[amsat-bb] Re: The Moon is our Future

[Jeff Davis]

On Thu, Jul 02, 2009 at 06:48:51AM -0600, Jack K. wrote:
> communications anyway) and move forward... We can put up all the leos we 
> want, but until someone makes something like B. Bruninga's cell concept 
> work, we are only going to have more of the same, We don't need more of the 
> same!

I couldn't agree more - we don't need more of the same.

If I want to sit back and have a two hour rag-chew with someone on the other side of the planet I will 
use Skype or my cell phone!

Dreaming about what *might* be in space is a fun exercise. Actually doing something about it requires 
sending things to LEO because reality has dictated that's as far as we can afford to go.

How's about we use some of that frustrated *imagineering* to come up with interesting new concepts at 
LEO? We don't need any more FM repeaters buzzing overhead, but what about more cameras downloading HD 
images, scientific payloads that monitor the ongoing climate change, payloads to study the Earth's 
magnetic field, etc. etc. Our own 'Twitter' messaging network from space...?

The Apollo 13 creed of "failure is not an option" has completely infected the brains at AMSAT and this 
list. You want something at HEO or on the moon, cut a check for $15 million dollars and let's get on 
with it. Been waiting since 1996 for another AO-13 and I am getting too old to keep waiting.

AMSAT is becoming completely irrelevant as it strives without success for the impossible mission and 
exhibits a shocking amount of leadership malfesance as it stubbornly refuses to recognize and adapt to 
realities in the launch business.

I know, I know maybe NEXT year someone rich will die and leave us a boatload of cash. Or the bankrupt 
US government will suddenly cough up a billion dollars for some orbiting emergency communication 
system. In the meantime we have to stifle the truth because it might blow yet another *secret* deal 
that's in the works and *almost* a done deal, so let's not complain publicly and ruin it.

Heard the stories, heard the lies, got all the t-shirts and ball caps. Whatever. 

-- 
Jeff, KE9V
AMSAT-NA member since 1994,
Skeptic that we will ever go back to HEO since 2002