[amsat-bb] Elections HEO QO-100' Linear NB + Digital WB

[Zach Metzinger]

On 07/21/20 15:33, Dave Hartzell via AMSAT-BB wrote:
> Lots of interesting stuff going on with electric propulsion....  it may be
> slow, but it's a cost effective way to raise an orbit.
> 
> https://www.enpulsion.com/technology/
> 
> Online ordering available!

I, too, would love to see electric propulsion on one of AMSAT's birds. 
However, it is not as simple as "buy this off the shelf":

- Power: One must also consider the 40W required at nominal thrust. This 
has implications for generation (solar cell area/efficiency required), 
management (circuit board space & heat dissipation), and storage (battery).

- Physical integration: How big is it and how much does it weigh?

- Control: The algorithms to alter one's orbit in space are known, but 
much planning, coding, and testing is needed to make sure money isn't 
wasted by doing something that causes early de-orbit.

- Testing: Where does AMSAT obtain the testing facilities necessary to 
ensure proper operation, or even inclusion in the launch manifest, 
should the ride provider dictate it.

All of these problems are solvable with enough time, appropriate funding 
for all aspects of the project, and motivated, knowledgeable volunteers.

As for the basic cost of the the thruster: I'll chip in $100. We need 
only 489 more people, roughly, to do the same.

Who's with me?

--- Zach
N0ZGO