SB SPACE @ ARL $ARLS010
ARLS010 Phase 3D launch campaign under way

ZCZC AS10  
QST de W1AW  
Space Bulletin 010  ARLS010
From ARRL Headquarters  
Newington, CT  September 15, 2000
To all radio amateurs

SB SPACE ARL ARLS010
ARLS010 Phase 3D launch campaign under way

AMSAT News Service reports the launch campaign for the
next-generation Amateur Radio Phase 3D satellite has begun at the
European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. Following another
successful Ariane 5 launch and satellite deployment this week, Phase
3D now is tentatively set to go into space aboard the next Ariane 5
flight no earlier than November 3.

AMSAT-DL Executive Vice President Peter Guelzow, DB2OS, is heading
the launch team in Kourou. He's filling in for Phase 3D Project
Manager Karl Meinzer, DJ4ZC, who was unable to make the trip to
South America. Guelzow said the advance members of the P3D launch
team arrived in Kourou September 9 to get the satellite ready for
the launch and reported that Phase 3D appears to be in excellent
condition. Tests of Phase 3D's systems are now under way, including
charging of the satellite's batteries.

ANS reports that the launch team has successfully performed pressure
tests on the propulsion systems and now is preparing P3D for RF
testing.

AMSAT and Phase 3D officials had been keeping a close eye on this
week's launch of an Arianespace Ariane 5 vehicle as a possible
bellwether for the Phase 3D launch that's next in line. The Ariane 5
successfully delivered a pair of communications satellites into
Earth orbit following its launch September 14. The AR-506 flight
placed the Astra 2B and GE-7 satellites into the desired
geostationary transfer orbit after what was called ''a spectacular
launch'' from the European Spaceport.

A launch contract accepting Phase 3D as a payload for the first
suitable Ariane 5 launch vehicle was signed last fall. For more
information about Phase 3D, visit the AMSAT-NA Web site,
http://www.amsat.org/.
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