Page 30 - EngineerIT February 2022 UPDATED

AMATEUR RADIO

Amateur Radio technology projects

negatively affected by device shortages

The shortage of electronic devices has caused disruption on many fronts

including delays in several amateur radio technology projects.

he electronic component industry integration is the step of installing the payload on the spacecraft.”
is under severe pressure to step Both GOLF-TEE and GOLF-1 had been selected to participate in NASA’s CubeSat launch
Tup its output, after several periods initiative programme (CSLI).
of Covid-19 lockdowns and supply chain AMSAT says its GOLF programme plays an important role in its return to highly elliptical
problems of raw materials seriously orbits. “In addition to proving the manoeuvrability capabilities required by current and
disrupted manufacturing. The popular proposed orbital debris regulations, the GOLF programme will work through a series of
concept of just in time ordering has increasingly capable spacecraft to develop skills and learning systems for which we do not
further complicated the position by yet have the necessary low-risk experience,” AMSAT said. “Among these are active attitude
companies keeping stocks low. While control, deployable/steerable solar panels, radiation tolerance for commercial off-the-shelf
some manufacturers have ramped up (COTS) components in higher orbits and propulsion.”
production, unavailability of shipping The GOLF-TEE mission goal is to test two critical systems needed for higher orbits. The
containers is the latest disruption. first is an attitude determination and control system (ADCS) that will allow active pointing
Shipping containers are apparently stuck of high gain satellite antennas, provide accurate attitude adjustments in future missions
in many countries and have not returned with manoeuvrability systems, and allow pointing the fixed solar panel array for best solar
to the sources of supplies. power in any given orbit type,” AMSAT explained. “The second is the radiation-tolerant
In the USA, AMSAT had to request integrated housekeeping unit (RTIHU), which will allow AMSAT to gain initial orbit and
NASA to “de-manifest” the GOLF-TEE space radiation exposure for radiation event-induced fault tolerant systems designed using
CubeSat from the ELaNa-46 mission. COTS components.”
ELaNa is NASA’s educational launch of GOLF-TEE will carry a modified Ettus E310 commercial software-defined radio (SDR) as
satellites programme. AMSAT said COVID- an experimental package, to test the high speed data downlink at 10 GHz and a parrot V/x
related restrictions and supply chain
disruptions placed both AMSAT’s vendors
and team’s ability to meet the mission
integration timeline at high risk.
The GOLF acronym stands for greater
orbit, larger footprint, while TEE stands
for technology exploration environment.
AMSAT vice president of engineering,
Jerry Buxton N0JY, said the situation
facing AMSAT is similar to what other
payloads and space industry providers
are experiencing. The worldwide
pandemic and supply chain shortages are
threatening everyone’s ability to deliver
for launches properly and successfully.
“Out of respect for NASA, the
launch provider and other payloads, it is
important to withdraw now rather than
later; even worse is missing a launch
integration deadline, which has possible
financial penalty implications. Launch The first next-generation beacon installed in Bethlehem, Free State

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