----- Original Message ----- From: "Keith Baker KB1SF/VA3KSF" kb1sf@kcbassociates.com To: amsat-bb@AMSAT.Org Sent: Friday, May 23, 2008 5:58 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Phase 3-E Launch date?
Greetings All!
Does anyone have any word regarding the final integration and actual
launch dates for Phase 3-E? Was anything about Phase 3-D discussed at Dayton?
Everything I'm reading on the AMSAT-DL Web site is devoid of any firm
launch dates and the AMSAT-NA Web site simply says "January 2009".
How firm is that date? Has a launch contract been let?
73,
Keith KB1SF / VA3KSF Past President AMSAT-NA
Hi Keith, KB1SF / VA3KSF
I am very surprised that you as a Past President AMSAT-NA are asking to this people on this BB about the launch date of P3-E
There are or not official connections between you AMSAT-NA and the BOD of AMSAT-DL ?
Regarding the launch of P3-E I hnow that AMSAT-DL have close contacts and discussing various possible launch opportunities. However, the costs they still want to have for such a launch are too high for AMSAT-DL alone and therefore they have not yet finally sign a launch contract for a specific launch. As far I know AMSAT-DL have already invested 1,5 Mio EUR into building the spacecraft and work continues. As far I know AMSAT-DL is currently working hard to cover the launch costs (of abt 1 Mio. EUR) by other sources, but to finish P3E and keep the infrastructure they still need support by the community and so if we want P3-E becomes a reality we all users and particularly those people commercially interested in this venture must pull for P3-E donating "money" to AMSAT-DL othervise in the future only the LEO FM birds will be the last Amateur Radio Satellite frontiere i.e. a step back before OSCAR-10 in a previous time when the Amateur Radio Satellite communication between Continents was impossible.
Luc Leblanc VE2DWE says on this BB
WORK AS ONE INTERNATIONAL AMSAT PUT ONE FUNDING STRUCTURE FOR A REAL HEO SATELLITE, TAKE ONE PROJECT AT A TIME COMPLETE IT AND LAUNCH IT AND GO FOR THE NEXT ONE
and also he says
"13 rail wagon passing by and I still wait................"
Best 73" de
i8CVS Domenico Past President AMSAT-Italia