The front cover of the new SSETI Express Handbook - which can be downloaded free from Amsat-UK

SSETI Express Handbook - Free Download

The Student Space Exploration and Technology Initiative was started by the European Space Agency (ESA) Education Office to enable University students in Europe to experience the challenges and opportunities of actually building a
satellite and having it launched into space.

Their first satellite SSETI Express is scheduled for launch on September 30th from Plesetsk in northern Russia at approx 06:52 UTC.

It is planned to downlink telemetry in AX25 format at 9k6 on 437.250MHz and at 38k4 on 2401.835MHz. It should also be available for Radio Amateurs to use as a single channel FM transponder.

To coincide with the launch the SSETI Express Handbook has just been published.

Written by Richard Limebear G3RWL, using ESA and AMSAT-UK documentation, the 22 page handbook covers just about every aspect of this exciting new spacecraft.

It details AMSAT-UK's involvement in the project and contains a wealth of technical information about the spacecraft and the 3 Picosats that will be launched from it.

ESA has asked for the help of Radio Amateurs around the world to collect vital telemetry data from the satellite and they are organising a competition with a prize for whoever submits the largest number of valid telemetry payload packets to SSETI Express Mission Control by 1 January 2006. The handbook provides full details of how to enter this competition.

The PDF of the handbook can be downloaded free of charge from the AMSAT-UK website at http://www.uk.amsat.org/ or printed copies are available for £5 inc P&P in Europe from

AMSAT-UK,
“Badgers”,
Letton Close,
Blandford,
Dorset, DT11 7SS.
Tel: +44 (0)1258 453959
Email: g3wgm@amsat.org .

Cheques should be made payable to “AMSAT-UK”. Postage rates for other parts of the world available on request.

A French version of the handbook translated by Christophe Candebat F1MOJ is also available.

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