Paul Marsh reported the following on the Hearsat-L newsgroup:
I think I have re-found the Chinese Chang'e-2 lunar orbiter downlink. I've been monitoring it for a few hours, and can see both Doppler inversions as it orbits the Moon.
http://pjm.dyndns.org/sdr/change2a021110.jpg shows the signal, downlinking on 2210.800 MHz nominally.
I also caught this fft http://pjm.dyndns.org/sdr/change2a021110a.jpg showing the Doppler inversion.
Can someone else with S-Band facilities try to track this orbiter and report back its signal strength etc?
Also Nils in Germany confirmed Paul's observation:
I can confirm the Signal on 2210.816 MHz from Moon with upward doppler direction
at ~ 12:30 UTC. The Moon is about to set here currently, the following FFT was taken at 3°Elevation only. This is using a 1m mesh dish + EME103B LNA and Winradio Converter into an ICOM IC-R7100 with SDR-14 on the IF out.
http://www.bildercache.de/anzeige.html?dateiname=20101102-143010-148.png
Thanks gentlemen for sharing your observations with the rest of the monitoring community.
Friday, November 05, 2010
Thursday, November 04, 2010
Launch Notification: Beidou G4
Courtesy of AGI's Launch Notification e-mails. AGI's E-mails are sent after every launch and include key spacecraft information such as: the date, time, launch site, launcher, international number, name, and owner. Get more information on thousands of satellites and other vehicles by viewing STK models, animations, and our encyclopedic "Spacecraft Digest" database at www.agi.com/scdigest.
New Launch: 2010 October 31, 1626 UTC
Site: Xichang Launch Facility, PRC
Launcher: Long March 3C (Chang Zheng 3C)
International Designator(s): 2010-057A
SSC Name Owner
37210 BEIDOU G4 PRC
"China launched its sixth Beidou navigation satellite Sunday, reaching another step in a program to provide precise positioning services across the Asia-Pacific region by 2012.
"The satellite lifted off on a Long March 3C rocket at 1626 GMT (12:26 p.m. EDT) Sunday. It was just after midnight at the Xichang launch base in southwestern China's Sichuan province.
"The three-stage rocket, standing 180 feet [55 m] tall at liftoff, placed the Beidou payload on course toward geosynchronous orbit, according to the Chinese government.
"According to tracking data, the spacecraft is in a preliminary orbit stretching from a low point of 115 miles [185 km] to a high point of about 22,260 miles [35,820 km]. Its inclination angle is 20.5 degrees.
"The Beidou, or Compass, satellite will fire its own engine to reach a circular orbit 22,300 miles [35,900 km] above the equator. It is the sixth satellite launched in the first phase of the system's operational fleet.
"The craft launched Sunday is the fourth platform designed for geosynchronous orbit over the equator. One satellite is in a medium-altitude orbit more than 13,000 miles [20,900 km] high, and another spacecraft was injected in an inclined orbit to cover Earth's polar regions.
"Four Beidou satellites have been sent into space so far this year."
Source: Spaceflight Now, "China deploys another navigation satellite to orbit"
New Launch: 2010 October 31, 1626 UTC
Site: Xichang Launch Facility, PRC
Launcher: Long March 3C (Chang Zheng 3C)
International Designator(s): 2010-057A
SSC Name Owner
37210 BEIDOU G4 PRC
"China launched its sixth Beidou navigation satellite Sunday, reaching another step in a program to provide precise positioning services across the Asia-Pacific region by 2012.
"The satellite lifted off on a Long March 3C rocket at 1626 GMT (12:26 p.m. EDT) Sunday. It was just after midnight at the Xichang launch base in southwestern China's Sichuan province.
"The three-stage rocket, standing 180 feet [55 m] tall at liftoff, placed the Beidou payload on course toward geosynchronous orbit, according to the Chinese government.
"According to tracking data, the spacecraft is in a preliminary orbit stretching from a low point of 115 miles [185 km] to a high point of about 22,260 miles [35,820 km]. Its inclination angle is 20.5 degrees.
"The Beidou, or Compass, satellite will fire its own engine to reach a circular orbit 22,300 miles [35,900 km] above the equator. It is the sixth satellite launched in the first phase of the system's operational fleet.
"The craft launched Sunday is the fourth platform designed for geosynchronous orbit over the equator. One satellite is in a medium-altitude orbit more than 13,000 miles [20,900 km] high, and another spacecraft was injected in an inclined orbit to cover Earth's polar regions.
"Four Beidou satellites have been sent into space so far this year."
Source: Spaceflight Now, "China deploys another navigation satellite to orbit"
Tuesday, November 02, 2010
Launch Notification: Progress-M 08M
Courtesy of AGI's Launch Notification e-mails. AGI's E-mails are sent after every launch and include key spacecraft information such as: the date, time, launch site, launcher, international number, name, and owner. Get more information on thousands of satellites and other vehicles by viewing STK models, animations, and our encyclopedic "Spacecraft Digest" database at www.agi.com/scdigest.
New Launch: 2010 October 27, 1511 UTC
Site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
Launcher: Soyuz-U
International Designator(s): 2010-055A
SSC Name Owner
37196 PROGRESS-M 08M CIS
"Just a week before the shuttle Discovery arrives at the International Space Station for its construction mission, a Russian resupply ship has launched to deliver a load of equipment, fuel and provisions to the orbiting science laboratory.
"Liftoff of the cargo freighter atop a Soyuz booster from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan occurred today at 11:11 a.m. EDT (1511 GMT).
"The preliminary orbit was achieved after a nine-minute ascent provided by the three-stage rocket, and onboard commands were issued to unfurl the craft's communications and navigation antennas and extend two power-generating solar arrays that span 35 feet [11 m].
"A series of precise engine firings over the next three days will guide the Progress toward an automated rendezvous with the station. The docking is slated for Saturday at 12:39 p.m. EDT (1639 GMT).
"The 24-foot [7-m] long ship will attach itself to the open port on the Pirs compartment, which was vacated Monday when a previous Progress was jettisoned.
"Today's launch was known in the station's assembly matrix as Progress mission 40P. The spacecraft's formal Russian designation is Progress M-08M.
"The craft will bring two-and-a-half tons of supplies to the station. The "dry" cargo tucked aboard the Progress amounts to 2,804 pounds [1,272 kg] in the form of food, spare parts, life support gear and experiment hardware.
"The refueling module carries 1,918 pounds [870 kg] of propellant for transfer into the Russian segment of the complex to feed the station's maneuvering thrusters. The vessel also has 498 pounds [226 kg] of water and 110 pounds [50 kg] of oxygen.
"It'll remain attached to the station through mid-January."
Source: Spaceflght Now, "Cargo craft begins pursuit of International Space Station"
New Launch: 2010 October 27, 1511 UTC
Site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
Launcher: Soyuz-U
International Designator(s): 2010-055A
SSC Name Owner
37196 PROGRESS-M 08M CIS
"Just a week before the shuttle Discovery arrives at the International Space Station for its construction mission, a Russian resupply ship has launched to deliver a load of equipment, fuel and provisions to the orbiting science laboratory.
"Liftoff of the cargo freighter atop a Soyuz booster from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan occurred today at 11:11 a.m. EDT (1511 GMT).
"The preliminary orbit was achieved after a nine-minute ascent provided by the three-stage rocket, and onboard commands were issued to unfurl the craft's communications and navigation antennas and extend two power-generating solar arrays that span 35 feet [11 m].
"A series of precise engine firings over the next three days will guide the Progress toward an automated rendezvous with the station. The docking is slated for Saturday at 12:39 p.m. EDT (1639 GMT).
"The 24-foot [7-m] long ship will attach itself to the open port on the Pirs compartment, which was vacated Monday when a previous Progress was jettisoned.
"Today's launch was known in the station's assembly matrix as Progress mission 40P. The spacecraft's formal Russian designation is Progress M-08M.
"The craft will bring two-and-a-half tons of supplies to the station. The "dry" cargo tucked aboard the Progress amounts to 2,804 pounds [1,272 kg] in the form of food, spare parts, life support gear and experiment hardware.
"The refueling module carries 1,918 pounds [870 kg] of propellant for transfer into the Russian segment of the complex to feed the station's maneuvering thrusters. The vessel also has 498 pounds [226 kg] of water and 110 pounds [50 kg] of oxygen.
"It'll remain attached to the station through mid-January."
Source: Spaceflght Now, "Cargo craft begins pursuit of International Space Station"
New York HF Volmet Off the Air
If you have been looking for any of the New York Volmet broadcasts on HF, they are off the air for transmitter replacement.
A0667/10 - QXXXX DUE TO TRANSMITTER REPLACEMENT AT THE BARNEGAT, NEW JERSEY, USA SITE, THERE WILL BE NO VOLMET SERVICE AVAILABLE FROM THIS LOCATION BETWEEN OCTOBER 12, AND NOVEMBER 18, 2010. 12 OCT 00:00 2010 UNTIL 18 NOV 23:59 2010. CREATED: 22 SEP 12:10 2010
New York Volmet shares its frequencies below with Gander NF Volmet.
Frequencies: 3485.0 6604.0 10051.0 13270.0 kHz
A0667/10 - QXXXX DUE TO TRANSMITTER REPLACEMENT AT THE BARNEGAT, NEW JERSEY, USA SITE, THERE WILL BE NO VOLMET SERVICE AVAILABLE FROM THIS LOCATION BETWEEN OCTOBER 12, AND NOVEMBER 18, 2010. 12 OCT 00:00 2010 UNTIL 18 NOV 23:59 2010. CREATED: 22 SEP 12:10 2010
New York Volmet shares its frequencies below with Gander NF Volmet.
