Sounds from Scientific, Meteorological and Commercial Satellites

This part of my audio collection is dedicated to commercial and scientific satellites. I started this separate section when Greg Roberts, ZS1BI in Cape Town, started to convert some of his old recordings from a tape recorder with elastic belt drives to electronic format. Greg is a retired professional astronomer and since 1957 has been actively involved in the tracking of artificial satellites, both by optical and radio means. Click on his picture to the right to get more information about him and his activities.

Many thanks to Greg Roberts ZS1BI for getting this section started and to all the other people who kindly contributed: Alois Ochojski DL3PD, Roy Welch W0SL, Sven Grahn, Kurt Ringel DF7FU, Chris Gross, Mike D. Kenny, Brian Hougesen OZ1SKY, Michael Fletcher OH2AUE, Dale Ireland, Alan Banks, Paul Marsh M0EYT, Patrick DK193WN, Mike Rupprecht DK3WN, Loren Moline WA7SKT, Maik Hermenau, Jean-Louis Rault F6AGR, Dick Flagg AH6NM, Don P. Mitchell, Bill Chaikin KA8VIT and Dick Daniels W4PUJ.

Picture

Object name
#NORAD

Remarks

Launch
Date

Weight

Sputnik 1
Sputnik I
PS 1
1957-001B
#00002 

This first man made satellite in space was launched by USSR into an elliptical orbit with a perigee of 240 km and an apogee of 965 km. The spherical satellite had a diameter of 58cm and carried 2 radio beacons transmitting on 20.005 MHz and 40.010 MHz. The batteries powering the transmitters had a lifetime of 3 weeks. Recording kindly provided by Alois DL3PD.

Oct 4^th 1957

84 kg

This audio file was recorded by Roy W0SL in Dallas, Texas on October 7^th, 1957 at 0457Z using a military surplus AN/FRR3A HF RTTY receiver tuned to 20.007 MHz. Thanks Roy for providing this recording.

This recording is from an unknown German ham-radio amateur. It was filtered and provided by Don P. Mitchell.

An unknown British SWL is commenting the reception of Sputnik 1 on October 11^th 1957 at 10:58pm. The original source of this recording is unknown. The recording was kindly provided by Bill KA8VIT. (Please note that this recording is 5MB large).

Sputnik 2
Sputnik II
Physical lab
PS 2
1957-002A
#00003

Sputnik 2 was the first spaceship which brought an animal in space. The elliptical orbit had an apogee of 1770 km and an apogee of 320 km. The dog named Laika lived for one week and part of the downlink telemetry was her heartbeat. Like Sputnik 1 this satellite transmitted on 20.005 MHz and on 40.010 MHz. This recording was provided by Alois DL3PD.

Nov 3^rd 1957

508 kg

In June 2010 I received from Dick W4PUJ
(ex WA4DGU) together with a number of other unique audio recordings enclosed recording of Sputnik II. Thanks Dick for providing this recording.

Explorer 1
Explorer I
1958-001A
#00004

Explorer 1 was America's first orbiting satellite launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida by an Army Jupiter C four stage rocket into an elliptical orbit with an perigee of 320 km  and an apogee of 2735 km. The cylindrical satellite was 1.5m long and had a diameter of 15cm. The transmissions of Explorer 1 on 108 MHz included information about the satellites temperature, cosmic rays and meteorites. The batteries lasted about 3 months. This recording was made by Roy W0SL in Dallas, Texas on February 11^th, 1958 at 0100Z using a home-made VHF converter in front of a National NC-300 receiver. Thanks Roy !

Jan 31^st 1958

14 kg

Another recording of Explorer I was kindly provided by Dick W4PUJ.

Vanguard 1
Beta 2
1958-002B
#00005

This is the oldest man-made satellite which is still in orbit. It is expected to last about another 190 years before it finally decays. This spherical Navy test satellite has a diameter of 15cm and was launched by a Vanguard 3 stage rocket into an elliptical orbit with a perigee of 640 km and an apogee of 4020 km. The satellite had 2 power sources: the first transmitter operated from a mercury cell supply and had a life time of 3 weeks. Thanks to solar cells used to power the second transmitter it operated 6 years and 3 months. The output power of the transmitters was 100mW (on 108.0 MHz) and 50mW (on 108.3 MHz). The telemetry transmitted was the package temperature indicated by the difference between the two transmitter frequencies. Therefore, the recordings were made with the receiver Beat Frequency Oscillator (BFO) turned on in order to produce an audible tone heard in the recordings. Thanks for the audio-file to Roy W0SL.

Mar 17^th 1958

1.5 kg

This recording of Vanguard I was done while it was battery powered and kindly provided by Dick W4PUJ.

This recording of Vanguard I was done while it was solar powered and kindly provided by Dick W4PUJ.

This recording of Vanguard I was done after it was already 3 months in operation and kindly provided by Dick W4PUJ.

This recording of Vanguard I was done after it was already 1 year in operation and kindly provided by Dick W4PUJ.

Explorer 3
Explorer III
1958 Gamma 1
1958-003A
#00006

Explorer 3 was launched by the US army from Cape Canaveral on a Juno launch vehicle into an elliptical orbit with an apogee of 2809 km and a perigee 195 km.
Explorer III was spin stabilized and its payload consisted of a cosmic ray counter (a Geiger-Mueller tube), and a micrometeorite detector (erotion gauge). The satellites decayed after 93 days of operation on June 27^th 1958.

Mar 26^th 1958

14.1 kg

Another recording of Explorer III was kindly provided by Dick W4PUJ.

Sputnik 3
Sputnik III
1958-004B
#00008

Sputnik 3 was conically shaped and 3.57m long. It had 12 scientific instruments and several radio systems. Enclosed audio file was recorded at 20.005 MHz and kindly provided by Sven Grahn.

May 15^th 1958

1327 kg

Explorer 4
Explorer IV
1958-005A
#00009

Explorer 4 was a cylindrically shaped satellite instrumented to make the first detailed measurements of charged particles (protons and electrons) trapped in the terrestrial radiation belts. It was launched into an elliptical low earth orbit with an apogee of 2220 km and a , perigee of 262 km. Explorer 4 decayed after 454 days on October 23^rd 1959.

Jul 26^th 1958

25.5 kg

These two recordings of Explorer IV were kindly provided by Dick W4PUJ.

Pioneer 1
Pioneer I
Able 2
1958-007A
#00110

Pioneer 1, the second and most successful of three project Able space probes and the first spacecraft launched by the newly formed NASA, was intended to study the ionizing radiation, cosmic rays, magnetic fields, and micro-meteorites in the vicinity of the Earth and in lunar orbit. Due to a launch vehicle malfunction, the spacecraft attained only a ballistic trajectory and never reached the Moon. The spacecraft did return some data on the near-Earth space environment and ended its transmission when it reentered the Earth's atmosphere after 43 hours of flight on October 13^th 1958 at 03:46 UTC over the South Pacific Ocean.
Radio transmission was at on 108.06 MHz through an electric dipole antenna for telemetry and doppler information at 300 mW and a magnetic dipole antenna for the television system at 50 W. Ground commands were received through the electric dipole antenna at 115 MHz.

Oct 11^th 1958

34.2 kg

This recording from Dick W4PUJ is most likely from Pioneer 1 but it could have been also from Pioneer 3.

Pioneer 3
Pioneer III
1958-008A
#00111

Pioneer 3 was a spin stabilized spacecraft launched by the U.S. Army Ballistic Missile agency in conjunction with NASA. The spacecraft failed to go past the Moon and into a heliocentric orbit as planned. Instead it reached an altitude of 102360 km before falling back and re-entering Earth's atmosphere. It finally burned up over Africa on December 7^th at approximately 19:51 UTC.
The revised spacecraft objectives were to measure radiation in the outer Van Allen belt area using Geiger-Mueller tubes and to test the trigger mechanism for a lunar photographic experiment. A transmitter with a mass of 0.5 kg delivered a phase-modulated signal at a frequency of 960.05 MHz. The total effective radiated power was 0.18 W.

Dec 6^th 1958

5.9 kg

This recording from Dick W4PUJ is most likely not from Pioneer 3 but most likely from Pioneer 1.

SCORE
Project Score
Chatterbox
1958-006A
#00010

Project Score (Signal Communication by Orbiting Relay Equipment) was the first American communications satellite which was launched from Cape Canaveral using an Atlas B missile. The entire rocket was placed into low earth orbit (apogee 1480 km, perigee 177 km).
The total weight of the satellite was 3980 kg as it included the rocket, the payload itself had a weight of 68 kg.
The low earth orbit limited the life expectancy of the satellite to only 2 to 3 weeks, thus also limiting opportunities for real­time relay between two ground stations. Therefore, a store­and­forward mode was added by including a tape recorder, which also gave the satellite a worldwide broadcast capability.
There were actually 2 identical communications repeater terminals integrated into the fairing pods of the missile and the spacecraft's body acting as an antenna. The redundancy proved to be a good idea as no modulation was received on the carrier wave from experiment package no. 1 which was transmitting at 150 MHz.
However experiment package no. 2 transmitted on 132 MHz properly : voice and teletype messages were sent and returned in real time, and also from its experiment tape recorder. This tape recorder was loaded with new material 28 times and before it finally failed to battery depletion. The 132 MHz all vacuum tubes transmitter had an 8-W output. An additional tracking beacon operated at 108 MHz.
Score was the world's first satellite to broadcast voice including a Christmas greeting from President Eisenhower. His full message was: "This is the President of the United States speaking. Through the marvels of scientific advance, my voice is coming to you from a satellite circling in outer space. My message is a simple one. Through this unique means I convey to you and all mankind America's wish for peace on earth and good will to men everywhere."
Project Score's actual performance was nominal with experiment operation for 12 days, planned orbit lifetime 20 days, actual orbit lifetime 35 days.

Dec 18^th 1958

3980 kg

This recording of the tracking transmitter of Project Score was kindly provided by Dick W4PUJ.

This audio recording was apparently in a lab where prople were receiving the signals of Project Score and was kindly provided by Dick W4PUJ.

This recording of the signal of Project Score contains stored voice and was kindly provided by Dick W4PUJ.

This recording of the teletype signal of Project Score was kindly provided by Dick W4PUJ.

Lunik I
Luna 1
Mechta
1959-012A
#00112

Luna 1 was the first of a series of Soviet automatic interplanetary stations successfully launched in the direction of the Moon. It actually landed on the Moon.

Jan 2^nd 1959

361 kg

This recording of a Lunik probe was kindly provided by Dick W4PUJ. It is possibly from Lunik I but we are not sure. It could be also based on transmissions of Lunik II or Lunik III.

Vanguard 2
Vanguard II
1959-001A
#00011

Vanguard 2 was an Earth Science satellite built and launched from Cape Canaveral into an elliptical orbit with an apogee of 3320 km and a perigee of 559 km. The mission of the 50cm spherical and spin stabilized satellite was to measure cloud distributions. Radio communication was provided by a 1 W, 108.03 MHz telemetry transmitter and a 10 mW, 108 MHz beacon transmitter that sent a continuous signal for tracking purposes. Both transmitters operated for 19 days until the mercury batteries were drained.

Feb 17^th 1959

9.8 kg

Pioneer 4
Pioneer IV
1959-013A
#00113

Pioneer 4 was a spin stabilized spacecraft launched on a lunar flyby trajectory and into a heliocentric orbit making it the first US probe to escape from the Earth's gravity. It carried a payload similar to Pioneer 3: a lunar radiation environment experiment using a Geiger-Mueller tube detector and a lunar photography experiment. It passed within 60,000 km of the Moon's surface. However, Pioneer 4 did not come close enough to trigger the photoelectric sensor. No lunar radiation was detected. The spacecraft was still in solar orbit as of 1969.

