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CX2SA > SATDIG 23.07.14 01:16l 690 Lines 27455 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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Today's Topics:
1. Re: Amazon Smile (Bryce Salmi)
2. Re: AMSAT where are we going for what it is worth. (Bryce Salmi)
3. Re: AMSAT where are we going for what it is worth.
(Andrew Glasbrenner)
4. NASA TV Broadcast Progress 56 Cargo Craft on Wednesday
(JoAnne Maenpaa)
5. Re; Inclusion (Kevin M)
6. Re: Amazon Smile (Jason Smathers)
7. Re: Re; Inclusion (Gus)
8. Re: Inclusion (R.T.Liddy)
9. Re: Inclusion (Gus)
10. Re: FM birds (M5AKA)
11. Re: I want this. I want that. Here comes another FM LEO sat.
(M5AKA)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Tue, 22 Jul 2014 11:10:17 -0700
From: Bryce Salmi <bstguitarist@xxxxx.xxx>
To: Gus <gus@xxxxx.xxx>
Cc: Amsat BB <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Amazon Smile
Message-ID:
<CAN5j0spywuH0KR9PSUBTwsJv2SBBDurOKjMqadApqYWiYHwLXw@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
I know :D
On Tue, Jul 22, 2014 at 11:05 AM, Gus <gus@xxxxx.xxx> wrote:
> On 07/22/2014 01:52 PM, Bryce Salmi wrote:
>
>> Capacitors are like $0.01 each nowadays.
>>
>
> We call it HUMOR. :-)
>
>
> --
> Gus 8P6SM
> The Easternmost Isle
>
>
------------------------------
Message: 2
Date: Tue, 22 Jul 2014 11:19:55 -0700
From: Bryce Salmi <bstguitarist@xxxxx.xxx>
To: Gus <gus@xxxxx.xxx>
Cc: Amsat BB <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] AMSAT where are we going for what it is worth.
Message-ID:
<CAN5j0so+WcBUHr3Xnw8-BvU_rvnFE8qOiwAe_EvRcqjWBDAupw@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
All this requires much much much more power than a 1U satellite is
currently capable of producing. At least for always on type operating.
We'll get there eventually.
Also, there's definitely the critical mass effect of having a constellation
of smaller satellites in orbit. Look at ORBCOMM. No GEO sats but a
constellation of LEO sats serves their purpose well. Fox-1 series becoming
rapid and reliable satellite platform that can easily find its way into
orbit would help with this.Things are looking up!
Bryce
On Tue, Jul 22, 2014 at 11:03 AM, Gus <gus@xxxxx.xxx> wrote:
> On 07/22/2014 01:18 PM, Rich/wa4bue wrote:
>
>> So there is a need to plan ahead for more accessible birds with more
>> Linear
>> transponders and other features. How do we get there?
>>
> We need wideband software receivers that can look at the entire passband,
> detect individual signals and determine type, and translate them into the
> downlink passband based upon an operational ruleset that is policy driven
> and easily changed. Allow SSB, FM and Phil's DV at the same time if that is
> what we want. Or have FM only on Friday nights to encourage newcomers. Or
> pass SSB but simultaneously convert to FM on another part of the passband
> so the FM only guys can hear the action. Or whatever big imaginations and
> good drugs can dream up.
>
> And since HEO is apparently out of the question, we need meshed satellite
> groups so that what you uplink on one bird can be heard on the downlink of
> all of the birds in the mesh. So we can extend operating times beyond a
> handful of minutes.
>
> --
> Gus 8P6SM
> The Easternmost Isle
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Sent via AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx. 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
>
------------------------------
Message: 3
Date: Tue, 22 Jul 2014 14:27:37 -0400 (GMT-04:00)
From: Andrew Glasbrenner <glasbrenner@xxxxxxxxxx.xxx>
To: Rich/wa4bue <richard.siff@xxxxxxx.xxx>, amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] AMSAT where are we going for what it is worth.
Message-ID:
<6138294.1406053657833.JavaMail.root@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx.xxxxxxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
>
>FOX seems to be a great answer to entry levels operators, possibly the
>majority of the operators.
