The OPAL microsatellite built by students at Stanford University will provide a new era for unique satellite communications for amateur satellite operator and user enthusiasts. The major payload of OPAL is a launcher that allows ejection of small picosatellites into orbit. These picosatellites, weighting less than 1 kg and having dimensions of 1 "x3"x4", can provide experimental platforms for forms of experimental communications that have not been possible before.OPAL is scheduled for launch on an U.S. Air Force converted Minuteman II missile from Van-denberg AFB, California on October 1999. OPAL has a picosat launcher that is capable of carrying eight 4" long picosats or combinations of 4" and 8" lengths. This mission will be carrying six picosatellites, one amateur picosat developed satellite called Stensat developed by a team lead by Hank Heidt - N4AFL, Kevin Doherty, and Dr. Carl Wick - N3MIM. An undergraduate student engineering team from Santa Clara University built three picosatellites. The final two picosats that will be launched are built by The Aerospace Corporation carrying DARPA experimental MEMS RF switches and University of California at Los Angeles wireless radios.This paper will describe the OPAL satellite in detail, the payloads that can be used by the amateur radio community and the new collaboration model by the Stensat team between the academic and amateur community.
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