SuitSat-1 Final Experiment Proposal

Pat Kilroy N8PK ponders on whether SuitSat-1 may spring to life just one more time before finally burning-up in the atmosphere. Here's Pat's thoughts:

ASSUMPTION 1
I understand SuitSat-1 power was derived from three primary batteries at 28 VDC connected in parallel and through a regulator or DC-DC converter down to around 12 VDC and lower for the xmtr and supporting electronics.

ASSUMPTION 2
Electric current in primary batteries are derived from a chemical process. Chemical processes run at a reaction rate which is often estimated by engineers to double with every 10 deg C increase in temperature, or conversely, that is reduced to half with every 10 deg C decrease in ambient
temperature.

ASSUMPTION 3
The batteries were running pretty cold during the experiment, perhaps even assisting in extending the life of the experiment -- if not at the cost of reduced efficiency but I am starting to digress here due to the several other flying assumptions.

PROPOSAL
Why not continue to monitor for SuitSat-1 emissions through the expected re-entry (or entry? or de- orbit?) dates?

REASONING
The temperature of the suit and its contents will rise substantially leading up to its de-orbit time. There might be a period of time when the batteries warm up enough and "wake up" for a final period of discharge enough to allow SuitSat-1 to come to life at, or a little before, system meltdown.

Seconds, minutes or hours of warm life under these
conditions? Who knows! But, ...

Will any of us be patiently listening for its truly "final words"?

Just a thought to share.

Cheers,

Pat Kilroy, N8PK
AMSAT Area Coordinator
Maryland-DC Area
http://www.patkilroy.com/amsat-dc/

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