A fantastic idea! Thank you for suggesting this! This is just what is needed to promote ARISS and STEM. How about just like ARISSAT with telemetry and SSTV with a schedule switching between SSB and FM transponder like HO-68 did? My students would love to get pictures and data from the ISS on orbit plus take advantage of an easy to use transponder. How about having cameras, one inside and one outside. I know this is a tall order, but this would be a killer app for the ARISS program.
Charlie Cantrill KI4RDT
----- Mensaje original ----- De: Edward R. Cole [email protected] Para: [email protected] Enviado: Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:43:43 +0100 (CET) Asunto: [amsat-bb] Re: Probably a silly idea...
My thinking is this package could be designed as the (needed) upgrade/replacement for the existing digi-peater/ham radio equipment used in the "school contact" program. The advantage is a long-term orbiting transponder with much easier maintenance access. As with most of the advanced satellites being put up one would have a fully functional spare. Since the environment would be much more friendly so the unit could be built modular for additional ease in maintenance.
To aid in the "selling to NASA", I propose the telemetry system be provided with data-ports for connection of school experiments in support of STEM. Thus Amsat would be providing comm support in those programs.
A local mic, power on/off and channel selector would enable astronaut use (both for ham and personal use).
So we hams would get part of what we want while providing support of what NASA wants. Get creative on what this could do.
73, Ed - KL7UW