[amsat-bb] ARISS funding

[Zach Metzinger]

On 2019-08-22 15:46, Peter Goodhall (2M0SQL) wrote:
> It's easy to look at the status and fire off an email saying what's the 
> point but sometimes worth checking the facts.

Hello Peter,

I've listened, live, to Frank et. al. give presentations at the last few 
Symposiums and am fairly familiar with the ARISS operational situation.

Yes, equipment breaks, even more so in space. ISS-rated equipment seems 
to cost a lot to certify, and I'm wondering; if, while they're at it, 
ARISS might go a little further and consider something that provides 
near 24/7/365 use for the amateur community, irrespective of the 
astronaut's busy schedules.

Perhaps we could share designs from the Fox/GOLF program and bolt a 1U 
cube to the outside of the ISS somewhere to provide this feature, 
without much incremental cost?

I don't feel bad "firing off an email" when the requested amount is in 
the six figure range...

73,

--- Zach
N0ZGO