One thing that has not been discussed is regulatory restrictions. Raising the necessary funds to develop, build, and launch a satellite into MEO, HEO, or GEO is not enough. One, if not the biggest hurdle to reaching beyond LEO is the U.S. regulatory environment. AMSAT VP of Engineering, Jerry Buxton, N0JY, has brought this up several times on this forum and in his AMSAT Engineering Updates, but, unfortunately, it seems to fall on deaf ears. Every time this conversation reemerges, it always comes back to money. Space, as it turns out, is not that big, especially in relationship to the part of it surrounding Earth. The proliferation of spacecraft and space debris orbiting our planet will soon be unmanageable. Governments around the World are enacting orbital debris mitigation regulations that are making it harder to operate in space, and the U.S. is leading the charge. THis is our greatest risk. AMSAT Executive Vice President Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, has been leading the AMSAT effort to address the pending regulatory actions on orbital debris mitigation at the FCC. Look for a more comprehensive update from Paul in the May/June edition of The AMSAT Journal. Orbits above 600 kilometers are facing increased scrutiny, with required flight-proven low-risk transfer orbit, long-term reentry, and/or improved move-away-and-stay-away storage options for orbital lifespans more than 25 years. However, proving you can get there and operate responsibly is not enough. Every mission is closely evaluated to ensure it serves the greater benefit of all, which, at this time, strongly favors commercial and scientific interests. Anyone who has been to space knows that there is way more to it than just having a dream and a pocket full of money. There are too many amateur satellite projects left on the drawing board or wasting away in a storeroom or garage, because those in charge did not take into account everything that it takes to get there. It takes a comprehensive understanding of our regulatory challenges, a reputation built on flight-proven experience, and established relationships with all key players in the space industry. AMSAT has that, and, more importantly they have a plan to get us there. The first step is GOLF-TEE, whose sole purpose is to demonstrate the necessary equipment to operate above LEO. GOLF is more than just a catchy acronym for greater orbit larger footprint. It is a commitment to return to greater orbits. It will not happen today, or even tomorrow, but it will happen.
73, Robert, KE4AL