>
>With that said, Linear Transponders like AO 7 and FO 29 at higher altitudes
>are needed. We have lost VO 52.
>
As the lead AMSAT person investigating launch opportunities, and the one
responsible for bringing the Fox-1C launch to fruition, I couldn't agree
more. I enjoy all satellites, analog and digital, FM or SSB, and operate
frequently. Having over 1,000 confirmed grid squares and nearly DXCC should
prove that. I also, like Kevin, cut my teeth on RS-12, along with AO-21.
Unlike our spacecraft, AMSAT-NA does not exist in a vacuum. AMSAT-UK and -NL
has been very successful and now have THREE linear transponders in orbit.
They started just a bit ahead of us on their cubesat program, and has it
been a thing to behold, and learn from, as we trail a bit behind them. It
seems balanced that we also have three launches to look forward to (Fox-1A,
RadFXsat, and 1C), and a fourth satellite held as a "just in case" spare.
As part of the group that decided from whence we should go after ARISSat,
the -UK efforts were certainly part of the equation. Both types of
satellites are needed, along with digital ones as well. We chose the path
that would allow easy integration with university missions for ELANA
subsidized launches, in a size and expense that we thought we could afford
to finance and complete in a reasonable amount of time. Balance is important.
Keep in mind the overall plan has always been that the -1 sats were to lay
the groundwork for bigger and better things. We have a nearly entirely new
cadre of engineers building things, and yes, relearning some lessons again,
and dealing with new ones, like reduced radiation tolerances from parts so
small you lose them if you exhale too hard, and difficult thermal
environments. We are on the cusp of seeing all that come to fruition and
moving to designing and building Fox-2 satellites. These will be SDR based
linear transponders (or whatever we program them to be!, and I hope to find
more interesting orbits for them.
I fully recognize that in order to reach their full potential, we also need
to identify better orbits than where most of the cubesats end up. 600km is
fun, but if we want to go higher again, we need to learn to work with launch
providers outside of the normal channels, as paying customers. We need to
navigate orbital debris rules. We need to find our way upward. The days of
launching an AO-7 to 1450km circular with no propulsion and no deorbit
mechanism are completely done! Our current partner offers many opportunities
for higher orbits, either as deployed spacecraft or on a hosted basis. But!
we have to learn to navigate this terrain, and doing so with a 1U on our
back is much easier and less risk than something bigger and more complicated.
So there is a large part of the thinking and reasoning behind Fox-1C, at
least from my point of view. Obviously, I don't represent the BOD.
Fox-2 is coming. Be a part of it by joining, building, donating, promoting,
operating. Stay informed, attend Symposium and Dayton, watch the
presentations, make your wishes known to your elected Directors and Officers.
73, Drew KO4MA
------------------------------
Message: 4
Date: Tue, 22 Jul 2014 14:42:47 -0500
From: "JoAnne Maenpaa" <k9jkm@xxxxxxx.xxx>
To: <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] NASA TV Broadcast Progress 56 Cargo Craft on
Wednesday
Message-ID: <005201cfa5e5$1dcd4780$5967d680$@xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
For those of us who enjoy the roar of a big rocket on a Wednesday
afternoon ...
NASA TV will broadcast the ISS Progress 56 cargo craft launch from
Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Wednesday at 5:44 p.m. EDT on a
4-orbit, 6-hour fast track rendezvous to dock with the station's Pirs
docking compartment at 11:30 p.m. EDT.
Live NASA Television coverage of the Progress launch begins at 5:30
p.m. EDT and returns at 11 p.m. EDT for docking coverage.
Press release:
http://www.nasa.gov/content/next-station-cargo-spacecraft-rolls-out-to
-pad/
NASA TV:
http://www.nasa.gov/ntv (or, I watch it on my Roku streaming box)
--
73 de JoAnne K9JKM
k9jkm@xxxxx.xxx
Editor, AMSAT Journal
------------------------------
Message: 5
Date: Tue, 22 Jul 2014 13:09:18 -0700
From: Kevin M <n4ufo@xxxxx.xxx>
To: "amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxxx <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re; Inclusion
Message-ID:
<1406059758.15915.YahooMailNeo@xxxxxxxxx.xxxx.xxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
> But as far as I'm concerned, it IS NOT the ultimate objective of a
> satellite operator. It is the BARE MINIMUM of satellite operation, and
> there is no way I'm going to be satisfied with that for more than one or
> two passes.