Frequencies: 3485.0 6604.0 10051.0 13270.0 kHz
Monday, November 01, 2010
Launch Notification: XM-5
Courtesy of AGI's Launch Notification e-mails. AGI's E-mails are sent after every launch and include key spacecraft information such as: the date, time, launch site, launcher, international number, name, and owner. Get more information on thousands of satellites and other vehicles by viewing STK models, animations, and our encyclopedic "Spacecraft Digest" database at www.agi.com/scdigest.
New Launch: 2010 October 14, 1853 UTC
Site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
Launcher: Proton-M
International Designator(s): 2010-053A
SSC Name Owner
37185 XM-5 US
"Sirius XM Radio's next broadcasting satellite rocketed away from Earth and into space Thursday, reaching a lofty perch high above Earth for a 15-year mission serving nearly 20 million subscribers in North America with music, news and variety programming.
"The company's ninth satellite lifted off at 1853 GMT (2:53 p.m. EDT) from Pad 24 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the first commercial Proton rocket launch from that complex in more than five years.
"The Proton lofted the Sirius XM 5 payload on a suborbital trajectory in less than 10 minutes, then a Breeze M upper stage fired as planned, according to International Launch Services, the Russian-owned, U.S.-based firm responsible for commercial Proton sales.
"The upper stage fired four more times overnight to raise its altitude and reduce its inclination, eventually arriving in an elliptical transfer orbit stretching more than 22,200 miles [35,700 km] from Earth at its furthest point.
"Deployment of Sirius XM 5 occurred at 0405 GMT (12:05 a.m. EDT) Wednesday, more than nine hours after liftoff."
"Sirius XM 5 will fire an on-board kick engine several times over the next few weeks to reach an orbit 22,300 miles [35,900 km] above the equator. Controllers will park the satellite at 80 degrees west longitude for a month of in-orbit testing, then the craft will drift to its long-term home at 85.2 degrees west longitude.
"The satellite will be an orbital spare for the XM 3 and XM 4 satellites currently transmitting operational radio signals, according to Lincoln Day, executive director at Space Systems/Loral, the satellite's prime contractor.
"Sirius XM 5 will join a fleet of spacecraft already beaming radio signals to receivers in cars, trucks, boats, aircraft, homes and mobile devices of more than 19.8 million subscribers."
"Two 29.5-foot-diameter [9-m-diameter] unfurlable mesh antennas will broadcast Sirius XM Radio's 135 audio channels. The antennas will be connected to an S-band downlink and X-band uplink communications payload.
"The satellite is designed to last for at least 15 years in space. Based on Loral's 1300 spacecraft bus, Sirius XM 5 will produce nearly 20 kilowatts of power at the end of its mission."
Source: Spaceflight Now, "Sirius XM Radio satellite launched by Russian rocket"
New Launch: 2010 October 14, 1853 UTC
Site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
Launcher: Proton-M
International Designator(s): 2010-053A
SSC Name Owner
37185 XM-5 US
"Sirius XM Radio's next broadcasting satellite rocketed away from Earth and into space Thursday, reaching a lofty perch high above Earth for a 15-year mission serving nearly 20 million subscribers in North America with music, news and variety programming.
"The company's ninth satellite lifted off at 1853 GMT (2:53 p.m. EDT) from Pad 24 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the first commercial Proton rocket launch from that complex in more than five years.
"The Proton lofted the Sirius XM 5 payload on a suborbital trajectory in less than 10 minutes, then a Breeze M upper stage fired as planned, according to International Launch Services, the Russian-owned, U.S.-based firm responsible for commercial Proton sales.
"The upper stage fired four more times overnight to raise its altitude and reduce its inclination, eventually arriving in an elliptical transfer orbit stretching more than 22,200 miles [35,700 km] from Earth at its furthest point.
"Deployment of Sirius XM 5 occurred at 0405 GMT (12:05 a.m. EDT) Wednesday, more than nine hours after liftoff."
"Sirius XM 5 will fire an on-board kick engine several times over the next few weeks to reach an orbit 22,300 miles [35,900 km] above the equator. Controllers will park the satellite at 80 degrees west longitude for a month of in-orbit testing, then the craft will drift to its long-term home at 85.2 degrees west longitude.
"The satellite will be an orbital spare for the XM 3 and XM 4 satellites currently transmitting operational radio signals, according to Lincoln Day, executive director at Space Systems/Loral, the satellite's prime contractor.
"Sirius XM 5 will join a fleet of spacecraft already beaming radio signals to receivers in cars, trucks, boats, aircraft, homes and mobile devices of more than 19.8 million subscribers."
"Two 29.5-foot-diameter [9-m-diameter] unfurlable mesh antennas will broadcast Sirius XM Radio's 135 audio channels. The antennas will be connected to an S-band downlink and X-band uplink communications payload.
"The satellite is designed to last for at least 15 years in space. Based on Loral's 1300 spacecraft bus, Sirius XM 5 will produce nearly 20 kilowatts of power at the end of its mission."
Source: Spaceflight Now, "Sirius XM Radio satellite launched by Russian rocket"
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Newly Launched Eutelsat W3B SATELLITE in Trouble
Eutelsat is reporting a loss of the recently launched W3B Satellite.
http://www.eutelsat.com/news/press-releases.html?idCp=755
http://www.eutelsat.com/news/press-releases.html?idCp=755
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Launch Notification: GLOBALSTAR M079, GLOBALSTAR M074, GLOBALSTAR M076, GLOBALSTAR M077, GLOBALSTAR M075, GLOBALSTAR M073
Courtesy of AGI's Launch Notification e-mails. AGI's E-mails are sent after every launch and include key spacecraft information such as: the date, time, launch site, launcher, international number, name, and owner. Get more information on thousands of satellites and other vehicles by viewing STK models, animations, and our encyclopedic "Spacecraft Digest" database at www.agi.com/scdigest.
New Launch: 2010 October 19, 1711 UTC
Site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
Launcher: Soyuz 2
International Designator(s): 2010-054A, 2010-054B, 2010-054C, 2010-054D, 2010-054E, 2010-054F
SSC Name Owner
37188 GLOBALSTAR M079 GLOB
37189 GLOBALSTAR M074 GLOB
37190 GLOBALSTAR M076 GLOB
37191 GLOBALSTAR M077 GLOB
37192 GLOBALSTAR M075 GLOB
37193 GLOBALSTAR M073 GLOB
"Globalstar's fleet of orbiting communications satellites received reinforcements Tuesday, when a commercial Soyuz rocket launched from Kazakhstan and deployed six advanced spacecraft to restore the company's diminished two-way voice and data services.
"Built by Thales Alenia Space, the satellites are also the cornerstone of a rejuvenated Globalstar constellation Three more Soyuz launches are planned through the summer of 2011, bringing the company's fleet of second-generation satellites to 24 platforms.
"Globalstar officials say the transition to the new satellite fleet will be seamless for the company's 400,000 subscribers, except for a marked improvement in mobile two-way communications service.
"S-band antenna degradation on Globalstar's existing satellites has limited voice and duplex data communications since 2007. The problem has not affected Globalstar's simplex data relay and asset tracking product, according to the company.
"Globalstar subscribers use the satellite network to make mobile phone calls and data transmissions, especially in rural zones where terrestrial coverage is spotty or non-existent.
"By the middle of 2011, Globalstar officials say customers can expect a return to reliable voice and data transmissions. Until then, subscribers can use an application on the company's website to plug in their location and determine what hours satellite coverage is available."
"A Soyuz rocket launched at 1710:59 GMT (1:10:59 p.m. EDT) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Soaring into a partly cloudy night sky, the Soyuz 2-1a booster and Fregat upper stage accelerated to orbital velocity a few minutes after liftoff.
"After coasting around the world for more than an hour, the Fregat upper stage ignited again to reach the planned separation orbit. The rocket was targeting a circular orbit 572 miles [921 km] high with an inclination of 52 degrees
"Mounted on a specially-built satellite dispenser during launch, the Globalstar spacecraft were released in a choreographed sequence to avoid collisions. Two satellites bolted to the top of the cone-shaped adapter separated first, then four craft on the lower portion of the structure deployed 96 seconds later.
"The satellites' first radio signals were received by ground stations moments after spacecraft separation, according to Jean-Yves Le Gall, chairman and CEO of Arianespace, which oversees commercial Soyuz launches through its Starsem subsidiary."
"In a phone interview from Baikonur on the eve of launch, Navarra said two of the satellites launched Tuesday will enter service in about one month. It will take up to four months for the other four craft to drift to their prescribed orbital locations."
"The new satellites weigh 1,543 pounds [700 kg] at launch and are supposed to operate for 15 years, extending Globalstar's constellation life through at least 2025
"When the Globalstar launch campaign ends next year, the company's fleet will include 24 second-generation spacecraft and eight leftover first-generation satellites built as spares and launched in 2007."
Source: Spaceflight Now, "Six improved Globalstar craft orbited by Soyuz rocket"
New Launch: 2010 October 19, 1711 UTC
Site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
Launcher: Soyuz 2
International Designator(s): 2010-054A, 2010-054B, 2010-054C, 2010-054D, 2010-054E, 2010-054F
SSC Name Owner
37188 GLOBALSTAR M079 GLOB
37189 GLOBALSTAR M074 GLOB
37190 GLOBALSTAR M076 GLOB
37191 GLOBALSTAR M077 GLOB
37192 GLOBALSTAR M075 GLOB
37193 GLOBALSTAR M073 GLOB
"Globalstar's fleet of orbiting communications satellites received reinforcements Tuesday, when a commercial Soyuz rocket launched from Kazakhstan and deployed six advanced spacecraft to restore the company's diminished two-way voice and data services.
"Built by Thales Alenia Space, the satellites are also the cornerstone of a rejuvenated Globalstar constellation Three more Soyuz launches are planned through the summer of 2011, bringing the company's fleet of second-generation satellites to 24 platforms.
