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