AMSAT-UK

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CHESS will not have an amateur payload

Posted: 10 Jun 2021 02:03 PM PDT
https://amsat-uk.org/2021/06/10/ches...ateur-payload/

CHESS CubeSat Credit EPFL Spacecraft Team

Two CHESS CubeSats had been planned to carry amateur radio linear
transponders, however, it was announced on June 10, 2021, there will not be
any amateur payload on the satellites.

A translation of the press release reads:

The CHESS project management, due to funding constraints, had to move the
project towards a commercial cubesat platform. Space is scarce on this new
platform to accommodate another payload. Subsequently, there is no longer
an opportunity to carry a ham radio transponder on board.

The CHESS project management has correctly decided not to use frequencies
in the amateur satellite service and to use earth exploration or
experimental UHF- and X- band frequencies.

The ham community, who assured the funding of the transponder, is very
disappointed by this decision, but must accept it.

Such projects always carry risks of one partner changing its mind. That is
what happened here.

Many thanks to all who have actively supported the transponder project,
especially the AMSAT-UK and AMSAT-NL team.

AMSAT-HB announcement

https://www.amsat-hb.org/2021/06/10/...rfunknutzlast/

January 2021 project announcement

https://amsat-uk.org/2021/01/14/ches...ation-funcube/