Fair opinion to have, you are entitled to it. However, stating it the way
you do gives the impression (to me at least) that you can't see how anyone
else would think any differently. When you say "it is NOT the ultimate
objective of a satellite operator" I ask myself, 'How does he come to that
conclusion?" It may not be YOUR ultimate objective, but I know several
satellite operators who relish the idea of operating satellites while
portable with minimum equipment. One took his annual work holiday to do
nothing BUT that! It is analogous to saying that all HF operators dream of a
high powered station with a tall tower and large antennas. However there are
quite a number of people who prefer to pursue minimalist operations with
tiny flea powered rigs and jury rigged antennas. Myself, I am somewhere in
between. =^)
In other words, Gus... maybe it's not that you were previously
misunderstood; rather, I would suggest that you didn't realize what you were
actually saying. Your statement imposed 'your goals' on the rest of the sat
community. Your statement is EXCLUSIVE... I am simply suggesting to widen
your view and be INCLUSIVE.
> To imply to the uneducated observer and potential future satellite
> operator, that standing in the rain is the pinnacle of hamsat ground
> station technology is (in my opinion) counter productive and, yes,
> stupid.On the contrary, I happen to think that the opposite is the
ingrained preconception that uneducated observers might have. I would argue
that the heretofore concept of a sat station is long boom yagi antennas,
AZ-EL rotors and sophisticated, high powered equipment. Don't underestimate
the power of a preconceived notion! It can linger. Because I think a lot of
general hams probably still think that way. Moreover the general public and
new hams likely have such a conception. I would further posit that the
demonstration of simplicity actually implies that more complex equipment
will beget more complex and interesting operations with the 'pinnacle' is
implied to be elsewhere. In other words, "If I can do THIS with an HT, what
can I do with more?" I mean, I got an HT to dip my toe in the water and now
I have an FT-847 with a closet full of preamps, rotors, cable and boxed
antennas waiting for good weather to dig and lay conduit.
Standing in the rain is the pinnacle of the technology? I don't think anyone
implies that. (That would be... dare I say, "stupid".) I'm saying that one
cannot define the pinnacle of what another finds fun and interesting. Yours
might be to build the latest and greatest station... others might simply see
the technology as a means to an end; the actual pursuit of the communication
itself as the goal. - As for the rain... I know when to get out of it. I
have a rather high ceiling in my living room and a tolerant wife.
But again, I reiterate, some people actually enjoy the FM birds and it IS a
good place for new sat ops to get their feet wet. I'm simply asking for
folks to consider that those that operate FM birds might be put off by
having it implied that what they chose to do is something to be looked down
upon. And for those that do not like the FM birds, I am suggesting that they
are the best way to garner new members to AMSAT and therefore the financial
and volunteer support needed for future, more technologically advanced sat
projects. Not to mentioning the engineering expertise!!!
73,
Kevin N4UFO
?
------------------------------------------------------------------
"Control is the need of the fearful mind. Trust is the need of the
courageous heart."
------------------------------
Message: 6
Date: Tue, 22 Jul 2014 17:43:50 -0400
From: Jason Smathers <jmsmat01@xxxxx.xxx>
To: Gus <gus@xxxxx.xxx>
Cc: AMSAT Mailing List <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Amazon Smile
Message-ID: <1D022C4B-B8AE-4391-8468-61A508EA12A9@xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
This makes me happy. I am a former member of the kysat-1 team and now an
employee of amazon. Have yet to sign up for smile but will for sure now!
Sent from my iPhone
> On Jul 21, 2014, at 11:19 PM, Gus <gus@xxxxx.xxx> wrote:
>
> I've been meaning to ask...
