Quoting Michael Tondee mat_62@netcommander.com:
Well unless I've misread or misunderstood something the Eagle payloads would now be put to use in the geostationary orbit. There would be no HEO Eagles. We would have one conventional HEO bird in orbit and that would be P3E. Can someone in the know clarify or is it just to early to
know for sure? 73, Michael, W4HIJ
We should keep SSETI-ESEO's mode U/S transponder in mind.
http://www.sseti.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=198&a...
Could be a bit of a black-belt affair, since the power would be 10w and I don't think they can count on much gain, but still seems to me to be a conventional HEO bird.
In any case, phase IV has been a long-standing dream of AMSAT; it seems we are closer than ever to realizing that dream. It also is a very practical platform for emergency communications, an application that as a group we have wanted to support but to which our current and prospective orbits have frankly not been ideally-suited. Finally, the scarcity of HEO rides has been a dark cloud over two of three up-coming HEO projects worldwide. By negotiating a new source for these, our board is taking important steps in assuring the future of just about any project.
There is some concern that a geostationary HEO will be less fun because it is easier to track. We should remember that the equation that solves for 'fun' has 'experience' as one of its variables. Thus, for a new ham, setting up an s-band dish to point at a geostationary satellite will provide a great deal of challenge and of satisfaction. For the more experienced, the advanced communication package should make a similar offer.
It's amazing to read some of the great ideas spinning off from this opportunity. I imagine my daughter's grade 7 geology class being augmented by a live link with a park ranger in the Canadian North. No other AMSAT project would lend itself well to such a use.
We should seek to make this not only an important part of the amateur emergency toolkit, but also a must-have resource for schools around North America. Just as ARISS offers schools a glimpse into life aboard ISS, a 'Learning on the Edge' program could link students with people in remote locations. It would train and equip people destined for remote locations and would, with local ham help, equip schools to communicate with the people in the field. These adventurers and scientists would make 1/2h contacts with each of the schools in the network, explaining their work and the place they are in.
73, Bruce VE9QRP