This is indeed an important point. Look at it this way:

Is AMSAT the National Association for Amateur Satellites in the United States, sort of a parallel to what ARRL is for Amateur Radio?

Or is AMSAT a private club?

If they are a private club, they can do what they want. If they want to be the National Association, they need to meet a higher standard and represent every ham in the country.

A past AMSAT president asserted that AMSAT was the Global association, and National Associations like AMSAT-DL were its organizational members. If that is really the case, the standard would need to be even higher.

    Thanks

    Bruce