PCSat2 awaiting improved sun angles

PCSAT2 shut down due to low voltage sometime after 1855z on 23 Nov due to high beta angle. Nothing was heard on the 2032z pass.

PCSAT2 is attached to the outside of International Space Station and only gets sun when ISS is maintaining an attitude with good sun angle on our location. The worst angle is on Saturday, 26 November 2005.

Recovery is not expected until later next week when sun angles begin to improve. At that time it is hoped that joint ops with PCsat (NO-44) will be possible.

Last telemetry was showing the 16 volt Lithimu-Ion Battery down to 11.6 volts. Load current was the usual 313 mA and Solar current was 377 mA near local noon. Even with load sheding, and re-charge, the PCSat2 receivers will be on and the only power savings due to the shut-down will be the 60 mA of the TNC's.

This is only 20% of the nominal load current and is insufficient to gain much ground until the entire system returns to better sun angles sometime after 1 Dec.

Bob, WB4APR