Hi John,
The reason that Fox-1 is an FM transponder is because it was designed to be a quick replacement for the popular AO-51. The move to a linear transponder in our first cubesat will require time, and learning. Boy, if we could work together with other hams around the world to learn and design bigger and better things... but we can't. So we're going to have to learn it ourselves, and Fox-1 also provides a step in that direction. Take my word for it, building a reliable, long life cubesat is not as easy as it sounds. If I recall correctly though, the original idea was for a linear transponder and that is still the longer term goal for the Fox series. Fox 2, after learning from the successes or failures in Fox-1, will be that.
And I speak only from what I have learned from reading and being involved in AMSAT. I am not a spokesperson, and everything I am saying is public knowledge that was available to everyone here. This story has been told before...
Jerry
On 9/4/2013 5:53 PM, [email protected] wrote:
As long as AMSAT-NA needs to concentrate on 1U/3U/6U Cubesats for the immediatee future, I would really like to see the pursuit of linear transponders on them instead of single-channel FM repeaters. The way I see it, launch opportunities are so rare that we ought to fly the most capable equipment we can on those rare occasions when we can get a launch.
John Toscano W0JT Amsat-Na LM#2292
On Sep 4 2013, n0jy wrote:
Hi Michael,
I would not say that AMSAT has abandoned HEO. Rather, launch opportunities that exist now are being utilized. Would you rather sit dormant and let all existing birds fail or re-enter while waiting for an HEO opportunity? And AMSAT is just learning to build cubesats. For AMSAT-NA, Fox-1 is a first. If we're going to fly HEO, we had better be good at building a reliable satellite in a cubesat (be it 1, 3, or 6U) format. The first HEO launch opportunity is not the time to figure that out! While HEO launch opportunities do not exist now, but that does not mean that AMSAT isn't pursuing them as Drew pointed out, nor that AMSAT would not build an HEO satellite when opportunities do come. In the meantime, we are making lemonade and preparing through practice.
Jerry N0JY
On 9/4/2013 4:25 PM, Michael wrote:
I'm almost fifty one years old and I'm now convinced that we will not see another HEO in orbit in my lifetime...if ever. The economic environment to do it just doesn't exist anymore. AMSAT has as much as told everyone that by abandoning their efforts and concentrating on LEO cubesats. No one is going to come out and say that we absolutely will never have one, they like to keep that glimmer of hope alive but the writing is on the wall. No one wants to be wrong more than I do but I'd bet you P3-E never flies. 73, Michael, W4HIJ
On 9/3/2013 3:32 PM, John Becker wrote:
Anything new on a replacement. Have not see a thing myself.
John
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Sent via [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Sent via [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Sent via [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb