AMSAT OSCAR 7, Operating 50 years

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 after 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

Registration is free.

Members and visitors are welcome.

Please join us for refreshments and networking from12:15 pm before the event.

For further details contact Geoff Jansen or Peter Guenther (0419 782 740).

IET/IEEE RETIRED ENGINEERS GROUP

Founded in 1980 by IEE SA&NT. Since 2007, a joint initiative with the IEEE SA Section Life Member Affinity Group.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Engineers Australia, 11 Floor, Adelaide, Australia