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WG3K   > ANS      02.02.25 11:53l 67 Lines 3526 Bytes #7 (0) @ AMSAT
BID : ANS033.3
Read: GUEST
Subj: Fram2Ham SSTV Simulation on ISS
Path: JH4XSY<IW0QNL<IZ3LSV<DB0ERF<DK0WUE<DK0WUE<VK5RSV<K7EK<W0ARP<CX2SA<
      N3HYM<WG3K
Sent: 250202/0247Z 13230@WG3K.#SMD.MD.USA.NOAM LinBPQ6.0.24


Fram2 is a pioneering private astronaut mission, the first to fly
astronauts over the North and South poles. Fram2 will give the four
on-board astronauts unprecedented first views of the polar regions from
space. While astronauts on the ISS can see a large portion of the Earth, it
is not possible to see these upper regions of Earth from the ISS. Fram2 is
planned to be launched no earlier than March 1, 2025 and is planning a 3
day mission with an optional 2 day extension.

The amateur radio experimental payload on Fram2, called Fram2Ham, is also
pioneering in nature.  It represents the first use of human spaceflight
amateur (ham) radio in polar orbit and the first amateur radio
transmissions from a SpaceX Dragon capsule. Fram2Ham operations are being
performed by private astronaut Rabea Rogge, amateur radio callsigns LB9NJ
(Norway) and KD3AID (USA).

Fram2Ham will transmit Slow Scan Television (SSTV) picture images from
space to radio receivers on the ground as part of a high school and
university student competition. These SSTV images can also be received by
radio enthusiasts (hams, educators, and youth) worldwide and posted to the
ARISS SSTV Gallery—but with a twist. Images posted will not be shown until
after the Fram2 mission. These operations support the youth SSTV
competition, where they are to acquire several SSTV “Puzzle Pieces,”
assemble the puzzle, determine the polar location, and answer questions
related to that location.

For more information on the Fram2 mission and for youth organizations
interested in participating in the Fram2Ham SSTV competition, see: f2.com and
Fram2Ham.com. ARISS also has a Fram2 tab on its website www.ariss.org.

The ARISS international team is planning an SSTV event to help all
participating to be as proficient as possible in acquiring images from
Fram2Ham and submitting them in the SSTV gallery. Like previous SSTV
events, ARISS will provide special commemorative certificates for those who
upload images to the gallery. Certificates will be delivered after the
completion of both the Fram2 simulation event and the Fram2 mission.

SSTV Simulation details:

Hardware: ARISS radio transmitter set to low power (5 watts vs. 25 watts
for previous SSTV events). This is to simulate the challenges and unknowns
of a new radio system on a Dragon capsule that might be in an unfavorable
attitude in some parts of the mission flight path.

Operations Frequency: 437.550 MHz. Using the SSTV (public downlink) planned
for Fram2Ham, ground users can practice the more challenging 70 cm Doppler
correction.

SSTV Mode: PD120. The longer image capture for this simulation (120
seconds, vs. 36 seconds for Fram2Ham’s Robot 36 SSTV mode) will allow
ground users to hone their signal polarization switching skills (manually
and electronically) as well as precise antenna pointing.

Operations Duration: February 13 (World Radio Day) to February 17, 2025.
This long duration, over a weekend, will allow users multiple passes to
practice, learn lessons, make corrections, and try again. S

Summary: There are several challenges like low transmit power, variations
of antenna orientation, and a short, 3-day mission duration, with only a
limited time assigned for the SSTV operation. These challenges require
operating proficiency and the use of the best attainable radio station and
this simulation shall give the possibility to exercise this. Are you up for
the challenge?

*[ANS thanks Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, ARISS International Chair, for the above
information]*


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