Bob:
I don't think the information is lacking, it's just that the situation has not changed much. As I understand it, we face this predicament: we cannot find a cut-rate ride to HEO, and we cannot reasonably expect to collect funds from our members to pay for a full-cost ride to HEO. This is a result of the full commercialization of launches, wherein space is a business first and foremost, and each launch is something to be sold for its maximum value. When that takes place, our heavy HEO birds are very hard to pay for.
Avenues are, as they say, being explored. AMSAT-DL is talking to its government space agency to see if they would like to help fund P3E and P5 as a package, and they're talking to SpaceX, which might want to have an experimental payload on a Falcon9 launch. It must be hard, frustrating work, and I appreciate their doing it.
Meanwhile, AMSAT-NA is really thinking outside the box, asking "what if we just buy a small parcel of an existing launch?" That's what the IntelSat GEO idea is about. Now as I understand it, the discount here is in the fact that we're not launching our own boost motor, spaceframe, etc. Instead we make some circuits, some antennas, and they get put on some spare space and get given some power. So we can't assume that 2m and 70cm are a given here: their antennas, for instance, take up quite a bit of space, weigh more, etc.
Those microwave bands, however, might just be the ticket. I don't think it is fair to assume that those working on this are going in that direction out of a desire for the new or cool; as I see it, they're just trying to deal with this new reality. The hard truth is that it might be more realistic for all of us to switch to different bands than for us to hold out for a HEO/GEO opportunity using the equipment we have now.
I know the following is something some of us do not want to hear, but this new economic reality also has presented us (and others) with some interesting opportunities in LEO. The Cubesat concept works by paying full-price for the launch, but for a smaller amount of weight than was possible in the past. I've heard launch prices quoted at $40,000! (Let's say a 3x cube like Delfi3C costs $150,000 for launch. This group, right here, could design its own communication satellite and launch it if there are 149 more people like me who would give $1000 for the pleasure of being part of such a venture! JoAnn started a threat that explored such an idea. It really could be a possibility.)
I wonder, could we work within these parameters to make a bird that would functionally replace AO-7? That altitude seems to me much more pleasing for communications.
On Fri, Feb 6, 2009 at 4:41 PM, w7lrd@comcast.net wrote:
Hello
I have never complained on this BB before. However, I do have a fair amount of naivete (as many of us) regarding our next HEO. The lack of information from AMSAT as well from our DL friends is frustraiting. I read in the news about many countries sending up satellites virtually every few weeks. . The shuttle is going up every few months. With all this traffic why can't we get a ride? I know it's all about money. In the latest AMSAT Journal there is an article talking about using frequencies at 5650 and 3400Mhz. Talk about scarr ing away curr e n t members let alone attracting new ones. AO-40 (sobsob) was supposed to be the best of the best for everyone. The current mentality seems to be to put all our "over the top" technology in one basket. I subscribe to the KISS (keep it simple stupid) principle regarding my ham radio endeavors. An example, when L or S mode is open on AO-51 how many are there? Yes, I pay my dues, buy AMSAT shirts, and contribute to the Presidents Club fu nding, and can be found on many of our satellites. I build and sell antennas and send a portion of those proceeds to AMSAT. I believe I have earned the right to complain. I have read the background of many of our members and BOD, we indeed have many very smart educated people in high places. Am I naive about the details? No doubt. I'm just a retired old ham with a back yard full of unuseable antennas, and a lack of comprehenson about what is going on (or not). If this diatribe is all wet I can take the slings and arrows. Talk to me about it on AO-7.
73 Bob W7LRD
AMSAT 28498
Seattle
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