WG3K > ANS 16.11.25 04:45l 39 Lines 2021 Bytes #198 (0) @ AMSAT BID : ANS320.1 Read: GUEST Subj: BOTAN Digipeater Schedule a Challenge for U.S. Hams Path: ED1ZAC<ED1ZAC<GB7CIP<VK2RZ<W0ARP<WW4BSA<N3HYM<WG3K Sent: 251116/0527Z 24851@WG3K.#SMD.MD.USA.NOAM LinBPQ6.0.24 BOTAN, a 1U cubesat built by students of the Chiba Institute of Technology in Japan, was deployed from the International Space Station (ISS) on October 10 via the Japanese Space Agency (JAXA) “Kibo” module. The satellite carries an earth-observation camera downloading images upon ground station command at 437.375 MHz. These downloads occur primarily when the satellite is over Japan. Information on the satellite may be found at https://sites.google.com/p.chibakoudai.jp/gardens-04/home-english?authuser=0 BOTAN also carries an APRS digipeater operating on 146.825 MHz. The digipeater is also activated by ground station command. Although the original design specifications called for the digipeater to remain active for 720 minutes (12 hours) after activation, observations have shown that it currently times out after 480 minutes (8 hours). As a result, when the digipeater is activated by the command station in Japan, it has timed out before passing over portions of North America. Although the Chiba Institute has asked amateurs around the world for telemetry downloads, the attempts to make use of the satellites services have been frustrating for North American amateurs. BOTAN is next scheduled for digipeater activation on 2025-11-16 at 08:53 UTC (although current Keplerian data does not show the bird over Japan until approximately half an hour after that time). Far west coast U.S. and Mexican stations would be in the footprint briefly in the first hour thereafter. The eight hour activation would end at 16:53 UTC. During that period the satellite will pass over Asia, Australia, Africa, Europe, and South America but not over Central or North America. Interested operators are encouraged to watch for schedule changes. Masahiro Sanada, JI1IZR, has posted a nice blog about the station setup he is using for BOTAN operation. The post may be found at https://ji1izr.cocolog-nifty.com/ *[ANS thanks Chiba Institute of Technology and Masahiro Sanada, JI1IZR, for the above information.]*
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