ANDE POLLUX SPHERE

ANDE POLLUX SPHERE is no longer on orbit
ANDE POLLUX SPHERE is classified as:

Amateur radio

NORAD ID: 35693

Int'l Code: 2009-038E

Launch date: July 15, 2009
Source: United States (US)
Launch site: AIR FORCE EASTERN TEST RANGE (AFETR)
Decay date: 2010-03-29

Uplink (MHz):
Downlink (MHz): 145.825
Beacon (MHz): 145.825
Mode: 1200bps AFSK
Call sign: POLLUX-1
Status: Reentered

Castor and Pollux are two twin spherical satellites designed by students in cooperation with the Naval Research Laboratory as part of the Atmospheric Neutral Density Experiment (ANDE). Both satellites will transmit 1200-baud packet radio telemetry on 145.825 MHz. Hams are encouraged to submit telemetry reports with special QSLs and mission patches planned. Castor and Pollux will carry an FX.25 experiment that adds Forward Error Correction to standard AX.25 packets. The hope is that FX.25 will improve communication efficiency while still being compatible with existing packet equipment. The satellites will also occasionally run GMSK/FX.25 modulation experiments at 9600 baud.