Dan - Great points - especially #4 !!!
73, Ken Ernandes N2WWD -----Original Message----- >From: Daniel Schultz <[email protected]> >Sent: Oct 18, 2009 11:51 PM >To: [email protected] >Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: THE DMSP launch > >Someone wrote: > >>as I recall there were 50 some odd pounds of ballast launched with the >bird...to >>bad it wasnt an amateur repeater. > >>to bad we didnt have something to use that excess performance...they flew >>ballast on the flight > >----------------------------------------------------------------- > >Why would they fly ballast on their rocket when they could have flown a ham >satellite? > >1. Ballast does not need to be tested for Electromagnetic Compatibility or >contamination of the primary payload. The Interface Control Document for a >block of concrete can be exceedingly simple, with no need to pay a room full >of engineers to review it for completeness and accuracy. > >2. Ballast does not need to have a separation interface tested and qualified, >there is no chance of it coming loose inside the payload shroud during >liftoff. > >3. Ballast is certain to be ready in time for the launch date, without >bringing another organization into the mix. There is no need to conduct a >crash engineering program to design a satellite structure that will fit on the >Atlas and then test and certify the satellite for compliance with the Atlas >vibration and acoustic specifications. > >4. Ballast does not have an e-mail group full of whining little people who >think they could have designed it better or that it operates on the wrong band >or mode, and complaining loudly when the mission falls months or years behind >its original launch date. > >If you were the Colonel in charge of the mission, you could not make a safer >choice than launching a block of concrete ballast. A ham satellite is just a >lot of additional risk and headache with no possible gain for you or your >future career. > >Somewhere in the world there may be an officer who is willing to take that >risk. That is how Oscar-1 was launched in 1961. The challenge is to find that >person and nurture a relationship with him or her. If they are reading the >comments on Amsat-BB they are probably thinking "there is no way I would ever >want to have a relationship with that wacky organization" > >Dan Schultz N8FGV > > > >_______________________________________________ >Sent via [email protected]. 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 _______________________________________________ Sent via [email protected]. 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
