FOX-1A (AO-85)

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FOX-1A (AO-85) is classified as:

NORAD ID: 40967

Int'l Code: 2015-058D

Perigee: 510.4 km

Apogee: 788.1 km

Inclination: 64.8 °

Period: 97.6 minutes

Semi major axis: 7020 km

RCS: Unknown

Launch date: October 8, 2015
Source: United States (US)
Launch site: AIR FORCE WESTERN TEST RANGE (AFWTR)

Uplink (MHz): 435.172
Downlink (MHz): 145.980
Beacon (MHz): 145.980
Mode: FM CTCSS 67.0Hz/200bps DUV
Call sign:
Status: Unknown

FOX-1A is a small 1-Unit CubeSat developed by AMSAT. The satellite was designed to take advantage of large and growing interest in CubeSats. AMSAT developed a strategy to create a family of CubeSats that would be attractive for flying science missions which would enable partnerships with universities and apply for free launches as science missions. This provided a solution for being unable to fly due to exponentially increasing launch costs. After the science mission, or even during the science mission, the satellite is capable of running its amateur radio transponder. The Fox Engineering Team arrived at a design which enables simultaneous amateur radio and scientific operations. The satellite includes an analog FM repeater that allows simple ground stations using an handheld FM transceiver and a simple antenna to make contacts using the FOX-1A.