In-Orbit Test (IOT) of Es’hail-2 AMSAT P4-A transponders

As most of you have already noticed, the In-Orbit testing (IOT) of the P4-A ham radio transponders on Es’hail-2 have started.

Like everyone, we are very excited by the received signals so far and we do appreciate any monitoring and receiving reports from the amateur radio community. We are happy to see how much interest and enthusiasm this satellite already created in our community.

However:

Please be reminded, that under no circumstances Uplink attempts should be done!

Any unsolicited transmissions will delay the commissioning and maybe even worse, might influence our good relation with Es’hailSat during this project.

In-Orbit Test (IOT)

When a new satellite is launched, a number of tests are performed to verify that the stress loads imposed by the launch have not affected the on-board systems. An RF in-orbit test (IOT) is conducted to verify the performance of communication payloads. These operations are typically performed by the manufacturer of the satellite, in this case by MELCO engineers. These operations also include both AMSAT P4-A transponders on-board Es’hail-2. Such acceptance tests are part of the commercial contract and usually consists of Power, Frequency and other measurements like:  Gain transfer, EIRP, In-Band and Out-Band response, receive & transmit antenna cross-polarization isolation, antenna gain, Gain-to-temperature ratio (G/T), Gain adjustments, TWT settings, Spacecraft spurious signal search, intermodulation, LO and beacon frequency stability and much more…

When all IOT tests are successful performed, the satellite will be moved to it’s final position at 26°E and handed-over to it’s owner Es’hailSat.

Please understand that AMSAT is not authorized to give any details of the above operations in advance.

AMSAT-DL Installation at SCC

The Es’hailSat team at the brand-new Teleport & Satellite Control Center in Qatar. Photo: Es’hailSat

If all goes according to the above plan, a small team from AMSAT-DL will travel to Qatar next month to do the installation, setup and testing of the hamradio-specific ground station hardware:

• the LEILA2 system with the pseudo-beacons
• the DATV system
• the radio shack

The AMSAT equipment will be installed at the brand new Es’hailSat Satellite Control Center (SCC) from which both Es’hail-1, Es’hail-2 and future satellites operations are performed.  We are currently also preparing the groundstation at AMSAT-DL HQ in Bochum, from which we also plan some communication tests between both ground stations. A backup station is also beeing installed at the QARS Headquater in Doha.

During this AMSAT-DL installation campaign, it will be even more important to refrain from uplinking.

QARS General Secretary Sabaan Mismar Al-Jassim (A71BP) and AMSAT-DL President Peter Gülzow (DB2OS) standing under the dedicated AMSAT antenna at the SCC

You will be able to monitor our progress but do not use the transponder just yet.

Rest assured, we will announce the official opening date well in advance. Until then please help us, sit back and enjoy the show. There will be much more to come!

Thanks for your understanding and support.