[amsat-bb] Re: Fwd: Launch your own satellite for only 8k

[Trevor .]

> I find it rather hard to believe that even the launch vehicle 
> would only cost US$240K per flight.

Hi Richard, 

But why should a low mass launch cost more than say $100k a time, particularly if it's only an "atmosphere skimmer" ? 

We are used to Government run high-cost space operations, there are other ways of doing things. Personally I'm skeptical about the Tonga operation. From their website they appear desperate for money, not a good sign when they haven't even got a launcher. But others will resolve the issues and I look forward to the day in maybe 15-20 years when we have dozens of free enterprise launch companies around the world. 

The funeral market is potentially massive. I reckon each year tens (if not hundreds) of thousands of people worldwide would fork out $10k for part of their ashes to be sent out into space and then burn up in the atmosphere, with of course an artists impression picture of their re-entry sent to their nearest and dearest. 

73 Trevor M5AKA