SB SPACE @ ARL $ARLS006
ARLS006 New Russian Satellite in Orbit

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Space Bulletin 006 ARLS006
From ARRL Headquarters
Newington, CT May 29, 2008
To all radio amateurs

SB SPACE ARL ARLS006
ARLS006 New Russian Satellite in Orbit

A Russian rocket launched from Plesetsk on May 23 carried a number of payloads to orbit, including a new Amateur Radio satellite named Yubileiny -- Russian for jubilee -- since christened Radio Sputnik 30 (RS-30).

Operational details are vague at this time. Amateurs throughout the world report receiving signals at 435.315 and 435.215 MHz; some report reception of CW telemetry while others report what appear to be image transmissions from the satellite. RS-30 is orbiting at a maximum altitude of 1500 km, creating a substantial communications footprint below.

The satellite will broadcast audio and video about the history of the Soviet and Russian space programs, as well as signals imitating those broadcast by Sputnik in 1957.

According to the satellite's launch team, "The motive for development of the Yubileiny small spacecraft was the 50th anniversary of the first space satellite. With the help of that satellite, the new space systems and equipment are expected to get flight qualification, and radio-amateurs all over the world will be able to receive information on the history of space development and domestic cosmonautics achievements."

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