I don't fault AMSAT one bit for building LEO cubesats. They are facing
the reality of no HEO launches and there's nothing wrong with that. We
have to have something up there or this whole branch of the hobby will
die. I'm a bit disappointed that they chose to make Fox-1 yet another
flying FM repeater and not a linear bird but that's beside the point of
this discussion. I just don't think HEO launches are EVER going to be
available again and I think telling people "well maybe someday" is just
false hope.
73,
Michael, W4HIJ
On 9/4/2013 6:09 PM, n0jy wrote:
Hi Michael,
I would not say that AMSAT has abandoned HEO. Rather, launch
opportunities that exist now are being utilized. Would you rather sit
dormant and let all existing birds fail or re-enter while waiting for
an HEO opportunity?
And AMSAT is just learning to build cubesats. For AMSAT-NA, Fox-1 is
a first. If we're going to fly HEO, we had better be good at building
a reliable satellite in a cubesat (be it 1, 3, or 6U) format. The
first HEO launch opportunity is not the time to figure that out!
While HEO launch opportunities do not exist now, but that does not
mean that AMSAT isn't pursuing them as Drew pointed out, nor that
AMSAT would not build an HEO satellite when opportunities do come. In
the meantime, we are making lemonade and preparing through practice.
Jerry
N0JY
On 9/4/2013 4:25 PM, Michael wrote:
I'm almost fifty one years old and I'm now convinced that we will not
see another HEO in orbit in my lifetime...if ever. The economic
environment to do it just doesn't exist anymore. AMSAT has as much as
told everyone that by abandoning their efforts and concentrating on
LEO cubesats. No one is going to come out and say that we absolutely
will never have one, they like to keep that glimmer of hope alive but
the writing is on the wall. No one wants to be wrong more than I do
but I'd bet you P3-E never flies.
73,
Michael, W4HIJ
On 9/3/2013 3:32 PM, John Becker wrote:
Anything new on a replacement.
Have not see a thing myself.
John
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