Mar 3^rd 1959

5.9 kg

Explorer 6
Explorer VI
Able 3
S 2
1959-004A
#00015

Explorer 6 was launched by USA from Cape Canaveral on Thor-Able launch vehicle into a highly elliptical orbit with an apogee of 41900 km and a perigee of 237 km. The mission of this small, spheroidal satellite was to study trapped radiation of various energies, galactic cosmic rays, geomagnetism, radio propagation in the upper atmosphere, as well as the flux of micro-meteorites. It also tested a scanning device designed for photographing the earth's cloud cover.
Each experiment except the television scanner had two outputs, digital and analog. A UHF transmitter was used for the digital telemetry and the TV signal. Two VHF transmitters were used to transmit the analog signal. The VHF transmitters were operated continuously. The UHF transmitter was operated for only a few hours each day.
Four solar cell paddles mounted near its equator recharged the storage batteries while in orbit. Only 3 of the paddles were deployed. The expected lifetime was 1 year, the actual operation was 2 months.

Aug 7^th 1959

64.4 kg

This recording of Explorer VI was kindly provided by Dick W4PUJ.

Discoverer 5
KH-1 9002
1959-005A
#00018

This recording from a Discoverer satellite, possibly from Discoverer 5 or Discoverer 6, was kindly provided by Dick W4PUJ. Discoverer 5 decayed on Sept. 28^th 1959. The Discoverer satellites were part of the Corona program, the first series of US imaging spy satellites. Each satellite carried a single panoramic camera and a single return vehicle.

Aug 13^th 1959

640 kg

Discoverer 6
KH-1 9003
1959-006A
#00019

This recording from a Discoverer satellite, possibly from Discoverer 5 or Discoverer 6, was kindly provided by Dick W4PUJ. Discoverer 6 (also called Keyhole KH-1 9003) decayed on Oct. 20^th 1959.

Aug 19^th 1959

783 kg

Vanguard 3
Vanguard III
1959-007A
#00020

Vanguard 3 ( the Vanguard TV4 Backup) was launched by a Vanguard rocket from the Eastern Test Range at Cape Canaveral into a geocentric orbit with an apogee of 3744 km and an perigee of 512 km. The objectives of the flight were to measure the earth's magnetic field, the solar X-ray radiation and its effects on the earth's atmosphere, and the near-earth micro-meteoroid environment. Instrumentation included a proton magnetometer, X-ray ionization chambers, and various micro-meteoroid detectors.
Data transmission stopped after 84 days of operation on December 11^th 1959.Vanguard 3 has an expected orbital lifetime of 300 years.

Sept 18^th 1959

22.7 kg

This 13 minutes audio file documents the successful launch campaign of Vanguard III. You can hear the countdown to the launch starting at T-330 seconds, the launch itself and then the later phases: 1^st stage burnout at T+148 seconds, 2^nd stage burnout at T+265 seconds and finally the 3^rd stage ignition at T+550 seconds. This recording was kindly provided by Dick W4PUJ.

Lunik III / Luna 3
1959-008A
#00021

The lunar probe Lunik 3, an automatic interplanetary station, flew around the Moon. Recording kindly provided by Alois DL3PD.

Oct 4^th 1959

278.5 kg

Luna 3 was the first probe which provided the signals and pictures (see on the right) from far side of the Moon. In total it took 29 pictures. 17 pictures were successfully transmitted back to Earth. Recording provided by Alois DL3PD.

Explorer 7
Explorer VII
S 1A
1959-009A
#00022

Explorer 7 was launched by USA on a Juno launch vehicle from Cape Canaveral into an elliptical low earth orbit with an apogee of 1080 km and a perigee of 553 km. The primary mission of this satellite was to measure solar X-ray and Lyman-alpha flux, trapped energetic particles, and heavy primary cosmic rays (Z>5). Secondary objectives included collecting data on micro-meteoroid penetration and molecular sputtering and studying the earth-atmosphere heat balance. The spin-stabilized satellite was powered by 3000 solar cells and 15 NiCd batteries. It transmitted telemetry on 20 MHz (1 Watt into 2 crossed dipoles) and on 108 MHz a tracking beacon signal. Useful real-time data were transmitted from its launch through February 1961 and intermittently until August 24^th 1961. The original expected lifetime was 20 years.

Oct 13^th 1959

41.5 kg

This recording of Explorer VII was kindly provided by Dick W4PUJ.

TIROS I
TIROS 1
TIROS A
1960-002B
#00029

TIROS 1 (Television and InfraRed Observation Satellite), the first weather satellite, was designed to test the feasibility of obtaining and using TV cloudcover pictures from satellites. It was launched on a Thor launcher from Cape Canaveral into an almost circular orbit with an apogee of 753 km and a perigee of 690 km. A single monopole antenna for reception of ground commands extended out from the top of the cover assembly. A pair of crossed-dipole telemetry antennas (235 MHz) projected down and diagonally out from the baseplate.
The satellite performed normally from launch until June 15^th 1960, when an electrical power failure prohibited further useful TV transmissions.

April 1^st 1960

123 kg

This recording of Tiros I was kindly provided by Dick W4PUJ.

Sputnik 4
Sputnik IV
Korabl-Sputnik 1
1960-005A
#00034

Sputnik 4 (also called Korabl-Sputnik 1) was launched from former U.S.S.R from Baykonur Cosmodrome into an elliptical orbit with an apogee of 675 km and a perigee of 280 km.
This first of a series of spacecraft used to investigate the means for manned space flight, contained scientific instruments, a television system, and a self-sustaining biological cabin with a dummy of a man. The spacecraft was designed to study the operation of the life support system and the stresses of flight. The spacecraft radioed both extensive telemetry and prerecorded voice communications. After four days of flight, the reentry cabin was separated from its service module and retro-rockets were fired, but because of an incorrect attitude the spacecraft did not reenter the atmosphere.

May 15^th 1960

1477 kg

This recording of Sputnik IV was kindly provided by Dick W4PUJ.

Echo 1 A
Echo B
Echo Balloon
1960-009A
#00049

Echo 1 A is sometimes also called Echo 1 however Echo 1 was actually it predecessor which failed to launch on May 13^th 1960. The Echo 1 A spacecraft was a 30.48-m-diameter balloon of mylar polyester film 0.5 mil (0.0127 mm) thick and was launched on a Thor-Delta rocket from Cape Canaveral USA into an elliptical orbit with an apogee of 1678 km and a perigee of 1519 km. The spacecraft was designed as a passive communications reflector for transcontinental and intercontinental telephone (voice), radio, and television signals. Its surface was used to reflect 960 MHz and 2390 MHz signals. It had 107.9 MHz beacon transmitters for telemetry purposes. These transmitters were powered by five nickel-cadmium batteries that were charged by 70 solar cells mounted on the balloon. Because of the large area-to-mass ratio of the spacecraft, data for the calculation of atmospheric density and solar pressure could be acquired. The expected life time was 1 year and it finally decayed on May 24^th 1968.

Aug 12^th 1960

76 kg

This recording of Echo 1 was kindly provided by Dick W4PUJ.

COURIER IB
1960-013A
#00058

Courier 1B was a telecommunications recording satellite launched by the US into an orbit with an apogee of 1235 km and a perigee of 943 km.. It could record messages from an earth station and re-broadcast them.

Oct 4^th 1960

227 kg

This recording of Courier I B was kindly provided by Dick W4PUJ.

Vostok-3 No.1
Sputnik 9
Korabl Sputnik 4
1961-008A
#00091

This Space Ship Vostok-3 No.1 carried a dog named Chernuska in space. Besides Chernuska also onboard was a dummy cosmonaut, mice and a guinea pig. The flight lasted for a single orbit, and a successful recovery was made.Recording provided by Alois DL3PD.

Mar 9^th 1961

4700 kg

TIROS-5
#00309
(1962-aa-1)

TIROS-5 was a meteorological satellite. It included television cameras and returned 58226 cloud cover photos until May 4th 1963. It transmitted tracking beacons on 136.230 and 136.920 Mhz. It also featured a 5W television transmitter on 235 MHz. Signal on 136.230 MHz recorded on Dec 14th 1973 in CW by Greg Roberts.

Jun 19^th 1962

130 kg

Signal on 136.920 MHz recorded on Dec 14th 1973 in CW by Greg Roberts.

Signal on 136.920 MHz recorded on Dec 14th 1973 in AM by Greg Roberts.

Signal on 136.920 MHz recorded on Dec 14th 1973 in FM by Greg Roberts.

Signal on 136.230 MHz recorded on June 7th 1975 in CW by Greg Roberts.

Relay 1
Relay A
#00503
(1962-068A)

   Relay 1 was primarily a communications satellite. The spin-stabilized spacecraft included in addition radiation experiments designed to map the earth's radiation belts. Signals recorded on 136.140 MHz in the time between March 1964 and February 1965 by Greg Roberts in Durban.

Dec 13^th 1962

170 kg

TIROS-7
TIROS-G
#00604
(1963-024A)

TIROS 7 (Television and InfraRed Observation Satellite) was a spin-stabilized meteorological spacecraft designed to test experimental television techniques and infrared equipment. Signal received either on 136.234 MHz or 136.922 MHz in the time between March 1964 and February 1965 by Greg Roberts un Durban.

Jun 19^th 1963

135 kg

Radose
Transit 5E1
SN39
#0671
(1963-038C)

This satellite also called Radiation Sat measured energetic charged particles, magnetic fields, the solar spectrum, and acquired geodetic data. It transmitted in 136, 162 and 324 MHz bands. The last data were transmitted during November 1974. Recorded on July 2nd 1972 on 136.651 MHz by Greg Roberts.

Sept 28^th 1963

59kg ?

Radose recorded on Oct 24th 1973 on 136.651 MHz in CW/AM by Greg Roberts.

Relay 2
#00737
(1964-003A)

Relay 2 was primary a communications satellite but carried also a particle experiment. Recorded in frequency band 136-138 MHz using an SSB receiver by Greg Roberts sometime in the year 1974 or 1975.

Jan 21^st 1964

184 kg

Relay 2 transmitted on two frequencies 136.140 MHz and 136.620 Mhz. Multiple recordings were made on Dec 14th 1973 by Greg Roberts. First recording was 136.620 MHz in CW.

Second recording was on 136.620 MHz in AM on Dec 14th 1973 by Greg Roberts.

Third recording was on 136.140 MHz in CW on Dec 14th 1973 by Greg Roberts.

Fourth recording was again recorded in CW on Dec 14th 1973 by Greg Roberts.

Fifth recording was recorded in FM on Dec 14th 1973 by Greg Roberts.

Sixth recording was finally recorded in CW and AM on Oct 24th 1973 by Greg Roberts.

Echo 2
Echo C
#00740
(1964-004A)

 Echo 2 was a 41-m balloon of aluminum foil-mylar laminate. It decayed on June 7^th 1969. Its surface was used to reflect 162 MHz signals back to Earth and thus act as a passive repeater. Echo 2 was the first joint space mission of the USA and of the USSR. The Echo 2 beacon signal enclosed was recorded either on 136.020 MHz or 136.170 MHz in various modes in the time between March 1964 and February 1965 by Greg Roberts in Durban.

Jan 25^th 1964

256 kg

Ariel 2
S 52
S 52A
UK 2
UK-C
#00771
(1964-015A)

 Ariel 2 carried 3 British experiments to measure galactic radio noise. Echo 2 beacon recorded on 136.557 MHz in the time between March 1964 and February 1965 by Greg Roberts in Durban.