"Globalstar officials say the transition to the new satellite fleet will be seamless for the company's 400,000 subscribers, except for a marked improvement in mobile two-way communications service.
"S-band antenna degradation on Globalstar's existing satellites has limited voice and duplex data communications since 2007. The problem has not affected Globalstar's simplex data relay and asset tracking product, according to the company.
"Globalstar subscribers use the satellite network to make mobile phone calls and data transmissions, especially in rural zones where terrestrial coverage is spotty or non-existent.
"By the middle of 2011, Globalstar officials say customers can expect a return to reliable voice and data transmissions. Until then, subscribers can use an application on the company's website to plug in their location and determine what hours satellite coverage is available."
"A Soyuz rocket launched at 1710:59 GMT (1:10:59 p.m. EDT) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Soaring into a partly cloudy night sky, the Soyuz 2-1a booster and Fregat upper stage accelerated to orbital velocity a few minutes after liftoff.
"After coasting around the world for more than an hour, the Fregat upper stage ignited again to reach the planned separation orbit. The rocket was targeting a circular orbit 572 miles [921 km] high with an inclination of 52 degrees
"Mounted on a specially-built satellite dispenser during launch, the Globalstar spacecraft were released in a choreographed sequence to avoid collisions. Two satellites bolted to the top of the cone-shaped adapter separated first, then four craft on the lower portion of the structure deployed 96 seconds later.
"The satellites' first radio signals were received by ground stations moments after spacecraft separation, according to Jean-Yves Le Gall, chairman and CEO of Arianespace, which oversees commercial Soyuz launches through its Starsem subsidiary."
"In a phone interview from Baikonur on the eve of launch, Navarra said two of the satellites launched Tuesday will enter service in about one month. It will take up to four months for the other four craft to drift to their prescribed orbital locations."
"The new satellites weigh 1,543 pounds [700 kg] at launch and are supposed to operate for 15 years, extending Globalstar's constellation life through at least 2025
"When the Globalstar launch campaign ends next year, the company's fleet will include 24 second-generation spacecraft and eight leftover first-generation satellites built as spares and launched in 2007."
Source: Spaceflight Now, "Six improved Globalstar craft orbited by Soyuz rocket"
Thursday, October 07, 2010
Launch Notification: SHIJIAN-6G and SHIJIAN-6H
Courtesy of AGI's Launch Notification e-mails. AGI's E-mails are sent after every launch and include key spacecraft information such as: the date, time, launch site, launcher, international number, name, and owner. Get more information on thousands of satellites and other vehicles by viewing STK models, animations, and our encyclopedic "Spacecraft Digest" database at www.agi.com/scdigest.
New Launch: 2010 October 6, 0049 UTC
Site: Taiyuan Space Center, PRC
Launcher: Long March 4B (Chang Zheng 4B)
International Designator(s): 2010-051A, 2010-051B
SSC Name Owner
37179 SJ-6G
(SHIJIAN-6G) PRC
37180 SJ-6H
(SHIJIAN-6H) PRC
"Two research satellites flew into a nearly 400-mile-high [644-km-high] orbit early Wednesday on a Long March rocket, continuing a pace of nearly one Chinese launch a week since the end of July.
"A Long March 4B rocket lifted off at 0049 GMT Wednesday (8:49 p.m. EDT Tuesday) from the Taiyuan space center in northern China. The launch occurred a few hours before the Chang'e 2 lunar orbiter arrived at the moon after a five-day journey from Earth.
"According to the state-run Xinhua news agency, the 15-story rocket carried two Shijian 6 satellites. U.S. military tracking data show the spacecraft orbiting about 375 miles [603 km] above Earth with an inclination of about 98 degrees to the equator.
"It was the 11th space launch of the year for China Seven of those missions have been since the end of July, a span of less than 10 weeks.
"The payloads are the fourth pair of Shijian 6 satellites. The spacecraft, dubbed Shijian 6G and Shijian 6H, will probe the space environment, according to Xinhua.
"No other details of their mission were released.
"Shijian satellites are believed to test technology demonstration and space research experiments. Shijian means "practice" in Chinese.
"The last set of Shijian 6 satellites launched in October 2008. One of the craft, Shijian 6F, became the target of an orbital rendezvous demonstration in August.
"A newly-launched satellite named Shijian 12 approached within 200 meters, or 656 feet, of Shijian 6F in mid-August, according to amateur satellite observations and U.S. Air Force data."
Source: Spaceflight Now, "Pair of research satellites launched by China"
New Launch: 2010 October 6, 0049 UTC
Site: Taiyuan Space Center, PRC
Launcher: Long March 4B (Chang Zheng 4B)
International Designator(s): 2010-051A, 2010-051B
SSC Name Owner
37179 SJ-6G
(SHIJIAN-6G) PRC
37180 SJ-6H
(SHIJIAN-6H) PRC
"Two research satellites flew into a nearly 400-mile-high [644-km-high] orbit early Wednesday on a Long March rocket, continuing a pace of nearly one Chinese launch a week since the end of July.
"A Long March 4B rocket lifted off at 0049 GMT Wednesday (8:49 p.m. EDT Tuesday) from the Taiyuan space center in northern China. The launch occurred a few hours before the Chang'e 2 lunar orbiter arrived at the moon after a five-day journey from Earth.
"According to the state-run Xinhua news agency, the 15-story rocket carried two Shijian 6 satellites. U.S. military tracking data show the spacecraft orbiting about 375 miles [603 km] above Earth with an inclination of about 98 degrees to the equator.
"It was the 11th space launch of the year for China Seven of those missions have been since the end of July, a span of less than 10 weeks.
"The payloads are the fourth pair of Shijian 6 satellites. The spacecraft, dubbed Shijian 6G and Shijian 6H, will probe the space environment, according to Xinhua.
"No other details of their mission were released.
"Shijian satellites are believed to test technology demonstration and space research experiments. Shijian means "practice" in Chinese.
"The last set of Shijian 6 satellites launched in October 2008. One of the craft, Shijian 6F, became the target of an orbital rendezvous demonstration in August.
"A newly-launched satellite named Shijian 12 approached within 200 meters, or 656 feet, of Shijian 6F in mid-August, according to amateur satellite observations and U.S. Air Force data."
Source: Spaceflight Now, "Pair of research satellites launched by China"
Friday, October 01, 2010
Launch Notification: Cosmos 2469
Courtesy of AGI's Launch Notification e-mails. AGI's E-mails are sent after every launch and include key spacecraft information such as: the date, time, launch site, launcher, international number, name, and owner. Get more information on thousands of satellites and other vehicles by viewing STK models, animations, and our encyclopedic "Spacecraft Digest" database at www.agi.com/scdigest.
New Launch: 2010 September 30, 1701 UTC
Site: Plesetsk Missile and Space Complex, Russia
Launcher: Molniya-M
International Designator(s): 2010-049A
SSC Name Owner
37170 COSMOS 2469 CIS
"A Molniya-M carrier rocket successfully released a Kosmos satellite into orbit on Thursday, a spokeman from the Russian Defense Ministry said.
"The rocket blasted off from the Pletesk space center in northern Russia at 21.01 Moscow time (17.01 GMT).
"The satellite will be used by the Russian Defense Ministry for military purposes."
Source: RIA Novosti, "Russia successfully sends Kosmos satellite into orbit"
New Launch: 2010 September 30, 1701 UTC
Site: Plesetsk Missile and Space Complex, Russia
Launcher: Molniya-M
International Designator(s): 2010-049A
SSC Name Owner
37170 COSMOS 2469 CIS
"A Molniya-M carrier rocket successfully released a Kosmos satellite into orbit on Thursday, a spokeman from the Russian Defense Ministry said.
"The rocket blasted off from the Pletesk space center in northern Russia at 21.01 Moscow time (17.01 GMT).
"The satellite will be used by the Russian Defense Ministry for military purposes."
Source: RIA Novosti, "Russia successfully sends Kosmos satellite into orbit"
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Launch Notification: YAOGAN 11, ZHEDA PIXING 1B, ZHEDA PIXING 1C
Courtesy of AGI's Launch Notification e-mails. AGI's E-mails are sent after every launch and include key spacecraft information such as: the date, time, launch site, launcher, international number, name, and owner. Get more information on thousands of satellites and other vehicles by viewing STK models, animations, and our encyclopedic "Spacecraft Digest" database at www.agi.com/scdigest.
New Launch: 2010 September 22, 0242 UTC
Site: Jiuquan Space Center, PRC
Launcher: Long March 2D (Chang Zheng 2D)
International Designator(s): 2010-047A, 2010-047B, 2010-047C
SSC Name Owner
37165 YAOGAN 11 PRC
37166 ZHEDA PIXING 1B PRC
37167 ZHEDA PIXING 1C PRC
"A secret military payload successfully launched aboard a Long March rocket early Wednesday, continuing a feverish pace of Chinese space activity that includes a mysterious orbital rendezvous, an upcoming lunar probe and preps for continued human missions.
"It was the fifth launch in barely 50 days for China, and the second mission in that period lofting a clandestine Yaogan reconnaissance satellite.
"Wednesday's launch began with the blastoff of a Long March 2D rocket at 0242 GMT (10:42 p.m. EDT Tuesday) from the Jiuquan space center in the desert of northwestern China, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency.
"It was 10:42 a.m. Beijing time.
"The 135-foot-tall [41-m-tall] launch vehicle placed Yaogan 11 and two smaller satellites on a path nearly 400 miles [644 km] above Earth.
"The Yaogan 11 payload orbited Wednesday will conduct scientific experiments, survey land resources, estimate crop yields and contribute to natural disaster response efforts, Xinhua reported.
