[sci.space] * SpaceNews 11-Feb-91 *

kd2bd@ka2qhd.UUCP (John Magliacane) (02/10/91)

SB SPACE @ ALLBBS < KD2BD $SPC0211
* SpaceNews  11-Feb-91 *

Bulletin ID: $SPC0211


                              =========
                              SpaceNews
                              =========

                       MONDAY FEBRUARY 11, 1991

SpaceNews originates at KD2BD in Wall Township, New Jersey, USA.  It
is published every week and is made available for unlimited distribution.



* U2MIR-1 NEWS *
================
Here is an example of what the U2MIR mailbox help file looks like:

B(ye)     B [CR] disconnects you from PMS.
H(elp)    H [CR] or ? [CR] displays this help file.
J(log)    J [CR] displays a list of callsigns heard (optional date/time)
K(ill)    K n [CR] deletes message number n  (only to/from your callsign).
KM(ine)   KM[CR] deletes all READ messages addressed to your call sign.
L(ist)    L [CR] lists the 10 latest messages.
M(ine)    M [CR] lists the 10 latest messages to/from your callsign.
R(ead)    R n [CR] reads message number n.
S(end)    S (callsign) [CR] begins a message addressed  to (callsign).
          Subject: max 28 characters ending with [CR].
          Text: End each line with [CR]. End message by
           typing /ex [CR]  or  CTRL-Z [CR]
           at the beginning of a new line.
SR(eply)  SR n[CR] Sends a reply to message n prompting only for text.
V(ersion) V [CR] displays the software version of the PMS system.

CMD(B/H/J/K/KM/L/M/R/S/SR/V/?)>

U2MIR-5 was active last week when U2MIR-1 was issuing "busy" signals.


* MAGELLAN NEWS *
=================
The Magellan spacecraft has now completed over 944 mapping orbits covering
almost 50 percent of the surface of planet Venus.  All systems on board
the spacecraft are performing well.


* SHUTTLE INFO *
================

Shuttle Communications Frequencies (UHF-AM)

243.000 MHz  Standard military aircraft emergecy frequency
259.700 MHz  Air-to-ground or suit-to-orbiter
279.000 MHz  Suit-to-orbiter or suit-to-suit
296.000 MHz  Primary UHF downlink
296.800 MHz  Air-to-ground or orbiter-to-suit

The UHF communications system is primarily designed to support duplex
voice communications between EVA crew members and the orbiter.  Two
UHF antennas are used in this system.  The primary UHF antenna is an
annular slot antenna.  The second antenna is a microstrip antenna having
a gain of -10dBci, and is primarily used by astronauts in the airlock.

Simplex mode:

The on-board voice signal from the audio system is first clipped to an
RMS-to-peak ratio of 0.427 (9.0 dB clipping) and filtered (300-3000 Hz)
before amplitude modulating the carrier with a modulation index of 90%.
Transmitter power is 10 watts.

EVA Mode:

The UHF communications system can support two astronauts performing EVA
for two-way duplex voice transmissions and reception of EKG signals.
In the primary mode, the orbiter UHF communications system transmits a
298.600 MHz carrier which is amplitude modulated by the voice signal.
It simultaneously receives the 259.700 MHz and 279.000 MHz AM carriers
from two astronauts.  Each received Am carrier includes a voice channel
and a frequency modulated EKG subcarrier channel.  Transmitter power is
lowered to 250 mW in EVA mode by bypassing the final power amplifier.

S-Band Microwave Frequencies (Wideband FM)

Air-to-Ground : 2205.0, 2217.5, 2250.0, 2287.5 MHz
Ground-to-Air : 2041.9, 2201.4 MHz

2287.5 MHz  Primary digital downlink
2250.0 MHz  Main engine analog telemetry during launch

The voice downlinks employ digital slope delta modulation and are
multiplexed with orbiter telemetry.  Downlink TV is wideband FM.


* TNX QSL! *
============
A special thanks to all those who sent QSLs and letters to SpaceNews:

DE8MFJ : Peter Pfliegensdorfer, Haar-Ottendichl, Germany
VK8GF  : Jeff Farmer, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia

...and e-mail messages:

VE2DBM, K3GLK, WB3JFS, N4IRR, G6FWT, KL7RH, WB9OEP


* FEEDBACK WELCOMED *
=====================
Feedback regarding SpaceNews can be directed to the editor (John) via any
of the following paths:

INTERNET : kd2bd@ka2qhd.de.com
PACKET   : KD2BD @ NN2Z.NJ.USA.NA
UUCP     : ...uunet!rutgers!ka2qhd!kd2bd

MAIL     : John A. Magliacane, KD2BD
           Department of Electronics Technology
           Advanced Technology Center
           Brookdale Community College
           765 Newman Springs Road
           Lincroft, New Jersey 07738
           U.S.A.



/EX
-- 
John A. Magliacane                 FAX  : (908) 747-7107
Electronics Technology Department  AMPR : KD2BD @ NN2Z.NJ.USA.NA
Brookdale Community College        UUCP : ...!rutgers!ka2qhd!kd2bd
Lincroft, NJ  07738  USA           VOICE: (908) 842-1900 ext 607