>
> It's been a while now, since Amazon introduced the Smile program. Is there
anyone who knows if it is paying dividends of any sort? Is it rude of me to
ask? I'd like to think that anyone who supports amateur satellites would
have signed up, but who knows? Maybe I'm the only one that did! (Actually, I
know a couple others signed up at the same time I did, but I can't remember
who.) Anyway, just wondered if the whole thing was a storm in a teapot, or
if the ham satellite programme is receiving any real benefit.
>
> --
> Gus 8P6SM
> The Easternmost Isle
>
> _______________________________________________
> Sent via AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx. 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
------------------------------
Message: 7
Date: Tue, 22 Jul 2014 18:05:21 -0400
From: Gus <gus@xxxxx.xxx>
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Re; Inclusion
Message-ID: <53CEE021.3050701@xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
On 07/22/2014 04:09 PM, Kevin M wrote:
>> But as far as I'm concerned, it IS NOT the ultimate objective of a
>> >satellite operator. It is the BARE MINIMUM of satellite operation, and
>> >there is no way I'm going to be satisfied with that for more than one or
>> >two passes.
> Fair opinion to have, you are entitled to it. However, stating it the way
you do gives the impression (to me at least) that you can't see how anyone
else would think any differently. When you say "it is NOT the ultimate
objective of a satellite operator" I ask myself, 'How does he come to that
conclusion?"
I think it goes without saying -- or should -- that any opinion I
express on this forum is my own, and not fact by decree. Despite this, I
explicitly stated at least twice, that I was expressing my own personal
opinion. I do indeed recognize that others disagree with me and take
pleasure in minimalist operations, both on satellite and for that
matter, on HF. I specifically said:
> ... to those who enjoy it, more power to you!
But personally, I prefer the shack-potato (I love that term) approach,
probably because of how fondly I recall 6-8 hour passes, and the
lengthy, antipodal ragchewing that could occur as a result.
As far as doing demos for the uneducated, broomstick waving is an
excellent introduction, highlighting the equipment simplicity and low
cost. I do personally think that the shack-potato option might also
appeal to /some/ of the audience, so I hope the other end of the
operations spectrum is mentioned at least briefly.
--
Gus 8P6SM
The Easternmost Isle
------------------------------
Message: 8
Date: Tue, 22 Jul 2014 15:25:58 -0700
From: "R.T.Liddy" <k8bl@xxxxxxxxx.xxx>
To: Gus <gus@xxxxx.xxx>, "amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxxx <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Inclusion
Message-ID:
<1406067958.73544.YahooMailNeo@xxxxxxxxx.xxxx.xxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Gus,
I have a modest Satellite Station at home and I've worked
many Countries and many Grids with it. It's very enjoyable.
But, I also have equipment and antennas that I take on Grid
Expeditions to hand out rare Grids to the folks that need them
and would otherwise probably not get them. I drive hundreds
of miles to accomplish this on trips where I'm seeing things
on my Bucket List - a twofold endeavor.
And yes, I've been out in the rain and snow with a handheld
antenna which I now have on a tripod. I've done this in almost
80 Grids in both the US and Canada. I've been to some very
remote locations and seen things many folks will never have
the opportunity to see. It has been some of the most fun I've
ever had in 53 years as a Ham. I love helping other Hams reach
long held objectives. I happily do this all on my own, as do others.
You can see a photo of me and my Grid Expedition setup in
Nova Scotia ?in action on my QRZ(dot)com page.
You may think it's stupid, but you are in the vast minority. Maybe
there some different words that would be better to describe an
activity that you yourself would prefer not doing. I hope next time
you'll do a better job finding some.
73, ? ? Bob K8BL
(AMSAT Member since 1979)
________________________________
From: Gus <gus@xxxxx.xxx>
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Sent: Tuesday, July 22, 2014 1:39 PM
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Inclusion
On 07/22/2014 11:54 AM, Kevin M wrote:
> I've heard comments that basically imply anyone who wants to go outside
with an HT and wave a yagi around is stupid.
I will respond to this because of comments I've made in the past, which
may have been misunderstood.