"But the Yaogan satellite series are believed to provide the Chinese military with high-resolution reconnaissance imagery through electro-optical cameras and night-vision radar systems."
Source: Spaceflight Now, "China orbits spy satellite amid uptick in space activity"
New Launch: 2010 September 22, 0242 UTC
Site: Jiuquan Space Center, PRC
Launcher: Long March 2D (Chang Zheng 2D)
International Designator(s): 2010-047A, 2010-047B, 2010-047C
SSC Name Owner
37165 YAOGAN 11 PRC
37166 ZHEDA PIXING 1B PRC
37167 ZHEDA PIXING 1C PRC
"A secret military payload successfully launched aboard a Long March rocket early Wednesday, continuing a feverish pace of Chinese space activity that includes a mysterious orbital rendezvous, an upcoming lunar probe and preps for continued human missions.
"It was the fifth launch in barely 50 days for China, and the second mission in that period lofting a clandestine Yaogan reconnaissance satellite.
"Wednesday's launch began with the blastoff of a Long March 2D rocket at 0242 GMT (10:42 p.m. EDT Tuesday) from the Jiuquan space center in the desert of northwestern China, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency.
"It was 10:42 a.m. Beijing time.
"The 135-foot-tall [41-m-tall] launch vehicle placed Yaogan 11 and two smaller satellites on a path nearly 400 miles [644 km] above Earth.
"The Yaogan 11 payload orbited Wednesday will conduct scientific experiments, survey land resources, estimate crop yields and contribute to natural disaster response efforts, Xinhua reported.
"But the Yaogan satellite series are believed to provide the Chinese military with high-resolution reconnaissance imagery through electro-optical cameras and night-vision radar systems."
Source: Spaceflight Now, "China orbits spy satellite amid uptick in space activity"
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Nine years later: Towers of Babble
From the The Virginian-Pilot, September 11, 2010
http://hamptonroads.com/2010/09/nine-years-later-towers-babble
A network that allows public safety agencies to communicate with each other remains one of the most elusive and pressing recommendations from the 9/11 Commission. Nine years after America was attacked, there's no guarantee that such a system will ever come into existence.
As The New York Times reported this week, squabbling over who will control a prime slice of broadband spectrum has left plans for a nationwide system literally up in the air.
The Federal Communications Commission has been pushing an approach that would have commercial companies buy and control the airwaves and build fourth-generation wireless networks on it. During emergencies, police and fire and emergency personnel would get control of the network, effectively taking over the airwaves to coordinate interagency communication.
Those public safety groups, however, insist such a network is unlikely to have the capacity needed during an emergency, meaning it could fail under heavy use and put lives at risk. They want exclusive control of the entire section of the spectrum, and they're lobbying Congress for it.
It has been six years since the 9/11 Commission issued its massive report, which included recommendations to improve the response to catastrophes on the scale of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
That makes the prolonged delay over divvying up broadband spectrum and developing a nationwide interoperable communication system all the more frustrating, particularly for commission members. Two years ago, after an FCC auction failed to draw sufficient commercial bids, the commission's vice chairman told The Washington Post: "I've lost patience... The slowness of this just indicates a lack of urgency and a lack of concern about human survival and human life if a disaster strikes."
The unhurried pace is indeed disappointing, especially given the urgency of the problem. During the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York nine years ago, first responders found themselves - for a variety of reasons - unable to communicate with each other. People died as a result.
There has been some progress that will help in future emergencies.
Today, many police and fire departments, including those in South Hampton Roads, use plain English on their radios instead of arbitrary, agency-specific codes.
They have developed interoperable regional systems and standard operating procedures to communicate during emergencies, and they've held joint training to prepare for hurricanes, plane crashes and other disasters.
Such changes have helped communities become better prepared, but each would be more valuable if they were part of a system that permits local, state and federal agencies from Virginia to Oregon to communicate and coordinate in a large-scale emergency.
Officials have said construction of the network could take as much as a decade. That means if Congress has any intention of seeing the system in place before the 20th anniversary of 9/11, it must act now to settle the debate over access to the broadband spectrum.
http://hamptonroads.com/2010/09/nine-years-later-towers-babble
A network that allows public safety agencies to communicate with each other remains one of the most elusive and pressing recommendations from the 9/11 Commission. Nine years after America was attacked, there's no guarantee that such a system will ever come into existence.
As The New York Times reported this week, squabbling over who will control a prime slice of broadband spectrum has left plans for a nationwide system literally up in the air.
The Federal Communications Commission has been pushing an approach that would have commercial companies buy and control the airwaves and build fourth-generation wireless networks on it. During emergencies, police and fire and emergency personnel would get control of the network, effectively taking over the airwaves to coordinate interagency communication.
Those public safety groups, however, insist such a network is unlikely to have the capacity needed during an emergency, meaning it could fail under heavy use and put lives at risk. They want exclusive control of the entire section of the spectrum, and they're lobbying Congress for it.
It has been six years since the 9/11 Commission issued its massive report, which included recommendations to improve the response to catastrophes on the scale of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
That makes the prolonged delay over divvying up broadband spectrum and developing a nationwide interoperable communication system all the more frustrating, particularly for commission members. Two years ago, after an FCC auction failed to draw sufficient commercial bids, the commission's vice chairman told The Washington Post: "I've lost patience... The slowness of this just indicates a lack of urgency and a lack of concern about human survival and human life if a disaster strikes."
The unhurried pace is indeed disappointing, especially given the urgency of the problem. During the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York nine years ago, first responders found themselves - for a variety of reasons - unable to communicate with each other. People died as a result.
There has been some progress that will help in future emergencies.
Today, many police and fire departments, including those in South Hampton Roads, use plain English on their radios instead of arbitrary, agency-specific codes.
They have developed interoperable regional systems and standard operating procedures to communicate during emergencies, and they've held joint training to prepare for hurricanes, plane crashes and other disasters.
Such changes have helped communities become better prepared, but each would be more valuable if they were part of a system that permits local, state and federal agencies from Virginia to Oregon to communicate and coordinate in a large-scale emergency.
Officials have said construction of the network could take as much as a decade. That means if Congress has any intention of seeing the system in place before the 20th anniversary of 9/11, it must act now to settle the debate over access to the broadband spectrum.
QZS-1 (MICHIBIKI)
Courtesy of AGI's Launch Notification e-mails. AGI's E-mails are sent after every launch and include key spacecraft information such as: the date, time, launch site, launcher, international number, name, and owner. Get more information on thousands of satellites and other vehicles by viewing STK models, animations, and our encyclopedic "Spacecraft Digest" database at www.agi.com/scdigest.
New Launch: 2010 September 11, 1117 UTC
Site: Tanegashima Space Center, Japan
Launcher: H-2A
International Designator(s): 2010-045A
SSC Name Owner
37158 QZS-1 (MICHIBIKI) JPN
"An H-2A rocket flew to space Saturday with a Japanese satellite to meet a pressing need for improved navigation services amid the country's numerous mountains and high-rise buildings.
"The rocket's payload is the first of three planned satellites to fill coverage gaps from U.S. Global Positioning System satellites caused by signal blockage from mountains and skyscrapers.
"Developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and four government ministries, the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System is aimed at overcoming ground interference by launching more navigation satellites strategically positioned high in the sky above Asia.
"The line-of-sight navigation signals from GPS satellites can be interrupted in rural hamlets and skyscraper-filled cities like Tokyo, where users occasionally lack sufficient data to determine their position, elevation and time.
"JAXA says a constellation of three QZSS spacecraft would make three-dimensional navigation coverage available 99.8 percent of the time, an improvement over the estimated 90 percent availability with GPS satellites today.
"Four GPS satellites must appear in the sky at one time to triangulate a user's 3D position and time, but buildings and mountains can block signals from spacecraft close to the horizon.
"The first QZSS navigation craft launched Saturday on an H-2A rocket. Its nickname is Michibiki, which means "guiding" or "showing the way" in Japanese.
"Michibiki is demonstrating the system's navigation instruments and proving the satellite works before Japan commits to launching the other two spacecraft.
"The 17-story launcher lifted off at 1117 GMT (7:17 a.m. EDT) from Launch Pad No. 1 at the Yoshinobu launch complex, a shoreline facility at the Tanegashima Space Center off the coast of Kyushu, the southernmost of Japan's main islands."
"JAXA says Michibiki will reach its final orbit in about two weeks. It will be three months before the satellite finishes commissioning tests and can begin its navigation demos.
"Michibiki will circle the Earth at a 45-degree angle to the equator. Its orbital high point will be more than 24,000 miles [38,600 km] over the northern hemisphere and its lowest altitude will be 20,500 miles [33,000 km], according to JAXA.
"Projected against Earth's surface, Michibiki's ground track will chart an asymmetric figure-eight pattern stretching from Japan to Australia as it alternates north and south of the equator.
"Michibiki will be near-zenith, or almost straight up, in the Japanese sky for about eight hours each day. If launched, the two follow-on satellites would permit continuous coverage of Japan."
Source: Spaceflight Now, "Navigation satellite launched to show the way in Japan"
New Launch: 2010 September 11, 1117 UTC
Site: Tanegashima Space Center, Japan
Launcher: H-2A
International Designator(s): 2010-045A
SSC Name Owner
37158 QZS-1 (MICHIBIKI) JPN
"An H-2A rocket flew to space Saturday with a Japanese satellite to meet a pressing need for improved navigation services amid the country's numerous mountains and high-rise buildings.
"The rocket's payload is the first of three planned satellites to fill coverage gaps from U.S. Global Positioning System satellites caused by signal blockage from mountains and skyscrapers.
"Developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and four government ministries, the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System is aimed at overcoming ground interference by launching more navigation satellites strategically positioned high in the sky above Asia.
