*AMSAT *News Service*ANS-074*
*March 15, 2026*

In this edition:

- January/February 2026 Issue of *The AMSAT Journal *Now Available
- IARU Coordinates Two New Amateur Satellites
- Ten-Koh 2 Satellite With Linear Transponder Deployed
- FO-29 Enters Full Sunlight: Veteran Satellite Sees Renewed Activity in
2026
- Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for March 13, 2026
- ARISS News
- AMSAT Ambassador Activities
- Satellite Shorts From All Over

The AMSAT? News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and informat
ion
service of AMSAT, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS publishes
news related to Amateur Radio in Space including reports on the activities
of a worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an active
interest in designing, building, launching and communicating through analog
and digital Amateur Radio satellites.

The news feed on https://www.amsat.org publishes news of Amateur Radio in
Space as soon as our volunteers can post it.

Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor [at]
amsat.org

You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service
Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: https://mailman.amsat.org/postorius/lists/ans.amsat.org/ ------------------------------
January/February 2026 Issue of *The AMSAT Journal* Now Available

The January/February 2026 issue of *The AMSAT Journal* is now available to AMSAT members on AMSAT?s Member Portal <https://launch.amsat.org/The_AMSAT_Journal>.

*The AMSAT Journal* is a bi-monthly digital magazine for amateur radio in
space enthusiasts, published by the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT). Each issue is your source for hardware and software projects, technical tips, STEM initiatives, operational activities, and news from
around the world.
Inside the Current Issue:

- Apogee View - Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA
- Educational Relations Update - Alan Johnston, KU2Y
- The futureGEO Project: Charting the Path to a New Era in Geostationary
Amateur Radio - Paul Stoetzer, N8HM
- AMSAT GOLF-TEE Electronic Power Subsystem - Kip Moravec, AE5IB
- RARS Supports Historic ISS-Conn Magnet Contact that Almost Didn't
Happen - Mike Nutt, K3LOE
- AMSAT-INDIA Amateur Radio & Space Communication Gallery - Activity
Report - Rajesh P. Vagadia, VU2EXP

*[ANS thanks* The AMSAT Journal *team** for the above information]* ------------------------------
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IARU Coordinates Two New Amateur Satellites

The International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) Satellite Frequency
Coordination Committee has recently completed frequency coordination for
two CubeSat missions: Taiwan's Lilium-4 and Montenegro's Luca-01. These coordinations ensure that the satellites can operate without interfering
with other space-based communications, paving the way for their upcoming launches and contributions to scientific research, education, and ham radio communities worldwide.

Lilium-4, a 6U CubeSat developed by National Formosa University is set to enhance amateur radio connectivity and optical experimentation in space.
The satellite, with callsign BN0YCA, will feature a 1200 bps AX.25 APRS digipeater on 145.825 MHz for global intercommunication among radio enthusiasts. It also includes UHF telemetry downlink at 437.850 MHz and a high-bandwidth S-band downlink at 2405.0 MHz for monitoring an onboard
optical payload. Additional capabilities involve a V/U repeater with uplink
at 145.980 MHz and downlink at 435.250 MHz, plus GNSS positioning using the
L1 signal at 1575.42 MHz. The mission focuses on student-led studies of space-to-ground optical signal acquisition, with unencrypted telemetry encouraging public participation in decoding and link-budget validation.
IARU coordination for Lilium-4 was finalized on January 31, 2026, following
a submission in late December 2025. The satellite is slated for launch no earlier than mid-March 2026 aboard a SpaceX rocket from Vandenberg Space
Force Base, targeting a 510 km polar orbit.

Luca-01 represents Montenegro's entry into amateur satellite technology, spearheaded by Montenegro Space Research. This 1U CubeSat is designed for educational outreach, equipped with a charged particle sensor and a
miniature camera to capture Earth's surface images. It will transmit
special Slow Scan Television (SSTV) images and telemetry data to engage
radio amateurs, students, and schoolchildren, using an open protocol for
easy reception with affordable equipment. The mission aims to inspire young people in amateur radio and space science, including efforts to image
various orbital objects. Downlinks have been coordinated on UHF
frequencies: 437.180 MHz primary and 436.150 MHz spare, employing GMSK modulation at rates between 2.4 kbps and 19.2 kbps. Coordination was
completed on March 13, 2026, after an application submitted on February 6, 2026. Luca-01 is planned for a Roscosmos launch from the Vostochny
Cosmodrome into a 500-600 km Sun-synchronous orbit.