Standing outside with a yagi in hand and the monsoon trickling down my
neck isn't for me.? It is demonstrably a valid way to make contacts and
an excellent way to demonstrate how satellite operation can occur with
minimalist equipment.? But as far as I'm concerned, it IS NOT the
ultimate objective of a satellite operator.? It is the BARE MINIMUM of
satellite operation, and there is no way I'm going to be satisfied with
that for more than one or two passes.
To imply to the uneducated observer and potential future satellite
operator, that standing in the rain is the pinnacle of hamsat ground
station technology is (in my opinion) counter productive and, yes,
stupid.? As would be implying that a single-band, rock-bound QRP CW rig
is the ultimate in ham HF technology.? There is nothing wrong with QRP
or broomstick-waving, far from it.? And to those who enjoy it, more
power to you!? But if broomstick-waving is all I can hope to achieve in
satellite operation, then I'll be very disappointed.
--
Gus 8P6SM
G-QRP 6941
The Easternmost Isle
_______________________________________________
Sent via AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx. 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
------------------------------
Message: 9
Date: Tue, 22 Jul 2014 18:47:51 -0400
From: Gus <gus@xxxxx.xxx>
To: "R.T.Liddy" <k8bl@xxxxxxxxx.xxx>, "amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxxx
<amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Inclusion
Message-ID: <53CEEA17.9030205@xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
On 07/22/2014 06:25 PM, R.T.Liddy wrote:
> You may think it's stupid...
Oh, for heavens sake. I DIDN'T SAY IT WAS STUPID!!! I said:
> To imply to the uneducated observer and potential future satellite
operator, that
> standing in the rain is the pinnacle of hamsat ground station
technology is (in my
> opinion) counter productive and, yes, stupid.
To tell people who you are trying to entice into satellite operation
that the ONLY way to operate satellite is with a broomstick, may push
shack-potatoes away rather than draw them in. THAT is stupid. Because
there is broomstick waving, shack-potatoing, mobileing, field-day,
unattended telemetry logging and who knows what else? Any one of which
might appeal to someone in the audience, and draw them in. All of these
can't be demoed, but hopefully they won't be ignored of dismissed,
because any one of these might be the hook that lands another satellite op.
--
Gus 8P6SM
The Easternmost Isle
------------------------------
Message: 10
Date: Tue, 22 Jul 2014 23:56:47 +0100
From: M5AKA <m5aka@xxxxx.xx.xx>
To: AMSAT BB <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] FM birds
Message-ID:
<1406069807.71898.YahooMailNeo@xxxxxxxxx.xxxx.xxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
> Now, as far as the bad behavior on SO-50. At least 75% of that is due
> to people who can't hear the thing, but the Fox satellites are going
> to be 13 dB stronger than SO-50 (9 dB advantage due to the 2m
> downlink, about 4 dB due to the 750 mW power output compared to SO-50s
> 250 mW), so hopefully things will a bit more civilized when everyone
> can hear the satellite.
That is the great advantage of "Mode B" UHF to VHF satellites, the downlinks
are much easier for newcomers to receive.
The great thing about CubeSats is that even small groups of people can
launch a CubeSat that caters for their particular interest. The technology
is not even limited to small groups of 4 or 5 people, we've even had an
individual develop and launch their own CubeSat.
I hope in the future we will see many more groups develop their own Amateur
Radio CubeSat.
73 Trevor M5AKA
On Tuesday, 22 July 2014, 16:21, Paul Stoetzer <n8hm@xxxx.xxx> wrote:
Damon,
They can certainly be frustrating when you have all these lids calling
CQ and keying up who obviously cannot hear the satellite, but there is
a ton of popular demand for FM satellites. I had a lot of people ask
me what FM satellites were working at Dayton and at the hamfest I did
a demo at in February. There are also a ton of callsigns that haven't
been heard from on any satellite since the demise of AO--51.
I've worked several new grids and states on FM. I have two states only
on FM - AR and DE. I've never heard anyone on SSB/CW from either
state. I also wouldn't have worked Dominica without an FM satellite.