"The line-of-sight navigation signals from GPS satellites can be interrupted in rural hamlets and skyscraper-filled cities like Tokyo, where users occasionally lack sufficient data to determine their position, elevation and time.
"JAXA says a constellation of three QZSS spacecraft would make three-dimensional navigation coverage available 99.8 percent of the time, an improvement over the estimated 90 percent availability with GPS satellites today.
"Four GPS satellites must appear in the sky at one time to triangulate a user's 3D position and time, but buildings and mountains can block signals from spacecraft close to the horizon.
"The first QZSS navigation craft launched Saturday on an H-2A rocket. Its nickname is Michibiki, which means "guiding" or "showing the way" in Japanese.
"Michibiki is demonstrating the system's navigation instruments and proving the satellite works before Japan commits to launching the other two spacecraft.
"The 17-story launcher lifted off at 1117 GMT (7:17 a.m. EDT) from Launch Pad No. 1 at the Yoshinobu launch complex, a shoreline facility at the Tanegashima Space Center off the coast of Kyushu, the southernmost of Japan's main islands."
"JAXA says Michibiki will reach its final orbit in about two weeks. It will be three months before the satellite finishes commissioning tests and can begin its navigation demos.
"Michibiki will circle the Earth at a 45-degree angle to the equator. Its orbital high point will be more than 24,000 miles [38,600 km] over the northern hemisphere and its lowest altitude will be 20,500 miles [33,000 km], according to JAXA.
"Projected against Earth's surface, Michibiki's ground track will chart an asymmetric figure-eight pattern stretching from Japan to Australia as it alternates north and south of the equator.
"Michibiki will be near-zenith, or almost straight up, in the Japanese sky for about eight hours each day. If launched, the two follow-on satellites would permit continuous coverage of Japan."
Source: Spaceflight Now, "Navigation satellite launched to show the way in Japan"
Friday, September 03, 2010
Launch Notification: Cosmos 2464/2465/2466
Courtesy of AGI's Launch Notification e-mails. AGI's E-mails are sent after every launch and include key spacecraft information such as: the date, time, launch site, launcher, international number, name, and owner. Get more information on thousands of satellites and other vehicles by viewing STK models, animations, and our encyclopedic "Spacecraft Digest" database at www.agi.com/scdigest.
New Launch: 2010 September 2, 0053 UTC
Site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
Launcher: Proton-M
International Designator(s): 2010-041A, 2010-041B, 2010-041C
SSC Name Owner
37137 COSMOS 2464 CIS
37138 COSMOS 2465 CIS
37139 COSMOS 2466 CIS
"A Proton rocket blasted off overnight Wednesday with three spacecraft to help expand Russia's satellite navigation system to provide positioning services around the world.
"The Proton rocket launched at 0053 GMT Thursday (8:53 p.m. EDT Wednesday) from [P]ad 81 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, where the first pink hues of sunrise splashed the dawn sky.
"With six main engines burning, the Proton soared into mostly clear skies and jettisoned its first stage two minutes after liftoff. The three-stage rocket deployed a Block DM upper stage and the three Glonass payloads in space less than 10 minutes into the mission.
"The Block DM was expected to fire twice to place the Glonass satellites in a circular orbit 12,000 miles [19,000 km] above Earth with an inclination of 64.8 degrees.
"Spacecraft separation occurred at 0426 GMT (12:26 a.m. EDT) in the targeted orbit, according to the Russian Space Agency.
"The satellites are the second group of Glonass platforms launched this year. Three other spacecraft were orbited by a Proton rocket March 1.
"Each satellite weighs about 3,000 pounds [1,360 kg] at launch, including maneuvering fuel to maintan the craft's orientation in space. The modernized Glonass M spacecraft are designed to operate for seven years in orbit, according to their manufacturer, Information Satellite Systems Reshetnev Co.
"Glonass satellites broadcast navigation signals to military and civilian users from their orbital perch, reaching ground receivers across a swath of Earth nearly stretching from pole to pole.
"According to a Russian Space Agency website, 21 Glonass satellites are currently operational. Two more spacecraft are considered spares.
"Glonass satellites are scattered in three orbital groups, each designed for eight spacecraft to achieve global navigation coverage with a total of 24 operating satellites.
"Three more Glonass M satellites are scheduled for launch in November."
[Note: Identifications were made using current orbital motion toward designated orbital slots reported by the Russian Space Agency.]
Source: Spaceflight Now, "Group of navigation satellites launched by Proton rocket"
New Launch: 2010 September 2, 0053 UTC
Site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
Launcher: Proton-M
International Designator(s): 2010-041A, 2010-041B, 2010-041C
SSC Name Owner
37137 COSMOS 2464 CIS
37138 COSMOS 2465 CIS
37139 COSMOS 2466 CIS
"A Proton rocket blasted off overnight Wednesday with three spacecraft to help expand Russia's satellite navigation system to provide positioning services around the world.
"The Proton rocket launched at 0053 GMT Thursday (8:53 p.m. EDT Wednesday) from [P]ad 81 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, where the first pink hues of sunrise splashed the dawn sky.
"With six main engines burning, the Proton soared into mostly clear skies and jettisoned its first stage two minutes after liftoff. The three-stage rocket deployed a Block DM upper stage and the three Glonass payloads in space less than 10 minutes into the mission.
"The Block DM was expected to fire twice to place the Glonass satellites in a circular orbit 12,000 miles [19,000 km] above Earth with an inclination of 64.8 degrees.
"Spacecraft separation occurred at 0426 GMT (12:26 a.m. EDT) in the targeted orbit, according to the Russian Space Agency.
"The satellites are the second group of Glonass platforms launched this year. Three other spacecraft were orbited by a Proton rocket March 1.
"Each satellite weighs about 3,000 pounds [1,360 kg] at launch, including maneuvering fuel to maintan the craft's orientation in space. The modernized Glonass M spacecraft are designed to operate for seven years in orbit, according to their manufacturer, Information Satellite Systems Reshetnev Co.
"Glonass satellites broadcast navigation signals to military and civilian users from their orbital perch, reaching ground receivers across a swath of Earth nearly stretching from pole to pole.
"According to a Russian Space Agency website, 21 Glonass satellites are currently operational. Two more spacecraft are considered spares.
"Glonass satellites are scattered in three orbital groups, each designed for eight spacecraft to achieve global navigation coverage with a total of 24 operating satellites.
"Three more Glonass M satellites are scheduled for launch in November."
[Note: Identifications were made using current orbital motion toward designated orbital slots reported by the Russian Space Agency.]
Source: Spaceflight Now, "Group of navigation satellites launched by Proton rocket"
Wednesday, September 01, 2010
Blog Disclosure Statement
This policy is valid from 1 September 2010
This blog is a sponsored blog created or supported by a company. For questions about this blog, please contact teakpub at brmemc dot com.
This blog does not accept any form of advertising, sponsorship, or paid insertions. We write for our own purposes. However, we may be influenced by our background, occupation, religion, political affiliation or experience.
The owner(s) of this blog do not receive any direct compensation in any way from this blog.
The owner(s) of this blog is not compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the blog owners. If we claim or appear to be experts on a certain topic or product or service area, we will only endorse products or services that we believe, based on our expertise, are worthy of such endorsement. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider.
This blog does contain content which might present a conflict of interest. This content may not always be identified. We are employed by or consult with:- Grove Enterprises and Monitoring Times magazine. We have a financial interest in the following that are relevant to our blogging:- Teak Publishing.
To get your own policy, go to http://www.disclosurepolicy.org
This blog is a sponsored blog created or supported by a company. For questions about this blog, please contact teakpub at brmemc dot com.
This blog does not accept any form of advertising, sponsorship, or paid insertions. We write for our own purposes. However, we may be influenced by our background, occupation, religion, political affiliation or experience.
The owner(s) of this blog do not receive any direct compensation in any way from this blog.
The owner(s) of this blog is not compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the blog owners. If we claim or appear to be experts on a certain topic or product or service area, we will only endorse products or services that we believe, based on our expertise, are worthy of such endorsement. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider.
This blog does contain content which might present a conflict of interest. This content may not always be identified. We are employed by or consult with:- Grove Enterprises and Monitoring Times magazine. We have a financial interest in the following that are relevant to our blogging:- Teak Publishing.
To get your own policy, go to http://www.disclosurepolicy.org
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Mysterious Russian 'buzzer' (Enigma S28) radio broadcast changes
From our sister blog, Shortwave Central,(http://mt-shortwave.blogspot.com/) the following posted on the increase in Enigma S28 Russian Buzzer station activity:
The output of Russian number station UVB-76 has increased dramatically over the past week or so. The station, which broadcasts from near Povarovo [on 4625 kHz AM with suppressed lower sideband], is known as “The Buzzer” by its listeners because of the short, monotonous buzz tone that it normally plays 21 to 34 times per minute. It’s only deviated from that signal three times previously - briefly in 1997, 2002 and 2006.
In early August, a garbled recording of a voice speaking Russian was heard by listeners. A few days later, on 23 August at 13:35 UTC, a clearer voice read out the following message twice: “UVB-76, UVB-76 — 93 882 naimina 74 14 35 74 — 9 3 8 8 2 nikolai, anna, ivan, michail, ivan, nikolai, anna, 7, 4, 1, 4, 3, 5, 7, 4″, before returning to its normal broadcasting.
Since then, a number of other distorted voices have appeared over the normal buzzing transmission, as well as knocks and shuffles, as if someone were moving things around inside the broadcasting room. It’s believed that the transmission site has an open microphone, which occasionally picks up sounds from technicians working within the broadcast site.
