AO-40 Update from AMSAT-DL

n9avg writes...

"AO-40 Update
de AMSAT-DL


27-December-2000</p>




<h3>IPS up &amp; running, updated Keps</h3>

DB2OS: ZL1AOX successfully uploaded IPS and we have now first
telemetry. We are currently investigating the telemetry to determine the status
and healthy of the spacecraft. The spacecraft will only transmit on S-Band and
we will not switch TX configuration to V-Band until we have a better knowledge
of the s/c status.</p>


DJ4ZC: A first (quick) look has revealed that some temperature
sensors and possibly some current sensors have been lost by whatever incident
caused the telemetry transmissions to stop. However, the power situation, in
particular the battery voltages, look nominal.</p>


We will now start a detailed analysis of the situation; the command stations
will continue to follow a conservative philosophy with the primary target of not
causing any additional damage along with retaining as much evidence as possible
for the analysis of the incident.</p>


Furthermore, command stations will now try to uplink the entire operational
software package, which in particular should establish positive control over the
power generation system. From there on, the communications capabilities of the
spacecraft will be explored. The 2-meter transmitter is considered off limits
for the time being (in case that it may have been damaged and thus might have
the potential to cause the IHU to crash). The risk is too large before the WARTE-ORBITS
and COMMAND-ASSIST programs have been updated to reflect the actual capabilities
of the satellite available after the incident.</p>


During the next few days we hope to learn to what extent the satellite was
damaged and to what extent this will impact mission targets. When we have
further analysis, we will report again.</p>


73's, Karl, DJ4ZC

</p>"