What does it take to push a craft in GTO to GEO ? I guess that there is a single thruster involved. Do you think any lab will donate one?
If you remember Oscar 40, that was how we blew up the satellite. We can do this but it is the highest risk part.
I can't see why Icoms and Yaseus can't loosen their purse strings for a project like this.
It's actually been really startling the extent to which Yaesu and ICOM are aloof from any technology that hams are developing themselves, at least in this hemisphere. I have never met a design engineer from either company, because they don't come to our technical conferences. And I think you should look at where they have historically made donations, and what the size of them was. They donate radios to the raffles at hamfests, mainly. Elecraft and Flexradio are happy to talk with us but are not rich, especially not now with component shortages. It's easy to get to know their CEOs and design engineers.
I think ARDC would be a more likely source. They are well able to pay for a credible satellite program and its ride. We have not presented them with one yet.
Thanks
Bruce