Additional story at: http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2010-08/25/russian-numbers-station-broadcast-changes (R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)
And from the SCAN-DC newsgroup:
UVB-76 is the callsign of a shortwave radio station that usually broadcasts on the frequency 4625 kHz (AM suppressed lower sideband). It is known among radio listeners by the nickname The Buzzer. It features a short, monotonous buzz tone, repeating at a rate of approximately 25 tones per minute, for 24 hours per day. The station has been observed since around 1982. On rare occasions, the buzzer signal is interrupted and a voice transmission in Russian takes place. Only four to five such events have been noted. Despite much speculation, the actual purpose of this station remains unknown to the public, but is probably used for relaying military orders. There has been a spike in activity as of late August, 2010. More details on the spike below:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UVB-76#August_2010
Here is the latest intercepts from the Wikipeda link above:
August 2010
There has been a spike in activity on UVB-76 in August 2010. Following messages have been detected by listeners:
On August 20, 2010 at 05:11 UTC, a garbled voice speaking Russian, was detected by amateur listeners. It made a short message with 56° 5'8.23"N little interference and then repeated itself with noticeably more static. This followed recent activity on the station tha little interference and then repeated itself with noticeably more static. This followed recent activity on the station that included more static than usual and several instances of objects being moved/dropped. All of this was detected by amateur listeners and is unconfirmed at the moment.
On August 23, 2010 at 13:35 UTC, a voice speaking in Russian was detected. The voice read out a single, short transmission several times before the line went dead, then returned to its normal broadcast. As the message was transmitted on upper side-band, reception with ordinary AM receivers was weak and distorted.
The message, repeated twice, was: UVB-76, UVB-76 — 93 882 naimina 74 14 35 74 — 9 3 8 8 2 nikolai, anna, ivan, michail, ivan, nikolai, anna, 7, 4, 1, 4, 3, 5, 7, 4[11] (recording of the August 23 2010 voice transmission)
On August 24, 2010 at approximately 04:00 UTC, a heavily distorted voice was heard by amateur listeners.
On August 24, 2010 at 13:25 UTC, another heavily distorted voice was detected by several amateur listeners.
On August 24, 2010 at 17:43 UTC, Hard to hear voices were heard over the transmission.
On August 24, 2010 at around 03:30 UTC, distorted voices in addition to fast beeps and pulses were heard.
On August 25, 2010 around 06:13 UTC, Random knocks or shuffles as if someone is in the room, changes in tone randomly.
On August 25, 2010 at 11:53 GMT the following message was detected: "August 3 5 2 7 Accretion 3 6 0 9 5 6 7 3". A recording is available here mirror Said message is a Google Translate of 3 8 5 2 7 ???????? 3 6 0 9 5 6 7 3. This is identical to the August 25, 2010 06:54 UTC message mentioned below.
On August 25, 2010 at 06:45 UTC, A grumble or garbled sound appeared out of nowhere for 389 ms.
On August 25, 2010 at 06:54 UTC, Another transmission occurred. (Recording of the fifth voice transmission) A new sequence/pattern with a chirping/crank noise occured on top of the previous buzzer. At times this new noise made the old buzzing noise barely audible.The message content was: "UVB-76. UVB-76. 38, 527. ????????. 36, 09, 55, 73.".
On August 25, 2010 at 18:07 UTC, Morse code could be heard behind the buzzer signal. It lasted until approximately 18:20 UTC. At approximately 18:08 UTC A tone was heard in the background followed by a short message.
There is a lot of very interesting additional details at the Wikipedia website above.
Also courtesy of the Spooks list and Jakon Hays, the following associated links:
Saw a post on MeFi this morning about it.
http://www.metafilter.com/95091/4625-kHz
Which cites this site.
http://uvb-76.blogspot.com/2010/08/august-23-2010-935am-pst-voice.html
The wiki page has been updated quite a bit though the day.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UVB-76
And there is a live stream here.
http://www.justin.tv/rampageturke#/w/340896016/4
The output of Russian number station UVB-76 has increased dramatically over the past week or so. The station, which broadcasts from near Povarovo [on 4625 kHz AM with suppressed lower sideband], is known as “The Buzzer” by its listeners because of the short, monotonous buzz tone that it normally plays 21 to 34 times per minute. It’s only deviated from that signal three times previously - briefly in 1997, 2002 and 2006.
In early August, a garbled recording of a voice speaking Russian was heard by listeners. A few days later, on 23 August at 13:35 UTC, a clearer voice read out the following message twice: “UVB-76, UVB-76 — 93 882 naimina 74 14 35 74 — 9 3 8 8 2 nikolai, anna, ivan, michail, ivan, nikolai, anna, 7, 4, 1, 4, 3, 5, 7, 4″, before returning to its normal broadcasting.
Since then, a number of other distorted voices have appeared over the normal buzzing transmission, as well as knocks and shuffles, as if someone were moving things around inside the broadcasting room. It’s believed that the transmission site has an open microphone, which occasionally picks up sounds from technicians working within the broadcast site.
Additional story at: http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2010-08/25/russian-numbers-station-broadcast-changes (R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)
And from the SCAN-DC newsgroup:
UVB-76 is the callsign of a shortwave radio station that usually broadcasts on the frequency 4625 kHz (AM suppressed lower sideband). It is known among radio listeners by the nickname The Buzzer. It features a short, monotonous buzz tone, repeating at a rate of approximately 25 tones per minute, for 24 hours per day. The station has been observed since around 1982. On rare occasions, the buzzer signal is interrupted and a voice transmission in Russian takes place. Only four to five such events have been noted. Despite much speculation, the actual purpose of this station remains unknown to the public, but is probably used for relaying military orders. There has been a spike in activity as of late August, 2010. More details on the spike below:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UVB-76#August_2010
Here is the latest intercepts from the Wikipeda link above:
August 2010
There has been a spike in activity on UVB-76 in August 2010. Following messages have been detected by listeners:
On August 20, 2010 at 05:11 UTC, a garbled voice speaking Russian, was detected by amateur listeners. It made a short message with 56° 5'8.23"N little interference and then repeated itself with noticeably more static. This followed recent activity on the station tha little interference and then repeated itself with noticeably more static. This followed recent activity on the station that included more static than usual and several instances of objects being moved/dropped. All of this was detected by amateur listeners and is unconfirmed at the moment.
On August 23, 2010 at 13:35 UTC, a voice speaking in Russian was detected. The voice read out a single, short transmission several times before the line went dead, then returned to its normal broadcast. As the message was transmitted on upper side-band, reception with ordinary AM receivers was weak and distorted.
The message, repeated twice, was: UVB-76, UVB-76 — 93 882 naimina 74 14 35 74 — 9 3 8 8 2 nikolai, anna, ivan, michail, ivan, nikolai, anna, 7, 4, 1, 4, 3, 5, 7, 4[11] (recording of the August 23 2010 voice transmission)
On August 24, 2010 at approximately 04:00 UTC, a heavily distorted voice was heard by amateur listeners.
On August 24, 2010 at 13:25 UTC, another heavily distorted voice was detected by several amateur listeners.
On August 24, 2010 at 17:43 UTC, Hard to hear voices were heard over the transmission.
On August 24, 2010 at around 03:30 UTC, distorted voices in addition to fast beeps and pulses were heard.
On August 25, 2010 around 06:13 UTC, Random knocks or shuffles as if someone is in the room, changes in tone randomly.
On August 25, 2010 at 11:53 GMT the following message was detected: "August 3 5 2 7 Accretion 3 6 0 9 5 6 7 3". A recording is available here mirror Said message is a Google Translate of 3 8 5 2 7 ???????? 3 6 0 9 5 6 7 3. This is identical to the August 25, 2010 06:54 UTC message mentioned below.
On August 25, 2010 at 06:45 UTC, A grumble or garbled sound appeared out of nowhere for 389 ms.
On August 25, 2010 at 06:54 UTC, Another transmission occurred. (Recording of the fifth voice transmission) A new sequence/pattern with a chirping/crank noise occured on top of the previous buzzer. At times this new noise made the old buzzing noise barely audible.The message content was: "UVB-76. UVB-76. 38, 527. ????????. 36, 09, 55, 73.".
On August 25, 2010 at 18:07 UTC, Morse code could be heard behind the buzzer signal. It lasted until approximately 18:20 UTC. At approximately 18:08 UTC A tone was heard in the background followed by a short message.
There is a lot of very interesting additional details at the Wikipedia website above.
Also courtesy of the Spooks list and Jakon Hays, the following associated links:
Saw a post on MeFi this morning about it.
http://www.metafilter.com/95091/4625-kHz
Which cites this site.
http://uvb-76.blogspot.com/2010/08/august-23-2010-935am-pst-voice.html
The wiki page has been updated quite a bit though the day.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UVB-76
And there is a live stream here.
http://www.justin.tv/rampageturke#/w/340896016/4
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Current status of the ROS digital mode use in the US
Earlier this year there was quite a bit of buzz on the amateur radio newsgroups about a new digital mode known as ROS developed by a non-ham, José Alberto Nieto Ros.
The new mode uses spread spectrum technology at 1 or 16 Baud signalling rates, and is designed to cope with disturbances, low level signals, meteor scatter and moon bounce says José. José claims that receiving signals down to -35 dB (!) with 1 Bd signalling rate and -30 dB (!) with 16 Bd are possible.
But we have a problem here in the US. ROS is a spread spectrum mode and US hams are not allowed to use SS modes below 222 MHz by FCC regulation. Another problem is that hams in other portions of the world are using this 2.2 kHz bandwidth mode in the portion of the ham bands reserved for narrowband comms. Again not a good thing.
