Source: China Radio Management
Author: Liu Mingxing, Zhao Zhe, Zhang Ning
Following an introduction to China's first amateur satellite, this article focuses on analyzing the amateur satellite activities undertaken in China and outlining different management approaches for amateur satellites. Finally, it explores the development of amateur satellites.
1. China's first amateur satellite
The initial idea for developing our own amateur satellites dates back to 1998, but progress was slow. It wasn't until 2005, under the suggestion of a retired expert from the Fifth Institute of China Academy of Space Technology (China Academy of Sciences), that the plan to develop amateur satellites was combined with the institute's initiative for public benefit small satellites, thus restarting our amateur satellite program, which was named CAS-1. The design and development of the satellite were completed in 2006.
In 2007, the idea of combining the amateur satellite project with the public interest satellite project was recognized by China Aerospace Science and Technology Group, the All-China Federation of Scientific Societies, the Chinese Astronautics Association, and the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games. The parties formally launched the "Hope One" satellite project, which is China's first amateur radio satellite and also China's first educational satellite. The "Hope One" satellite was successfully launched into orbit on December 15, 2009, aboard the "Long March-2C" carrier rocket at the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, achieving a "one-rocket, two-satellites" launch.
Figure 1: Structure diagram of Hope-1 satellite
On December 19, 2009, AMSAT designated the "Hope-1" satellite as the 68th amateur radio satellite, designated HO-68. The "H" represents the first letter of "HOPE," which is the English word for "Hope," and the "O" represents the first letter of "OSCAR," which is the internationally recognized designation for amateur radio satellites. This was the first time a Chinese satellite received an international designation from the amateur radio community.
Table 1: Technical parameters of China's first amateur satellite
Satellite name
Hope One （XW-1/CAS-1）
International identifier
HO-68
Satellite shape
Octahedral column shape. Weight approximately 60 kg, star body height 480 mm, outer diameter 680 mm.
Amateur satellite payload
One amateur radio telemetry beacon and three amateur radio communication repeaters.
Power system
The satellite uses passive thermal control. It employs a combination of gallium arsenide solar cell arrays and lithium-ion batteries for power supply.
其他载荷
The satellite also carried a small, color CMOS camera with a wide field of view and a scientific experiment device for teenagers.
Operating frequency
The remote beacon operates in the UHF frequency band, with an emission frequency of 435.790 MHz and a radio output power of approximately 200 mW.
Work mode
The three routers operate in frequency-hopping relay mode, linear forwarding mode, and data storage and forwarding mode.
Track parameters
A highly elliptical orbit with an altitude of 1200 km, an inclination of 105°, and a period of 109 minutes.
Modulation method
Methods such as: 无调制载波, 等幅报, AFSK, and international standard Morse code transmission.
The Hope-1 satellite transmits its telemetry beacon signal by sending one data frame every approximately 40 seconds, then stopping for 10 seconds before sending the next data frame, repeating this cycle. The telemetry data in each data frame is updated in real time by the on-board microprocessors. Although the Hope-1 satellite currently only has one beacon transmitter operating, its excellent design and stable performance have made it a long-lasting satellite among amateur satellites, and it continues to operate in orbit today.
The timing sequence for transmitting the "Hope-1" satellite beacon is as follows:
Figure 2: Beacon timing diagram for HOPE-1 satellite
Figure 3: The desired trajectory for the "Hope-1" satellite
It can be said that China's amateur satellite program started relatively late, but it initially received strong support from the government. This has become a characteristic of China's deployment of amateur satellites: led by relevant departments within the government, with strong support from various charitable organizations or research institutions and universities, and further related satellites will be detailed in the next article.
2. Amateur satellite activities undertaken in China
While Chinese amateur satellite enthusiasts communicate with foreign counterparts, they also organize various activities that are unique to China: firstly, promoting basic science education in primary and secondary schools; secondly, encouraging young people to participate in the development of spacecraft; and thirdly, establishing scientific popularization experiment bases through relevant government departments.
（1） Conduct inter-agency competitions
The General Administration of Sport of China, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, the All-China Youth League, and other departments such as the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has been organizing the "National Amateur Radio Satellite Communication Competition" and related amateur radio activities for several years.
Figure 4: Teenagers participating in a satellite communication competition.
The main activities related to amateur satellite communication for teenagers primarily include the construction and operation of satellite communication antennas, as well as the reception of satellite beacons. The antenna construction competition requires participants to independently construct and debug a VHF/UHF dual-band handheld amateur satellite communication antenna within a specified time frame, according to a prescribed scheme, and submit a written report on-site. The satellite beacon reception competition requires participants to use their own antennas, receivers, and related equipment, set up the equipment at a designated location and time, and manually track the specified amateur radio satellites to receive the beacon signals. These competitions related to amateur satellite communication allow young people in China to experience the charm of space exploration. In recent years, various satellite-related amateur events have been held throughout regions such as North China, East China, and South China, with details provided in the table below.
