ARISS International Team Teleconference
Tuesday, March 20, 2007, 11:15 UTC (7:15 am ET)
Participants:
Frank Bauer
Sergey Samburov
Rosalie White
Larry Agabekov
Keigo Komuro
Masanobu Tsuji
Robin Haighton
Ken Pulfer
Gaston Bertels
Graham Shirville
Kenneth Ransom
Dave Larsen
Daniel Lamoureux
Lou McFadin
Miles Mann
Keith Pugh
Interpreter, Elena Schmidt
Unable to Attend:
Mark Steiner
Carol Jackson
Carlos Eavis
Matt Keil
Ken Nichols
Bill Boston
Tadeu Fernandes
ARISS I Agenda:
Administrative Session
1. ARISS-I Meeting, Russia, Status, Presenter: S. Samburov
In October, Sergey had said the tentative date for the ARISS-International Annual Meeting would be around Oct 3. However, during those days there will be many visitors and a lot of activity revolving around the Sputnik 50th anniversary, which will take away some time from our meetings and could prevent us having some meetings due to meeting room constraints. So he is tentatively considering early November or as a last choice, August. There would be 1 day in Moscow, 1 day in Korolov, 2 at GCTC and 2 in Kaluga. He will need to know as soon as possible how many of the international delegates will be attending. A November date may conflict with the AMSAT annual symposium; we will find this out. Delegates will need to learn how much time it takes for a visa, possibly three months. Each delegate should report during the next two weeks their availability to Carol and Rosalie for October or November. Robin has kept the October dates clear, and would need to do some work to clear the November date; he will send to Carol and Rosalie an email stating this.
2. New Business (administrative only)
None
General Session
3. SuitSat-1 Certificates, Presenter: F. Bauer
Frank has no news to report on the SuitSat-1 certificates.
4. SuitSat-2 Status, Presenter: L. McFadin
Lou reported that the team developed a solar panel power converter prototype, and it is being tested. They have verified all of the technical details for the solar panels, and these should work for us. The IHU core module prototype is being checked out. The first operations are being done with the DSP processor, which now allows the team to move on to the software development. They have a prototype of the antenna, and it is working fine. They will soon make circuit boards for the RF system. They need to develop descriptions for the experiments. Sergey will provide data on the battery. The proposal document written by the US team for the Russian team, which describes the technical plans and hoped-for educational outcomes of SuitSat-2, was sent to Sergey today for his managers. The document will soon be posted by Carol to the ARISS Web site.
5. Columbus Module Status & Close Out Photos, Presenter: G. Bertels
Gaston reported that the antennas are being manufactured right now, and then the paperwork will be done. There is regular contact with ESA engineers. Antennas will be tested, and then delivered in May or June. Gaston had 2,500 Euros left in the special Columbus account, and has asked for more donations to meet costs. AMSAT-UK plus some individuals have recently sent a total of 2500 Euros toward the 9000 Euros needed for March. Another 9000 Euros are due in October. ESA has not made final decisions about the silicon dioxide coating necessary for the antennas.
6. New business
Frank gave an update on Charles Simonyi’s 3 school contacts (Ohio, Washington state and Virginia) in the US. We have learned preliminary data on a Hungarian school contact, and will share it with Sergey, Tim and Gaston. Gaston also provided us with Simonyi’s Hungarian call sign. We will share the details with them, and then Sergey will share it with his team at Energia. Sergey has not heard many details about it other than that Simonyi is pleased. Status regarding Kenwood reprogramming was a bit unclear. Simonyi may need for the steps to be simplified for the reprogramming of the Kenwood.
Sunita Williams has asked for photos of the crew. She will be in Russia on April 14 and Sergey will meet with her on April 22. He will send information on what photos he needs.
Sergey needs QSL manager information for the all-increment QSL card that the Russian team has developed. Frank is working on that.
Sergey spoke about a suggestion from ESA to use one of our antennas or feedthroughs for ISS ATV-docking. The suggestion was made because the cables for the antenna used for ATV docking were broken, and the Russian managers may want to re-connect their antennas to one of our cables. Sergey will ask how many days the cable would be needed. The antenna could potentially be controlled from inside the station. Above all, we need to learn what we will have to sacrifice in order to help with the problem. Sergey will make a proposal on this to the international team.
Because of all of the questions regarding Simonyi contacts and the Kenwood reprogramming, there will be a US/Russian ISS Ham teleconference at 11:15 Z on March 27th. Sergey will be in Kaluga, and Carol will need a telephone number from him.