[amsat-bb] HEO & Geo Orbits,

[Jerry Buxton]

On 8/19/2020 22:51, Jim Walls via AMSAT-BB wrote:
> It may not have been YOUR suggestion, but I recall that one has been
> answered.  As I recall reading here, AMSAT HAS been in contact with
> various launch providers.  And no, I'm not going to do the research
> for you to find it (I don't keep all messages on this reflector). 
True.  And many of the new LV companies have contacted us/me regarding
their services both new and in development.
These are the movers and shakers although that definition probably
varies with the individuals who ask this question and my use of it here.

With the current demand for small satellite launches to LEO and the
situation regarding orbital debris, most of the new entries into the
launch industry are targeting low, Low Earth Orbit of 450-500 km.  There
are two good reasons for that.  One, these orbits take less fuel
mass/volume and smaller engines to reach.  Two these orbits provide
maybe 2-3 years of orbit lifetime which is favorable with the orbital
debris regulations.
In the latter, we are and have for many years been very good stewards of
the orbital debris requirements with absolutely no rogue intentions and
a record that has earned us opportunities to look for high orbits.  In
the former, we don't wish to go to those altitudes right now and the
clamor of public opinion here and elsewhere supports that point.
And so, while I am happy in knowing that AMSAT has a reputation that
warrants contact from at least some of these new movers and shakers,
they are not able to help us at this time.

There is also the process of gaining a ride on a launch vehicle and I
think that a lot of our members probably consider the launch provider to
be ULA, or SpaceX, ISRO, or our latest with Virgin Orbit.  And in all
four (covering five launches), Fox-1A & Fox-1B, Fox-1Cliff, Fox-1D, and
Fox-1E, respectively, in none of the launches is AMSAT dealing directly
with any of those launch vehicle providers.  Launch providers are NASA
through the ELaNa program on ULA and VO and Spaceflight through their
rideshare contracts with ISRO and SpaceX.  Further, we then work with
the payload integrator for that launch, Cal Poly, Tyvak, and TriSept for
the ELaNa launches and another division of Spaceflight for their ISRO
and SpaceX launches (that we purchased).

I have had the pleasure of meeting folks who work for ULA and SpaceX,
and look forward to the same with Virgin Orbit soon, at integration but
none are anywhere near the top of their corporation especially in the
context that I think "movers and shakers" is meant with these corporations.
Short of an invitation to a gala or otherwise someone who knows any of
those company senior officers or directors, there is no chance to ask if
they can extend a hand to AMSAT and just get us a ride please because we
are a bunch of good guys and gals.  And I have been in situations to ask
those not that high up because hey, it never hurts to ask, right?  And
their answer if any usually is exactly what works so well for their
industry; that we should contact one of the launch providers.

Consider what it might be like, were we able to ask Tony Bruno for
another ride on a ULA vehicle as a bit of a favor toward the good things
that us bunch of good guys and gals do for a sliver of the world
population, and he said yes!
I don't mean what it might be like for us, although that probably
follows a lot like what it would be like for ULA; having given a small
group a favor of a million dollars of launch in an act of compassion and
charity, and it being quite public of course since AMSAT has trouble
staying mum even when specifically told to by launch providers, suddenly
15,000 other organizations who deem themselves worthy of Tony or Elon or
Sir Richard sharing a bit of that type of charity with them come out of
the woodwork and bombard them with requests.  That later turn into
demands, that later turn into vilification...
Of course they then include AMSAT in that vilification because we got
something they can't have and that's not fair!
And we have all seen classic examples of all three of that progression
of love and teamwork on -bb lately, so you know what I mean.

My money is on Tony and the others most certainly having considered that
same scenario no matter who asks the favor, and that's why even if you
or I got to have two minutes with any of them at a gala some night it's
very likely that they will refer us to a launch provider, maybe put in a
plug for their favorite since they know now that we talked that we are
just a bunch of good guys and gals.  I'll also bet a small amount that
it is the reason that Elon launched his car, since the questions came up
about how ham radio could have been there and why not, at that time
too.  Can't upset anyone by using that space for a great big publicity
stunt, eh?

As Joe mentioned in his reply to GEO (George?) he is not the first to
ask and we have been in contact and remain active with our connections
and new connections that come along in the launch game.  We would not be
doing our job if we did not and besides, it's part of the fun of this
aspect of amateur radio to have the standing to be able to meet and talk
to many different folks about (especially) cheap rides to places very
high up.  Ask any of our launch providers and at least privately,
because of their NDAs of course, they might share the fact that have and
continue to ask and explore opportunities, even those that might be a
"what if" just to look for any openings.

Of course few of you know all of this, and it probably only comes up in
detail when this question inevitably comes around again.  I mention or
allude to it in the Journal or talks now and then, but of course none of
it is even in detail until something is signed.  Only fools brag about
that which they do not yet hold in their hand, or at least I think
that's true because I have burned myself and embarrassed others
(organizations too) by being too confident.

I'll QRT with little aside, the meeting that I will remember best out of
all of them in our adventures to orbit is the one at the Fox-1A (AO-85)
launch, which was an Air Force launch carrying NRO stuff on a ULA rocket
(so you kinda get the big launch provider picture I mentioned). 
The Captain in charge of that Air Force mission was there and I got to
talk to him at the launch party.  His name?  Captain Kirk. 
This part of the amateur radio hobby just doesn't get any more fun than
that.

73, and thank you all for your support.

Jerry Buxton, NØJY