Mar 27^th 1964

68 kg

Transit 5B-5
Transit O-2
NNSS 30020
#00965
(1964-083D)

Radiation satellite. Studied magnetic field, celestial field, ultraviolet data. This satellite was still transmitting in mid 2007 and thus is probably the oldest satellite still transmitting. The sequence of tones has speeded up quite considerably over time. He transmits on 136.651 MHz in a SSB/FM multiplex mode. Signals enclosed were recorded first in AM and then in FM mode. Recorded on Dec 14th 1973 on 136.650 MHz by Greg Roberts.

Dec. 13^th 1964

60 kg

The next 4 recording were made on June 19th 1999 on 136.650 MHz by Greg Roberts. He used a turnstile antenna at about 10 meters above ground followed by a low noise preamp with 20dB gain and about 1 dB noise figure. The first recording used the CW/SSB mode of the receiver with a bandwidth of 2.4 kHz.

The second file was also recorded using the CW/SSB mode with 2.4 kHz bandwidth. Since the satellite signal is quite broad (>30 kHz) one can easily hear several carriers when using this mode of reception.

Here Greg Roberts used a narrower (0.8 kHz) bandwidth filter to record the signal in CW/SSB mode. This bandwidth is recommended for very faint satellites since it cuts down the background noise.

This signal was recorded using the FM detector of the receiver with a bandwidth of approx. 25 to 30 kHz. Although the FM modulation of Transit 5B-5 is very low, one can easily hear the tones. Compare this to the CW/SSB recordings and it should be very obvious why any serious radio satellite tracker should have the capability of receiving CW or SSB modes. FM is not suitable for weak signals. Recorded by Greg Roberts.

Transit 5B-5 recorded on Oct 24th 1973 on 136.50 MHz in AM/CW mixed by Greg Roberts.

Pegasus 1
#01085
(1965-009A)

Pegaus 1 transmitted on 136.440 MHz data and on 136.89 MHz a beacon signal. Beacon signal recorded in February 1965 by Greg Roberts in Durban.

Feb 16^th 1965

1452 kg

Pegasus 1 transmitted only as long as it was in sunlight. Recorded on 136.890 MHz using an SSB receiver end of October 1974 by Greg Roberts.

This recording was done on October 29th 1974 by Greg Roberts.

GGSE-3
#01292
(1965-016C)

GGSE-3 (Gravity Gradient Stabilization Experiment 3) was a small military satellite. Its design and deployment techniques were later applied to the NOSS / Whitecloud reconnaisance satellites. Recorded on 136.776 MHz in March 1965 by Greg Roberts.

Mar 9^th 1965

4 kg

SECOR 3
EGRS-3
#01208
(1965-016E)

SECOR is an acronym for Sequential Correlation of Range and is basically an electronic distance measuring system in which four ground stations sequentially interrogate a satellite-borne transponder. It was used by the US Army Map service from 1964 onwards. Early satellites transmitted on two carrier frequencies, namely 224.5 MHz and 449 MHz. Recorded first in AM and then in FM on 136.840 MHz on Dec 14th 1973 by Greg Roberts.

Mar 9^th 1965

18 kg

SOLRAD 7B
GRAB 6
#01291
(1965-016D)

The US satellite Solrad 7B was also called GRAB (Galactic Radiation Experimental Background ) and was officially instrumented to detect the solar X-ray emission. The first GRAB satellite was launched in 1960. However its receivers were used to catalogue the waveforms and pulse repetition frequencies of Soviet air defense radars. The basic concept of operation is shown in the diagram to the right. Recorded on 136.800 MHz in AM/FM by Mike D. Kenny.

Mar 9^th 1965

47 kg

Beacon C
(Explorer 27)
#01328
(1965-032A)

Explorer 27 was also called Beacon C and investigated the ionosphere. It transmitted on 136.740 MH. Recorded 7 June 1975 in CW by Greg Roberts.

Apr 29^th 1965

60 kg

Recorded 7 June 1975 in FM by Greg Roberts.

Recorded 7 June 1975 in FM by Greg Roberts.

Recorded May 17th 1972 on 136.740 MHz. by Greg Roberts.

Explorer 27 recorded on Oct 24th 1973 on 136.740 MHz in AM mode by Greg Roberts.

Pegasus 2
#01381
(1965-039A)

Pegasus 2 was a huge scientific satellite for the observation of meteorites. It transmitted on 136.410 MHz (data) and 136.890 MHz (telemetry and tracking beacon). Recorded on October 15th 1973 in AM most likely on 136.890 MHz by Greg Roberts.

May 25^th 1965

10500 kg

Pegasus 2 CW transmission increased suddenly whenever the satellite entered the shadow of the Earth. This can be heard nicely on this recording in CW mode on Oct 24th 1973 by Greg Roberts.

TIROS-10
#01430
(1965-051A)

TIROS-10 was a meteorological satellite. Advanced vidicon camera system (AVCS). Transmitted tracking signal with 50 mW on 136.230 (increased over lifetime to 136.235 MHz) and 136.920 MHz. AVCS transmission wuth 2 W on 235 MHz. Recording made on Dec 14th 1973 on unknown frequency by Greg Roberts.

July 2^nd 1965

138 kg

Recording made on Dec 14th 1973 on 136.230 MHz by Greg Roberts.

Recording made on Dec 14th 1973 on 136.920 MHz by Greg Roberts.

TIROS-10 transmitted a continuous tone on both frequencies, 136.230 and 136.920 MHz, recorded on Oct 24th 1973 in CW and AM by Greg Roberts.

Pegasus 3
Saturn SA-10
#01467
(1965-060A)

In its stored position with panels folded inside the Apollo service module Pegasus 3 was 5.3 m high, 2.1 m wide, and only 28 cm deep. The spacecraft was equipped with appendages like wings which extended to form a huge plane 29.3 m long and 4.3 m wide. Pegasus 3 transmitted on 136.410 MHz (data) and 136.890 MHz (telemetry and tracking beacon) and sounded like the previous 2 Pegasus satellites. This signal is probably the beacon on 136.89 MHz and was recorded in the time between March 1964 and February 1965 by Greg Roberts in Durban.

Jul 30^th 1965

1452 kg

GEOS 1
GEOS A
Explorer 29
#01726
(1965-089A)

GEOS 1 (Geodetic Earth Orbiting Satellite) was a gravity-gradient-stabilized, solar-cell powered satellite targeted for geodetic studies.. Recorded on 136.83 MHz in the time between November 1965 and Spring 1966 by Greg Roberts in Durban.

Nov 6^th 1965

387 kg

ESSA 2
OT 2
#02091
(1965-016A)

ESSA 2 was a meteorological satellite providing real-time earth cloudcover TV pictures for use in weather analysis and forecasting. It transmitted telemetry on 136.500 MHz and a tracking beacon signal on 136.770 MHz. Recorded on 136.770 MHz in spring 1966 by Greg Roberts in Durban.

Feb 28^th 1966

286 kg

SECOR 7
EGRS-7
#02411
(1966-077B)

EGRS-7 was a similar type satellite to the SECOR sats using the same telemetry format. Frequency was 136.800 MHz. Recorded on Dec 14th 1973 by Greg Roberts.

Aug 19^th 1966

17 kg

EGRS-7 was recorded on Oct 24th 1973 in AM mode by Greg Roberts.

ERS 15
#02412
(1966-077C)

ERS (Environmental Research Satellite) was an Air force technology satellite also known as Octahedron Research Satellite (ORS-1). Was launched together with and ejected by MIDAS-11 (1966-077A). Recorded on 137.800 MHz using an SSB receiver by Greg Roberts.

Aug 19^th 1966

4.5 kg

SECOR 8
EGRS-8
#02520
(1966-089B)

The SECOR (Sequential Correlation of Range) series of satellites were used for US Military mapping purposes. Recorded first in SSB and then in AM on 136.830 MHz on Dec 14th 1973 by Greg Roberts.

Oct 5^th 1966

17 kg

Recorded on May 17th 1972 on 136.830 MHz by Greg Roberts.

Intelsat 2F-1
Atlantic 1
Canary Bird
Intelsat 2A
Lanny Bird 2F1
#02514
(1966-096A)

Commercial Communication Satellite of COMSAT Corporation. Did not reach final orbit due to a failure in the apogee motor. However was still used to transmit live television and other communications traffic. Used 2 redundant repeaters with 125 MHz bandwidth supporting 240 two-way telephone circuits or one TV channel. Telemetry system used two encoders, two VHF transmitters, eight whip antennas as well as a 4 GHz beacon. The beacon signals were transmitted continuously and modulated with telemetry signals. Recorded in frequency band 136-138 MHz using an SSB receiver by Greg Roberts.

Oct 26^th 1966

355 kg

Recorded on Aug 2nd 1972 in CW by Greg Roberts.

Intelsat 2F-1 stranded in an elliptical 3360 x 37038 km orbit. Recorded twice on Oct 24th 1973 on 136.440 MHz in CW by Greg Roberts.

Recorded in excellent quality on Sept 2nd 1975 on 136.440 MHz by Greg Roberts.

OV1-9
FARO 1
Manifold
#02610
(1966-111A)

OV1-9 performed radiation bio-hazard experiments. Recorded on Aug 2nd 1972 on 136.620 MHz by Greg Roberts.

Dec 11^th 1966

104 kg

ERS 20 (OV5-3)
#02768
(1967-040D)

This military radiation research satellite conducted material studies to determine the effect of the space environment on metals. Even after it was officially lost the very distinctive signal of this satellite could be occasionally heard for up to several hours at a time. Recorded on 136.260 MHz using an SSB receiver by Greg Roberts.

April 28^th 1967

8.6 kg

More than 30 years after ERS 20 was officially lost these recording in SSB mode were made by Greg Roberts on July 14th 1999 at 16:30h UTC in Cape Town.

GGSE-4
#02828
(1967-053C)

GGSE-4 (Gravity Gradient Stabilization Experiment) conducted by US Navy. Frequency was 137.740 MHz. Recorded on Dec 14th 1973 in SSB by Greg Roberts.

May 31^st 1967

4 kg

GGSE-4 recorded on 137.740 MHz in CW on Oct 24th 1973 by Greg Roberts.

GGSE-4 recorded twice on 137.740 MHz between June 20th and June 25th 1972 by Greg Roberts.

GGSE-5
#02834
(1967-053D)

GGSE-5 (Gravity Gradient Stabilization Experiment) conducted by US Navy. Recorded on 137.890 MHz between June 20th and June 25th 1972 by Greg Roberts.

May 31^st 1967

4 kg

SECOR 9
EGRS-9
#02861
(1967-065A)

SECOR 9 (Sequential Correlation of Range) was a joint US Army/Navy satellite. It was a small geodetic spacecraft used to precisely determine points on the earth. Recorded on May 17th 1975 on 136.840 MHz in CW by Greg Roberts.

Jun 29^th 1967

20 kg

EGRS-9 was recorded on May 17th 1975 on 136.840 MHz in CW and AM by Greg Roberts.

ATS-3
#03029
(1967-111A)

ATS-3 was the third Applications Technology Satellite in geostationary orbit (approx 47°W) and in the early 1970's it was conducting tests like relaying weather pictures, time signals and aircraft communications. Click on the picture of the globe to get a full disc picture recorded and transmitted by ATS-3 on Jan 21st 1968. Frequencies used were 135.600 MHz for the APT system (40 W ), 136.470 MHz and 137.350 MHz (each 16 W), an ionospheric beacon ar 412.08 MHz and 4 S-Band downlinks (up to 24 W). This is a recorded communication on this satellite between "Mojave" and an aircraft heading to "New Amsterdam". The spin modulation of the satellite signal is quite obvious. Recorded on 135.600 MHz by Greg Roberts in Johannesburg.

Nov 5^th 1967

365 kg

Recorded around 1972 by Greg Roberts.

