Listen up, NASA wants your help

[Frank Jr.]

NASA's prototype solar sail, "NanoSail-D" got stuck onboard FASTSAT back in December after launch on Nov.19, and was thought that the mission had failed. On Jan.17th, NanoSail-D spontaneously ejected into Earth orbit. NASA is asking amateur radio operators to listen for NanoSail-D's beacon signal at 437.270 MHz to verify that NanoSail-D is operating. To report the beacon signal click here. For further information and an auto updating orbit diagram click here. For a description of the NanoSail and it's purpose click here.

 

[k1wy-bill]

More info on NanoSail.

NASA

 

[k1wy-bill]

From NanoSail D Website:

STATUS: NanoSail-D ejected on 1/17/11 at approximately 1900 PST. Beacon data was routinely received by the public throughout the world from 1/19-21/11, and telemetry indicates that the sail deployed on schedule. As of mid-morning PST on 1/21/11, no beacon packets are being received. This combined with a plunging battery voltage may mean that NanoSail-D is effectively out of power.​

 

[Frank Jr.]

From NanoSail D Website:

STATUS: NanoSail-D ejected on 1/17/11 at approximately 1900 PST. Beacon data was routinely received by the public throughout the world from 1/19-21/11, and telemetry indicates that the sail deployed on schedule. As of mid-morning PST on 1/21/11, no beacon packets are being received. This combined with a plunging battery voltage may mean that NanoSail-D is effectively out of power.​

I have been real busy since I started this thread. I was hoping someone in this forum would have posted that they had picked up the signal, or at least tried to. Sounds like bad news for the Sail, but thanks for the update.