In February 2005, the launch of the first Indian amateur radio microsatellite is being prepared with the PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) from the Sriharikota launch center.
This satellite will be approximately cubic in shape (630 x 630 x 550 mm) and will weigh 40 kilograms. There are solar panels on four sides, antennas on the top, and the bottom part is for attachment to the launch vehicle.
Satellite orbit
The expected orbit is elliptical at an altitude of about 817 km above the Earth's surface. One orbit will take approximately 116 minutes and under ideal conditions will be in range of the ground station for ten to twelve minutes.
On board are two linear transponders: Indian and Dutch. Both are designed to operate in mode B with uplink on UHF and downlink on VHF (U - V prevádzka). Ich šírka pásma je 60 kHz a umožňujú tak CW, SSB aj FM komunikáciu. Výstupný výkon je približne 30 dBm (1W).
Requirements for ground station equipment
The requirements for ground station equipment are quite high. For example, the following will be needed for operation:
1, UHF Uplink (435.250 MHz)
- RF power: 40 dBm (10W)
- Antenna gain: 12 to 18 dBi
- EIRP at max. antenna gain: 56 dBm
2, VHF Downlink (145.900 MHz)
- Antenna gain: 16 dBi
- Carrier frequency level at RX input: -107 dBm (1uV)
Transponders will be distinguishable by beacons, the VU part will transmit an unmodulated carrier at 145.940 MHz, the PA part will transmit a modulated signal at 145.860 MHz.