*[ANS thanks the IARU for the above information]* ------------------------------

*The 2026 President's Club Coin is Now Here!*
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*Keep Amateur Radio in Space!* *https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/* <https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/> ------------------------------
Ten-Koh 2 Satellite With Linear Transponder Deployed

The 6U CubeSat *Ten-Koh 2 *(also written as Tenkoh-2 or ??
???) from Japan's
Nihon University was successfully deployed into orbit on March 11, 2026, at approximately 09:34 UTC. The satellite was released from JAXA's new HTV-X1 cargo spacecraft using the HTV-X Small Satellite Orbital Deployer (H-SSOD) after the vehicle departed the International Space Station (ISS) on March 6
and raised its altitude to around 500 km. This marks the first use of the H-SSOD mechanism for satellite deployment from HTV-X.

Developed by the Okuyama Laboratory in the Department of Aerospace
Engineering at Nihon University's College of Science and Technology,
Ten-Koh 2 builds on the legacy of its predecessor, Ten-Koh (launched in
2018). The mission focuses on low-Earth orbit environmental observations to gather data for future space development, alongside in-orbit demonstrations
of next-generation communication technologies. Key goals include evaluating high-speed data transmission and enabling global access for amateur radio operators to collect telemetry and experiment with the payloads.

The satellite carries an amateur radio payload coordinated by the
International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) and supported by JAMSAT (Japan
Amateur Satellite Association):

- *V/U Linear Transponder* (inverting, 40 kHz bandwidth):
- Uplink (LSB): 145.895?145.935 MHz
- Downlink (USB): 435.875?435.915 MHz
- *Additional Downlinks/Experiments*:
- CW beacon, Digitalker, AFSK 1.2 kbps, GMSK up to 19.2 kbps on 435.860
MHz
- High-speed experiments (GMSK 4.8?19.2 kbps, 4FSK 38.4 kbps)
and
photo/picture downlinks on 435.895 MHz
- 5.839 GHz CW beacon for microwave-band communication demos (SHF
experimenters take note?this provides a great target for test
ing dishes,
feeds, and LNAs)

The transponder is expected to operate on a scheduled basis (initially two
days per week, with details forthcoming from the team). Operations began shortly after deployment, with the university's ground station confirming reception of the CW beacon for basic telemetry (voltage, temperature, etc.)
.

Post-deployment updates from the Okuyama Lab indicate the signal level is currently weaker than anticipated, prompting ongoing monitoring and appeals
for reception reports via networks like SatNOGS to aid diagnostics and performance assessment. Early passes over Japan and other regions have
yielded mixed results, with some operators reporting no signals yet, while preliminary TLEs (e.g., temporary NORAD 98542) are circulating for tracking
.

Ten-Koh 2 (Image Credit: Nihon University)

*[ANS thanks the Okuyama Laboratory at Nihon University for the above information]*
------------------------------

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------------------------------
FO-29 Enters Full Sunlight: Veteran Satellite Sees Renewed Activity in 2026

Fuji-OSCAR 29 (FO-29), also known as JAS-2, the Japanese amateur radio satellite launched in August 1996, has entered a new operational phase as
of early March 2026. Now approaching its 30th anniversary in orbit, the satellite?long limited by failed batteries?relies entirely
on solar panel
illumination for power, meaning it only functions during sunlight periods
and shuts down in eclipse.

In February 2026, the FO-29 control team (operated from Japan) continued scheduled activations of the linear transponder, with commands sent on
specific dates to turn it on for limited windows. Operators noted the
unstable situation due to the satellite's age, with activations sometimes failing if the onboard voltage didn't respond quickly enough. The
transponder operates in Mode V/u (inverting SSB/CW): uplink LSB
145.900?146.000 MHz, downlink USB 435.800?435.900 MHz, with
a CW beacon on
435.795 MHz.

Around March 9, 2026, when FO-29 transitioned into a full-sunlight orbit season. This eliminates periodic eclipses, allowing continuous operation as long as solar panels receive light. AMSAT highlighted this in early
February bulletins, noting that shadow duration had decreased dramatically (from ~20 minutes to ~1 minute per orbit by mid-February), leading to the full-sun entry on March 9.

