[TWIAR] "It is certain SuitSat's batteries have died"

[Greg Williams]

*"It is certain SuitSat's batteries have died"* <http://www.suitsat.org/>

The following message appeared Tuesday, 2/21/06 on the Suitsat web site:

*It has been days since a solid report of reception has come in, it is 
certain SuitSat's batteries have died. Thanks to all who participated in 
this experiment!*

Onboard the retired Russian Orlan spacesuit was a recording of messages 
for students who assisted in the project, an SSTV image, and telemetry 
readings for students to listen for.

Just hours into the mission, reports were coming in that the satellite 
was barely audible, with weak signals being reported from locations such 
as Brazil and Japan.  Shortly thereafter, reports of no signal started 
to filter in.  Then as the spacewalk concluded, NASA TV commentator Rob 
Navias reported that the SuitSat went off the air after just two orbits, 
citing the possibility that the batteries on board the SuitSat froze up 
in the harsh environment.

However, in subsequent passes over selected areas, reports were coming 
in that the suit was transmitting, although the signal was extremely 
weak and difficult to copy, even with the best antennas.

Launched February 3, Suitsat was on the air for just over 3 weeks, with 
a life expectancy of only one. Reports of the weak signals persisted 
throughout its short life.  With reports of signal fades and various 
other problems, few stations heard AO-54 as promised.  Based on listener 
data, it is believed that the output power was much lower than expected, 
causing lower battery drain, and thus the longer life of the 
spacesuit-turned-satellite.

For continuing updates, please go to the SuitSat web site at Suitsat.org 
<http://www.suitsat.org/>.

Courtesy SuitSat <http://www.suitsat.org/>