Table 2: Locations of the National Amateur Radio Satellite Communication Competition
Date of event
Venue
2010
Zhuhai City, Guangdong Province
2011
Anhui, Hefei
People's Liberation Army Academy of Military Sciences (Army)
2012
Guangzhou, Guangdong Province
…
…
2017
Chaoyang District, Beijing
2018
Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province
2020
Baoding, Hebei Province
Based on past participation, the contestants include both elementary and high school students. Through pre-competition training and competition, they not only learned knowledge in areas such as amateur radio, astronomy, physics, and aerospace technology, but also gained practical knowledge beyond textbooks. Children experienced the joy of learning through making and communication, and developed their exploratory spirit. By combining competitive games with technological experiences, this activity highlights the unique charm of amateur satellite communications in China.
Initially, amateur radio beacons on satellites were used by ground-based amateur radio enthusiasts to track the orbits of satellites. Secondly, satellite beacon signals typically contain telemetry data that reflects the status of the satellite; amateur radio enthusiasts can understand the satellite's operating condition by decoding this telemetry data. The first two National Youth Amateur Radio Satellite Communication Competitions held in 2010 and 2011 both used China's first amateur satellite, HO-68 （XW-1）.
（2） Youth science education activities
On November 10, 2016, at 7:42 AM, the first satellite developed by Chinese high school students – "Fengtai Youth One" and "Youth Dream One" – was successfully launched into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Base using a Long March 11 carrier rocket. This made China the sixth country, after the United States, Russia, France, Japan, and India, to successfully launch and operate satellites developed by young people. This achievement represents a significant milestone in Beijing's Fengtai District's efforts to promote science education for primary and secondary students, enhance the scientific literacy of young people, and integrate various resources through the establishment of the Qian Xuesen Youth Aerospace Academy.
In 2011, the Qian Xuesen Youth Aerospace Academy was established in the Fengtai District of Beijing, with the help of academicians and prominent experts from the China Academy of Rocketry Technology, among others. This marked the launch of the "Youth Small Satellite" project. The development and launch of small satellites is a key focus area for the Qian Xuesen Youth Aerospace Academy. The first prototype satellite was successfully developed by students from the Qian Xuesen Aerospace Experimental Class at Beijing No. 12 Middle School in 2012.
Figure 5: Launch Ceremony for Science and Technology Courses in Primary and Secondary Schools in Fengtai District, Beijing
"Fuyang No. 1" and "Youth Dream No. 1" are both 10 cm long, 10 cm wide, and 20 cm high, weighing 1.87 kg. The main body is black. This satellite is the third youth satellite developed by the Yang Guangsen Youth Aerospace Academy, primarily used for experiments conducted by the academy to connect middle school students with space. After launch, amateur radio enthusiasts around the world can receive the satellite's signal and voice information.
Figure 6: Teenagers participating in the "Fangtai Youth No. 1" satellite development project.
Six students from Beijing No. 12 Middle School, Beijing No. 18 Middle School, and the Beijing Aerospace High School participated in a research project on this small satellite under the guidance of expert龚万骢 （BAIDU）. They systematically completed seven topics during their weekends and holidays: satellite structure, star-rocket separation, satellite power technology, star-ground radio communication, lightning detection and prevention at the satellite launch site, satellite orbit analysis and calculation, and the impact of the space environment on edible fungi. They also participated in satellite development, star-rocket matching, and satellite testing, ultimately successfully launching and ascending into space on November 10th.
The "Small Satellite Project" aims to involve teenagers in the research and development of satellite launches, and middle school students in the design and manufacturing process. This will greatly enhance students' scientific knowledge and effectively cultivate their ability to explore technology. As research progresses, the China Academy of Space Technology has agreed to develop this small satellite project into a series, and the "Fangtai Junior 2" small satellite will have enhanced functionality, with an operational time of up to 2 years in orbit.
（3） Build a science education center
Amateur radio enthusiasts have their own communities, with their own ways and methods of organizing activities. Young people also have corresponding activity organization methods. However, these activities do not have fixed times or locations, nor are they directly related. The National Radio Monitoring Center, as a regulatory agency for radio technology, has established an amateur radio science and education base specifically for the Beijing Oriental Wave Technology Institute under its supervision.
Figure 7: Amateur Radio Science and Technology Base Constructed by the Institute
With the technical support of the National Radio Monitoring Center, the amateur radio science and education base, which was put into trial operation in November 2020, will play an increasingly important role in popularizing scientific knowledge in fields such as radio communication technology and astronomy. By promoting public understanding of science, fostering interest in scientific research, and cultivating scientific talent, it will contribute to the construction of a strong nation in science and technology.
3. Management of amateur satellites in China
（1） Amateur satellite organizations in China
In 1969, the American Amateur Radio Satellite Organization （AMSAT-NA） was established in Washington, D.C. Many other countries also have their own amateur satellite organizations, such as AMSAT-UK in the United Kingdom, AMSAT-DL in Germany, BRAMSAT in Brazil, and AMSAT-LU in Argentina. China also established its corresponding amateur satellite organization, CAMSAT. These national amateur satellite organizations operate independently, but they also collaborate extensively on large projects. For example, early enthusiasts in the United States, Australia, Japan, and Europe collaborated to promote amateur satellite communication as a radio service.