SOLRAD 9
(Explorer 37)
#03141
(1968-017A)

Solrad 9 measured Solar Radiation. Telemetry was transmitted simultaneously in AM and FM. Frequencies used were 136.41 MHz, 136.53 MHz and 137.59 MHz. Solrad 9 decayed in Nov 1990. Both recording were done between end of October and beginning of November 1974 by Greg Roberts using an SSB receiver.

Mar 5^th 1968

198 kg

Recorded May 17th 1972 on 136.530 MHZ be Greg Roberts.

Recorded on Aug 2nd 1972 probably on 136.41 MHz by Greg Roberts.

Explorer 37 recorded on Oct 24th 1973 in AM by Greg Roberts.

RAE 1
(Explorer 38)
#03307
(1968-055A)

RAE 1 (Radio Astronomy Explorer) measured the intensity of celestial radio sources, particularly the sun, as a function of time, direction, and frequency (0.2 to 20 MHz). Recorded on May 17th 1975 on 136.350 MHz by Greg Roberts.

Jul 4^th 1968

602 kg

HEOS 1
#03595
(1968-109A)

Heos 1 (Highly Eccentric Orbit Satellite) was built by Junkers-Werke in Munich/Germany and studied the inter-planetary magnetic field, solar wind and space particles. Recorded on May 17th 1975 on 136.650 MHz by Greg Roberts.

Dec 5^th 1968

128 kg

TETR 2
TETR B
#03534
(1968-100B)

TETR 2 was a small magnetically stabilized satellite instrumented with an s-band transponder (9.5 W) to provide training to Apollo ground stations. It included also a PAM/FM/PM telemetry transmitter on 136.860 MHz (1.2 W). It decayed in Sept 1979. Recorded on May 17th 1972 on 136.860 MHz in cw/am/cwby Greg Roberts.

Nov 8^th 1968

40 kg

OAO 2
OAO A2
OAO B
#03597
(1968-110A)

OAO-2 (Orbiting Astronomical Observatory) transmitted on 136.260 MHz (data) and 136.440 MHz (beacon). Recorded on May 17th 1972 on 136.260 MHz in AM by Greg Roberts.

Dec 7^th 1968

2150 kg

Beacon recorded on 136.440 MHz between June 20th and June 25th 1972 by Greg Roberts.

ESSA 8
(TOS F)
#03615
(1968-114A)

Environmental Survey SAtellite (ESSA) was a meteorological satellite with APT equipment. The APT transmission was on 137.620 MHz (5 W), the tracking beacon was on 137.770 MHz (250 mW). APT transmission recorded Dec 14th 1973 at 07:25 UTC on 137.625 MHz by Greg Roberts.

Dec 15^th 1968

132 kg

Tracking beacon recorded on 137.770 MHz on Dec 14th 1973 by Greg Roberts.

The beacon was also recorded on May 17th 1972 on 136.770 MHz in CW and AM (not much to hear in AM) by Greg Roberts.

Recorded on Aug 2nd 1972 on 137.620 MHz in AM or FM by Greg Roberts.

OSO 5
#03663
(1969-006A)

Orbiting Solar Observatory. PCM/PM telemetry was transmitted in the frequency band 136.290 MHz. Both recording were done on October 31st 1974 by Greg Roberts using an SSB receiver.

Jan 22^nd 1969

645 kg

ISIS 1
#03669
(1969-009A)

ISIS (International Sats for Ionosph Studies) was an ionospheric observatory instrumented with sweep- and fixed-frequency ionosondes, a VLF receiver, energetic and soft particle detectors, an ion mass spectrometer, an electrostatic probe, an electrostatic analyzer, a beacon transmitter and a cosmic noise experiment. Recorded on Sept 2nd 1975 on 136.080 MHz by Greg Roberts.

Jan 30^th 1969

241 kg

ESSA 9
(TOS-G)
#03764
(1969-016A)

ESSA 9 was a sun-synchronous meteorological satellite designed to take and record daytime earth cloudcover pictures on a global basis for subsequent playback to a ground acquisition facility. Beacon recorded on May 17th 1972 on 136.770 MHz by Greg Roberts.

Feb 26^th 1969

145 kg

ESSA 9 recorded on Oct 24th 1973 on 136.770 MHz in AM by Greg Roberts.

NIMBUS 3
NIMBUS B2
#03890
(1969-037A)

NIMBUS 3 was a meteorological satellite. It transmitted APT pictures on 136.950 MHz. This APT signal was actually an IR scan and was recorded on June 29th 1969 on 136.950 MHz by Greg Roberts.

April 14^th 1969

635 kg

This APT signal was also an IR scan and was recorded on 136.950 MHz between June 20th and June 25th 1972 by Greg Roberts.

SECOR 13
EGRS-13
#03891
(1969-037B)

Sequential Correlation of Range provided geodetic determination measurements. Launched together with Nimbus-3. It contained a transponder and a telemetry system. Frequencies used were 136.8 MHz, 224.5 MHz, 449 MHz. Both recording were done on October 31st 1974 by Greg Roberts on 136.800 MHz using an SSB receiver.

April 14^th  1969

20 kg

Recorded also previously on Aug 2nd 1972 on 136.800 MHz by Greg Roberts.

EGRS 13 recorded on Oct 24th 1973 on 136.800 MHz in AM by Greg Roberts.

ERS 29 (OV 5-5))
#03950
(1969-046A)

OV5-5 (ERS 29) gathered data for basic research on solar radiation and its effect on the magnetosphere. Using a VLF plasma wave detector, an altitude sensor, a magnetometer and seven particle detectors, it measured the VLF proton and electron fluxes as well as the temporal variations of such fluxes. Recorded on Oct 24th 1973 on 136.650 MHz by Greg Roberts.

May 23^rd 1969

11 kg

ERS 26 (OV 5-6)
#03951
(1969-046B)

Gathered data for basic research on solar radiation. Included a solar flare monitor, six particle detectors, solid state detectors, a magnetic spectrometer, a Faraday cup and a fluxgate magnetometer. Transmitted on 136.380 MHz in FM (500 mW , 17 W on command) and 400.450 MHz in CW (750 mW). It was observed several times that every 2 hours the signal on 136.38 MHz disappeared and reappeared after 15 minutes. It is assumed that during this time the satellite transmitted on 400.45 MHz. Recorded on 136.380 MHz using an SSB receiver by Greg Roberts.

May 23^rd 1969

11 kg

OV5-6 recorded on June 21st 1975 by Greg Roberts.

OV5-6 recorded when the satellite was closer to Earth on his highly elliptical orbit on June 21st 1975 by Greg Roberts.

OV5-6 recorded on 136.380 Mhz on a pass near perigee (height ranging from 17000 km to about 10000 km) on Aug 15th 1973 by Greg Roberts.

OSO 6
OSO G
#04065
(1969-068A)

The primary objectives of OSO 6 were the acquisition of high spectral-resolution data within the 1 to 1300 A range, the observation of solar X-rays in the 20 to 200 keV range and the observation of high-energy neutron flux in the 20 to 130 MeV range. Recorded on Aug 2nd 1972 on 136.710 MHz by Greg Roberts.

Aug 9^th 1969

647 kg

OSO 6 recorded on Oct 24th 1973 on 136.710 MHz by Greg Roberts.

TIMATION-II
#04256
(1969-082B)

TIMATION 2 (TIMe/navigATION) was a US military navigation satellite. It incorporated sidetone range signals transmitted at 150 and 400 MHz. Higher frequency range tones (Up to 1 MHz) increased the range measurement resolution to 10 m. Recorded on 137.380 MHz in AM/FM by Mike D. Kenny.

Sep 30^th 1969

?? kg

ITOS-1
TIROS-M
#04320
(1970-008A)

ITOS-1 was a box shaped meteorological satellite (size 1.016m x 1.016m x 1.245m) with 3 solar panels (250W). It was launched together with Amsat Oscar 5. It transmitted on 137.500 MHz APT (5W) and on 136.770 MHz a Beacon (250mW). Data was transmitted on 1697.5 MHz (2W).
I am searching for sound files. Please send them to  

Jan 23^rd 1970

306 kg

SERT 2
#04327
(1970-009A)

SERT 2 (Space Electric Rocket Test) mission carried two ion thrusters. It transmitted on 136.230 and 136.920 MHz. Recorded on May 17th 1972 on 136.230 MHz in CW/AM by Greg Roberts.

Feb 4^th 1970

1404 kg

Ohsumi
#04330
(1970-011A)

Ohsumi was the first Japanese satellite. It carried thermometer, accelerometer. It transmitted on 136.159 MHz a tracking beacon (50 mW). The batteries failed after transmitting for 30 hours.
I am searching for sound files. Please send them to   

Feb 11^th 1970

38 kg

NIMBUS 4
#04362
(1970-025A)

Meteorological satellite. APT system transmitted on 136.950 MHz (5 W), tracking beacon transmitted on 136.500 MHz (500 mW), data transmission on 1702.5 MHz (10 W). APT recorded on 136.950 MHz in FM on Dec 14th 1973 by Greg Roberts.

April 8^th 1970

620 kg

Nimbus 4 transmitted 200 sec long pictures then a short bit of sync pulses and then the next picture. These recordings were also made on Dec 14th 1973 in FM by Greg Roberts.

Beacon recorded on May 17th 1972 by Greg Roberts. Started using AM (not much can be heard), then switched to CW.

TOPO-1
(S70-3)
#04363
(1970-025B)

Geodetic cube shaped satellite. Launched piggyback with Nimbus 4. Tracking beacon transmitted on 136.840 MHz which was also used as a transponder. It had similar tones like the EGRS / SECOR satellites. Recorded in AM on Dec 14th 1973 by Greg Roberts.

April 8^th 1970

18 kg

TOPO 1 transmitted with a typical EGRS sound. Recorded on Oct 24th 1973 on 136.840 MHz in AM by Greg Roberts.

China 1
PRC 1
DFH 1
Mao 1
#04382
(1970-034A)

First Satellite launched by China on its own booster. It was also called DFH 1 or Mao 1. It played the song "Dong Fang Hong" (East is Red) and announced the time. Recorded on 20.009 MHz in AM on April 27th 1970 between 09:39 and 09:53 UTC by Kurt DF7FU.

April 24^th 1970

173 kg

NOAA-1
ITOS-B
#04793
(1970-106A)

NOAA-1 was a box shaped meteorological satellite (size 1.016m x 1.016m x 1.245m) with 3 solar panels. It transmitted on 137.620 MHz APT (5W) and on 136.770 MHz a tracking beacon (250mW). Data was transmitted on 1697.5 MHz (4W).
I am searching for sound files. Please send them to   

Dec 11^th 1970

306 kg

IMP 8
IMP I
Explorer 43
#05043
(1971-019A)

IMP 8 was a satellite dedicated to radio astronomy and space physics. One of the two transmitters operated on 136.170 MHz and was recorded twice between June 20th and June 25th 1972 by Greg Roberts.

Mar 13^th 1971

635 kg

Isis 2
#05104
(1971-024A)

Isis 2 (International Satellite for Ionospheric Studies) was an ionospheric sounder carrying 8 Canadian and 4 US experiments. It transmitted on 136.080 MHz, 401.750 MHz (4W), 136.590 MHz (3W), 136.410 MHz and 137.950 MHz. Recorded on 136.080 MHz by Greg Roberts.

April 1^st 1971

262 kg

D2-A Tournesol
#05128
(1971-030A)

Spin stabilized cylindrical French satellite 70cm in diameter and 80 cm long. Astronomical mission including the search for hydrogen in space. Both recording were done on October 30th 1974 on 136.630 MHz in SSB by Greg Roberts.

