SuitSat-1 SuitSat-1 A Unique SatelliteA Unique Satellite

By Gould SmithBy Gould Smith, WA4SXMWA4SXM

SuitSat was proposed by Sergey Samburov at SuitSat was proposed by Sergey Samburov at the International ARISS meeting in the International ARISS meeting in

Washington, DC October 2004 to honor the Washington, DC October 2004 to honor the 175175thth Anniversary of the Bauman Moscow Anniversary of the Bauman Moscow

State Technical UniversityState Technical University

ARISSARISSis an international group promoting is an international group promoting Amateur Radio on the International Amateur Radio on the International

Space StationSpace Station

SuitSat is an out of service SuitSat is an out of service Russian Orlan space suit with Russian Orlan space suit with an Amateur Radio transmitteran Amateur Radio transmitter

The US ARISS group designed The US ARISS group designed and built the SuitSat and built the SuitSat

controller, voice generator and controller, voice generator and switch box in a month.switch box in a month.

SuitSat was adapted to the SuitSat was adapted to the spacesuit and tested in Russiaspacesuit and tested in Russia

SuitSat Flight Hardware ready SuitSat Flight Hardware ready to send to the ISSto send to the ISS

The flight hardware was sent to The flight hardware was sent to the ISS aboard a Progress supply the ISS aboard a Progress supply

craft in September 2005craft in September 2005

Cosmonaut Valery Tokarev Cosmonaut Valery Tokarev installs the hardware on the installs the hardware on the

Orlan space suitOrlan space suit

Mounting the antenna and Mounting the antenna and switch box to the helmetswitch box to the helmet

SuitSat will be launched from the SuitSat will be launched from the International Space Station (ISS)International Space Station (ISS)

February 3, 2006February 3, 2006

The Expedition 12 crew of Bill The Expedition 12 crew of Bill McArthur and Valery Tokarev McArthur and Valery Tokarev will manually launch SuitSat will manually launch SuitSat

during a spacewalk (EVA)during a spacewalk (EVA)

SuitSat is ready for launchSuitSat is ready for launch

Close-up of the handmade patch Close-up of the handmade patch and CD with picturesand CD with pictures

The CD on SuitSat contains over 300 The CD on SuitSat contains over 300 pieces of international student art, pieces of international student art, pictures, poems and signatures.pictures, poems and signatures.

Before release the switches will Before release the switches will be flipped to ON.be flipped to ON.

After release SuitSat will drift After release SuitSat will drift away from the ISSaway from the ISS

SuitSat will orbit the earth every 90 SuitSat will orbit the earth every 90 minutes at a height of 360 km minutes at a height of 360 km

(223 mi), but continually losing altitude(223 mi), but continually losing altitude

The orbit will cover most of the The orbit will cover most of the populated areas of the earth. So, populated areas of the earth. So,

many people can listen to the SuitSat many people can listen to the SuitSat signal, during its’ short lifetime.signal, during its’ short lifetime.

Messages from SuitSatMessages from SuitSat

Voice telemetry (mission time, temperature, Voice telemetry (mission time, temperature, battery voltage)battery voltage)

Russian messageRussian message Europe student message (Spanish & German)Europe student message (Spanish & German) Bauman Institute message in RussianBauman Institute message in Russian Canada student message in FrenchCanada student message in French Mr. Alexandrov message in EnglishMr. Alexandrov message in English Japan student message in JapaneseJapan student message in Japanese USA student message in EnglishUSA student message in English

SSTV picture transmissionSSTV picture transmission

SuitSat will transmit a picture using different tones to represent the colors. The transmission is in Robot 36 format and it will take about 36 seconds to transmit the entire picture.

Listening to SuitSatListening to SuitSat

SuitSat transmissions will be weak and are SuitSat transmissions will be weak and are on a frequency of 145.99 MHz.on a frequency of 145.99 MHz.

Schools copying the transmissions from Schools copying the transmissions from SuitSat can apply for a special certificate.SuitSat can apply for a special certificate.

Additional InformationAdditional Information

http://www.suitsat.orghttp://www.suitsat.org send contact reports send contact reports

ARISS web site ARISS web site http://www.rac.ca/arisshttp://www.rac.ca/ariss

AMSAT web site AMSAT web site http://www.amsat.orghttp://www.amsat.org

http://www.issfanclub.comhttp://www.issfanclub.com

Enjoy SuitSat, a unique satellite.Enjoy SuitSat, a unique satellite.

“This is SuitSat-1 RS0RS!”“This is SuitSat-1 RS0RS!”