The planned operation of ARISSat-1/RadioSkaf-V/KEDR on April 11 and April 12 from inside the International Space Station as part of the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin's flight was not successful. No earth stations on the ground reported hearing transmissions on the ARISSat-1 downlink(145.950 MHz for FM analog/145.920 MHz for digital). The planned retransmission of the satellite's FM downlink via the Kenwood TM-D700 transceiver --currently used for ARISS contacts--was also not successful as no reports were received of signals heard on 437.550 MHz.

RadioSkaf's Alexander, RA3WOK, just wrote me that they do, indeed, suspect battery failure of the ARISSat-1.

Investigation and plans for deployment continue.

"According to preliminary information the problem is a failure of the battery ... "

"In the near future, batteries will be on Earth. It cannot be kept on the ISS."

"The situation will improve in June and July, when scheduled launching of ARISSat-1."

Clint, K6LCS
http://www.work-sat.com

heard and saw the ISS pass over eastern PA on 4/14/11 from 8:45 to 8:51 UTC
school contact in Italian with the Istituto Sociale via K6DUE in Greenbelt, MD
partly cloudy skies, but still saw the ISS on NNE pass at 45 degrees peak altitude
I think it begins at ISS calling the school, ends with loss of signal
any translation would be greatly appreciated
listening with scanner radio, recorded with digital recorder
slowdownracer KB3VQP

Audio File: 

Paolo Nespoli on 4/14/11 at 8:45 UTC