HAMSAT

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HAMSAT
Organization AMSAT-India, William Leijenaar
Mission Type Communications
Satellite of Earth
Launch May 5, 2005 on PSLV-C6
Launch site Sriharikota
Mission duration  ?
Mass 42.5 kg (launch)
Orbital elements
Semimajor Axis 7004.27 km
Eccentricity 0.0027
Inclination 97.89 degrees
Orbital Period 97.23 minutes
Right ascension of the ascending node 65.14 degrees
Argument of perigee 222.72 degrees

HAMSAT is a microsatellite weighing 42.5 kg, providing amateur radio communications services for Indian and international amateur radio operators. This satellite carries the in-orbit designation of VO-52, and is an OSCAR series satellite.

It was launched by PSLV-C6 on May 05, 2005. The main payload was an Indian Remote Sensing satellite, CARTOSAT-1 weighing 1560 kg. HAMSAT was placed into a polar sun synchronous orbit.

It carries two transponders, one built by William Leijenaar (Call Sign: PE1RAH), a Dutch Radio Amateur and graduate engineering student from the Higher Technical Institute at Venlo and the other by enthusiasts at ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation).

The satellite joins many previous satellites in amateur radio service; mostly launched by AMSAT.

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