[amsat-bb] Eagle's New Design

[Eric H. Christensen]

I have to say that I have been very critical of the Eagle development  
team with their plans for the bird.  At the time I did not agree with  
their recommendations nor did I agree with their decisions.  I WAS  
WRONG.

While I am quite relieved with the new plan for Eagle, which includes  
a linear transponder for V/U and L/S along with the new digital  
"Advanced Communications Payload", there is no excuse for my previous  
words.  Contrary to popular belief, the satellite builders and the  
Eagle team are not out to just build whatever they want but rather to  
build what will work.  There is no way that they would spend the many  
hours it takes to build all the pieces and parts it takes to make a  
satellite to send up something that no one will use or that won't work.

I don't know if EaglePedia has been updated with the latest and  
greatest information but I was very impressed with Bob McGwier's  
presentation on the latest configuration of Eagle.  If you weren't  
able to attend the annual symposium then please keep an eye out on the  
website (amsat.org) for the latest and greatest information on the  
project.  Take a look at the new information and then make sure you  
let everyone know that you support Eagle by going to  
http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/eagle/#donating and donating.  It is  
very important that we all pitch in and help fund this project so that  
construction can move forward.  From my understanding, we raised quite  
a bit of money at the symposium but we need more.  Help the amateur  
satellite community and join the President's Club and/or donate  
directly to the Eagle project.  It is the future of our community.

73s,
Eric KF4OTN
kf4otn at amsat.org
http://www.ericsatcom.net