Hi All,
I want to fully endorse the comments from Bob and Bruce. I have been working with the Compass team for the last few months and it has been a most enjoyable experience. Their willingness to provide feedback, telemetry decoding software and general information is I think unique in the Cubesat world. Beyond that it is the only amateur satellite as far as I know that actually invites active participation in satellite command and control operations - an opportunity normally restricted to a select few. It presents an opportunity to try something quite different from the normal run of the mill amateur satellite operations and I for one believe that Compass has been an excellent addition to the ranks of amateur satellites.
Alan ZL2BX
As for myself, I have been very glad and proud to provide support to the Compass-1 project by collecting telemetry and helping with command of the spacecraft.
I know Mike must have devoted countless volunteer hours in his support to this project; I know he has emailed me for specific requests at what must be some very long hours in EU. Bob W1ICW
With all respect, I take the position that is converse to this: namely, that COMPASS-1 *is* an amateur satellite, and therefore the COMPASS team has assisted us greatly by building it. COMPASS happens to be the only satellite that I have commanded from my groundstation, operating on amateur frequencies, of course. In some sense, it is, to me, more of an amateur satellite than, say, our much-loved FO-29 or AO-51, or any HEO that might get launched. These, I assume, I will never control; COMPASS I have.
Bruce VE9QRP