AMSAT P3B (AO 10, OSCAR 10) [AMSAT-DL]

AMSAT P3A, P3B, P3C and P3E were a series of amateur satellites developed by AMSAT-DL and AMSAT-NA operating from highly eccentric orbits.

AMSAT P3A (Phase 3A) was the first satellite of the AMSAT Phase 3. It was developed inthe 70ies by AMSAT-DL and AMSAT-NA. It carried a communication payload consisting of 50 Watt Mode-B (435 MHz → 146 MHz) linear-transponders. The satellite was to be inserted in a highly eccentric 12 hour Molniya-orbit by its on boardStar-13C kick motor. The satellite was lost during a launch failure off theAriane-1 carrier rocket.

AMSAT P3B (Phase 3B) was a similar repeat of the former satellite. It carried two transponders. The Mode-B transponder receives in the 70 cm-Band and transmits in the 2 m-Band. It has a bandwidth of 150 kHz for 50 simultaneous connections. The Mode-L transponder receives in the 23 cm-Band and transmits in the 70 cm band with a bandwidth of 800 kHz for 300 simultaneous connections. In contrast to P3A, it carried a liquid bipropellant propulsion system featuring a S400 engine. After reaching an highly elliptical 12 hour orbit, it was renamedOSCAR 10 (AO 10). The satellite collided after separation with the upper stage, which affected the propulsion system, so the satellite could not change the inclination to 57°. The satellite lost attitude control in December 1986, but remained partially operational until 2003.

AMSAT P3C (Phase 3C) was a repeat of P3B. It was renamedOSCAR 13 (AO 13) in orbit. It operated until November 1996, when the perigee dropped into the upper atmosphere layers, destroying the solar panels and finally leading to reentry on 6 December 1996.

AMSAT P3E (Phase 3E) is a dedicated communication and scientific platform for a highly elliptical orbit around Earth. The spacecraft will be created in a joint process together with theAMSAT P5A Mars mission by an international team under leadership of AMSAT-DL and continues the successful series of AMSAT-Phase 3 satellites. Additionally the spacecraft will be a test bench for technology developed for the Mars mission. The main task of P3E is to act as communication platform for radio amateurs worldwide. A launch was planned in the period 2004 to 2006, but until now, no flight opportunity could be secured. Currently the project is on hold due to the unavailability of affordable launch opportunities. A potential launch opportunity arose in 2015, which involved the completition of the satellite at Virginia Tech university and a launch on a US rocket, but eventually was not used.

Launch Sites:

• Ko =   Centre Spatial Guyanais (CSG), Kourou, French Guiana, France   

References:

• AMSAT-DL:AMSAT OSCAR-40
• AMSAT-DL:AMSAT Phase 3-B (OSCAR-10)
• AMSAT-DL:AMSAT Phase 3-C (OSCAR-13)
• AMSAT-DL:AMSAT Phase 3-E (Express)

• AMSAT P2A (Phase 2A, AO 6, OSCAR 6)
• AMSAT P2B (Phase 2B, AO 7, OSCAR 7)
• AMSAT P2D (Phase 2D, AO 8, OSCAR 8)
• AMSAT P3A, P3B, P3C, P3E (Phase 3A, 3B, 3C, 3E / AO 10, 13 / OSCAR 10, 13)
• AMSAT P3D (Phase 3D, AO 40, OSCAR 40)
• AMSAT P4A (Phase 4A, QO 100, Qatar-OSCAR 100)
• AMSAT P4B (Phase 4B)
• AMSAT P5A (Phase 5A / Go-Mars)
• AMSAT Echo (AMSAT E, AO 51)
• Fox 1A (AO 85, AMSAT-OSCAR 85)
• Fox 1B (RadFxSat, AO 91, AMSAT-OSCAR 91)
• Fox 1C (Fox 1Cliff, AO 95, AMSAT-OSCAR 95)
• Fox 1D (AO 92, AMSAT-OSCAR 92)
• Fox 1E (RadFxSat 2)
• GOLF 1
• GOLF-TEE

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