It seems that money is available and it is advertised publicly! I don't know if AMSAT-NA is aware of it? interested in it? sensible to it? able to refocused quickly their goals if any remains? Is a joint support offer to some researchers can be something to be explore?
But in the mean time amateur are bystanders spinning their wheels on ice...
Here is the text:
Please be advised that the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) includes revised guidelines to implement the mentoring provisions of the America COMPETES Act (ACA) (Pub. L. No. 110-69, Aug. 9, 2007.) As specified in the ACA, each proposal that requests funding to support postdoctoral researchers must include a description of the mentoring activities that will be provided for such individuals. Proposals that do not comply with this requirement will be returned without review (see the PAPP Guide Part I: Grant Proposal Guide Chapter II for further information about the implementation of this new requirement).
Beginning in 2009, NSF expects to launch two to three P-PODs every year, accommodating at least as many (two to six) individual satellite missions. This solicitation covers proposals for science missions to include satellite development, construction, testing and operation as well as data distribution and scientific analysis.
More details at :http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf09523
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