NASA asked for help from the Amateur Radio community in tracking NanoSail-D on 437.270MHz - their response has been described as 'invaluable'.
The NanoSail-D satellite ejected from FASTSAT last week and deployed its sail late Thursday. The unfurling marks the first time a NASA craft has ever opened a solar sail in low-Earth orbit, according to agency officials.
Dean Alhorn, NanoSail-D principal investigator said:
"To get to this point is an incredible accomplishment for our small team and I can't thank the amateur ham operator community enough for their help in tracking NanoSail-D,"
"Their assistance was invaluable. In particular, the Marshall Amateur Radio Club was the very first to hear the radio beacon. It was exciting!"
More at :
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/january2011/hams_help_invaluable.htm
The NanoSail-D satellite ejected from FASTSAT last week and deployed its sail late Thursday. The unfurling marks the first time a NASA craft has ever opened a solar sail in low-Earth orbit, according to agency officials.
Dean Alhorn, NanoSail-D principal investigator said:
"To get to this point is an incredible accomplishment for our small team and I can't thank the amateur ham operator community enough for their help in tracking NanoSail-D,"
"Their assistance was invaluable. In particular, the Marshall Amateur Radio Club was the very first to hear the radio beacon. It was exciting!"
More at :
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/january2011/hams_help_invaluable.htm