They are a very useful tool!
Now, as far as the bad behavior on SO-50. At least 75% of that is due
to people who can't hear the thing, but the Fox satellites are going
to be 13 dB stronger than SO-50 (9 dB advantage due to the 2m
downlink, about 4 dB due to the 750 mW power output compared to SO-50s
250 mW), so hopefully things will a bit more civilized when everyone
can hear the satellite.
Of course, we should be encouraging those interested in satellite
communications to add linear transponder capability to their stations.
There are quite a few stations that never miss an SO-50 pass. Why not
get on the linear birds? It's not that difficult or expensive at all
and it's a lot of fun!
73,
Paul, N8HM
On Tue, Jul 22, 2014 at 10:49 AM,? <wa4hfn@xxxxxxx.xxx> wrote:
> I hope someone can launch a 100 of them, single channel ,pileup ,total
chaos ,someone keying down on the entire pass what more would you want.
> All we need to bust a crazy pile up is a 300 watt mfj amp right? Lets all
work to the good of the satellite part of the hobby. SSB/CW birds are the
only way to go and if you build it they will come? . Now if someone can
build a multi channel FM bird then do it. Lets face it guys ,everyone got
mad trying to work AO51 and AO27. Was it fun making a call to a grid you
wanted only to have someone key down on him coming back to you, Is this what
you want? , Then go to 20 meters DX.? Single channel FM birds are obsolete,
> Damon
> _______________________________________________
> Sent via AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx. 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 AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx. 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
------------------------------
Message: 11
Date: Wed, 23 Jul 2014 00:06:45 +0100
From: M5AKA <m5aka@xxxxx.xx.xx>
To: Phil Karn <karn@xxxx.xxx>, AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] I want this. I want that. Here comes another
FM LEO sat.
Message-ID:
<1406070405.74414.YahooMailNeo@xxxxxxxxx.xxxx.xxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
> They simply don't realize how much more could be done with
> 21st century technology. That's what I'm trying to change, so far
> without much success.
Phil, the technology you describe could equally well be used in cross-band
terrestrial transponders. Has anyone yet developed it for terrestrial use ?
73 Trevor M5AKA
On Tuesday, 22 July 2014, 17:16, Phil Karn <karn@xxxx.xxx> wrote:
On 07/22/2014 06:49 AM, Clayton Coleman wrote:
> Hi Phil,
>
> The new era I speak of is AMSAT-NA's foray into CubeSats.
Well, I guess I could read that as "when all you have is lemons, make
lemonade". AMSAT used to make spacecraft that, while small by
commercial/military/scientific standards, dwarfed a cubesat. So I don't
see cubesats as an advance.
Although miniaturization of electronics and improvements in solar cell
efficiency do help us cram everything into the tiny form factor, the
fact remains that we are now forced to pay far more to launch far less
than we used to.
I guess that's a "new era" in the same way that the Arab Oil Embargoes
of 1973 and 1979 launched a glorious new era in automobile transportation...
Sure, this is a fact of life that we can't do anything about, despite
the supreme irony of AMSAT pioneering small satellites so well that we
created a whole new industry with which we must now fiercely compete for
launches. Economics says that when demand outstrips supply, prices go
up. So they have. A lot.
Like it or not, we have to adapt to changing realities. We used to get
launches for free or at nominal rates, so our main investment in each
satellite was just the volunteer engineers' time and the cost of those
components we could not beg, borrow or steal.
But now that the launch cost dominates the budget of everything we fly,
it's time to take a very serious look at what we get from each one. Said
another way, it's time to look at how much MORE we could get from our
very substantial investment in each launch. Every launch of a FM cubesat
depletes a very large chunk of AMSAT funds that cannot be spent on
launching something else.
In other words, I'm encouraging people to look at the *opportunity cost*
of every additional analog FM satellite we launch. People don't yet
realize just how huge it is because they only know 1960s analog
technology. They simply don't realize how much more could be done with
21st century technology. That's what I'm trying to change, so far
without much success.
--Phil
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Sent via AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
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Sent via amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
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End of AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 9, Issue 252
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