April 15^th 1971

96 kg

Recorded on 136.630 MHz on Dec 14th 1973 using an AM receiver by Greg Roberts.

Recorded on 136.630 MHz on Dec 14th 1973 using an FM receiver by Greg Roberts.

SOLRAD 10
(Explorer 44)
#05317
(1971-058A)

SOLRAD 10 measured solar radiation in the UV, soft and hard X-ray regions. This spin stabilized satellite was a 12-sided cylinder that measured 76 cm in diameter and 58 cm in height and had 4 solar panels. Transmitted tracking beacon and telemetry on 137.710 MHz (5W) and telemetry only on 136.380 MHz (3W). Recorded on October 29th 1974 by Greg Roberts using an SSB receiver.

July 8^th 1971

260 kg

Explorer 44 (Solrad-10) recorded on October 24th 1973 on 137.710 MHz in AM mode by Greg Roberts.

EOLE
CAS 1
#05435
(1971-071A)

EOLE was designed to function primarily as a communications satellite to acquire and relay data on altitude, pressure, temperature, moisture and upper atmospheric wind velocities from instrumented earth-circling constant density meteorological balloons. Recorded on May 17th 1972 on 136.350 MHz in CW mode by Greg Roberts.

Aug 16^th 1971

84.7 kg

EOLE recorded on 136.350 MHz in AM on Oct 16th 1973 by Greg Roberts.

EOLE recorded on Oct 24th 1973 on 136.350 MHz in AM by Greg Roberts.

Shinsei
(MS-F2)
#05485
(1971-080A)

Japanese scientific observation satellite. Its objective was to measure solar and cosmic radioation. The tracking beacon transmitted continuously on 136.695 MHz at 90 mW and real time telemetry was transmitted on 400.695 MHz at 45 mW. Incidentally still transmitting mid 2007 but now a continuous tone. Recorded on Dec 14th 1973 on 136.694 MHz in AM with CW filter by Greg Roberts.

Sept 28^th 1971

65 kg

Recorded on Dec 14th 1973 on 136.694 MHz in FM by Greg Roberts.

Recorded on May 17th 1972 on 136.694 MHz by Greg Roberts. First recording in CW suffered from locally generated hum. Second recording in AM mode was ok.

Shinsei recorded on 136.694 MHz in AM mode on Oct 24th 1973 by Greg Roberts.

OSO 7
OSO H
#05491
(1971-083A)

  OSO 7 (Orbiting Solar Observatory) studied the solar coona. This experimental platform consisted of a sail section, which pointed two experiments continually toward the sun and a wheel section, which spun about an axis perpendicular to the pointing direction of the sail. Transmitted PCM/PM telemetry on 136.290 MHz with 0.57W. Recorded on May 17th 1972 on 136.290 MHz by Greg Roberts.

Sept 29^th 1971

635 kg

OSO 7 decayed on July 9th 1974. Recorded on 136.290 MHz in AM mode on Oct 24th 1973 by Greg Roberts.

TETR 4
#05492
(1971-083B)

Test and Training satellite 4. Launched piggyback with OSO 7. Octahedral 30cm wide satellite. Carried an S-band transponder. The tracking beacon and telemetry transmitted continuously on 136.62 MHz at 0.1 W and 2282.5 MHz at 0.5 W. Command frequency was 259.700 MHz. Recorded on 136.620 MHz using an SSB receiver by Greg Roberts.

Sept 29^th 1971

20.4 kg

TETR 4 recorded on Oct 24th 1973 on 136.620 MHz in AM by Greg Roberts.

Prospero 1
X-3
#05580
(1971-093A)

Prospero was a British scientific satellite used to test equipment for future satellites and to conduct a scientific experiment to measure the incidence of micrometeoroids. This flattened sphere shaped satellite transmitted on 137.560 MHz with 0.3W a phase modulated signal with PCM at 2048 bit/s. It was launched from launch pad 5B, Woomera, Australia with a British Black Arrow Launch Vehicle.

Oct 28^th 1971

66 kg

Recorded on Oct 24th 1973 on 137.560 MHz in AM by Greg Roberts.

Prospero was recorded twice on 137.560 MHz between June 20th and June 25th 1972 by Greg Roberts.

S-Cubed A
SSS-A
SSS-1
(Explorer 45)
#05598
(1971-096A)

SSS-A (Small Scientific Satellite) performed a wide variety of investigations within the magnetosphere with regards to particle fluxes, electric and magnetic fields. SSS-A transmitted continuous tracking and telemetry signals on 136.830 MHz (0.5W). Command uplink channel was 148.98 MHz. A second downlink on 137.950 MHz could be commanded on and off. Recorded on May 17th 1975 on 136.830 MHz by Greg Roberts.

Nov 15^th 1971

114 kg

Ariel 4
UK 4
#05675
(1971-109A)

Ariel 4 (UK 4) was a small observatory investigating the interactions between electromagnetic waves, plasmas and energetic particles present in the upper ionosphere. It transmitted on 137.050 MHz with 0.25 W telemetry data or a continuous tracking carrier. The command uplink frequency was 148.250 MHz. Recorded on May 17th 1975 and on Aug 2nd 1972 by Greg Roberts.

Dec 11^th 1971

99.5 kg

Recorded on Oct 24th 1973 with a rather noisy signal on 137.050 MHz by Greg Roberts.

Ariel 4 was recorded three times on 137.050 MHz between June 20th and June 25th 1972 by Greg Roberts.

Ferret 24
POPPY-7A
NOSS 0 (A)
#05678
(1971-110A)

Ferret 24 was a surveillance and military spy satellite used during the cold war. It is meanwhile declassified. It transmitted on 136.800 MHz and 137.080 MHz. Recorded on Oct 24th 1973 by Greg Roberts.

Dec 14^th 1971

700 kg

Ferret 24 received on 136.800 MHz using an SSB receiver on October 31st 1974 by Greg Roberts.

Ferret 24 recorded with AM demodulator between June 20th and June 25th 1972 by Greg Roberts.

Ferret 24 recorded with CW demodulator between June 20th and June 25th 1972 by Greg Roberts.

POPPY-7D
NOSS 0 (D)
#05681
(1971-110D)

The group of 4 military recon satellites Poppy-7A to -7D were also called NOSS 0 satellites. NOSS stands for Naval Ocean Surveillance System and there were multiple groups of satellites each having two or three satellites in close proximity to one another. NOSS satellites locate and track ships at sea by detecting their radio transmissions and analyzing them using the TDOA (time-difference-of-arrival) technique. 71110D, transmitted on 136.320 MHz and 137.050 MHz. Recorded on Oct 24th 1973 in AM on both frequencies by Greg Roberts.

Dec 14^th 1971

700 kg

HEOS 2
HEOS-A2
#05814
(1972-005A)

HEOS 2 was built by ESRO (the European Space Research Organisation). This spin stabilized satellite traveled in extremely elongated orbits in order to study the interplanetary magnetic field and solar and cosmic ray particles outside the Earth’s magnetosphere. It studied especially high latitude magnetosphere and the region around the northern neutral point. It transmitted telemetry on 136.68 MHz (5.9 W). Control uplink frequency was 148.250 MHz. Both recordings made on Aug 15th 1973 in AM mode on 136.680 MHz by Greg Roberts.

Jan 31^st 1972

123 kg

TD 1A
#05879
(1972-014A)

TD-1A (Thor Delta 1) Astronomical Celestial Observation Satellite. It carried seven experiments devoted to astrophysical studies. Recorded on 137.740 MHz using an SSB receiver on October 30th 1974 by Greg Roberts.

Mar 12^th 1972

472 kg

TD-1A received on 136.050 MHz on May 17th 1972 by Greg Roberts.

TD-1A received on Oct 24th 1973 on 136.050 MHz in AM by Greg Roberts.

LANDSAT 1
(ERTS-1)
#06126
(1972-058A)

Earth Resources Technology Satellite. Its objective was to obtain coverage of the United States and other major land masses with multi-spectral, high spatial resolution (60 m) images of solar radiation reflected from the earth's surface. The tracking beacon transmitted on 137.860 MHz at 2 W. Telemetry on command was transmitted in S-Band on 2229.5 MHz (20 W), 2265.5 MHz (20 W), 2287.5 MHz (1 W). Recorded on Dec 14th 1973 in AM by Greg Roberts.

Jul 23^rd 1972

950 kg

Recorded on Dec 14th 1973 in FM by Greg Roberts.

METEC
MTS
(Explorer 46)
#06142
(1972-061A)

METEC (Meteoroid Technology Satellite) measured the meteoroid penetration rates in a bumper-protected target as well as meteoroid velocity and flux distribution. Recorded on 136.320 MHz using an SSB receiver by Greg Roberts.

Aug 13^th 1972

90 kg

Recorded on June 7th 1975 on 136.320 MHz by Greg Roberts.

Explorer 46 recorded twice on Oct 24th 1973 on 136.320 MHz in AM mode by Greg Roberts.

Recorded twice on Aug 30th 1974 by Greg Roberts.

OAO-3
Copernicus
#06153
(1972-065A)

Orbiting Astronomical Observatory (OAO-3, OAO-C) was also known as Copernicus. Frequencies used were 136.260 MHz and 136.440 MHz. Recorded on Dec 14th 1973 using different demodulators by Greg Roberts.

Aug 21^st 1972

2150 kg

OAO-C Copernicus recorded on Oct 24th 1973 in AM probably on 136.440 Mhz by Greg Roberts.

Recorded in AM mode on Sept 1st 1975 by Greg Roberts.

NOAA 2
(ITOS-D)
#06235
(1972-082A)

Meteorological satellite providing day and night cloud cover data. NOAA-2 relied entirely on scanning radiometers for imagery. Tracking and telemetry was transmitted with 250 mW on 136.770 MHz. Telemetry on demand was on 137.500 MHz, 137.620 MHz or 1697.500 MHz (5 W). APT transmission recorded on Dec 14th 1973 in FM by Greg Roberts.

Oct 15^th 1972

409 kg

The beacons on the NOAA satellites are relatively powerful and can be heard without much difficulty using the FM mode of receivers. This was shown here on Dec 14th 1973 by Greg Roberts.

NOAA 2 ( aka ITOS-D) recorded either on 137.500 MHz or 137.620 MHz in AM mode on Aug 15th 1973 by Greg Roberts.

NOAA 2 telemetry beacon recorded either on 136.770 MHz in AM mode on Oct 24th 1973 by Greg Roberts.

ESRO-4
#06285
(1972-092A)

ESRO 4 was cylindrical in shape and was spin stabilized. It transmitted a PCM/PM telemetry mode in three forms: real-time telemetry at 64 bps, tape-recorder playback and high-speed telemetry at 10240 bps. It studied the ionosphere, auroras and solar particles. Recorded on Oct 24th 1973 in AM on 137.200 MHz by Greg Roberts.

Nov 22^nd 1972

115 kg

Meteor 1-14
#06392
(1973-015A)

Meteor 1-14 was the 14th fully operational meteorological satellite in the Soviet Meteor 1 program and the first to transmit over South Africa. Recorded by Greg Roberts.

Mar 20^th 1973

2000 kg

NOAA 3
(ITOS-F)
#06920
(1973-086A)

Meteorological satellite providing day and night cloud cover data. Recorded on 137.400 MHz, 137.500 MHz or 137.620 MHz using an SSB receiver by Greg Roberts.

Nov 6^th 1973

746 kg

The second file was recorded on Dec 14th 1973 in FM by Greg Roberts.

AE-C
(Explorer 51)
#06977
(1973-101A)

Explorer 51 was a scientific satellite studying the high atmosphere. It transmitted on 137.230 MHz. It decayed on Dec. 12th 1978. Recorded on June 7th 1975 in CW by Greg Roberts.

