AMSAT-Echo

Launch data: Designation  28375 / 04025K Launch date  29 Jun 2004 - 06:30:06 UT Launch site  B, LC-109/95 Launch vehicle  Dnepr-1 Mission  Civil: Amateur radio satellite LEO Earth orbit on 1 Jul: (Sun-sync.) Perigee / Apogee  697 x 817 km Eccentricity  7.09E-03 Inclination  98.26° Period  99.97 min

Spacecraft data:

Description:

• American amateur radio satellite.
• AMSAT-NA has embarked on the construction of a new Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite that will be called AMSAT OSCAR-E, or "Echo" until it achieves orbit. After becoming operational, it has been renamed Amsat Oscar 51 (AO 51).
• Notice that with this satellite AMSAT is returning to the practice of designating LEO satellites by sequential characters. This was last done for AMSAT OSCAR-D, which became AMSAT OSCAR-8 after launch and commissioning. AMSAT didn't use letters for the first four Microsats and the Phase 3 series started again with "A". It has been 12 years since AMSAT-NA built and launched the original Microsats in 1990, and 8 years since AO-27 was launched in 1993. AMSAT OSCAR-E will put AMSAT-NA back in the satellite business while providing an improved companion for AO-27, which has been very popular with hams for the past 8 years, but is getting old. Space and power are available for one or more optional payloads that will be provided by AMSAT volunteers.
• AMSAT OSCAR-E is a Microsat class spacecraft weighing approximately 10 kg. The spacecraft consists of five solid aluminum trays, each with four walls and a bottom stacked to form approximately a 10-inch cube structure. A top cover is provided for the top tray. Six solar panels attach to each of the six sides for power generation. Additionally, several antennas protrude from the top and bottom surfaces.