Signals from Space ( for the spacecraft and outer space monitoring enthusiast )

Welcome to the interesting world of spacecraft monitoring. This webpage includes a collection of a series of active orbiting satellites that most anyone could receive using a modest scanner or multi-mode receiver. Some of the higher L-band and higher frequency spacecraft may need a larger dish antenna but this webpage will focus mostly on satellites that could be monitored with a modest scanner or multi-mode receiver and a omni directional or small beam antenna .

To track and listen to the satellites, the satellite KEP files of the satellite descriptions below will have to be updated and loaded in the satellite tracking software. Tune the receiver to the below frequencies , wait until the satellite is within range by using the satellite tracking software and begin listening. The best reception will most likely occur when the satellite is above 10 degrees elevation.

Russian Military COSMOS Navigation Satellites ( click picture to hear satellite )

Satellite / Keps Set Description

Cosmos 2361, Cosmos 2378, Cosmos 2389, Cosmos 2398, Cosmos 2407, Cosmos 2414

Frequencies: 149.91 MHz, 149.94 MHz, 149.97 MHz, 150.03MHz

Mode: 5 KHz NBFM 30 bps AFSK

More info on these satellites are located here: Russian Military Spacecraft, Hearsat Description , Hearsat navsat info

Still active ? : YES

Receive equipment required: Modest scanner or receiver, omni directional or beam antenna

Lunar Orbiters and Remote Imaging Satellites

Japanese KAGUYA Lunar Orbiter

Moon Kepelerian elements / use a moon tracking program

Moon tracking software: F1EHN EME Moon Tracking Software ( the best ) Satscape Nova

Frequencies: 2263.600 MHz

Mode: MFSK

More info on these satellites are located here: KAGUYA

Still active ? : YES

Receive equipment required: Simple low noise S-Band downconverter and a 3 1/2 turn helix antenna.

Chinese CHANG'1 Lunar Orbiter

Moon Kepelerian elements / use a moon tracking program

Moon tracking software: F1EHN EME Moon Tracking Software ( the best ) Satscape Nova

Frequencies: 2234.530 MHz

Mode: MFSK

More info on these satellites are located here: Chang'1

Still active ? : YES

Receive equipment required: Simple low noise S-Band downconverter and a 3 1/2 turn helix antenna.

U.S. Navy Military TRANSIT / OSCAR Navigation Satellites ( click picture to hear satellite )

These satellites are now used for Ionospheric Research and have been replaced with the U.S. Air Forces Worldwide GPS System

Satellite / Keps Set Description

Oscar 23,Oscar 24,Oscar 25,Oscar 27,Oscar 28,Oscar 29,Oscar 30,Oscar 31,Oscar 32, Transit 16,Transit 17, Transit 18

Frequencies: 149.988 MHz

Mode: 5 KHz NBFM AFSK / MFSK

Still active ? : YES

Receive equipment required: Modest scanner or receiver, omni directional or beam antenna

More info on these satellites are located here: Transit satellites

U.S. Air Force Navstar / GPS Satellites

Satellite / Keps Set Description

GPS 1 - GPS 32

Frequencies: 1,575.42 MHz, 1,227.60 MHz

Mode: Digital

Receive equipment required: Standard off the shelf GPS receiver

Still active ? : YES

More info on these satellites are located here: GPS Navigation satellites

U.S. Weather Satellites ( click picture to hear satellite APT Mode )

Satellite / Keps Set Description

NOAA 15, NOAA 16, NOAA 17, NOAA 18

Frequencies: 137.50 MHz, Non-Operational, 137.62 MHz 137.10 MHz respectively

Mode: 30 KHz NBFM APT ( AM Modulation on FM Carrier )

Receive equipment required: Modest scanner or receiver, omni directional or beam antenna

Frequencies: 1702.5 MHz, 1702.5 MHz, 1707 MHz, 1698 MHz respectively

Mode: 30 KHz WFM Digital HRPT

Still active ? : YES

Specialized Digital HRPT receiver and decoder ( Timestep ), 1 - 2 meter dish antenna

Satellite / Keps Set Description

GOES 10, GOES 11, GOES 12

Frequencies: LRIT - 1691.0 MHz, GVAR PDUS - 1685.7 MHz

Mode: 30 KHz WFM Digital HRPT

Receive equipment required: Specialized Digital HRPT receiver and decoder ( Timestep ), 1 - 2 meter dish antenna

Deep Space Probe Satellites

Amateur Radio Deep Space Probe Detections ( with audio files and spectrograms )

Deep space probe frequencies ( and others )

Deep space probes

Amateur Radio Space Satellites

International Space Station

Satellite / Keps Set Description

ARISS, ISS

Frequencies: 145.800 MHz Voice and Packet , 145.825 MHz

Mode: 5 KHz NBFM 1200 Baud AFSK AX25 packet

PCSAT

Satellite / Keps Set Description

NO-44

Frequencies: 145.825 MHz

Mode: 5 KHz NBFM 1200 Baud AFSK AX25 packet

ANDE ( soon to re-enter the earths atmosphere )

Satellite / Keps Set Description

NO-61

Frequencies: 145.825 MHz

Mode: 5 KHz NBFM 1200 Baud AFSK AX25 packet

EYESAT

Satellite / Keps Set Description

AO-27

Frequencies: 436.795 MHz

Mode: 5 KHz NBFM Voice

HAMSAT

Satellite / Keps Set Description

VO-52

Frequencies: 145.870 MHz - 145.930 MHz

Mode: CW / SSB

ECHO

Satellite / Keps Set Description

AO-51

Frequencies: 435.300 MHz

Mode: 5 KHz NBFM Voice

SaudiSat 1C

Satellite / Keps Set Description

SO-50

Frequencies: 436.795 MHz

Mode: 5 KHz NBFM Voice

CUTE-1

Satellite / Keps Set Description

CO-55

Frequencies: 436.837 CW telemetry, 437.47 MHz

Mode: 5 KHz NBFM 1200 Baud AFSK AX25 packet

Earth - Moon - Earth ( EME ) Signals

Satellite / Keps Set Description

Moon

Frequencies ( most actively common ): 144.020 - 144.150, 432.000 - 432.070, 1296.000 - 1296.090, 2290 - 2304.090, 2320.000 - 2320.070

Mode: CW, AFSK SSB ( WSJT ) , SSB

Receive equipment required: receiver capable of CW or SSB, 15 dBd - 30 dBd yagi and/or dish antenna

Moon tracking software: F1EHN EME Moon Tracking Software ( the best ) Satscape Nova

Satellite Tracking Software

In order to begin receiving signals from the satellites , you will need a satellite tracking program to know where and when they will be in view for monitoring. Afew such programs exists from the internet located here >>> Satscape Nova

Review of this software is located here >>> Satscape review

Review of this software is located here >>> Nova review

Other interesting reading for the space monitoring enthusiast: