DXpedtion landing on the Moon

WEST VALLEY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB
presents

AMATEUR RADIO IN SPACE


radio communication above 100 kilometers
(62.14 miles)

DXpedtion landing
on the Moon
 

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Links to Space Radio

  • Intro to Amateur Satellites
  • Working the Easy Sats
  • APRS

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  • AMSAT
  • Colonize Earth's Moon Project

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  • Amateur sats operational state
  • When will the sats pass over?
  • Heavens-Above Orbitarium

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  • Arizona Near Space Research
  • NOAA Space Enviromental Center

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    Earth's 2 Satellite Habitats
     a brief look at their orbits

     

    Humans have occupied two of earth's satellites. Amateur rsdio operators (Hams) have communicated between Earth and the International Space Station (ISS) in low Earth orbit. The ISS is human-occupied now; perhaps in a just a very few decades will be also. Then Hams will communicate between Earth and Moon. Meanwhile one can learn, practice, experiment with, and enjoy space QSOs with the amateur sats in operation now.

    Kepler's laws of planetary motion model the paths of these satellites. Each satellite traces an elliptical path around Earth. The Eartn's center coincides with a focus of the ellipse. A satellite shuttles between its furthest distance from Earth - apogee, and its closest approach - perigee. An ephemeris is used to find the which, where, and when of satellites that orbit earth.

    Here is a comparison of the qualities of the ISS and Moon of interest for radio communications.

    ORBITS OF EARTH'S 2 HABITABLE SATELLITES

     

    Orital Characteriscs of Moon and ISS Compared  
    Orbital Datum ISS Moon
    Period 91.7 minutes 27.32 days 
    Mean Motion 15.7 Revs/Day 1.1 Rev/Month
    Inclination 51.65 degrees 28.11 degrees
    Mean Height 365.4 KM 376731 KM
    227.03 Miles 234100 Miles
    Visible Latitude Widths 70.5 N - 70.7 S 90 N - 90 S
    Earth Surface Coverage 2.7%  49%
    Communication Time 12-16 minutes 12-16 hours

     

    Learn more about amateur radio space communication. Start by communicating with LEO amateur radio sats. Packet, BBS, and APRS is available as well as phone and CW. And a Technician licensee has full privileges on the amateur satellite bands. The links in the left panel will help you get started.