P3E Amateur Satellite Update

Peter Guelzow, DB2OS President of AMSAT-DL provides the following update on the progress of the P3E satellite that should be launched into a highly eliptical orbit around 2007 (launch date TBC).

The satellite will feature a high power 70cm to 2 metre linear transponder which will enable DX station from around the world to be worked using the Amateur Radio VHF/UHF bands. P3E will also carry a number of Microwave transponders.

73 Trevor M5AKA

The solar generator for P3-E was finished and delivered to our Integration Laboratory in Marburg. 5 panels (each Pmax = 35W) were equipped with Si cells and 2 panels (each Pmax = 49W) with GaAs cells.

One panel is therefore in reserve. For the P3-E solar panels we use for the first time a new material: Sandwich layers of aluminum honeycomb material and a surface layer from glass fiber/epoxy resin in 6mm strength. The reason for this is, that the special honey honeycomb material used in former times was only available when purchased in enormous quantities and to exorbitant prices. By installing inserts with
an electrically conducting adhesive, the electrical onductivity is secured by the aluminum structure of the honeycomb material.

Additionally thick cover glasses were attached, in order to protect the solar cells against the rough conditions in space. For material and expenditure for the production of the panels we had to pay an amount in the order of six digits of Euros .

Further important activities concerned the assembly of the earth and sun sensors, qualifications of the separation spring, final work on the assembly of the solar panels, manufacturing the clamp band for the separation system, preparing for building the wiring harness and various
technical meetings to finish the IHU-3 software and designing the new SDX.

I have to apologize that our Web pages are a little bit outdated. But the transfer of contents to our new CMS system takes somewhat longer than hoped and more time is needed. On the other hand, we currently have to concentrate our efforts to finishing P3-E.

73s

Peter Guelzow, DB2OS
President AMSAT-DL
Project Leader P3-E

AMSAT-DL P3E webpage:
http://www.amsat-dl.org/p3e/index.htm

AMSAT-UK produces a newsletter Oscar News packed full of Amateur Satellite information. For membership details contact the secretary Jim Heck G3WGM Tel: +44 (0)1258 453959 Email: g3wgm@amsat.org Website: http://www.uk.amsat.org/ Online Satellite Pass Predictions: http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/tools/predict/

Latest news stories..

• Get our news headlines for your website • Submit your news story