[amsat-bb] US barriers to orbit (Re: Amateur communication satellites)

[David G0MRF]

Hi Paul / Bob

We are fortunate with AO-73, If I recall correctly, it is power positive in all modes except "Loopback" where it does drain the battery if left on 24/7

Elipse detection was our key to success. However, we have come to realise that an adjustable timer that allows a satellite to charge for X minutes after entering sunlight
provides much more control over long term management of the power budget and battery life. - Another lesson learned.

Thanks

David  G0MRF 


AO-73 is a 1U cubesat and power positive with a 20 kHz wide linear
transponder at about 300 mW PEP. With a 10m downlink, you have less
path loss to contend with than on 2m (but more loss through the
ionosphere), but I'd think it would be doable if the passband is kept
relatively narrow and the power output low.

73,

Paul, N8HM

On Wed, Jun 29, 2016 at 6:26 PM, Robert Bruninga <bruninga at usna.edu> wrote:
>> How big and or heavy will this 15/10 bird be?
>
> A small cubesat.  To support a linear transponder takes a lot of power.  We
> might have to leave it off at night.  Not sure until we do the analysis.
> Bob
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Robert Bruninga [mailto:bruninga at usna.edu]
> Sent: Wednesday, June 29, 2016 3:28 PM
> To: AMSAT-BB
> Cc: bruninga at usna.edu
> Subject: RE: [amsat-bb] US barriers to orbit (Re: Amateur communication
> satellites)
>
>>> Within the US, when someone like Bob, WB4APR, tries to build amateur
>>> communication sats, he runs into needless obstacles from FCC and NTIA.