John B. Stephensen wrote:
As far I know now, the linear transponder for Phase 4 is a subset of Eagle hardware so both are being pursued in tandem. I don't think that the choice of what will be launched will be up to AMSAT but up to the launch providers as decisions will have to be based on when they can provide space for us and what it costs.
73,
John KD6OZH
The linear transponder for each of them is identical at baseband. The only difference so far is the Intelsat opportunity will be much louder as we think we will have more power. The bands are not chosen. They will have to be chosen in concert with Intelsat once we proceed because we have to meet their safe interoperability criteria.
There is a lot of heat here, and not much light. People are placing the wrong emPHAsis on the phrases in Rick's note.
We are spending a significant amount of money THIS YEAR producing a hardware frame for the Eagle spacecraft. The electronic systems are very similar. Intelsat will have more capability than Eagle as we currently understand what we THINK the situation is because we will have a) a better antenna platform and b) much more power.
We are pursuing both in parallel and people should mostly calm down. What we are seeing and hearing is the same kind of frustrations all of us have felt for years because we are desperately trying to find a way to get something significant to space. No one is interested in giving us enough money to just buy a launch. We have to be creative.
Bob