On 8/19/2020 22:51, Jim Walls via AMSAT-BB wrote:
It may not have been YOUR suggestion, but I recall that one has been answered. As I recall reading here, AMSAT HAS been in contact with various launch providers. And no, I'm not going to do the research for you to find it (I don't keep all messages on this reflector).
True. And many of the new LV companies have contacted us/me regarding their services both new and in development. These are the movers and shakers although that definition probably varies with the individuals who ask this question and my use of it here.
With the current demand for small satellite launches to LEO and the situation regarding orbital debris, most of the new entries into the launch industry are targeting low, Low Earth Orbit of 450-500 km. There are two good reasons for that. One, these orbits take less fuel mass/volume and smaller engines to reach. Two these orbits provide maybe 2-3 years of orbit lifetime which is favorable with the orbital debris regulations. In the latter, we are and have for many years been very good stewards of the orbital debris requirements with absolutely no rogue intentions and a record that has earned us opportunities to look for high orbits. In the former, we don't wish to go to those altitudes right now and the clamor of public opinion here and elsewhere supports that point. And so, while I am happy in knowing that AMSAT has a reputation that warrants contact from at least some of these new movers and shakers, they are not able to help us at this time.
There is also the process of gaining a ride on a launch vehicle and I think that a lot of our members probably consider the launch provider to be ULA, or SpaceX, ISRO, or our latest with Virgin Orbit. And in all four (covering five launches), Fox-1A & Fox-1B, Fox-1Cliff, Fox-1D, and Fox-1E, respectively, in none of the launches is AMSAT dealing directly with any of those launch vehicle providers. Launch providers are NASA through the ELaNa program on ULA and VO and Spaceflight through their rideshare contracts with ISRO and SpaceX. Further, we then work with the payload integrator for that launch, Cal Poly, Tyvak, and TriSept for the ELaNa launches and another division of Spaceflight for their ISRO and SpaceX launches (that we purchased).
I have had the pleasure of meeting folks who work for ULA and SpaceX, and look forward to the same with Virgin Orbit soon, at integration but none are anywhere near the top of their corporation especially in the context that I think "movers and shakers" is meant with these corporations. Short of an invitation to a gala or otherwise someone who knows any of those company senior officers or directors, there is no chance to ask if they can extend a hand to AMSAT and just get us a ride please because we are a bunch of good guys and gals. And I have been in situations to ask those not that high up because hey, it never hurts to ask, right? And their answer if any usually is exactly what works so well for their industry; that we should contact one of the launch providers.
Consider what it might be like, were we able to ask Tony Bruno for another ride on a ULA vehicle as a bit of a favor toward the good things that us bunch of good guys and gals do for a sliver of the world population, and he said yes! I don't mean what it might be like for us, although that probably follows a lot like what it would be like for ULA; having given a small group a favor of a million dollars of launch in an act of compassion and charity, and it being quite public of course since AMSAT has trouble staying mum even when specifically told to by launch providers, suddenly 15,000 other organizations who deem themselves worthy of Tony or Elon or Sir Richard sharing a bit of that type of charity with them come out of the woodwork and bombard them with requests. That later turn into demands, that later turn into vilification... Of course they then include AMSAT in that vilification because we got something they can't have and that's not fair! And we have all seen classic examples of all three of that progression of love and teamwork on -bb lately, so you know what I mean.
My money is on Tony and the others most certainly having considered that same scenario no matter who asks the favor, and that's why even if you or I got to have two minutes with any of them at a gala some night it's very likely that they will refer us to a launch provider, maybe put in a plug for their favorite since they know now that we talked that we are just a bunch of good guys and gals. I'll also bet a small amount that it is the reason that Elon launched his car, since the questions came up about how ham radio could have been there and why not, at that time too. Can't upset anyone by using that space for a great big publicity stunt, eh?
As Joe mentioned in his reply to GEO (George?) he is not the first to ask and we have been in contact and remain active with our connections and new connections that come along in the launch game. We would not be doing our job if we did not and besides, it's part of the fun of this aspect of amateur radio to have the standing to be able to meet and talk to many different folks about (especially) cheap rides to places very high up. Ask any of our launch providers and at least privately, because of their NDAs of course, they might share the fact that have and continue to ask and explore opportunities, even those that might be a "what if" just to look for any openings.
Of course few of you know all of this, and it probably only comes up in detail when this question inevitably comes around again. I mention or allude to it in the Journal or talks now and then, but of course none of it is even in detail until something is signed. Only fools brag about that which they do not yet hold in their hand, or at least I think that's true because I have burned myself and embarrassed others (organizations too) by being too confident.
I'll QRT with little aside, the meeting that I will remember best out of all of them in our adventures to orbit is the one at the Fox-1A (AO-85) launch, which was an Air Force launch carrying NRO stuff on a ULA rocket (so you kinda get the big launch provider picture I mentioned). The Captain in charge of that Air Force mission was there and I got to talk to him at the launch party. His name? Captain Kirk. This part of the amateur radio hobby just doesn't get any more fun than that.
73, and thank you all for your support.
Jerry Buxton, NØJY