I don't think that they have been dishonest. Either a HEO or GEO would meet the stated goals for Eagle and they announced that they are talking to Intelsat months ago. If a contract with Intelsat is signed it isn't killing a HEO -- it's providing a GEO instead of nothing.
If you're thinking that Eagle in a geosynchronous orbit somehow kills P3E in a Molniya orbit, I don't see how. Two programs aimed at different launch agencies and different outside contributors only increases the changes for something more than LEO satellites in the future.
73,
John KD6OZH
----- Original Message ----- From: "Joe Westbrook" k7zt@suddenlink.net To: "John B. Stephensen" kd6ozh@comcast.net; amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Tuesday, August 12, 2008 12:44 UTC Subject: Re: AMSAT UK P3E Lecture HEO vs GEO. and AMSAT-NA Priorities
John: That certainly is one approach, I'm not saying that there is anything wrong with that, it's just a change in the stated goals of Eagle. The leadership needs to get in front of this and announce this is a significant shift in organizational strategy if indeed that is the plan.
At they same time for the sake of honesty they should probably tell folks that this will end AMSAT-NA sponsorship of an HEO (Molmiya Orbit) anytime soon or even in their lifetime ;-/
- Joe
----- Original Message ----- From: "John B. Stephensen" kd6ozh@comcast.net To: "Joe Westbrook" k7zt@suddenlink.net; amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Tuesday, August 12, 2008 6:05 AM Subject: Re: AMSAT UK P3E Lecture HEO vs GEO. and AMSAT-NA Priorities
It appears that leadership is allowing realities of a rare, expensive launch opportunity drive the mission rather than the mission driving the launch method, it's a bit like the tail wagging the dog don't you think?
AO-40 was the case of a rare launch opportunity driving the mission. The AMSAT BoD has stated that the purpose of creating a relelationship with Intelsat would be to provide multiple launch opportunities. It seems to me that finding an affordable launch method should be the first step rather than the last step.
73,
John KD6OZH