Cubes, Fun and Satellite Jollity

Covering… Funcube-1 Funcube-2 Funcubes 3, (4) & x SO-50 (Saudisat 1C) ISS

Funcube-1 FUNcube-1 (AO73) is a complete educational single CubeSat project with the goal of enthusing and educating young people about radio, space, physics and electronics. The Funcube website is It has a materials science experiment with temperature sensors Temperature, voltage and current information is broadcast on the telemetry frequency and can be displayed on the Funcube dashboard. Details of current operations and the telemetry available from FUNcube-1 can be seen at

Cubesats 10cm x 10cm x 10cm (1U), or ~ x 20cm (2U), or ~ x 30cm (3U) Often launched alongside another larger satellite payload, or from ISS Kits available and launch cost of ~$80K brings within scope of educational establishments etc

Funcube-1 Educational operation Launched from Russia on a DNEPR rocket on 21 st Nov 2013 A complete educational single CubeSat project with the goal of enthusing and educating young people about radio, space, physics and electronics. Has on board temperature, lux, voltage and current sensors and continuously reports the satellite status and conditions. A free dashboard program is available to display current data. Uses permanent magnets and the earths magnetic field for stability.

Capturing, uploading and viewing the data TLM down link freq MHz BPSK SSB receiver (or Funcube dongle) PC with Funcube dashboard

Finding and tracking satellites – there is also a Heavens-Above app.

Funcube-1 Amateur Operation Transponder: Uplink MHz LSB (Inverting) Downlink MHz USB Please use a maximium uplink power of 5 watts to a 7 dBi gain antenna. More power is not needed to use the transponder! Times and modes Currently operating full power TLM beacon (300 mW) when Sat is in sunlight, and Transponder, plus low power (30mW) TLM beacon when in eclipse. Also appears to be Transponder, plus low power TLM at weekends and bank holidays – news on the Funcube website NORAD ID: 39444

Funcube-2 = Part of UKube-1 UKube-1 (3U) is a number of experiments, one of which is Funcube-2. Successfully launched on a Soyuz rocket from Baikonur on July 8th Currently being commissioned, Funcube-2 data is sporadically tested. TLM down link frequency MHz BPSK Amateur radio transponder has been tested and promises to be good.

Funcubes 3, (4) and “x” FUNcube-3 (EO79) Launched on a DNEPR on 19 th June 2014 and commissioning is presently underway. FUNcube (4) on Nayif-1 Launch scheduled towards the end of FUNcube “x” – a payload on the ESEO mission. Launch tbc.

SO-50 Uplink MHz, 67Hz PL, FM Downlink MHz NORAD ID: W and a small beam is sufficient to work it

International Space Station (ARISS) Packet uplink and downlink MHz NORAD ID: MULTIPSK can receive and display packets and location for APRS MULTIPSK can be downloaded