... As wonderful as what you write is, I suspect it is not enough to sustain the satellite part of the hobby.
First, YOU are to be commended for your support of AMSAT. I hope that all those who "got in" as Lifers back when it was really relatively inexpensive to do so still see to it that a little is donated each year to AMSAT-NA in some manner ...
Not to be argumentative (who, ME argumentative?), but please help me understand what you mean when you state, " ... not enough to sustain ... " - I mean, it is obvious that money is what is needed to get these birds built and launched. So you are correct: All the lesson plans and contacts with a Watt or two in front of awe-struick audiences so not bring in the funds necessary to sustain this aspect of the hobby.
Unless one of us wins a state lottery, how do we get projects funded? Who among us is into writing grants? My wife has written a few successful ones for the nonprofits we support. But who else has some time to research and identify that type of funding? PayPal widgets on hams' Web sites aren't cutting it.
Gotta finish some stuff in the back yard ... THANK YOU for the dialogue.
Clint, K6LCS