Artist’s impression of the Tiangong Space Station in October 2021
The IARU satellite frequency coordination panel report an application has been submitted for an amateur radio payload to be hosted on the Tiangong space station.
The coordination request says:
CSSARC is the amateur radio payload for Chinese Space Station, proposed by Chinese Radio Amateurs Club (CRAC), Aerospace System Engineering Research Institute of Shanghai (ASES) and Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT).
The first phase of the payload is capable of providing the following functions utilizing the VHF/UHF amateur radio band:
1. V/V or U/U crew voice;
2. V/U or U/V FM repeater;
3. V/V or U/U 1k2 AFSK digipeater;
4. V/V or U/U SSTV or digital image.
The payload will provide resources for radio amateurs worldwide to make contacts with onboard astronauts, or communicate with each other. It will also play a rule to inspire students to pursue interests and careers in science, technology, engineering and math, and to encourage more people to get interested in amateur radio.
Planning a launch from Wenchang in Q3 2022 to the Chinese Space Station.
Source IARU satellite frequency coordination http://www.amsat.org.uk/iaru/