On March 4, 2010 the following was posted to the ARRL website:
In mid-February, European amateurs first used a new, experimental digital mode known as ROS. On February 23, 2010 -- after FCC review of the original documents provided from the developer's Web site -- the FCC made the following statements on ROS:
"Section 97.305 is the rule that specifies where different emission types are allowed to be transmitted on different bands. 'ROS' is viewed as 'spread spectrum,' and the creator of the system describes it as that. We assume that he knows what he created. [Section] 97.305 authorizes spread spectrum emission types (defined in Section 97.3) to be transmitted by FCC licensed amateur stations at places we regulate communications only on 222-225 MHz and higher frequency amateur bands. European telecommunication regulatory authorities may authorize amateur stations in Europe to use SS on the HF bands, but this is of no concern to us. The Commission does not determine if a particular mode 'truly' represents spread spectrum as it is defined in the rules. The licensee of the station transmitting the emission is responsible for determining that the operation of the station complies with the rules. This would include determining the type of emission the station is transmitting and that the frequencies being used are authorized for that type of emission."
Since that initial FCC review, several Internet sites have reported a claim -- attributed to the FCC -- that the original statements made had been reconsidered and that the FCC view was now that "ROS cannot be viewed as Spread Spectrum and it would be encompassed within Section 97.309 (RTTY and data emissions codes)."
When queried about this new statement, the FCC's Consumer Assistance Office stated that "[T]he information contained on the ROS Web site was not provided by the FCC." They then reaffirmed the original statements that originated from the FCC's Wireless Bureau, which handles Amateur Radio rules for the US.
The ARRL supports -- as one of the basic purposes of Amateur Radio -- the experimentation and advancing the technical skills of operators. The development and use of any new mode is exciting to many amateurs, and the League encourage amateurs to experiment within the parameters of the rules; however, the ARRL also reminds US licensees that according to Section 97.307, spread spectrum communications are only permissible in the US on frequencies above 222 MHz.
Of course, the debate raged on the various newsgroups about the pros and cons, but soon the conversation slowly died off, until this week. Earlier in the week the conversation cranked up in earnest again about the legally of using ROS in the US on the 30MDG newsgroup. This was due to this post by José on his ROS website:
http://rosmodem.wordpress.com/2010/08/13/the-fcc-allows-ros-to-be-used-in-the-usa/
Instead of investigating the details of the post, a flame war erupted, and is still raging strong even this morning. So now I'm now waiting for the aluminum foil hats (or hard kats with rubber ducks in the middle) to come out and aliens to land in BTown.
Yes, José's choice of a headline was poor "The FCC allows ROS to be used in the USA," since it makes it sound like the FCC has cleared and approved the mode for general hams ops in the US. But the details are in the body of the post:
”The FCC allows ROS to be used in the USA” (only for WE9XLQ)
Instead of taking a pause and looking into the callsign on the FCC website which would have been the prudent thing to do, some gents blew up the situation into a full blown flame war. Theese folks should have their keyboards disabled and given a time out in one corner of their shacks. ;-)))
Now the real truth, WE8XLQ is a newly issued FCC experimental license issued to Reindert A Smit in Alta Loma, CA, to test the ROS mode in the HF spectrum. The license is valid from 8/1/2010 to 1/31/2011.
In the "Explanation" section of the license it states:
Like to use ROS Modem digital mode in Amateur Radio Service. Questions exist about the legality of this mode on frequencies below 225 MHz.
In the "Purpose of Operation" section of the license it states:
Experiment with this mode and research capabilities of this mode under weak signal conditions and make comparisons against other digital modes such as WSJT and PSK31
Complete details are available at the link below: https://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/oetcf/els/reports/STA_Print.cfm?mode=initial&application_seq=45235
So it will be interesting to see how all of this washes out. Personally other than the wideband nature of ROS being used in the narrowband section of the various bands, I don't see why the ARRL and FCC should have opposed the mode in the first place. There is a mode called Chip64/128 which is also described as spread spectrum (full details at http://xoomer.virgilio.it/aporcino/Chip64/index.htm) being used in the HF spectrum. I haven't seen anything being done to ban this mode on the HF spectrum by the FCC. It has been around since 2007.
Not sure why all the fuss over ROS and not CHIP64/128 by the FCC. I look forward to seeing the test results of the ROS mode from WE9XLQ early next year.
In the meantime, here is your caveat. Using the ROS mode on HF by US hams other than Reindert A Smit, WE9XLQ, is illegal. If you use it, you may lose it (your license that is).
The new mode uses spread spectrum technology at 1 or 16 Baud signalling rates, and is designed to cope with disturbances, low level signals, meteor scatter and moon bounce says José. José claims that receiving signals down to -35 dB (!) with 1 Bd signalling rate and -30 dB (!) with 16 Bd are possible.
But we have a problem here in the US. ROS is a spread spectrum mode and US hams are not allowed to use SS modes below 222 MHz by FCC regulation. Another problem is that hams in other portions of the world are using this 2.2 kHz bandwidth mode in the portion of the ham bands reserved for narrowband comms. Again not a good thing.
On March 4, 2010 the following was posted to the ARRL website:
In mid-February, European amateurs first used a new, experimental digital mode known as ROS. On February 23, 2010 -- after FCC review of the original documents provided from the developer's Web site -- the FCC made the following statements on ROS:
"Section 97.305 is the rule that specifies where different emission types are allowed to be transmitted on different bands. 'ROS' is viewed as 'spread spectrum,' and the creator of the system describes it as that. We assume that he knows what he created. [Section] 97.305 authorizes spread spectrum emission types (defined in Section 97.3) to be transmitted by FCC licensed amateur stations at places we regulate communications only on 222-225 MHz and higher frequency amateur bands. European telecommunication regulatory authorities may authorize amateur stations in Europe to use SS on the HF bands, but this is of no concern to us. The Commission does not determine if a particular mode 'truly' represents spread spectrum as it is defined in the rules. The licensee of the station transmitting the emission is responsible for determining that the operation of the station complies with the rules. This would include determining the type of emission the station is transmitting and that the frequencies being used are authorized for that type of emission."
Since that initial FCC review, several Internet sites have reported a claim -- attributed to the FCC -- that the original statements made had been reconsidered and that the FCC view was now that "ROS cannot be viewed as Spread Spectrum and it would be encompassed within Section 97.309 (RTTY and data emissions codes)."
When queried about this new statement, the FCC's Consumer Assistance Office stated that "[T]he information contained on the ROS Web site was not provided by the FCC." They then reaffirmed the original statements that originated from the FCC's Wireless Bureau, which handles Amateur Radio rules for the US.
The ARRL supports -- as one of the basic purposes of Amateur Radio -- the experimentation and advancing the technical skills of operators. The development and use of any new mode is exciting to many amateurs, and the League encourage amateurs to experiment within the parameters of the rules; however, the ARRL also reminds US licensees that according to Section 97.307, spread spectrum communications are only permissible in the US on frequencies above 222 MHz.
Of course, the debate raged on the various newsgroups about the pros and cons, but soon the conversation slowly died off, until this week. Earlier in the week the conversation cranked up in earnest again about the legally of using ROS in the US on the 30MDG newsgroup. This was due to this post by José on his ROS website:
http://rosmodem.wordpress.com/2010/08/13/the-fcc-allows-ros-to-be-used-in-the-usa/
Instead of investigating the details of the post, a flame war erupted, and is still raging strong even this morning. So now I'm now waiting for the aluminum foil hats (or hard kats with rubber ducks in the middle) to come out and aliens to land in BTown.
Yes, José's choice of a headline was poor "The FCC allows ROS to be used in the USA," since it makes it sound like the FCC has cleared and approved the mode for general hams ops in the US. But the details are in the body of the post:
Instead of taking a pause and looking into the callsign on the FCC website which would have been the prudent thing to do, some gents blew up the situation into a full blown flame war. Theese folks should have their keyboards disabled and given a time out in one corner of their shacks. ;-)))
Now the real truth, WE8XLQ is a newly issued FCC experimental license issued to Reindert A Smit in Alta Loma, CA, to test the ROS mode in the HF spectrum. The license is valid from 8/1/2010 to 1/31/2011.
In the "Explanation" section of the license it states:
Like to use ROS Modem digital mode in Amateur Radio Service. Questions exist about the legality of this mode on frequencies below 225 MHz.
In the "Purpose of Operation" section of the license it states:
Experiment with this mode and research capabilities of this mode under weak signal conditions and make comparisons against other digital modes such as WSJT and PSK31
Complete details are available at the link below: https://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/oetcf/els/reports/STA_Print.cfm?mode=initial&application_seq=45235
So it will be interesting to see how all of this washes out. Personally other than the wideband nature of ROS being used in the narrowband section of the various bands, I don't see why the ARRL and FCC should have opposed the mode in the first place. There is a mode called Chip64/128 which is also described as spread spectrum (full details at http://xoomer.virgilio.it/aporcino/Chip64/index.htm) being used in the HF spectrum. I haven't seen anything being done to ban this mode on the HF spectrum by the FCC. It has been around since 2007.
Not sure why all the fuss over ROS and not CHIP64/128 by the FCC. I look forward to seeing the test results of the ROS mode from WE9XLQ early next year.
In the meantime, here is your caveat. Using the ROS mode on HF by US hams other than Reindert A Smit, WE9XLQ, is illegal. If you use it, you may lose it (your license that is).
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Perseid Meteor Shower
The annual Perseid meteor shower is underway. Earth is passing through a wide stream of debris from Comet Swift-Tuttle, and each time a fleck of comet dust hits Earth's atmosphere--flash!--there is a meteor. Forecasters say the shower will peak on Thursday, August 12th, and Friday, August 13th. You can see Perseids flitting across the sky at any time between about 10 pm on Thursday evening and sunrise on Friday morning. Observers who get away from city lights can expect to count dozens of meteors per hour, especially during the dark hours before dawn. http://spaceweather.com
Time to dust off my meteor scatter software and head up to 6 meters for some ping time from EM85.
