Slow Scan TV on ISS update
By Miles Mann WF1F
Hi everyone.
There are currently two projects on board the International Space Station
that will support Slow Scan TV (SSTV). These project are called SuitSat
and SpaceCam.
The SuitSat project may be activated in December 2005 and SpaceCam in
2006 (all dates are subject to change without notice). The goal of this
series of memos is to get the world ready to start decoding SSTV images
from Space.
Here is an excerpt from a AMSAT NEWS SERVICE, ANS-261
Sept 18.
The Suitsat amateur radio system, coupled with a school artwork project,
is planned to be installed in an outdated Russian Orlon spacesuit. It
will then be deployed from the ISS during an Extra Vehicular Activity
(EVA, or spacewalk). This is expected to occur in the December timeframe
by the
Expedition 12 crew. The Suitsat amateur radio system will beam down special
messages and an SSTV image from within the Orlon space suit as it floats
in space. Suitsat radio system will allow hams and students to track the
suit and decode special international messages, space suit
telemetry, and a pre-programmed Slow Scan TV image
through its specially-built digital voice messaging system and amateur
radio transmitter. As built, Suitsat will be a
transmit-only capability that will run on the space suit's battery power.
http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2005/09/16/2/?nc=1
http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/news/
The SuitSat project will run on batteries for 2 to 8 weeks, while it
free floats in orbit as its own satellite. The SuitSat will be driven
by a Kenwood TH-K2 transceiver and a timing controller box. The controller
will transmit a series of voice messages, telemetry and one Slow Scan
TV image (Robot 36
format).. The whole series of messages and image is
approximately 9 minutes long, and then it repeats.
SpaceCam1:
The SpaceCam project will also send SSTV images from ISS, however it will
be mounted inside the ISS and will be running for several weeks at a time
and will be able to transmit over 400 SSTV images per day (Robot 36 format).
How to Decode SSTV from Space:
I am still working on this section and I'll post an updated web page link
soon. All SSTV transmissions will be in FM mode and will most likely be
on the 2-meter band.
This means that the Doppler frequency drift will not be much of a problem
and you will be able to use your existing 2-meter station or a police
scanner to hear and decode the signals from ISS.
If you have already have been successful in working the Packet station
or talked to the ISS crew on 2-meter voice, than you already have most
of what you need.
What’s left is to connect your computer to the speaker of your radio
and some SSTV decoding software, such as
ChromaPix http://www.barberdsp.com/
or similar software.
There are many choices in SSTV software, some Free,
others with more features cost a few bucks.
http://www.marexmg.org/fileshtml/sstvlinkpage.html
So have fun, find your best setup and start practicing how to decode
SSTV on 2-meters.
Location of Hardware on ISS
This link will show you images of some of the amateur
radio hardware already installed on ISS
http://www.marexmg.org/fileshtml/radiohardware.html
Tips on working ISS on Voice and packet
http://www.marexmg.org/fileshtml/howtouseiss.html
Marexmg Web page
http://www.marexmg.org
Information on the crew's activities aboard the Space
Station, future launch dates, as well as Station sighting opportunities
from anywhere on the Earth, is available on the Internet at:
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/
73 Miles WF1F MAREX-MG
Until we meet again
DOSVIDANIYA Miles WF1F
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