AMSAT

Founded in 1969 and based in Kensington, United States, AMSAT – The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation – is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering amateur radio participation in space exploration and communication. AMSAT designs, builds, and manages amateur radio satellites, primarily utilizing volunteer effort and donated resources to advance space science, education, and technology. The organization’s activities range from satellite construction and operation to promoting space-based STEM initiatives, including opportunities for students to communicate with astronauts aboard the International Space Station.

AMSAT’s history dates back to the earliest days of space exploration, originating from the Project OSCAR group which launched the first amateur radio satellite in 1961. Today, AMSAT continues this legacy by deploying and maintaining satellites that enable global communication for amateur radio operators. The organization also actively shares knowledge and data with the wider scientific community.

AMSAT supports its mission through membership dues, donations, and merchandise sales. They regularly publish the bi-monthly *AMSAT Journal* and a weekly *News Service* bulletin, keeping members and the public informed about developments in amateur radio space activities. Recent activities include participation in deployments of new amateur radio payloads via missions like KSLV-II and ISS-based educational deployments.