Current schedule:

• 2020-09-28 11:20:32 UTC Launch at Plesetsk Cosmodrome
• 2020-09-28 14:46:12 UTC Separation
• 2020-09-28 23:11:37 UTC First contact (callsign DP0WER)
• 2020-09-29 Core System checkout
• 2020-09-30 Historic Telemetry Analysis
  
• 2020-09-30 Regarding our and community Doppler observations SALSAT is probably object 2020-068K (SCN 46495) but not finally confirmed yet
  
• ... commissioning

The following Links can be used for further updates/information about the project and launch:

• Updated Website: TU Homepage
• Social Media: Follow TUBSpace and SALSAT on Twitter!
• Documents: Amateur Radio Informations
• Youtube Trailer: English / Deutsch
• Youtube Interview: TU Interview

See the TUBIX10-COM document for Communication System Specifications incl. preliminary LEOP TLE. To import the TLE data directly into your orbit prediction tool you can use this source hosted by DK0TU.

The SALSAT mission consists of the primary payload SALSA, which is a spectrum analyzer for the analysis of the spectrum utilization from the low earth orbit. SALSA solely analyzes the portion of the spectrum which is utilized for satellite communication (e.g. amateur radio bands). The following frequency bands will be analayzed:

• VHF: 145.80 – 174.00 MHz
• UHF: 400.15 – 420.00 MHz
          435.00 – 438.00 MHz
• S band: 2 075.00 – 2 095.00 MHz
               2 255.00 – 2 275.00 MHz

The spectrum utilization will be collected and analyzed within these frequencies. As a result a global heatmap of the spectrum utilization over time and location will be generated.

The SALSAT mission will also feature multiple secondary payloads:

• Laser-Retroreflectors for ground-based high accuracy orbit determination
• Optical paylaoad for verification of the attitude control system of SALSAT
• Novel Fluiddynamic Actuator (FDA) for attitude control of nanosatellites
• Modified S-Link RF transceiver for full-duplex communication in the S band

SALSAT is a Spectrum AnaLysis SATellite. The main objective is an analysis of the actual used (amateur & scientific) spectrum to obtain a better understanding of the current challenges of frequency coordination. The Amateur spectrum data will be made available to the interested public. Space research payload data will be requested and downlinked in space research service bands. SALSAT does not include any commercial mission and does not use amateur bands for non-amateur services.

Detailed Information on how-to contact SALSAT (e.g. telemetry formats) can be found on the amateur radio website of the chair.

The spectrum data in the amateur radio bands collected over the course of the mission will be published in a online database (s/t the MarconISStadatabase). Detailed information will be published during the operational phase of SALSAT in 2021.

The reason for not using amateur-satellite bands in S band is that the transceiver has a proprietary
protocol that is not published by the manufacturer (IQWireless). Most of the spectrum data will be downlinked via this COM system. The S band transceiver has both uplink and downlink functionalities and is therefore independent from the UHF COM system.

Within several hands-on classes and projects TU Berlin uses Amateur UHF to teach satellite operations and communication technology. Currently these courses are:
- Amateur Radio Novice and Advanced Class
- Spaceflight Planning and Operations,
- Project Satellite Operations,
- Project Amateur Radio,
- Project Satellite Communications

Through these courses, we so far helped ~40 radio amateurs to obtain their license.
Nominal TT&C of the satellite and amateur payloads will be conducted in amateur-satellite bands.

As previously mentioned the SALSAT project conducts in-orbit spectrum analysis in defined RF bands. The chair of space technology at the TU Berlin conducted preparatory work within the scope of two completed research projects (REPIN and SALSA). These projects established the theoretical and practical foundation for the SALSAT mission. The utilized satellite bus (TUBiX10) has been developed and space qualified within the S-Net project. This project also utilizes the SLink RF transceiver. The secondary payload for attitude control is developed, qualified and manufactured within the FDA project.

This paragraph contains the main technical parameters of SALSAT. It shall be mentioned that the exact parameter evolve during the development process. The table below represents the technical specifications at the stage of the Flight Readiness Review (FRR) in July 2020.