Suitsat - Can you hear it ?

[gaa_ian (Ian)]

This is a great story from NASA on the next sattellite! about to be launched.
This time from the ISS, I suspose they will just give it a good push ?
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2...an_suitsat.htm
I have organised for one of our local HAM radio operators to loan a radio to our club (GAA) & he is going to monitor & record this frequency on his HAM radio enabled PC.
If you have a radio scanner you can listen to it on 145.990 Mhz
Check for ISS passes in your area at:
www.heavens-above.com & set for your area.
A great astro event for the wet season up here.

[gaa_ian (Ian)]

Well I dont know about anyone else, but I am going to have a listen for this unique sattellite
I have borrowed a receiver tuned in to pick it up, so with a little help from the heavens above site i should be able to get the timing right.
Perhaps I am the only astronomer in aust interested in this ?
or ... maybe my skies have just been cloudy for too long

[janoskiss (Steve H)]

Gotta love the Russians! I don't have a radio that works at 150MHz but I enjoyed the read. Thanks for posting Ian!

[gaa_ian (Ian)]

Thanks Steve ... I know there is at least one other spacetravel/science nut out there

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

What a fun idea. It's a shame it hasn't been more widely advertised. I know a few kids and quite a few adults that would get a real kick out of listening to and decoding this information. Wish I had a radio that would do the job.

I bet somewhere in the coded message there is a very famous line.

"This is Major Tom to ground control......."

[gaa_ian (Ian)]

I hope thats not the message Paul, cos its followed by ...."your circuits dead, there is something wrong"

[RAJAH235]

Sorry Ian. Like Steve, I just haven't got a receiver that will tune to that frequency.... L.

[acropolite (Phil)]

Most commercially available scanners will access that frequency. There are always plenty for sale second hand.

[gaa_ian (Ian)]

Your right Phil, there about $150 new from Andrews !

[rochler]

I don't think you're going to be the only one listening out for it! My neighbour has a scanner so I'll be popping over there probably tonite/early tomorrow morning when it is due to pass over ADL....

I'll let you know if I have any luck.... Not every day you get a signal from an orbiting spacesuit hehe....

[acropolite (Phil)]

BTW lots of satellites are audible as they pass overhead in this frequency band. I can't remember the details but some weather satellites transmit telemetry data on similar frequencies and it's a relatively simple exercise to decode and plot the signal to produce a satellite image.

[stinky]

Sadly no passes over here for a few days. And it doesn't sound like it's going too well

See Suitsat.org

[gaa_ian (Ian)]

Your right there stinky, I have just been out with our local HAM operator to try to pick up the pass. It appears that the SatSuit failed after the first few passes.
Battery failure due to the extreme cold is the suspected cause.
Oh well that's scientific experiements for you, win some, lose some
I have attached a picture "Waiting for the Satsuit"
(Guess which car is mine )

[stinky]

The one with the spacemen inside?