th
thru 19th, 2025

Holiday Inn & Suites Phoenix Airport North
1515 North 44th Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85008
https://www.amsat.org/2025-symposium/

Interested in becoming an AMSAT Ambassador? AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events.


For more information go to: https://www.amsat.org/ambassador/

[ANS thanks Bo Lowrey, W4FCL, Director - AMSAT Ambassador Program, for the above information]


________________________________
AMSAT Remove Before Flight Key Tags Now Available
Yes, These are the Real Thing! [https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Keytag1D-300x155.jpg]<https://www.zazzle.com/amsat_car_flag-256716714380264543>
Your $20 Donation Goes to Help Fly a Fox-Plus Satellite
Includes First Class Postage (Sorry - U.S. Addresses Only)
Order Today at https://www.amsat.org/product/amsat-remove-before-flight-keychain<https://www.amsat.org/product/amsat-remove-before-flight-keychain/>
________________________________
Satellite Shorts From All Over

+ Congratulations are in order for John, AB5SS, who has earned GridMaster
Award #72 for completing satellite contacts in all 488 Maidenhead grid
squares across the contiguous United States. The GridMaster Award is one of
the highest honors in amateur satellite operations, recognizing exceptional dedication and achievement. First created by the Star Comm Group in 2014 and supported by Damon Runion, WA4HFN, and Rick Tillman, WA4NVM, the award is now managed by AMSAT for the benefit of the entire community. To date, only a
small number of operators have reached this milestone, highlighting the
rarity and significance of the accomplishment. Earning GridMaster status requires years of persistence, careful tracking, and often the support of skilled satellite rovers. More information on the GridMaster Award, including how to apply, is available at https://www.amsat.org/gridmaster/. (ANS thanks Bruce Paige, KK5DO<https://x.com/kk5do>, AMSAT Director of Contests and
Awards for the above information)


+ Tom Schuessler, N5HYP, is featured in the June 2025 QST ¡°Member
Spotlight¡± for his outstanding contributions to amateur radio satellite operations and AMSAT. A lifelong space enthusiast, Tom was encouraged by the late Keith Pugh, W5IU (SK), to explore satellites and began operating in 2010 using an Icom IC-W32A and Arrow Antenna. He quickly became hooked and joined AMSAT, later serving as an AMSAT Ambassador, giving presentations at clubs, hamfests, and virtual events like the QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo. Tom also hosts two AMSAT-focused nets in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, helping build
local interest in satellite communications. One of his proudest moments was a spontaneous QSO with astronaut Woody Hoburg, KB3HTZ, aboard the ISS in 2023. His passion and outreach have made him a key figure in promoting AMSAT and inspiring others to discover the excitement of working satellites. (ANS
thanks Barry Baines, WD4ASW, AMSAT Board of Directors, for the above information)


+ The European Space Agency¡¯s ACES mission has launched the most precise atomic clock ever sent to space, with the goal of improving how we measure elevation on Earth. This effort addresses real-world issues like the infamous misalignment of a German-Swiss bridge caused by differing sea level
baselines. ACES was installed on the International Space Station¡¯s Columbus module on April 25, 2025, using the station¡¯s robotic arm. By linking ACES
to the most accurate ground-based clocks, scientists can compare how time
ticks across the planet-since time passes more slowly in stronger gravity,
this allows geodesists to map Earth¡¯s gravitational field with centimeter-level precision. The clock network will eventually make elevation measurements more accurate worldwide, including in poorly surveyed regions
like Africa and South America. Though ACES is just a first step, it paves the way for a future system of even more precise space-based clocks that could revolutionize infrastructure planning, sea level monitoring, and geophysical research. (ANS thanks Sophia Chen<https://x.com/sophurky>, MIT Technology Review<https://www.technologyreview.com/>, for the above information)


+ Starfish Space is preparing to launch its second mission, Otter Pup 2, on SpaceX¡¯s upcoming Transporter-14 rideshare flight, where it will attempt to dock with a D-Orbit ION satellite already aboard the same launch. Unlike traditional spacecraft, Otter Pup 2 uses an electrostatic capture mechanism, allowing it to dock with unmodified satellites by attaching to flat panels.
The mission aims to demonstrate rendezvous and docking technologies that will support future servicing missions, such as life extension and orbital debris inspection, for both commercial and government clients. A similar effort in 2023 failed due to a malfunction in the launch partner's vehicle, though
Otter Pup was still able to approach a different target. This mission will
more realistically simulate the challenges of space servicing, with Otter Pup
2 traveling long distances before performing proximity operations and
multiple dockings. Starfish hopes to prove that its technology is safe, flexible, and viable, building confidence in satellite servicing amid growing demand and regulatory interest. (ANS thanks Jeff Foust<https://x.com/jeff_foust>, SpaceNews<https://spacenews.com/>, for the above information)


________________________________

Join AMSAT today at https://launch.amsat.org/

In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to:

* Societies (a recognized group, clubs or organization).
* Primary and secondary school students are eligible for membership at
one-half the standard yearly rate.

* Post-secondary school students enrolled in at least half-time status shall
be eligible for the student rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status.

* Memberships are available for annual and lifetime terms.

Contact info [at] amsat.org<https://www.amsat.org> for additional membership information.


73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space!

This week's ANS Editor, Mitch Ahrenstorff, AD¨ªHJ
mahrenstorff [at] amsat.org<https://www.amsat.org>

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