Hi,

I am sorry you feel that way as well. Lets consider the facts.

First, the Obama doll was launched on a helium balloon. We could do that in a few days, if all you want is a repeater that covers a few states for a few ours. The engineering for a CubeSat which will provide reliable communications in a hostile radiation environment for years is somewhat more challenging, time consuming, and far more expensive. :)

Second, getting a launch we can afford, in a useful orbit, is not a simple or quick task. Many relatively readily available orbits are equatorial with poor coverage and short lifetimes. It makes little sense to waste our time and resources there. The kind of orbits we need are not rare, but much less frequently available.

Finally, there are many paths to space, and not all of them are open to AMSAT unless we partner with someone who has access. (ITAR restrictions significantly limit us as well.) Typically, it takes 18-24 months from approval to launch. AMSAT is on schedule for a launch in 9-12 months, and is working to keep the pipeline open on a more frequent basis thereafter. For those with deep pockets such as Three Letter Agencies, quick response is easier.

Can AMSAT do better? Sure. In retrospect, we can think of things we could have done earlier, but then that is true of just about any undertaking of significance.

Hope this clarifies some issues.

73s,

Alan WA4SCA

-----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of wa4hfn@comcast.net Sent: Thursday, November 08, 2012 8:33 AM To: AMSAT Subject: [amsat-bb] Amsat satellite

OK this really gets me. Go to space weather.com A dummy obama can get a free ride into space and tons of cube sats can get into space,but Amsat has to wait another year and half. All the cub sats are doing is gathering comm data and they will later ask the FCC and the gov. to sell them the 70 cm band for there LEO's Remember a few years ago the ARRL had an artical about hams losing this band to companies that wanted it for LEO bussiness communications, the same way we lost part of the 220 band This is not the way people. A dummy obama in space come on. AMSAT you have to do better Im sorry but this is how I see it WA4HFN _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb