On 11 Aug 2008 at 13:00, G0MRF@aol.com wrote:
There are probably ways of trimming this back substantially. In LEO sat design we have seen a reduction in size from 400kg to the SSTL microsat of about 120kg in the 1980's. These days the SSTL 'microsat' has evolved down to 3 - 5kg. with projects like the NASA Nanosail design. But no such revolution has taken place in HEO satellites So, a few possibilities. You can probably think of more......
Could we do HEO within a 50kg budget? = 1.5million Euros spread over a 10 year lifespan?
If i read you correctly you mean no more bells and whistles only a +- plain transponder? But if i remember correctly it seems some of the builders does not found the challenge up to their ambitions!
The new vector now is the human factor and it seems as hard to deal with than the funding issues!
Remain my Paris Hilton solution and i was wrong she's 27 but still blonde and cute with a lot of cash. The age factor is further reducing our funding chances here not speaking for myself naturally and my english is too bad anyway...
Trivia question:
What was the average attendance age at the last AMSAT-UK symposium conferences?
Your answer will let you know how soon the next HEO is desirable!
"-"
Luc Leblanc VE2DWE Skype VE2DWE www.qsl.net/ve2dwe WAC BASIC CW PHONE SATELLITE