AMSAT Oscar 7, Operating 50 Yr

#mtg #lmag #technical #adelaide

The  mostly  Australian  designed  and  constructed  satellite AMSAT  OSCAR  7,  or  AO-7,  was  launched  on  15  November 
1974 and has just reached 50 years in space. It is the oldest man-made  satellite  in  history  to  have  ever  worked  for  as 
long as that - and it is still working! The primary aim of AO7 is  to  provide  earth-satellite-earth  radio  communications 
between Radio Amateurs within its “foot-print” on the earth below  .  Using  one  or  more  satellites,  Amateur  radio 
communications can be achieved over very large distances. 

Rick  will  describe  how  an  Australian  University  team  was formed in 1967 with the aim to plan, design, and construct an earth orbiting satellite that was to become known as AO-5 when it  was  launched  on  23  January  1970.  Soon  aŌer  that,  work commenced  on  AO-6  and  AO-7.    Rick  will  describe  the construction of the AO-6 and AO7 satellites. They were the first satellites  to  use  of  CMOS  logic  for  their    Radio  Teletype  and Morse coding and decoding functions. Rick was involved in the design of that logic. Other firsts for the AO satellite series were their unique antennas and magnetic spin stabilisation. 

So, of all the satellites ever launched throughout the Space Age it is AO-7 that is still operating today after  50  years  in  space  providing  Radio  Amateur  operators  throughout  the  world  with  radio communications even including the Polish Resistance during their struggle for independence. And in its long life, AO-7 has defied all those who said CMOS would never survive in space.  

• Date: 07 Aug 2024
• Time: 12:15 PM to 02:15 PM
• All times are (UTC+09:30) Adelaide
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• 108 King William St
• Adelaide, South Australia
• Australia 5000
• Building: Engineers Australia
• Room Number: Floor 11

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