Dec 16^th 1973

658 kg

Recorded on June 7th 1975 by Greg Roberts (first in CW and then switched during the reception to AM).

Tansei 2
Tansei MRT
MS-T2
#07122
(1974-008A)

Tansei 2 was a Japanese satellite with a short mission of only 17 days. It included a magnetic attitude control test system, a housekeeping measurement system and a radio telemetry system. Recorded on February 27nd 1974 in CW on 136.725 MHz by Greg Roberts. In AM nothing could be heard.

Feb 16^th 1974

56 kg

ATS-6
ATS-F
#07318
(1974-039A)

ATS-6 (Applications Technology Satellite-6, also called ATS-F) was the world's first educational satellite as well as the first experimental direct broadcast TV satellite (DBS) in a geostationary orbit. The 3 axis stabilized satellite transmitted with 2 Watts and used a 9.15m dish antenna. Recorded on 136.230 MHz by Greg Roberts.

May 30^th 1974

930 kg

Recorded on 137.1017 MHz by Greg Roberts.

Hawkeye 1
Injun-F
(Explorer 52)
#07325
(1974-040A)

Hawkeye 1 was also called Neutral Point Explorer and carried space physics experiments including a magnetometer, an energetic plasma analyzer and an ELF-VLF wave instrument. Data were transmitted in real time at frequencies of 136 MHz and 400 MHz at 100 bps (or 200 bps with convolutional coding) plus wideband VLF data. Recorded at 136.290 MHz using an SSB receiver. In the middle of the second recording the receiver was switched to AM. Both files recorded on October 30th 1974 by Greg Roberts.

June 3^rd 1974

22.7 kg

Recorded on Sept 6th 1975 on 136.290 MHz during a near perigee pass by Greg Roberts.

Aeros 2
Aeros B
#07371
(1974-055A)

Aeros 2 was a German scientific satellite. The purpose of its mission was to study the state and behavior of the upper atmosphere and ionospheric F region, especially with regard to the influence of solar ultraviolet radiation. It transmitted on 137.290 MHz and decayed on Sept 25th 1975. Recorded on June 7th 1975 in AM or FM by Greg Roberts.

Jul 16^th 1974

125.7 kg

It was launched into an elliptical, polar, nearly sun-synchronous earth orbit. It decayed on Sept 25th 1975. Recorded on Sept 7th 1975 on 137.290 MHz by Greg Roberts.

ANS
#07427
(1974-070A)

ANS (Astronomical Netherlands Satellite) was an earth-orbiting, sun-synchronous satellite, designed as an astronomical observatory. Its lifetime was 20 months. Recorded on 137.890 MHz using an SSB receiver on October 30th 1974 by Greg Roberts.

Aug 30^th 1974

130 kg

Recorded on June 7th 1975 on 137.890 MHz in CW by Greg Roberts.

Both files recorded on June 7th 1975 on 137.890 MHz in AM and CW by Greg Roberts.

Intasat
#07531
(1974-089C)

Intasat was launched together with Oscar 7 and NOAA-4. This first Spanish satellite was a small, magnetically oriented, spin stabilized spacecraft carrying a beacon experiment to study the ionosphere. It was turned off at the end of 2 years. Recorded in AM mode on Sept 1st 1975 on 136.710 MHz by Greg Roberts.

Nov 15^th 1974

20.4 kg

CASTOR
D5B
#07802
(1975-039B)

CASTOR's primary mission objective was to study the upper atmosphere density variations. Secondary objectives included a study of gravity field perturbations and a study of micrometeorite impacts. It decayed on Feb. 18th 1979. Both files recorded on 136.240 MHz on June 21st 1975 in CW by Greg Roberts.

May 17^th 1975

76 kg

Both files recorded on June 21st 1975 on 136.240 MHz in FM by Greg Roberts.

Recorded in AM mode on Sept. 1st 1975 on 136.250 MHz by Greg Roberts.

OSO-8
#07970
(1975-057A)

OSO-8 was supposed to perform solar physics experiments above the atmosphere during a complete solar cycle and to map the entire celestial sphere for direction and intensity of UV light, X-ray radiation, and gamma-ray radiation. Unfortunately it went out of service on Sep 1978 and decayed on July 9th 1986. Recorded by Greg Roberts on 136.920 MHz in CW on June 21st 1975 just 1 hour after its launch.

June 21^st 1975

1064 kg

Recorded on June 21st 1975 in AM just 1 hour after its launch by Greg Roberts.

Meteor 2-01
#08026
(1975-064A)

Meteor 2-01 was recorded twice in the 137 MHz band in FM on November 7th 1975 by Greg Roberts.

Jul 11^th 1975

2800 kg

Meteor 2-01 was recorded also twice in the 137 MHz band in FM in the afternoon of June 6th 1998 by DD1US.

Click on the picture on the right to access a collection of APT pictures received from Meteor 2-1 by DD1US in 1998.

COS B
#08062
(1975-072A)

COS B (Cosmic Ray Satellite) was a scientific satellite developed by the European Space Agency (ESA) to study extraterrestrial gamma radiation in the 25-MeV to 1-GeV energy range from a highly elliptical orbit. Recorded twice in CW/AM mode on Sept. 2nd 1975 on 136.950 MHz by Greg Roberts.

Aug 9^th 1975

277.5 kg

Symphonie-B
Symphonie 2
#08132
(1975-077A)

Symphonie 2 was a French-German, geostationary, equatorial experimental communications satellite. It provided 1200 telephone circuits and eight voice and two color TV channels which operate between 4 and 6 GHz. Recorded on Aug 29th 1975 on 136.800 MHz by Greg Roberts.

Aug 27^th 1975

400 kg

D-2B Aura
#08332
(1975-092A)

The French Astronomy Satellite D2B carried an EUV experiment for solar and atmospheric investigations and a set of UV experiments for making stellar, zodiacal light, integrated sky background and stellar observations. The data transmission rate was 256 b/s for real-time data and 11 kb/s for stored data at a telemetry frequency of 136.740 MHz. The stabilization system failed on December 28th 1976, thereby terminating operation of the spacecraft. Recorded on Oct 6th 1975 in CW/AM on 136.740 MHz by Greg Roberts.

Sep 27^th 1975

115 kg

Meteor 2-02
#09661
(1977-002A)

Meteor 2-02 was a meteorological satellite transmitting APT on 137.300 MHz (5W). Picture received at or before Dec 30th 1992 by DD1US.
I am searching for sound files. Please send them to   

Jan 7^th 1977

2800 kg

Meteosat 2
#12554
(1981-057A)

Meteosat-2 was a spin-stabilized cylindrical meteorological satellite in a geostationary orbit at 0° longitude. It transmitted weather pictures on the downlink frequencies 1691.0 MHz and 1694.5 MHz. Recorded in FM by Greg Roberts.

Jun 19^th 1981

282 kg

NOAA 9
NOAA-F
#15427
(1984-123A)

NOAA-9 was also called NOAA-F. APT downlink frequency was 137.620 MHz (inoperative), HRPT downlink frequencier were 1702.5 MHz and 1707.0 MHz, Beacon frequency was 137.770 MHz (on command). Picture received at or before Dec 30th 1992 by DD1US.
I am searching for sound files. Please send them to   

Dec 12^th 1984

1418 kg

Kosmos 1766
OKEAN-O1 #1
#16881
(1986-055A)

Kosmos 1766 was an oceanographic satellite equipped with optical scanners and radar imaging devices. Recorded on 137.400 MHz in FM by Greg Roberts.

Jun 28^th 1986

1950 kg

NOAA 10
NOAA-G
#16969
(1986-073A)

NOAA-10 was also called NOAA-Gand included a search and rescue (SAR) system. Its primary purpose was meteorological though. APT downlink frequency is 137.500 MHz, HRPT downlink frequency is 1698.0 MHz, Beacon frequency is 136.770 MHz.Picture received at or before Dec 30th 1992 by DD1US.
I am searching for sound files. Please send them to   

Sep 17^th 1986

386 kg

ECS-4
EUTELSAT 4
#18351
(1987-078B)

The EUTELSAT I series of satellites was developed by the European Space Agency (ESA) as part of the European Communications Satellite (ECS) program. They served both public and private traffic, including telephone services, fax, data, land mobile service, and television and radio programming. PCM/FSK/PM transmission recorded on 137.142 MHz by Mike D. Kenny.

Sep 16^th 1987

1175 kg

NOAA 11
NOAA-H
#19531
(1988-089A)

NOAA-11 was also called NOAA-H. APT downlink frequency is 137.620 MHz, HRPT downlink frequency is 1707.0 MHz, Beacon frequency is 137.770 MHz. Picture received at or before Dec 31st 1992 by DD1US.
I am searching for sound files. Please send them to   

Sep 24^th 1988

386 kg

FLTSATCOM 8
USA 046
#20253
(1989-077A)

FLTSATCOM 8 (Fleetsatcom) is a geostationary (23°W) military communications satellite. It has 23 communications channels in the UHF frequency band from 244 to 263 MHz. Sometimes some of the channels get hijacked by pirates and used for private purpose. Such an event was recorded on on Jan 5th 2008 on 255.550 MHz in NFM by Chris Gross in Pennsylvania using a Yupiteru MVT-7100.

Sep 25^th 1989

1043 kg

Another example for a pirate signal was recorded on 255.550 MHz on Dec 16th 2006 in NFM by Chris Gross in Pennsylvania using a Yupiteru MVT-7100.

Meteor 3-4
#21232
(1991-030A)

Meteor 3-4 transmitted APT on 137.??? MHz. Picture received at or before Dec 30th 1992 by DD1US.

Apr 24^th 1991

2150 kg

NOAA 12
NOAA-D
#21263
(1991-032A)

NOAA-12 was also called NOAA-D. APT downlink frequency is 137.500 MHz, HRPT downlink frequency is 1698.0 MHz, Beacon frequency is 136.770 MHz. NOAA 12 was de-commissioned (permanently switched off) on 10 August 2007 after more than 16 years of service. Received on May 5th 1998 by DD1US.

May 14^th 1991

590 kg

In the year 1998 I received a number of APT pictures from NOAA-12. Click on the picture on the right to have a look at this collection.

Meteor 3-5
TOMS
#21655
(1991-056A)

Cooperative space mission between the US and the former USSR to map global ozone from space using a Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) designed and operated by NASA. Meteor 3-5 transmitted APT on 137.850 MHz. Received on May 1st 1998 by DD1US.

Aug 15^th 1991

2150 kg

In the year 1998 I received a number of APT pictures from Meteor 3-5. Click on the picture on the right to have a look at this collection. Audio recorded on May 1st 1998 by DD1US.

COSMOS 2184
#21937
(1992-020A)

Cosmos 2184 was part of a 6-satellite Russian military navigation system distributed in orbital planes spaced 30 degrees apart and launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome aboard a Cosmos rocket. Navigation information was derived from Doppler-shifted VHF transmissions (approximately 150 and 400 MHz) of the satellite position and orbital data. Recorded on Dec 16th 2006 on 149.910 MHz by Chris Gross in Pennsylvania using a Yupiteru MVT-7100.

Apr 15^th 1992

825 kg

HealthSat-2
Healthsat-II
WavSat-1
#22827
(1993-061E)

Healtsat-2 joined HealthSat-1 (UoSAT-3) as secondary microsatellite in the HealthNet system of SatelLife. It was build by SSTL in Surrey/UK based on its MicroSat-70 platform and launched together with the primary payload SPOT-3 and several other microsats into a LEO (low earth orbit) on Ariane 40 V59 from Kourou. This store and forward communications satellite provides a communications network especially for remote regions. For instance it relays medical emergency information from Africa to hospitals and health documentation centers. HealthSat-2 feature 3 uplink receivers at VHF and 2 redundant downlink transmitters at UHF. It uses omni-directional satellite antennas. The modulation and data rate is switchable between 1200bd AFSK and 9600bd FSK in the uplink and 9600bd FSK and 38400 bps FSK in the downlink. It uses the AX.25 packet communications protocol developed for Amateur Radio. The output power of the transmitter is adapted by computer control between 1W and 10W. Under a unique partnership agreement between Wavix, SatelLife, and VITA, the satellite under the name WavSat-1 continues its humitarian mission.

