[amsat-bb] The Space Race is On--and We're Behind...

[Peter Goodhall (2M0SQL)]

Les,

While I understand the disappointment that North America isn't in the
footprint it's worth understanding that QO-100 was probably pure luck & the
sheer cost involved would probably bankrupt AMSAT even if it did have the
funds sitting around.

What AMSAT (USA & UK/NL) achieve & get into orbit is still impressive in
its own right although I think some on the -BB disagree.

Perhaps Es'Hail-2 will encourage other commercial companies to provide bent
pipe transponders but it's a huge ask & they may even want a few million
dollars for the deal.

Let's enjoy what we have

Peter, 2M0SQL

On Wed, 13 Feb 2019, 09:55 Les Rayburn <les at highnoonfilm.com wrote:

> :-)
>
> After listening to the WebSDR of Oscar-100 for nearly 24 hours now, it’s
> easy to imagine how my parents must have felt on October 4, 1957 as Sputnik
> transmitted it’s “beep beep beep” message to the world. Everything had
> changed in an instant.
>
> A geostationary hamsat is a quantum leap forward—and I confess to feeling
> a twinge of disappointment that someone other than AMSAT-NA accomplished
> this feat first.
>
> As a teenager, I remember driving a friends brand new, 1974 Corvette
> Stingray. My first thought was “Man! I gotta get me one of these!” Color me
> jealous.
>
>
> 73,
>
> Les Rayburn, N1LF
> Maylene, AL
> EM63nf
> AMSAT #38965, ARRL Life Member, CVHS Life Member, SVHF Member
>
>
>
>
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