SatNOGS observers reported recent CW beacon and telemetry receptions as of March 12?13, 2026, with stations like EA5WA and DL7NDR logging data
. On
March 13, 2026, amateur operators reported successful SSB and CW QSOs
during passes, including busy activity with calls from Japan (e.g., JO1XOK, JE6TSP), China (e.g., BA4QNR, BD5EUA, BG5FWV), and others (e.g., E27DPX).
One operator described a "very busy pass" with multiple contacts, and
another logged several SSB and CW exchanges despite windy conditions
affecting reception.

AMSAT's live linear satellite summaries and status pages list FO-29 as
active under full sunlight conditions, with the transponder remaining on
until voltage drops below safe thresholds?no longer an issue in con
tinuous
sun. The digital modes (1k2/9k6 BBS) remain inactive, and the Digitalker on 435.910 MHz is rarely used.

This full-sunlight period offers a welcome revival for one of the oldest
active analog linear transponders in the amateur fleet. Enthusiasts are encouraged to monitor, log contacts via the AMSAT OSCAR Status Page, and
share reports to help track performance.

FO-29 prior to launch

*[ANS thanks AMSAT, SatNOGS, and various amateur radio operators for the
above information]*
------------------------------

[image: SDR Gen 2 Ad - 2026]
------------------------------
Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for March 13, 2026

Two Line Elements or TLEs, often referred to as Keplerian elements or keps
in the amateur community, are the inputs to the SGP4 standard mathematical model of spacecraft orbits used by most amateur tracking programs. Weekly updates are completely adequate for most amateur satellites. TLE bulletin
files are updated daily in the first hour of the UTC day. New bulletin
files will be posted immediately after reliable elements become available
for new amateur satellites. More information may be found at
https://www.amsat.org/keplerian-elements-resources/ <https://www.amsat.org/keplerian-elements-resources/>.

Ten-Koh2 has been added to this week's distribution.

*[ANS thanks Joe Fitzgerald, KM1P, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager, for the above information]*
------------------------------
ARISS News

Amateurs and others around the world may listen in on contacts between
amateurs operating in schools and allowing students to interact with
astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station. The
downlink frequency on which to listen is 145.800 MHz worldwide.
*Scheduled Contacts*

*Lewis Center for Educational Research, Apple Valley, CA, telebridge via IK1SLD*

The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS
The scheduled crewmember is Sophie Adenot KJ5LTN
The ARISS mentor is AA6TB

Contact is go for: Thu 2026-03-19 17:15:13 UTC 48 deg

Watch for Livestream at https://live.ariss.org/

*Amur State University, Blagoveshchensk, Russia, direct via TBD*

The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RS?ISS
The scheduled crewmember is Andrey Fedyaev
The ARISS mentor is RV3DR

Contact is go for 2026-03-26 08:50 UTC

*MOBU, Ufa, Republic of Bashkortostan, Russia, direct via TBD*

The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RS?ISS
The scheduled crewmember is Sergey Kud-Sverchkov
The ARISS mentor is RV3DR

Contact is go for 2026-03-26 13:30 UTC

Many times a school may make a last minute decision to do a Livestream or
run into a last minute glitch requiring a change of the URL but we at ARISS
may not get the URL in time for publication. You can always check https://live.ariss.org/ to see if a school is Livestreaming.

As always, if there is an EVA, a docking, or an undocking; the ARISS radios
are turned off as part of the safety protocol.

The crossband repeater continues to be active (145.990 MHz up {PL 67} &
437.800 MHz down), If any crew member is so inclined, all they have to do
is pick up the microphone, raise the volume up, and talk on the crossband repeater. So give a listen, you just never know.

Service Module radio: Not in APRS configuration; only being used for voice contacts at this time. Default mode is for packet operations (145.825 MHz
up & down) but occasionally used for SSTV (145.800 MHz down).

Ham TV ? Configured. Default mode is for scheduled digital amateur
television operations (2395.00 MHz).

Note, all times are approximate. It is recommended that you do your own
orbital prediction or start listening about 10 minutes before the listed
time.

The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html

The latest list of frequencies in use can be found at https://www.ariss.org/contact-the-iss.html

*[ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team mentors
for the above information]*
------------------------------
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------------------------------
AMSAT Ambassador Activities

AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events.

*March 21, 2026*
Midwinter Madness Hamfest
Buffalo Civic Center
1306 County Rd 134
Buffalo Minnesota 55313
K?JM, AD?HJ

*April 11, 2026*
Tucson Area Spring Hamfest
Radio Society of Tucson
Calvary Tucson Church
8711 East Speedway
Tucson, AZ 85710
https://k7rst.club/
N1UW

Interested in becoming an AMSAT Ambassador? AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and
host information tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker
faires, and other events.

