[amsat-bb] satellite durability fm vs. linears

[zach hillerson]

Serious question regarding satellite durability.  It seems with HO68, SO67, and now AO51, the FM satellites are quickly going away.  It also seems that the older linear counterparts such as AO7, VO52 and FO29 all seem to continue working properly.  

Is there a design issue with the FM birds that limits the useful lifespan or is it purely random luck?  Usage rates, etc... play a role?

It seems to happen far too often (even with a small sample size) to be a fluke.  


Zach
N4ERZ