Time to dust off my meteor scatter software and head up to 6 meters for some ping time from EM85.
Tuesday, August 03, 2010
Solar Tsunami to Strike Earth
NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory snapped this X-ray photo of the Sun early in the morning of Sunday, August 1st. The dark arc near the top right edge of the image is a filament of plasma blasting off the surface -- part of the coronal mass ejection. The bright region is an unassociated solar flare. NASAFrom FoxNews:
Earth is bracing for a cosmic tsunami Tuesday night as tons of plasma from a massive solar flare head directly toward the planet.
The Sun's surface erupted early Sunday morning, shooting a wall of ionized atoms directly at Earth, scientists say. It is expected to create a geomagnetic storm and a spectacular light show -- and it could pose a threat to satellites in orbit, as well.
"This eruption is directed right at us and is expected to get here early in the day on Aug. 4," said Leon Golub of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. "It's the first major Earth-directed eruption in quite some time."
The solar eruption, called a coronal mass ejection, was spotted by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory, which captures high-definition views of the sun at a variety of wavelengths. SDO was launched in February and peers deep into the layers of the sun, investigating the mysteries of its inner workings.
"We got a beautiful view of this eruption," Golub said. "And there might be more beautiful views to come if it triggers aurorae."
Views of aurorae are usually associated with Canada and Alaska, but even skywatchers in the northern U.S. mainland are being told they can look toward the north Tuesday and Wednesday evenings for rippling "curtains" of green and red light.
When a coronal mass ejection reaches Earth, solar particles stream down our planet's magnetic field lines toward the poles. In the process, the particles collide with atoms of nitrogen and oxygen in the Earth's atmosphere, which then glow, creating an effect similar to miniature neon signs.
The interaction of the solar particles with our planet's magnetic field has the potential to create geomagnetic storms, or disturbances, in Earth's magnetosphere. And while aurorae are normally visible only at high latitudes, they can light up the sky even at lower latitudes during a geomagnetic storm.
Fortunately for Earth-bound observers, the atmosphere filters out nearly all of the radiation from the solar blast. The flare shouldn't pose a health hazard, Golub told FoxNews.com.
"It's because of our atmosphere," he explained, "which absorbs the radiation, as well as the magnetic field of the Earth, which deflects any magnetic particles produced."
The radiation "almost never" makes it to ground, he noted, though pilots and passengers in airplanes may experience increased radiation levels akin to getting an X-ray.
The solar particles also could affect satellites, though scientists think that possibility is remote. Orbital Sciences Corp. believe a similar blast may have knocked its Galaxy 15 satellite permanently out of action this year.
This type of solar event has both government officials and satellite manufacturers worrying.
NASA scientists warned recently that high-energy electric pulses from the sun could cripple our electrical grid for years, causing billions in damages. In fact, the House is so concerned that the Energy and Commerce committee voted unanimously to approve a bill allocating $100 million to protect the energy grid from this rare but potentially devastating occurrence.
The sun's activity usually ebbs and flows on a fairly predictable cycle. Typically, a cycle lasts about 11 years, taking roughly 5.5 years to move from a solar minimum, a period of time when there are few sunspots, to peak at the solar maximum, during which sunspot activity is amplified.
The last solar maximum occurred in 2001. The latest minimum was particularly weak and long- lasting.
The most recent solar eruption is one of the first signs that the sun is waking up -- and heading toward another maximum.
Space.com contributed to this report.
Propagation Alert: Will it hit Earth?
On August 1, 2010, the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) observed a beautiful prominence eruption that may hit Earth and cause a geomagnetic storm. As the solar cycle progresses and the Sun becomes more active there will be many more opportunities to observe the causes of space weather. Want to see what happens? Follow the event at spaceweather.com.
And from the Spaceweather website:
On August 1st, the entire Earth-facing side of the sun erupted in a tumult of activity. There was a C3-class solar flare, a solar tsunami, multiple filaments of magnetism lifting off the stellar surface, large-scale shaking of the solar corona, radio bursts, a coronal mass ejection and more.
High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras tonight. One and possibly two coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are heading toward Earth, propelled by the solar eruptions of August 1st (see below). NOAA forecasters estimate a 10% chance of major geomagnetic storms and a 45% chance of at least some geomagnetic activity when the clouds arrive on August 3rd and 4th.
And finally this report from our good friend Tomas Hood
At approximately 0855 UTC on August 1, 2010, a C3.2 magnitude soft X-ray flare erupted from NOAA Active Sunspot Region 11092 (1092).
At nearly the same time, a massive filament eruption occurred. Prior to the filament's eruption, NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) instruments revealed an enormous plasma filament stretching across the sun's northern hemisphere. When the solar shock wave triggered by the C3.2-class X-ray explosion plowed through this filament, it appears to have caused the filament to erupt, sending out a huge plasma cloud (a coronal mass ejection, or CME).
A shock wave can be seen emerging from the origin of the X-ray flare and sweeping across the sun's northern hemisphere into the filament field. The impact of this shock wave may well have propelled the filament into space. The movies (see links, below) seem to support the conclusion that both eruptions, occurring together, are linked, despite the approximately 400,000 kilometer distance between the flare and the filament eruption. How can this be? While we cannot always see the magnetic field lines between solar features (magnetic field lines are not visible unless there is plasma trapped along these field lines), we can assume from this event
that huge connecting field lines existed between the sunspot region and the filament in the sun's northern hemisphere.
This is an amazing event. A complex series of eruptions involving most of the visible surface of the sun has occurred, ejecting plasma toward the Earth. This coronal mass ejection (CME) rides the solar wind. Depending on the speed of the solar wind and the ejected plasma, this cloud will reach Earth's magnetosphere sometime between August 3 and August 5. High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras. Radio communications by way of the ionosphere may become degraded soon after the CME arrives, and the degraded conditions may last for up to three days.
First view at the 304-Angstrom wavelength by SDO/AIA:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyaqxKkSCpU
Second view at the 171-Angstrom wavelength by SDO/AIA:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HW_-yQY6YlA
Source: SDO/AIA
73 de NW7US, Tomas David Hood ( http://tomas-david-hood.com/ )
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Monday, August 02, 2010
Complex Eruption on the Sun
Space Weather News for August 1, 2010
http://spaceweather.com
GLOBAL ERUPTION: During the early hours of August 1st, NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory recorded a complex global disturbance on the Earth-facing side of the sun. Most of the sun's northern hemisphere was involved in the event, which included a long-duration C3-class solar flare, a "solar tsunami," and a massive filament eruption. As a result of these blasts, a coronal mass ejection (CME) is heading toward Earth. High-latitude geomagnetic storms and auroras are possible when the cloud arrives a few days hence.
On August 1st around 0855 UT, Earth orbiting satellites detected a C3-class solar flare. The origin of the blast was sunspot 1092. At about the same time, an enormous magnetic filament stretching across the sun's northern hemisphere erupted. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory recorded the action.
The timing of these events suggest they are connected, and a review of SDO movies strengthens that conclusion. Despite the ~400,000 km distance between them, the sunspot and filament seem to erupt together; they are probably connected by long-range magnetic fields.
In short, we have just witnessed a complex global eruption involving almost the entire Earth-facing side of the sun.
A coronal mass ejection (CME) produced by the event is heading directly for Earth. High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras when it arrives on or about August 3rd. See forecast below.
3-day Solar-Geophysical Forecast issued Aug 01 22:00 UTC
Solar Activity Forecast: Solar activity is expected to be very low. However, there is a chance for an isolated C-class flare from Region 1092.
Geophysical Activity Forecast: Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at quiet levels during most of day 1 (02 August). An increase to unsettled to active levels is expected late on day 1 due to the arrival of the full-halo CME observed on 01 August. Activity is expected to increase to unsettled to active levels with a chance for minor storm levels on day 2 (03 August) as CME effects persist. Activity is expected to decrease to quiet to unsettled levels with a chance for active levels on day 3 (04 August) as CME effects subside.
http://spaceweather.com
GLOBAL ERUPTION: During the early hours of August 1st, NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory recorded a complex global disturbance on the Earth-facing side of the sun. Most of the sun's northern hemisphere was involved in the event, which included a long-duration C3-class solar flare, a "solar tsunami," and a massive filament eruption. As a result of these blasts, a coronal mass ejection (CME) is heading toward Earth. High-latitude geomagnetic storms and auroras are possible when the cloud arrives a few days hence.
On August 1st around 0855 UT, Earth orbiting satellites detected a C3-class solar flare. The origin of the blast was sunspot 1092. At about the same time, an enormous magnetic filament stretching across the sun's northern hemisphere erupted. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory recorded the action.
The timing of these events suggest they are connected, and a review of SDO movies strengthens that conclusion. Despite the ~400,000 km distance between them, the sunspot and filament seem to erupt together; they are probably connected by long-range magnetic fields.
In short, we have just witnessed a complex global eruption involving almost the entire Earth-facing side of the sun.
A coronal mass ejection (CME) produced by the event is heading directly for Earth. High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras when it arrives on or about August 3rd. See forecast below.
3-day Solar-Geophysical Forecast issued Aug 01 22:00 UTC
Solar Activity Forecast: Solar activity is expected to be very low. However, there is a chance for an isolated C-class flare from Region 1092.
Geophysical Activity Forecast: Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at quiet levels during most of day 1 (02 August). An increase to unsettled to active levels is expected late on day 1 due to the arrival of the full-halo CME observed on 01 August. Activity is expected to increase to unsettled to active levels with a chance for minor storm levels on day 2 (03 August) as CME effects persist. Activity is expected to decrease to quiet to unsettled levels with a chance for active levels on day 3 (04 August) as CME effects subside.
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