Cubes, Fun and Satellite Jollity

Covering…• Funcube-1• Funcube-2• Funcubes 3, (4) & x• SO-50 (Saudisat 1C)• ISS

Funcube-1

• FUNcube-1 (AO73) is a complete educational single CubeSat project with the goal of enthusing and educating young people about radio, space, physics and electronics.• The Funcube website is http://funcube.org.uk • It has a materials science experiment with temperature sensors • Temperature, voltage and current information is broadcast on the

telemetry frequency and can be displayed on the Funcube dashboard.• Details of current operations and the telemetry available from

FUNcube-1 can be seen at http://warehouse.funcube.org.uk/

Cubesats

• 10cm x 10cm x 10cm (1U), or ~ x 20cm (2U), or ~ x 30cm (3U)• Often launched alongside another larger satellite payload, or from ISS• Kits available and launch cost of ~$80K brings within scope of

educational establishments etc.• https://youtu.be/JQy9EwMrILI https://youtu.be/3mrOmjFrEPE

Funcube-1 Educational operation

• Launched from Russia on a DNEPR rocket on 21st Nov 2013• A complete educational single CubeSat project with the goal of

enthusing and educating young people about radio, space, physics and electronics.• Has on board temperature, lux, voltage and current sensors and

continuously reports the satellite status and conditions.• A free dashboard program is available to display current data.• Uses permanent magnets and the earths magnetic field for stability.

Capturing, uploading and viewing the data

• TLM down link freq 145.935 MHz BPSK • SSB receiver (or Funcube dongle)• PC with Funcube dashboard• http://warehouse.funcube.org.uk/

Finding and tracking satellites

• www.n2yo.com • www.heavens-above.com – there is also a Heavens-Above app.

Funcube-1 Amateur Operation

• Transponder:• Uplink 435.150 - 435.130 MHz LSB (Inverting)• Downlink 145.950 - 145.970 MHz USB• Please use a maximium uplink power of 5 watts to a 7 dBi gain antenna. More

power is not needed to use the transponder!

• Times and modes• Currently operating full power TLM beacon (300 mW) when Sat is in sunlight,

and Transponder, plus low power (30mW) TLM beacon when in eclipse. • Also appears to be Transponder, plus low power TLM at weekends and bank

holidays – news on the Funcube website• NORAD ID: 39444

Funcube-2 = Part of UKube-1

• UKube-1 (3U) is a number of experiments, one of which is Funcube-2.• Successfully launched on a Soyuz rocket from Baikonur on July 8th

2014.• Currently being commissioned, Funcube-2 data is sporadically tested.• https://youtu.be/CDRz7r5Redw • TLM down link frequency 145.915 MHz BPSK • Amateur radio transponder has been tested and promises to be good.

Funcubes 3, (4) and “x”

• FUNcube-3 (EO79)• Launched on a DNEPR on 19th June 2014 and commissioning is presently

underway.

• FUNcube (4) on Nayif-1 • Launch scheduled towards the end of 2015.

• FUNcube “x” – a payload on the ESEO mission. • Launch tbc.

SO-50

• Uplink 145.850 MHz, 67Hz PL, FM• Downlink 436.800 MHz • NORAD ID: 27607• 5W and a small beam is sufficient to work it• https://youtu.be/E-u45eg2msk

International Space Station (ARISS)

• Packet uplink and downlink 145.825 MHz• NORAD ID: 25544• MULTIPSK can receive and display packets and location for APRS• MULTIPSK can be downloaded http://f6cte.free.fr/index_anglais.htm