[amsat-bb] Re: Today's Success

[Bob Bruninga]

> At least one other website also emphasized that 
> ARISSat was built for educational purposes, 
> which disappointed me as I was always under the 
> impression that ARISSat was primarily an amateur radio bird.

It *IS* an Amateur Radio Bird, but that is not what the Russians, NASA and
the International Partners invested $10 Million dollars of ISS time and
energy for.  They provided those millions of dollars of launch and
integration services for EDUCATION!. PERIOD.  And so EDUCATION is what they
thought they were getting and so EDUCATION is what they talk about.

As Ham radio operators, we provided the hardware and we hope to have fun
with it while introducing new people, educators, and students to our great
hobby.  But the only reason it got a free ride up there is because it
OFFERED EDUCATION for youth about communications and space.

I only hope that the educators and youth are *not* encouraged to tune into
the AMSAT-BB and get an education in the self centered, me-first, and
Crumudgenonly behavior we see here. 

We should count our blessings!

Give Thanks to the Russians and NASA and all of the others that pulled this
off though personal effort and sacrifice.

Enjoy the bird.
Bob, Wb4APR