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RS-15

Catalog number: 23439
Launch Date: December 26, 1994
Status: Non-operational?

Uplink: 145.858 to 145.898 MHz CW/USB
Downlink: 29.354 to 29.394 MHz CW/USB
Beacon: 29.352 MHz (intermittent)
SSB meeting frequency:  29.380 MHz (unofficial)

Freeman, N5FPP, reports:
Tonight's passes of RS-15 started out with a strong beacon transmitting telemetry at 0400, by the 0605 pass over North America the beacon had degraded to a continuous carrier lasting upwards to 30 seconds. The frequency shifted up and down quite a bit as you listen to it. On the 0605 pass once RS-15 went into eclipse the beacon died altogether. It's hard listening this bird die.

RS-15 beacon on 10 metres

The 10 metre beacon on the RS-15 Amateur Radio satellite is still going strong over 14 and a half years since it was launched.

RS-15 was launched on 26th December 1994. Its 145 to 29 MHz linear transponder has ceased operation, however, from time to time the 10 metre beacon can still be heard.

Most commercial low earth orbit satellites cease operating after a few years and it is a reflection on the very high standard of amateur satellite design and construction that amateur satellites such as RS-15 can last so long.

Henk PA3GUO has posted a 12 second MP3 of the beacon on 29.350 MHz at http://www.pa3guo.com/rs15_cw_14june2009_0820utc.mp3

Looking for more confirmations of RS-15 coming back.

[ANS thanks Jeff KA8HQL for RS-15 information]
[05162004]29.374,145.878,29.352