AMSAT, formally known as the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, is a nonprofit corporation, pursuant to the District of Columbia Non-profit Corporation Act. AMSAT was organized as an exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, exclusively for scientific purposes. It was not organized as nor does it operate as a club or an educational organization. Furthermore, there is no legal requirement for a nonprofit corporation to issue shares or have compensated management. To say otherwise is completely false! AMSAT does have a dynamic Board of Directors, and it does operate in a fair, honest, and open manner. The few members who state otherwise are being disengenuous for their own political purpose. The few others are only parroting what they have been told. You are correct that the space industry has changed dramatically, due in part to AMSAT's success with smallsats. These changes have brought both regulatory and economic challenges for AMSAT. Our Directors are well aware of this and have not only been steadfastly working to keep amateur radio in space, but, also, push the envelope of scientific discovery. AMSAT is on the right path. Through it's GOLF Program, they are working to allow us to return to HEO. Yes, we have been there before, but not under the current regulatory environment. In addition, GOLF satellites will include SDR technologies and microwave experimentation. I am excited about AMSAT's future, and, judging by our steady growth in membership, so is everyone else.
Robert Bankston, KE4AL