Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!genrad!decvax!harpo!eagle!karn
From: karn@eagle.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.ham-radio
Subject: OSCAR-10 Update
Message-ID: <1025@eagle.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 30-Jun-83 05:17:28 EDT
Article-I.D.: eagle.1025
Posted: Thu Jun 30 05:17:28 1983
Date-Received: Thu, 30-Jun-83 17:03:05 EDT
Lines: 22

This past evening, a second spin-up maneuver was performed successfully
on AMSAT-OSCAR-10.  The resulting spin rate is now measured as 18.68 RPM,
although the CW telemetry is saying 26 RPM (the CW telemetry routine
has a bad calibration formula in it, but hey, it's only software..!)
The actual measurement was done with a chart recorder attached to the
S-meter of a receiver.  If you listen you will hear rapid, regular fading
on the beacon. This is due to the fact that on two meters, the spacecraft
isn't large enough to act as an ideal ground plane for the omni whip,
resulting in three side lobes at certain look angles.

During torquing maneuvers, the general beacon on 145.810 has been placed
into the 20-minute-on, 40-minute-off cycle as a precautionary measure.
Once it is verified that the sun angles are still OK (i.e., the spinup
did the right thing), the beacon will probably be put back on full time
operation.

The next step is a precession of the spin axis northward to the proper
firing attitude.  This will probably take a few more days, so that if
all goes well the first motor burn will be next week.  Keep your fingers
crossed (or, as the Germans say, hold onto your thumbs!)

Phil