[amsat-bb] Re: geo stationary bird

[Bruce Robertson]

Quoting Michael Tondee <mat_62 at netcommander.com>:

> Well unless I've misread or misunderstood something the Eagle payloads 
> would now be put to use in the geostationary orbit. There would be no 
> HEO Eagles. We would have one conventional HEO bird in orbit and that 
> would be P3E. Can someone in the know clarify or is it just to early to
> 
> know for sure?
> 73,
> Michael, W4HIJ

We should keep SSETI-ESEO's mode U/S transponder in mind.

http://www.sseti.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=198&Itemid=107

Could be a bit of a black-belt affair, since the power would be 10w and I
don't think they can count on much gain, but still seems to me to be a
conventional HEO bird.

In any case, phase IV has been a long-standing dream of AMSAT; it seems we
are closer than ever to realizing that dream.  It also is a very practical
platform for emergency communications, an application that as a group we
have wanted to support but to which our current and prospective orbits have
frankly not been ideally-suited.  Finally, the scarcity of HEO rides has
been a dark cloud over two of three up-coming HEO projects worldwide. By
negotiating a new source for these, our board is taking important steps in
assuring the future of just about any project.

There is some concern that a geostationary HEO will be less fun because it
is easier to track. We should remember that the equation that solves for
'fun' has 'experience' as one of its variables. Thus, for a new ham,
setting up an s-band dish to point at a geostationary satellite will
provide a great deal of challenge and of satisfaction. For the more
experienced, the advanced communication package should make a similar offer. 

It's amazing to read some of the great ideas spinning off from this
opportunity. I imagine my daughter's grade 7 geology class being augmented
by a live link with a park ranger in the Canadian North. No other AMSAT
project would lend itself well to such a use.

We should seek to make this not only an important part of the amateur
emergency toolkit, but also a must-have resource for schools around North
America. Just as ARISS offers schools a glimpse into life aboard ISS, a
'Learning on the Edge' program could link students with people in remote
locations. It would train and equip people destined for remote locations
and would, with local ham help, equip schools to communicate with the
people in the field. These adventurers and scientists would make 1/2h
contacts with each of the schools in the network, explaining their work and
the place they are in.

73, Bruce 
VE9QRP