[amsat-bb] Re: FW: A Proposal for ARISS

Fri Jul 1 18:59:14 PDT 2011

Dear Friends,

It is important to understand that ARISS is not AMSAT.

 From the ARISS web page:
"ARISS, (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) is a
program that offers an opportunity for students to experience
the excitement of Amateur Radio by talking directly with crewmembers
of the ISS (International Space Station). Teachers, parents and
communities will see how Amateur Radio can energize youngsters
about science, technology, and learning. Speaking with astronauts
and other crewmembers is a unique educational experience. ARISS
would like to take this opportunity to involve large numbers of
individuals, particularly youth, in technology and the International
space program with the help of Amateur Radio."

The primary reason NASA supports ARISS is to promote their Science,
Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education initiatives.
This is also true of our Russian friends at RSC-Energia and
the other members of ARISS International.

So, please excuse my bluntness here, but a transponder that is solely
for the benefit of hams to contact each other, is just not going to
"fly" as an ARISS project as it does not support the program mission.

AMSAT has supported the ARISS program because of the opportunity
to put ham radio hardware in space, including ARISSat-1, without having
to pay launch costs. These costs really are "astronomical." There
is no chance we could afford put any hardware on the ISS without it
being a part of the ARISS program.

P3E sits on the ground because it costs far more than hams could
possibly afford to pay to launch it into orbit. AMSAT-DL has done a
great job promoting the science mission aspects of P3E in an attempt
to get government funding for it but so far, it has been to no avail.
We certainly all wish them luck but realistically, it is a very tough
environment.

The primary reason AMSAT is pursuing the Fox program is because we
CAN actually afford the launch costs. Although the very tiny size of
a CubeSat (4" x 4" x 4") makes it technically very challenging because
we want to actually make contacts through it not just listen to it
beep, you can be assured that it will not sit on the shelf for lack
of a launch.

I hope this helps to clarify the situation.

The next AMSAT Journal issue will have a report on my recent
participation at the Small Payload Rideshare Conference. Several
of the presentations included ballpark launch cost numbers for small
satellites. The numbers (like $10M+) are eyepopping to say the least.
It is clear that AMSAT has to take an opportunistic approach and
pursue all of the opportunities we can find for low-cost or free
launches.

73,
Tony AA2TX
AMSAT, VP Engineering

----

On 7/1/2011 7:03 PM, Edward R. Cole wrote:
> Dee,
>
> Thanks.  Not sure this a SAREX Project but will let them decide that.
>
> My only thought is a new satellite must find a launch and launch
> money.  MY proposal would get a ride to ISS with cargo.  I am not
> minimizing the issues for placing ham satellite on ISS, but I think
> the concept has promise.
>
> If Fox or P3E sit on the shelf for 5-10 years for lack of a launch
> maybe better redirected for ISS.  Not my call, obviously.
>
> 73, Ed - KL7UW
> PS: some of us are getting old and may not still be here in 10-years?
>
> At 02:19 PM 7/1/2011, you wrote:
>> Redirected to the SAREX group.  I do not agree with all of these point,
>> however, No standing program should be de funded to do these. Get another
>> satellite up ASAP is AMSAT's main goal.
>> 73,
>> Dee, NB2F
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: amsat-bb-bounces at amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces at amsat.org] On
>> Behalf Of Edward R. Cole
>> Sent: Friday, July 01, 2011 4:55 PM
>> To: amsat-bb at amsat.org
>> Subject: [amsat-bb] A Proposal for ARISS
>>
>> After posting some thoughts a few days ago (RE: ISS, what the heck
>> happened?), I have given the idea more consideration.
>>
>> Proposal (ARISS on ISS):
>> 1)  Install a 100-KHz transponder unit on ISS, with usual digital
>> beacon/engineering
>> 2)  It would run mode-UV
>> 3)  Installed internally in the ISS
>> 4)  Replace most of the current ISS ham radio equipment
>> 5)  Could be considered an upgrade/improvement to the existing ham radio on
>> ISS
>> 6)  Use ISS power and existing ham radio antenna infrastructure (no solar
>> panels)(no thermal requirements for space environ)(perhaps less radiation
>> hardening)
>> 7)  Use batteries for stand-alone operation (recharged from ISS power)
>> 8)  Control commanded from ground (no intervention required by astronauts)
>> 9)  Local access for use of astronaut-hams
>> 10)  Provide emergency back-up comms for ISS (perhaps with a separate FM
>> channel)
>> 11)  (perhaps) Use of existing ham-radio handheld on ISS on low-power to
>> dedicated receiver which would activate astronaut repeater channel.
>> 12)  This FM channel could be used as FM ham repeater when not in use by
>> astronauts  (means world-wide monitoring for the astronauts as well as
>> normal Leo FM activity)
>> 13)  Modular design for future upgrades and/or repair (easy installation by
>> astronauts-plug*n*play)
>> 14)  Segmented pass-band to allow packet/APRS digipeating
>> 15)  Transmitters able to be shut down for eva and other critical missions
>> either locally on ISS or from ground.
>> 16)  Perhaps a special Rx/Tx on ISS eva channel for cross-band repeat in
>> event of loss of atmosphere emergency (help to sell the concept to NASA as a
>> comms back-up).
>> 17)  No need for orientation (spin or de-spin), rad hardening, thermal
>> structures (air-cooled), no propulsion, no launch requirements.
>> 18)  Easily maintained by supply from ground (repairs or upgrades).
>> 19)  Long-Life
>>
>> Re-direct of either Fox or P3E efforts?  (no launch requirement-rides as
>> cargo to ISS)
>>
>>
>> 73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45
>> ======================================
>> BP40IQ   500 KHz - 10-GHz   www.kl7uw.com
>> EME: 50-1.1kw?, 144-1.4kw, 432-100w, 1296-60w, 3400-?
>> DUBUS Magazine USA Rep dubususa at gmail.com
>> ======================================
>>
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>> _______________________________________________
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>
>
> 73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45
> ======================================
> BP40IQ   500 KHz - 10-GHz   www.kl7uw.com
> EME: 50-1.1kw?, 144-1.4kw, 432-100w, 1296-60w, 3400-?
> DUBUS Magazine USA Rep dubususa at gmail.com
> ======================================
>
> _______________________________________________
> Sent via AMSAT-BB at amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
> Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
>
>