Keep in mind that it’s not just the $10-$15 million estimated launch cost that is an obstacle. A molniya orbit passes through the GPS belt altitude and potentially through both the protected LEO and GEO altitudes depending on perigee/apogee of the orbit. A future HEO will need an orbital debris mitigation plan acceptable to the government the satellite is licensed by.
73,
Paul, N8HM
On Tue, Jun 11, 2019 at 19:08 Nicholas Mahr KE8AKW via AMSAT-BB < [email protected]> wrote:
Hi Greg, That is hard to say exactly for sure as it actually has not been done yet. Maybe somebody else out there knows? I do know AO-10/13 was around 140kg at launch with fuel and is 90kg without fuel. So it would be significantly less as the fuel does weigh a lot (50kg?). Also a quick search shows that a 400N motor weights around 9.5 pounds, so minus that.Unfortunately that launch opportunity for the direct launch to a Molniya type orbit was scrapped. Hopefully AMSAT find some sort of a affordable launch opportunity for it here soon in the up coming years. It is difficult enough now a days just to get a 1-2kg cubesat into LEO unfortunately.
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