Barry mentioned (originally in his March/April Apogee View column in the AMSAT Journal and later relayed via an AMSAT News Service bulletin) that:
> ... it also means that we have more time to complete and test > the spacecraft prior to delivery to SRI. In the overall scheme > of things, it allows AMSAT to have greater confidence in the > delivery of a thoroughly tested spacecraft by taking more time > to allow for unforeseen contingencies and to do the ground > testing. Clint seems worried and sent a divisive opinion that: > You mean we were going to launch a project that was NOT already > thoroughly tested? ... but this paragraph plainly states that > AMSAT might not have been able to provide a stable satellite to > the launch site on time anyway. It states that AMSAT might not > be as confident with a 2014 launch as they will be for a 2015 > launch. What was written states that the satellite is not ready > for a 2014 launch. Nowhere in the NRO discussion of candidate payloads scheduling for GRACE/L-55 or the ULTRASAT/AFSPC-5 missions did Barry suggest we cannot finish building or testing to be ready. Rather, having more time means more opportunities for testing rather than simply placing the satellite on the shelf. One AMSAT member noted about getting ready for first-flight on a new aircraft, "We ran tests until the engines lit up and they rolled down the runway." It is in this spirit that Barry's observation needs to be understood. It is important to note: Fox-1 is actually manifested on a launch as Barry states. We are not hoping to find a rocket for Fox-1. We are already chosen. This seats AMSAT as a member of the launch team with the other payloads. This is why AMSAT receives specific launch scheduling information. AMSAT Vice President Engineering, Jerry Buxton, N0JY is our representative and receives direct input from the USAF and NASA regarding flight schedules and vehicle requirements. This information has been shared with AMSAT members when key facts are firmed up. This also means that the launch cost for Fox-1 will be paid for by NASA once we deliver the satellite by the stipulated deadline. Keeping our members and supporters in the loop with verifiable dates and data is the spirit in which this information is shared. Unfortunately some envision an opportunity to scheme an attack by not including the complete context of the discussion. In the aerospace industry key milestones to ensure delivery of stable systems that meet design requirements are documented in the form of design reviews and flight readiness reviews. AMSAT is following the same review process. The launch schedule changes by the National Reconnaissance Office - Office of Space Launch means that we have new dates that we have to meet their review and integration requirements. This has been shared openly with our members and supporters. AMSAT VP-Engineering Jerry Buxton, N0JY will be a speaker at the AMSAT Forum at this weekend's Hamvention and will discuss the status of Fox-1, the engineering timeline, launch schedule, and provide some thoughts on the development of the Fox-2 class satellites. The AMSAT Forum is scheduled to take place in Forum Room 5 on Saturday from 1115-1330. -- 73 de JoAnne K9JKM [email protected] Editor, AMSAT Journal _______________________________________________ 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
