Oh gosh, a new year to get used to in our writings, and I believe we are technically already in the 2nd quarter of the 21st Century. Time certainly does fly when you’re having fun! Sadly, most of the fun of the Christmas holidays is coming to an end, with schools due to start up round about the 15th January.
Meanwhile there is a group of hams still having great fun, and I’m talking about the HamSat enthusiasts. The International Space Station is in the middle of a season of transmitting SSTV images, and the South African group is having a field day downloading and displaying the full colour pictures sent by the ISS. All happening on 145.800 MHz FM, I believe, and all you need is a simple VHF handheld, and a smartphone, as the most basic of equipment, to display the pictures. Of course you can do it the professional way, with base receivers, circularly polarized VHF antennas tracking the ISS using software to control the rotators, and real-time full-screen pictures on your desktop as they are received. So time really can fly when you’re having fun.
Electronics360.globalspec.com has noted this week that rapid changes are taking place in the space economy, and at its forefront are nanosatellites — miniature, agile and cost-effective satellites reshaping global connectivity. As society becomes increasingly dependent on space-based technologies for communication, resource management and environmental monitoring, the demand for versatile, small-scale solutions grows.
Nanosatellites, which typically weigh between 1 kg and 10 kg, offer a new way of responding to this demand. They democratize space access, lowering the entry barrier for commercial start-ups, academia and non-profit organizations, and making satellite technology accessible to more entities than ever.
This shift is driven by urgent global challenges:
- Connectivity gaps that limit economic development.
- The need for resilient communications in crisis situations.
- An intensified focus on environmental protection.
Today, about 40% of the global population lacks internet access, with remote and underserved areas bearing the brunt of this digital divide. Nanosatellites, by delivering scalable and affordable connectivity, present a promising avenue for bridging this gap. Their potential extends beyond connectivity alone, as they increasingly support environmental monitoring, defence applications and crisis response, creating a comprehensive tool for addressing society’s pressing needs.
Nanosatellites bring high-powered capabilities in compact forms, allowing for a range of applications traditionally reserved for larger satellites. Some of these include:
- Telecommunication
- Internet of things
- Earth observation
- Environmental monitoring
- Defence and security
- Disaster management
- Scientific research and education
The article concludes by saying that, as demand for real-time data and reliable communication grows, nanosatellites are positioned to complement, and in some cases replace, traditional infrastructure. Their rapid deployment capabilities and adaptable constellations make them valuable assets for addressing specific connectivity needs, especially in underserved regions. The future of global SATCOM will likely be one that is inclusive and resilient, driving meaningful change and enabling a more connected, sustainable world.
Thanks to electronics360 for these excerpts from their article.
In a quick report back about Cyclone CHIDO in Mayotte, today.rtl.lu notes that, after the devastating cyclone on the French island, two satellite communication systems from Luxembourg will be deployed in Mayotte to help restore communication.
The satellite communication systems from “emergency.lu” were sent to the island in the Indian Ocean at the request of the French government through the European Union’s civil protection, to restore communication after the devastating cyclone.
As stated in a joint statement from the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and CGDIS, the systems were transported from Luxembourg to Paris on Monday, 30 December, from where they will be forwarded to the island of Mayotte. The operation of the devices is being supervised by two French technicians who were trained in Luxembourg in the field of humanitarian connectivity.
“Emergency.lu” is a mobile satellite communication platform aimed at rebuilding communication infrastructure after a disaster, supporting the coordination of humanitarian organisations on-site, and contributing to the rescue of people in humanitarian emergencies.
Now, with a huge amount of foresight, the European Union announced rules requiring all new smartphones, tablets and cameras to use the same charger, which came into force on Saturday, in a change Brussels said will cut costs and waste.
Manufacturers are now obliged to fit devices sold in the 27-nation bloc with a USB-C connector, the port chosen by the European Union as the common standard for charging electronic tools.
“Starting today, all new mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones, speakers, keyboards and many other electronics sold in the EU will have to be equipped with a USB Type-C charging port,” the EU Parliament wrote on social media X.
The EU has said the single charger rule will simplify the life of Europeans and slash costs for consumers. By allowing consumers to purchase a new device without a new charger, it will also reduce the mountain of obsolete chargers, the bloc has argued.
Makers of laptops will have extra time, from early 2026, also to follow suit.
Most devices already use these cables, but Apple was more than a little reluctant.
The firm said in 2021 that such regulation “stifles innovation”, but by September last year it had begun shipping phones with the new port.
Makers of electronic consumer items in Europe had agreed on a single charging norm from dozens on the market a decade ago under a voluntary agreement with the European Commission.
USB-C ports can charge at up to 100 Watts, transfer data at up to 40 gigabits per second, and can serve to hook up to external displays.
At the time of its approval, the commission said the law was expected to save at least 200 million euros per year and cut more than a thousand tonnes of EU electronic waste every year.
“It’s time for THE charger,” the European Commission wrote on X on Saturday.
“It means better-charging technology, reduced e-waste, and less fuss to find the chargers you need.”
And there you have it, Folks – USB-C will become the way to go.
This is Dave Reece ZS1DFR, with an old enough phone still to be using some other connector, and reporting for HAMNET in South Africa.