WG3K > ANS 20.05.25 01:30z 58 Lines 3565 Bytes #152 (0) @ AMSAT BID : ANS138.11 Read: GUEST Subj: Satellite Shorts From All Over Path: ED1ZAC<ED1ZAC<CX2SA<GB7CIP<VK2RZ<N6PNK<VE3CGR<N9SEO<WW6Q<WG3K Sent: 250520/0116Z 17686@WG3K.#SMD.MD.USA.NOAM LinBPQ6.0.24 + Congratulations to Benni Riethmueller, DL4BEN, (age 16!) on receiving AMSAT Rover Award #087! To earn the AMSAT Rover Award, participants must accumulate a combined total of 25 points through various achievements in portable satellite operations outside their home grid square. The AMSAT Rover Award was established to recognize and honor the accomplishments of satellite operators who engage in rover operations. Rover operations involve the activation of grid squares outside ones home grid, utilizing various satellite transponders and modes to establish communication links. A breakdown of the points system along with a list of past AMSAT Rover Award recipients can be found at https://www.amsat.org/amsat-rover-award/. Keep on roving, Benni, and continue to inspire others in the AMSAT community! (ANS thanks Bruce Paige, KK5DO, AMSAT Director of Contests and Awards for the above information) + China has granted scientists from six countries, including the United States, access to Moon rocks collected by its Change-5 mission in 2020. Two NASA-funded U.S. institutionsBrown University and Stony Brook Universitywere selected to study the samples, despite longstanding restrictions on NASAs direct collaboration with China. The China National Space Administration (CNSA) called the samples “a shared treasure for all humanity” and emphasized its commitment to international cooperation. Experts noted that while U.S.-China space technology exchanges remain limited, lunar sample analysis poses no military concern and aligns with global scientific norms. The Change-5 samples are of particular interest because they appear to be about a billion years younger than those collected during the Apollo missions. CNSA officials stated they intend to maintain an active and open stance in global space collaboration through initiatives like the Belt and Road space information corridor. (ANS thanks BBC News for the above information) + The FAA granted environmental approval for up to 25 Starship launches a year at Starbase, a five-fold increase from the previous limit. (ANS thanks The Orbital Index for the above information.) + Due to budget cuts, NASA might scale back ISS operations, such as reducing crew size, extending crew missions, and halting upgrades to science instruments. A list of other NASA projects that may be abandoned by budget cuts is at https://www.planetary.org/articles/billions-wasted-mysteries-unsolved-the-mi... (ANS thanks The Planetary Society for the above information.) + Germanys armed forces are planning to establish a large satellite constellation, aiming to create an independent communications infrastructure similar to SpaceXs Starlink. The initiative, led by the Bundeswehr, envisions deploying hundreds of satellites to ensure secure and resilient military communications, with potential expansion into remote sensing and other applications. Germany has historically relied on satellite services provided by allies but shifting geopolitical dynamics have prompted a reevaluation of this dependence. The proposed Bundeswehr constellation is intended to ensure sovereignty and continuity in defense operations, even in contested or degraded environments. It would operate separately from IRIS2, the European Unions own sovereign satellite project aimed at providing broadband internet across the continent. Read the full article at: https://www.space.com/space-exploration/satellites/germanys-military-wants-i... (ANS thanks the Andrew Jones, Space.com, for the above information.)
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