Sep 26^th 1993

48 kg

OKEAN 4 (1-7)
#23317
(1994-066A)

Okean 4 (1-7) was a Russian / Ukrainian oceanic / meteorological satellite. It transmitted on 137.400 MHz. Picture received on March 21st 1998 by DD1US. The enclosed audio file recorded on 137.400 MHz was kindly provided by Mike DK3WN.

Oct 11^th 1994

1950 kg

NOAA 14
#23455
(1994-089A)

Besides an imaging radiometer, NOAA 14 (also called NOAA-J) carried optical sounders to monitor temperature and moisture content in the atmosphere, and counters to measure energetic electrons and protons. APT downlink frequency is 137.620 MHz, HRPT downlink frequency is 1698.0 MHz, Beacon frequency is 136.770 MHz. The audio file was recorded on March 8th 1998 by DD1US.

Dec 30^th 1994

1421 kg

The picture on the right was received on March 1st 1998 by DD1US and shows a comparison of the APT picture received on 137.620 MHz to the HRPT picture (derived from the internet).

In the year 1998 I received a number of APT pictures from NOAA 14. Click on the second picture on the right to have a look at this collection.

SICH-1
#23657
(1995-046A)

SICH-1 offered RADAR and thermal microwave imagery in addition to the more usual visible light transmissions. Resolution was approx. 1 km. SICH-1 transmitted APT on 137.400 MHz and higher resolution pictures at 465 MHz. The enclosed audio file recorded on 137.400 MHz was kindly provided by Mike DK3WN.

Aug 31^st 1995

1950 kg

UFO 7
UHF-FO 7
USA 127
#23967
(1996-042A)

UFO 7 (Ultra High Frequency Follow On) is a geostationary (25°W) military communications satellite. It carries 39 UHF channels with a total bandwidth of 555 kHz, a SHF subsystem, 20 EHF channels. Recorded on Jan 5th 2008 on 249.125 MHz in LSB by Chris Gross in Pennsylvania using a Yupiteru MVT-7100.

Jul 25^th 1996

3015 kg

Recorded on Jan 5th 2008 on 267.035 MHz in LSB by Chris Gross in Pennsylvania using a Yupiteru MVT-7100.

MUSAT-1
MO30
Microsat
#24291
(1996-050A)

MuSat - 1 "Victor" was developed and built by a 25-person team at the Instituto Universitario Aeronautico, under the Sponsorship of the government of the province of Cordoba, and was launched together with Magion-5 and Prognoz M-2 by a Molniya rocket. It was the first satellite made in Argentina and was reported to be functional. It weights 32 kg in-orbit (34.5 kg mounted onto the LV), and has dimensions 340x340x450mm."Victor " is an experimental vehicle, intended to evaluate in-orbit behavior of low-cost space technologies. It carries two video cameras, oriented for earth-imaging, as well as transceivers in both UHF and S bands. Electrical power is provided by four 88-Si cells solar panels, with an end-of-life electrical power of 8W. The beacon can be heard every 90 seconds on 137.95 MHz as a brief burst of CW ("Hi hi de MUSAT"). It finally decayed on the 12th November 1999. The recording of the beacon was provided by Dale Ireland.

Aug 29^th 1996

32 kg

METEOSAT-7
#24932
(1997-049B)

METEOSAT-7, a European meteorological satellite, was launched from the Kourou space center in French Guiana aboard an Ariane 44LP rocket. It was the last member of the 1st generation of METEOSAT satellites and was first placed in a geosynchronous orbit at 10.2 deg W. Later Eumetsat moved METEOSAT-7 to 0° E longitude. The standard mode of operation was full-disk imagery in 3 channels every half-hour. The 1691 MHz downlink signal was recorded by Michael Fletcher OH2AUE on April 12th 2006 at 19:45UTC.

Sep 2^nd 1997

3455 kg

In April 2006 METEOSAT-7 was out of inclination-keeping fuel and thus it was de-commissioned on June 14th 2006. This marked also the end of almost a quarter of a century of Meteosat's 1st generation transmissions. This is the very last transmission from Meteosat-7 on June 14th 2006 before it was finally shut off. The recording was kindly provided by Paul Marsh M0EYT.

Some time later it turned out, that the APT transmissions of Meteosat-7 were not completely stopped. After the satellite had been moved East to 53°E it continued to transmit APT pictures on 1691,007 MHz in FM modulation. The picture enclosed was recorded and kindly provided on April 25^th 2009 by Nils.

NOAA 15
#25338
(1998-030A)

NOAA-15 was the first in a series of five satellites called POES with improved imaging and sounding capabilities. The audio file was recorded on 137.500 MHz on July 16th 1998 by DD1US.

May 13^th 1998

1475 kg

In the year 1998 I received a number of APT pictures from NOAA-15. Click on the picture on the right to have a look at this collection.

NOAA-15 was still active 10 years later as the recording from Patrick DK193WN on June 26th 2008 shows. His R2FX receiver was tuned to 137.500 MHz.

The S-Band downlink at 1544.500 MHz was received and recorded as a spectrum plot by Paul M0YET on October 13th 2007.

RESURS O1-N4
RESURS-O1 #4
#25394
(1998-043A)

RESURS O1-N4 is a Russian natural resources sensing satellite that was launched from Baykonur using a Zenit 2 rocket to perform ecological and meteorological monitoring. The transmitted APT picture and the audio file were received on 137.850 MHz on February 28th 1999 at 10:30 UTC by Mike DK3WN.

July 10^th 1998

1250 kg

MEGSAT-1
#26546
(2000-057B)

MegSat-1 is a LEO and aims to offer 64kbps Store and Forward communications with a downlink at 137.905 MHz. It carries two scientific payloads:
1.) measure UV emissions from the aurora borealis to determine their correlation with solar activity in oxygen lines.
2) Measure near-UV night sky background emissions.
The audio file enclosed was received on 137.905 MHz on April 14th 2009 around 13:00 UTC by Nils.

Sept 26^th 2000

56 kg

NOAA 17
NOAA M
#27453
(2002-032A)

One of the fourth-generation of operational, polar orbiting, meteorological satellites. Enclosed audio file was recorded on March 19th 2008 at 11:45UTC in FM on 137.620 MHz by DD1US.

Jun 24^th 2002

1457 kg

The APT picture to the right was received from Noaa 17 in FM on 137.620 MHz on October 20th 2002 by DD1US.

This sound file and the corresponding APT picture were received by Patrick DK193WN on Sept 14th 2008 on 137.620 MHz from NOAA-17.

MIMOSA
#27841
(2003-031B)

MIMOSA (MIcroMeasurements Of Satellite Accelerations) is a Czech minisatellite which is nearly spherical with 28 sides and carries a microaccelerometer to monitor the atmospheric density profile by sensing the atmospheric drag. CW transmission was recorded on 137.143 MHz by Mike D. Kenny.

Jun 30^th 2003

66 kg

Smart-1 moon Orbiter
#27949
(2003-043C)

Launched by ESA on an Ariane 5 rocket from Kourou.  Mission ended September 3rd 2006 with its planned impact into moon. It transmitted at 8453.024225 MHz and at 32121.49350 MHz. The spectrum plot was recorded at 8453 MHz on August 15^th 2006 and was kindly provided by www.uhf-satcom.com.

Sep 27^th 2003

367 kg

UNISAT-3
#28373
(2004-025H)

UNISAT-3 is an Italian, scientific microsatellite designed to test solar cells in the space environment, to measure magnetic fields to compute the satellite altitude and to test radio communications. 9600 Baud GMSK signal recorded on 435.230 MHz during its first days after launch by Brian Hougesen OZ1SKY.

Jun 29^th 2004

12 kg

HAMSAT
VUSat
OSCAR-52
#28650
(2005-017B)

HAMSAT is an Indian (ISRO) microsatellite. It relays amateur VHF radio communications. There seems to be also a non-amateur-radio PCM/BPSK transmission which was recorded on 137.175 MHz by Mike D. Kenny.

May 5^th 2005

42.5 kg

NOAA 18
NOAA N
#28654
(2005-18A)

The APT downlink frequencies are VTX-1: 137.100 MHz and VTX-2: 137.9125 MHz. Noaa-18 switched from VTX-2 to VTX-1 on January 4th 2006 and back from VTX-1 to VTX-2 on July 20th 2006 at 13:20 UTC. Later, on Thursday, August 16th 2007 at 14:46 UTC it was again switched back to VTX-1 and since then transmits on 137.100 MHz. The beacon frequency is 137.350 MHz. Enclosed audio file was recorded on March 19th 2008 at 10:40UTC in FM (BW only 15 kHz) by DD1US.

Jun 24^th 2005

1457 kg

This APT signal was received with less noise by Alan Banks.

This sound file and the corresponding APT picture were received by Patrick DK193WN on May 3rd 2008 on 137.100 MHz from NOAA-18.

Mozhayets 5
Sinah-1
Roskosmos
RS-25
#28898
(2005-043G)

Mozhayets 5 = Sinah-1 is an educational technology satellite carrying a laser communications experiment. It is based on the Strela 1M2 platform. It is reported that Mozhayets 5 failed to detach from the upper stage of the Kosmos 3M launcher. Therefore its NORAD number is identical to the launcher (and thus RUBIN-5 see below).

Oct 27^th 2005

160 kg

Sinah-1 includes a russian CW beacon transmitting on 435.325 MHz with the callsign RS-25. This beacon was recorded by Mike DK3WN on Oct. 29^th 2005 at 23:22 UTC.

Sinah-1 is also transmitting digital data in FM on 435.325 MHz. Recorded by Maik Hermenau.

RUBIN-5
SAFIR-S
#28898
(2005-043G)

The launch of Mozhayets 5 also includes 2 experiments from Germany. Rubin-5 is a technology/communications payload using the ORBCOMM system. It remained intentionally attached to the rocket final stage (it is part of the adapter used to deploy the other satellites). It included the AATiS SAFIR-S amateur transponder and the ESA ASOLANT solar-powered GPS antenna experiment. SAFIR-S transmitted on 2401.9 MHz.

Oct 27^th 2005

64 kg

MSG 2
METEOSAT-9
#28912
(2005-049B)

MSG 2 (Meteosat Second Generation 2) is a European (ESA) geostationary weather satellite, with operational control by the EUMETSAT organization. The craft was renamed Meteosat 9 after it was moved to is geostationary final position at 0.0° longitude . It is spin-stabilized and carries two main instruments. SEVIRI (Spinning Enhanced Visible and InfraRed Imager) will provide images taken in four visible and eight infrared channels every 15 minutes, at a resolution of 1 km in visible light and 3 km in infrared. The false colour picture enclosed shows the full Earth disk and was recorded on May 31st 2008 at 12:00 UTC. Copyright MSG_Data@2008_Eumetsat. Thanks to Alan Banks for kindly providing the picture.

