The failure of AO-40 was not a problem of "rocket science". It was caused by human stupidity ... not writing down what had to be removed before flight so if the only person who knew that info could not be available their backup would.
Les
At 12:25 PM 12/13/2007, you wrote:
Les,
Yes, they are aware of the fate of AO-40. They have had their own problems over the years and they understand that this is rocket science.
Rick W2GPS AMSAT LM2232
-----Original Message----- From: sco@sco-inc.com [mailto:sco@sco-inc.com] Sent: Thursday, December 13, 2007 12:15 PM To: Rick Hambly (W2GPS) Cc: amsat-BB Subject: RE: [amsat-bb] Re: Phase 4 versus Eagle
after AO-40 blew I would find it hard to believe that they would trust the success of their mission with another AO40 type sat onboard. Are they aware of our past track record?
Good if they let us.
Les
At 10:08 AM 12/13/2007, you wrote:
Les,
Intelsat has already told me that it is OK to attach a satellite with
motor,
tank and fuel. In fact, they offered to fuel our satellite with the excess fuel from filling their own tanks.
Rick W2GPS AMSAT LM2232
-----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of sco@sco-inc.com Sent: Thursday, December 13, 2007 12:28 AM To: Andrew Glasbrenner Cc: amsat-BB Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Phase 4 versus Eagle
I doubt that would ever happen. If I was the CEO of the launch sat i would never let an "amateur" rocket motor hitch a ride on my multi million dollar bird. Just like NASA won't let us do it.
If you can think of a way for us to get from GTO without a motor and fuel then it might happen.
Les W4SCO www.scoincsoftware.com
At 10:08 PM 12/12/2007, you wrote:
One of the possibilities I have not seen relayed well from the meetings
to
general knowledge is that it may be possible for Intelsat to attach Eagle
to
one of their satellites, and drop us off in GTO on their way to GEO. This possibility alone is worth working this opportunity out to it's
conclusion.
It has become very apparent to me that we will not fund a HEO solely on
our
current membership donations. Ever. We have to go for the outside funding Tom mentioned, and the best way to do that is a simple, tool-like application like a GEO, geared heavily towards EMCOMM. Too many of us
have
taken the wait and see approach when it comes to supporting a HEO
project.
The money has to come first, then the satellite gets built and launched,
not
the other way around.
73, Drew KO4MA
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