brainwagon

This morning, a quick check of my email and blog roll indicated that the Chinese had launched XW-1, probably the most interesting amateur satellite to launch this year (sorry SO-67).    It carries a payload with both linear and FM transponders, and it seems to have a higher orbit than current LEO satellites.    It should orbit around 1200km, whereas the popular AO-51 has an altitude of  only 700-800km, which should translate into a significantly larger footprint.

A couple of amateurs have recorded MP3s of the CW telemetry downlink already.

Here’s one.

And another.