I'll try to keep this short...."Whose Success?" If I were still a member of Amsat, I would be very upset with the handling of this project. There is nothing for the contributions that ham radio members invested. It ends up only glory for ARISS and the Russian's commemoration of Yuri Gagarin.
I would vote to cut the relationship between Amsat and ARISS. It isn't offering anything for ham radio. Let ARISS raise their own funds and build their own educational satellites. Those that want to contribute to that, go ahead. Amsat was created to build satellites capable of ham radio communications (and be used by hams)...this education outreach was added, much later. But then I quit Amsat after 36-years. You know what? Keep this up and it could become a trend. Ed - KL7UW former #3212 PS: They were right about my proposal: It would fail. Now you have the evidence. _______________________________________________ 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