Dec 21^st 2005

2000 kg

MetOp-A
#29499
(2006-44A)

MetOp-A is the first European polar orbiting satellite. MetOp-A carries a suite of 13 instruments to closely observe weather systems and climate trends. Five of these are considered new and were developed in Europe. The others are provided by NOAA and the French space agency, CNES, having flown on several earlier U.S. weather satellites. MetOp-A includes an UHF receiver (401.65 MHz) and signal processor for locating and/or collecting meteorological data from remote fixed and free floating terrestrial and atmospheric platforms. The UHF downlink for this ADCS (Advanced Data Collection System) system is at 465.9875 MHz where Metop-A transmits data with 200 bit/s or 400 bit/s.
Furthermore it features a VHF/UHF transponder and signal processor for locating and collecting information from remote distress platforms such as Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs) transmitting on 121.5 (± 20 kHz), 243.0 (± 30 kHz), and 406.05 MHz (± 80 kHz), and Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) transmitting on 406 MHz. These bands are then summed with 2.4 kbps data from the SARP-3 (beacons of aircraft and ships in distress) unit and the resulting signal phase-modulates the L-band downlink transmitter (1544.5 MHz ± 400 kHz).

Oct 19^th 2006

4100 kg

The spectrum plots of the S-Band downlink at 2230 MHz were recorded by Paul M0YET on Sept 30th 2007 at 20:43UTC and on Nov 13th 2007 at 10:42UTC.

GeneSat-1
#29655
(2006-058C)

GeneSat-1 was built by NASA and Santa Clara State University and carried biological experiments (E.Coli K-12 bacteria). It used the ham radio callsign KE7EGC in spite of the fact that it was not an official ham radio satellite. It operated on a downlink of 437.067 MHz and transmitted 1200bd AX.25 packets. Recorded on December 17th 2006 at 03:22 UTC on 437.067 MHz in FM by Mike DK3WN.

Dec 16^th 2006

4.6 kg

CanX-2
#32797
(2008-021L)

CanX-2 (Canadian Advanced Nanospace eXperiments) was built by University of Toronto, Canada and was launched together with 6 amateur radio cubesats. With a size of 10x10x34cm and a weight of 3.5 kg it is the second nano-satellite within the Canadian Advanced Nanospace eXpermiment (CanX). CanX-2 transmits data on its S-band downlink in the 2.2 GHz Space Research Service Band. Due to power limitations this transmitter is only activated when the satellite is over the ground station in Toronto, Canada. Its 70cm transmitter (437.478 MHz, 4 kbps GFSK) has not been turned on yet.

Apr 28^th 2008

3.5 kg

STS-126
Endeavour OV-105
 #33441
(2008-059A)

STS-126 is the 27th shuttle mission to the International Space Station. STS-126 delivered the italian MPLM (multi purpose logistic module) "Leonardo" which gave the International Space Station ISS the ability to support twice the crew than previously living there.
The spectrum plot of the S-band downlink at 2217.5 MHz was recorded on November 16th 2008 05:17UTC by Loren WA7SKT. You can see the multiple subcarriers containing data.

Nov 15^th 2008

2048979 kg

OMID
 #33506
(2009-004A)

OMID (Iranian for "hope") is the 1^st satellite built and launched domestically by Iran on a Safir 2 rocket. It is a small technology satellite carrying an instrument to measure the space environment, and a GPS receiver modified for use in the unstabilized satellite. Its mission is defined to be data-processing for research and telecommunications. The downlink frequencies coordinated by ITU are 464.98750 MHz and 465.01250 MHz (@ +7 dBW). The uplink command frequency is at 401 MHz.

Feb 2^nd 2009

25 kg

The telemetry downlink signal was received by Paul M0YET using a receiver with a NFM demodulator (15kHz bandwidth). It is a 600Bd manchester encoded data stream (300Bd data).

Paul M0YET kindly provided the enclosed spectrum plot of the downlink signal which he recorded on Feb 4th 2009 at 17:18h UTC. Please note that the downlink is not continuously activated and seems to be switched between 2 different TX modes.

NOAA 19
NOAA N'
#33591
(2009-005A)

NOAA N' was severly damaged in an factory accident in September 2003. Therefore the launch was delayed until early 2009 when it was finally launched on a Delta-II rocket from Vandenberg Airforce Base in USA. The APT downlink frequencies are VTX-1: 137.100 MHz and VTX-2: 137.9125 MHz. After launch it started using VTX-2. Also the S-band AVHRR downlink signal on 1702.5 MHz was received. The beacon frequency is 137.770 MHz. The HRPT downlink frequency is 1698 MHz.

Feb 6^th 2009

1457 kg

Paul M0YET detected an additional downlink signal on 465.99 MHz using the modulation: 400 bps HDLC, Bi-phase-L, PM . It comes from the ARGOS-3 A-DCS system. He recorded the spectrum plot on Feb 7th 2009 at 11:30h UTC.

This sound file and the associated APT picture shown on the right were received by Mike DK3WN on Feb 7th 2009 around 13:15UTC on 137.9125 MHz.

Mike Kenny in Australia received APT signals of NOAA 19 during north-bound passes in the Southern Hemisphere. The audio file was recorded on February 8th 2009 at 04:03UTC. The picture was recorded on February 7th 2009 at 04:07UTC.

PharmaSat-1
#35002
(2009-028B)

PharmaSat-1 is s a follow on to the highly successful GeneSat-1 Mission. The Ames Small Spacecraft Division is collaborating with industry and local universities to develop the next generation fully-automated, miniaturized triple cubesat spaceflight system for biological payloads. The PharmaSat experiment and flight system are designed to measure the influence of microgravity upon yeast resistance to an antifungal agent. PharmaSat implements PI guided science focused on questions key to countermeasure development for long-term space travel and habitation. It uses a FM 1k2 AFSK AX.25 communications downlink at 437.465 MHz. Received by Mike DK3WN on May 21^st 2009 at 16:25 UTC.

May 19^th 2009

5 kg

HawkSat-1
#35003
(2009-028C)

HawkSat-1 is a single-unit Cubesat which was built and will be operated by the Hawk Institute for Space Science. It is based on a CubeSat kit from Pumpkin Incorporated and carries a technology demonstration payload, primarily as a proof-of-concept mission, testing command, data and power subsystems. It is powered by solar cells. Experimental data will be returned to Earth by means of a store and dump communications systems. The downlink frequency is 437.345 MHz.

May 19^th 2009

1 kg

PolySat CP6
#35004
(2009-028D)

CP6 was built at California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo. Its primary mission is to implement an attitude control system using only magnetic torquers embedded within the side panels. Attitude determination is performed using two-axis magnetometers on each side panel as well as observation imagers on the payload face. Once the primary objectives have been met, a command will be sent to deploy the secondary payload that consists of a series of spring steel tapes supporting an electron collection experiment provided by Naval Research Laboratory. CP6 uses two FM 1k2 AFSK AX.25 communications downlinks with transmit power of 1 W. The estimated center frequencies of the alternating transmitters (several burst COMM A, then COMM B) are COMM A = 437.3655 MHz and COMM B = 437.3664 MHz. Received by Mike DK3WN on May 20^th 2009 at 17:59 UTC.

May 19^th 2009

1 kg

Enclosed signal was recorded on July 31^st 2009 at 08:45 UTC by Mike DK3WN.

Meteor M1
Meteor-M-1
#35865
(2009-049A)

Meteor M1 is a Russian weather satellite launched on a Soyuz 2 (#7) rocket from Baikonur into a 840 km sun-synchronous orbit. This new generation of weather satellites features digital VHF transmissions (LRPT) instead of the traditional analog APT transmissions. The downlink frequency is 137.100 MHz.
Enclosed signal was recorded on Dec. 19^th 2009 at 20:10 UTC by Mike DK3WN.

Sept 17^th 2009

2755 kg

UGATUSAT
RS-28
#35868
(2009-049D)

Ugatusat (Ufimskiy Gosudarstvenniy Aviatsionniy Tekhnicheskiy Universitet Satellite) is a remote sensing and educational satellite developed by Ugatu (Ufa State Aviation Technical University) and built by PO Polyot. It features a camera with a resolution of 50m. Ugatusat was launched on a Soyuz 2 (#7) rocket into a 823km circular orbit with an inclination of 98.8°. Ugatusat failed end of 2009.

Sept 17^th 2009

35 kg

Ugatusat transmitted CW on 435.264 MHz using the callsign RS-28. Enclosed CW beacon signal was recorded on Sept. 27^th 2009 at 19:00 UTC by Mike DK3WN.

Tatyana-2
Tatiana-2
Universitetsky 2
RS-38
#35869
(2009-049E)

Tatyana-2 is a small (100kg) research and educational satellite built by the Moscow State University (MGU). It has 3 scientific mission objectives:
1.) to investigate light phenomena in the Earth’s atmosphere due to the effect of galaxy cosmic rays and high-energy charged particles
2.) to investigate en-route radiation conditions
3.) to investigate variations of the Earth’s gravitational and magnetic fields.
Its reported downlink frequencies are 435.440 MHz and 435.490 MHz for onboard systems telemetry(DOKA) and 1.708 GHz for scientific telemetry. Tatyana uses the callsign RS-38 for its CW transmissions on 435.490 MHz.

Sept 17^th 2009

90 kg

The CW downlink of RS-38 on 435.490 MHz was recorded on December 30^th at 09:30 UTC by DD1US. The first part of the 5 min recording was demodulated in CW mode, the last part in NFM mode.

SwissCube
#35932
(2009-051B)

SwissCube is the first satellite entirely built in Switzerland. This 10x10x10cm Cubesat was mainly built by more than 180 students from different universities under the supervision of the Swiss Space Center EPFL in Lausanne. It was launched via the PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) from Satish Dhawan Space Center in India. It contains a Ham Radio downlink transmitting on 437.505 MHz using the callsign HB9EG/1. Enclosed CW beacon signal was recorded on Sept. 25^th 2009 at 11:06 UTC by Mike DK3WN.

Sept 23^rd 2009

1 kg

Enclosed CW beacon signal was recorded on Sept. 26^th 2009 at 11:56 UTC by Mike DK3WN.

Enclosed recording of the 1200bd BPSK downlink signal was kindly provided by Mike DK3WN.

UWE-2
#35933
(2009-051C)

UWE-2 is the second cubesat built by the University of Wuerzburg in Germany. It was launched via the PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) from Satish Dhawan Space Center in India. The published downlink is 437.385 MHz (FSK, 1k2 AFSK / 9k6 FSK AX.25) with a transmit power of 0.5W.

Sept 23^rd 2009

1 kg

Enclosed 1k2 AFSK packet radio downlink signal was recorded on Sept 25^th 2009 at 12:44 UTC by Mike DK3WN. Please note that the long pauses between the packets were removed to reduce the file size.

BeeSat
#35934
(2009-051D)

BeeSat is a 10x10x10cm Cubesat built by the University of Berlin. It was launched via the PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) from Satish Dhawan Space Center in India. It contains a Ham Radio downlink transmitting with 100mW output power on 436.0 MHz. Signals are either CW or 4k8/9k6 GMSK telemetry both using the callsign DP0BEE. Beesat is not using AX.25 format but Mobitex format. The used modem is a CMX909B(CML).

Sept 23^rd 2009

1 kg

Enclosed signal was recorded on Oct. 21^st 2009 by Mike DK3WN.

Enclosed CW beacon signal was recorded on Oct. 21^st 2009 by Mike DK3WN.

ITUpSat1
#35935
(2009-051E)

ITUpSAT1 is the first cubesat / picosat built by Technical University Istambul in Turkey. It was launched via the PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) from Satish Dhawan Space Center in India. Enclosed CW signal from ITUpSat was received on 437.325 MHz by Mike DK3WN.

Sept 23^rd 2009

1 kg

Picture

Object name
#NORAD

Remarks

Launch
Date

Weight

If you have further sound tracks from space objects please let me know. I will be happy to post them here on my homepage. Many thanks in advance.

Vy 55 & 73 de Matthias DD1US