[amsat-bb] Re: Phase 4 versus Eagle

[Robert McGwier]

John B. Stephensen wrote:
> As far I know now, the linear transponder for Phase 4 is a subset of Eagle 
> hardware so both are being pursued in tandem. I don't think that the choice 
> of what will be launched will be up to AMSAT but up to the launch providers 
> as decisions will have to be based on when they can provide space for us and 
> what it costs.
> 
> 73,
> 
> John
> KD6OZH
> 

The linear transponder for each of them is identical at baseband.  The
only difference so far is the Intelsat opportunity will be much louder
as we think we will have more power.  The bands are not chosen.  They
will have to be chosen in concert with Intelsat once we proceed because
we have to meet their safe interoperability criteria.

There is a lot of heat here, and not much light.  People are placing the
wrong emPHAsis on the phrases in Rick's note.

We are spending a significant amount of money THIS YEAR producing a
hardware frame for the Eagle spacecraft.  The electronic systems are
very similar.  Intelsat will have more capability than Eagle as we
currently understand what we THINK the situation is because we will have
a) a better antenna platform and b) much more power.

We are pursuing both in parallel and people should mostly calm down.
What we are seeing and hearing is the same kind of frustrations all of
us have felt for years because we are desperately trying to find a way
to get something significant to space.  No one is interested in giving
us enough money to just buy a launch.  We have to be creative.

Bob
-- 
AMSAT Director and VP Engineering. Member: ARRL, AMSAT-DL,
TAPR, Packrats, NJQRP, QRP ARCI, QCWA, FRC. ARRL SDR WG Chair
“An optimist may see a light where there is none, but why
must the pessimist always run to blow it out?” Descartes