Image transmission via SSTV protocol from the UMKA satellite will begin tomorrow at 16:25 UTC (19:25 Moscow time)
If necessary, transmission can be interrupted without prior notice! (increased temperature, battery discharge, etc.)
An image broadcast was scheduled to pay tribute to the fourth anniversary of the Orbicraft-Zorkiy (RS15S) satellite in orbit
Source: ON AIR telegram channel
“Tomorrow” means 21st.
Not the best pass, only c20Deg max elevation, but here’s a couple from this evening pass over UK.
UMKA-1 21-Mar_25 1937
UMKA-1 21-Mar_25 1941
!!This Saturday, the SHKT team invites radio amateurs to an unusual event.
The first gender party from orbit. Our radio amateur brother and his wife are expecting a baby. They don’t know the gender of their baby yet. But UMKA already knows what he intends to announce from orbit on March 29.
But it’s not that simple. Since UMKA and the SHKT team love astronomy and the mysteries of the universe and in general (the black squares won’t let you lie), the message from orbit will not be unambiguous. The answer will be encrypted in the image. Not very difficult. But you need to think a little.
The transmission of one image will begin on March 29 at 00:45 UTC
The transmission will end on March 29 at 08:45 UTC
Original message sent on the Telegram channel ON AIR (See the message HERE)
Unfortunately, I only have a 2.8 degree elevation pass for my QTH here in Brazil 
(it’s impossible to receive anything due to the mountains to the west that limit me to at least 5 degrees)…
Same problem here. The only half decent pass is 8:38 UTC and most of it is behind the apartment block i live in.
Cant win them all i guess.
Jomjom79
I’ve only just seen you post, and have missed the transmission
29.03.2025 09:46UTC
Between 2025-03-29 08:45 and 08:49 UTC
I could imagine that the image showing the gender symbol for male (which I didn’t receive) has a red-brown background color as the color bar for Mars shows.
My interpretation:
Following the color chart we have the colors of the Sun/All the planets in the solar system EXCEPT the color of Venus
According to Roman mythology, Venus is a female goddess.
So it is a girl
That’s an interesting interpretation.
Because the color for Venus is missing, it should be a girl.
I thought the color for Venus is the same as the background color of the image.
This image could also just mean “Is it a boy (Mars) or a girl (Venus)?” and the image with the gender symbol could be the answer.
"Dear friends!
As you know, laughter prolongs life, and not only for people, but also for satellites. When a satellite is tired and in a bad mood, it turns away, stops listening, and does not respond to requests. Sound familiar? Then let’s charge our “batteries” together with funny pictures from space!
The ArcticSat-1 (SSTV debutant) and UMKA-1 (regular at all radio events and generally a great entertainer) spacecraft are broadcasting memes from space in SSTV for the first time!
Broadcast start:
Scheduled end of broadcast: At the discretion of the operators - watch in the chat!
UPTADE (2025-04-01 00:38UTC) : = According to the publication made on the R4UAB website, transmissions should end around 19UTC on 2025-04-01 (See the R4UAB publication HERE)
IMPORTANT: Transmission can be interrupted if necessary without prior notice! (Due to rising temperatures, battery discharge, etc.)
Broadcasting area: worldwide.
Frequencies: 435.890 MHz (ArcticSat-1), 437.625 MHz (UmKA)
Protocol: SSTV Robot 36
All participants who send at least 1 full image will receive electronic QSLs from NArFU and the SHKT team.
You can send an application for a QSL card with the subject of the letter QSL by e-mail to asmc@narfu.ru (ArcticSat-1), umka1@school29.com (UmKA)
The application must include:
- Full name
- Call sign (if any)
- Date and time of receiving the image (in UTC)
- Your QTH locator or locality
- Received image (file in attachments)
Applications will be accepted within 7 days from the end of the broadcast.
IMPORTANT: To maintain interest and competitive spirit, we ask participants not to publish IQ, fragments of received images, or finished images without watermarks in the public domain.
Have a good mood everyone! "
Original message sent on the Telegram channel ON AIR (See the message HERE)
Got 3 images (well same image 3 times) on 0750+UTC pass of ArcticSat-1. As requested won’t post them/it.
Probably only chance I get for this activation since out for rest of day and transmissions scheduled to stop before this evening’s passes of both satellites.
BTW ArcticSat-1 was active on 31-Dec-24 (at least) so not debut broadcasts
Got the same image four times around 06:20 UTC.
It’s with an alien face in the center.
“ArcticSat-1 (RS74S) - has completed transmission
UMKA-1 (RS40S) - will complete transmission on April 1 at 23:55 utc”
Update shared HERE