The launch and operation of amateur satellites are approved by the Chinese space authorities (the State Administration of Space), while approval for radio frequencies and orbital resources is handled by the relevant department (the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology). To expand the influence of amateur satellite radio activities, a branch was established under the support of the China Association of Radio, with communication and activities related to amateur satellites conducted under the guidance of the branch.
（2） Management of amateur satellites in China
In the "Radio Regulations" and the "Regulations on the Allocation of Radio Frequencies in the People's Republic of China," amateur radio activities are clearly defined: amateur radio refers to wireless communication activities for the purpose of self-training, mutual communication, and technical research by radio enthusiasts. Amateur radio enthusiasts are individuals who have been officially approved and have an interest in radio technology, whose interests are purely personal hobbies and do not involve seeking profit. Satellite amateur radio refers to wireless communication activities with the same purpose as amateur radio, conducted using space stations on Earth.
Regarding the management of amateur radio stations, China issued the "Regulations on the Management of Amateur Radio Stations" in 2012. This regulation covers aspects such as the approval process for setting up amateur radio stations, the use of amateur radio stations, and the assignment of call signs. It also includes an application form and instructions for assigning call signs. Article 28（1） of the Regulations clearly states that it is prohibited to use amateur radio stations for commercial or other profit-making activities.
When engaging in amateur satellite activities, it is essential to ensure that these activities maintain their charitable nature. This will allow enthusiasts and young people to benefit from them, bringing space exploration closer to ordinary citizens and making technological innovation and practical application the driving force behind our journey towards the stars.
4. Future prospects for amateur satellites
Since the launch of the first amateur radio satellite, OSCAR-1, in 1961, amateur satellites have been attracting attention from a large number of amateur enthusiasts worldwide. Amateur radio operators use these satellites for communication and experimentation, and even to transmit crucial distress signals during emergencies and disaster relief efforts. Amateur radio satellite communication provides an effective and affordable way to experience the entire process of satellite communication in a simple and clear manner.
The success of OSCAR-1 has fully demonstrated that: amateur radio enthusiasts have the ability to design and manufacture reliable artificial Earth satellites, amateur radio enthusiasts have the ability to coordinate with space launch agencies, amateur radio enthusiasts have the ability to track artificial Earth satellites, and amateur radio enthusiasts have the ability to process related scientific and engineering data.
In recent years, with the maturation of satellite commercial models and the micro-satellite manufacturing industry, micro-satellites have experienced a surge in development. They are widely used in areas such as technology verification, scientific experiments, popular science education, remote sensing, and communication. However, some satellite operators have violated regulations by using amateur satellites for commercial purposes, which has had a negative impact on the industry and even led to complaints internationally. The future trends for amateur satellites include:
（2） Diverse satellite platforms: As amateur satellites continue to develop towards miniaturization, they will also exhibit a wider range of forms, including standalone dedicated amateur satellite platforms and combinations with communication satellites, navigation satellites, and Earth observation satellites.
（3） Diverse networking methods: Previously, amateur satellites typically operated independently. In the future, we can expect to see groups or constellations of amateur satellites.
（4） High Technology Content: Future small satellites and amateur satellites will be widely used in scientific experiments, the verification of new technologies, and platform design validation. A typical example is China's latest launch in July 2019, "Beihang 1," which is a small amateur satellite primarily used to verify the "Fanball" spacecraft technology and new space radio technology.
Figure 8: Operational performance of North Polytechnic Satellite No. 1
（5） Short Development Cycle: Future amateur satellite development will be significantly compressed, with platform-based and specialized production leading to shorter cycles for the initiation, implementation, and operation of amateur satellite projects.
（6） Low R&D funding: Currently, a small satellite can be developed for a budget of millions to tens of millions of RMB. Future mass production and modularization will further reduce costs.
（7） Low Launch Costs: Utilizing small rockets for mass launches, or carrying large satellites as secondary payloads, offers diverse options. Advances in rocket technology have significantly reduced the launch costs of small satellites.
(7) Diverse collaboration methods: Technical personnel from both domestic and international parties will increase their collaborative efforts, while domestic research institutions and commercial aerospace companies will also actively explore new cooperation models.
5. Summary
Based on the current situation, amateur satellite operators in China are primarily research institutions, educational organizations (especially universities), and emerging satellite operators. These satellites are mainly used for scientific experiments, test validation, and popular science education. The frequency data indicates that amateur satellites in China primarily use the UV band. High-frequency bands with centimeter waves or millimeter waves offer abundant radio frequency resources, which will be a favorable condition for future amateur satellite operations.
I believe that amateur satellite activities in China will become increasingly diverse, and as our space station deployment and Mars exploration efforts progress, we will move from near-Earth orbit to the deep space.
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