I'm all in favour of new modes and new technology. Pushing the boundaries should be a primary goal. But before any new bird is put in the sky, surely the target audience must be considered?
I'd hazard to guess that the 'average' shack has multi-mode HF capability, along with VHF/UHF FM. Some lesser number of 'average' shacks will have multi-mode VHF/UHF, or could readily acquire that capability without too much expenditure in resources (time, effort, money).
Accept that we want to launch boundary-expanding, technologically advanced satellites if possible. What sort of equipment should we expect to find in the shacks of those hams who are the target audience for these new satellites? How big is this suitably equipped target audience? Big enough to justify having their own satellite? How much time, effort and money will it take to upgrade an 'average' shack (like mine) to meet the requirements of being a part of the target audience?
I'm really pro- and not anti- here. But it may be that any new, digital satellite will have to be developed in parallel with readily available ground station modules (Funcube Dongle Deluxe?) that provide the 'average' ham a path to participation.
Again: Interested to hear roughly what capabilities would be needed to join the gang working the new digital birds, when they fly.