For more information go to: https://www.amsat.org/ambassador/ <https://www.amsat.org/ambassador/>

*[ANS thanks Bo Lowrey, W4FCL, Director ? AMSAT Ambassador Program,
for the
above information]*
------------------------------
Satellite Shorts from All Over

+ NASA held a live news conference on March 12 following the Artemis II
Flight Readiness Review, confirming the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft
remain in the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center for final
prep work. Repairs to the upper stage helium system (from a
quick-disconnect seal issue) are complete, with rollout to the pad expected later this month. The mission targets the first crewed lunar flyby in over
50 years, now aiming for early April launch opportunities (starting April
1) (ANS thanks NASA for the information. https://www.nasa.gov/2026-news-releases)

+ NASA's retired Van Allen Probe A (launched 2012) made an uncontrolled
reentry over the Pacific west of the Galapagos on March 11. Most of the spacecraft burned up, with a low risk (1-in-4,200) of debris causing harm;
its twin Probe B remains in orbit but non-operational. The probes studied Earth's radiation belts for years. (ANS thanks AP for the information. See
the full article at https://www.kbtx.com/2026/03/11/old-nasa-science-satellite-plunges-back-ear
th
)

+ Roscosmos completed repairs to the damaged Soyuz pad (Pad 31) at Baikonur Cosmodrome after a November 2025 incident where an unsecured service
structure fell during launch. Over 150 personnel restored the site; first relaunch (Progress cargo to ISS) targeted for March 22. (ANS thanks Ars Technica for the information. See the full article at https://arstechnica.com/space/2026/03/rocket-report-spacex-launch-prices-ar e-going-up-russia-fixes-broken-launch-pad
)

+ The European Space Agency has confirmed that its Coronagraph spacecraft, part of the Proba-3 solar observation mission, has gone silent following an onboard anomaly in mid-February 2026. The incident led to the loss of
attitude control, preventing the satellite?s solar panels from faci
ng the
Sun and draining its battery. The spacecraft has since entered survival
mode, cutting off all communication with Earth.(ANS thanks MSN for the information. See the full article at https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/insight/europe-s-solar-mission-hit-by-satell ite-blackout/gm-GM11D32319?gemSnapshotKey?11D32319-snapshot-1&uxmoderuby
.)
+ Texas-based Firefly Aerospace is celebrated on March 11 after
successfully launching its Alpha rocket for the first time in nearly a
year. The mission, called "Stairway to Seven," was the seventh flight for Alpha, which suffered two major mishaps during 2025. The first occurred
during the "Message in a Booster" mission last April, which carried a technology-demonstrating satellite for Lockheed Martin but failed to
deliver it to orbit after an anomaly occurred during stage separation.
Then, last September, an Alpha first stage exploded on the stand during prelaunch tests. This mishap added months to the mission development
timeline as the company investigated a cause and got another booster ready
for flight. Alpha Flight 7 achieved nominal performance and validated key systems ahead of the Block II configuration upgrade. This test flight also delivered a demonstrator payload for Lockheed Martin. (ANS thanks Space.com
for the information. See the full article at https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/firefly-aerospa ces-alpha-rocket-reaches-orbit-on-1st-mission-since-explosive-accidents-las t-year-video
.)

+ The second AMSAT Students on The Air Day is scheduled for Tuesday, March 17th. AMSAT's new initiative for student satellite activity launched on
March 3, with operations encouraged on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. A dedicated AMSAT Discord channel supports coordination, sharing,
and youth engagement in making satellite contacts. Early participation has
been positive as schools and students get on the birds. (ANS thanks AMSAT Operations for the information)

+ SilverSat's SSDV schedule can be found at http://operations.silversat.org/ssdv (ANS thanks the SilverSat team for the information)
------------------------------
Join AMSAT today at https://launch.amsat.org/

In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to:

- Societies (a recognized group, clubs or organization).
- Students are eligible for *FREE* membership up to age 25.
- Memberships are available for annual and lifetime terms.

Contact info [at] amsat.org for additional membership information.

*73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space!*

*This week's ANS Editor,*

*Paul Stoetzer, N8HM*
*n8hm [at] amsat.org <http://amsat.org>*



*ANS is a service of AMSAT, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, 712 H Street NE, Suite 1653, Washington, DC 20002AMSAT is a registered trademark
of the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation.*


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