[amsat-bb] HEO Satellite

[Andrew Glasbrenner]

> On Jun 20, 2020, at 8:57 AM, Pgprendergast via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb at amsat.org> wrote:
> 
> I echo the concerns that AMSAT is not lobbying Space X or Virgin for support.

We (AMSAT) has been in touch with SpaceX, as has AMSAT-DL. We launched a satellite on their first dedicated rideshare mission.  SpaceX is a business, and they don’t launch anyone for free. We’ve tried, at multiple levels including directly to Elon, multiple times.

We are also manifested on Virgin’s first operational mission, thanks to NASA’s CLSI program. Virgin is a LEO only launch provider BTW.

Rest assured that this Officer and Director is beating the bushes for any free or affordable ride available,  but it is not as easy as perusing the -bb would suggest. I will not however stand in front of a crowd again and announce a project that is not much closer to a sure thing than in the past. We’ve swung and missed too many times by promising things too soon. Remember Eagle? Intelsat rideshare? P3E? P4B?

That being said, we’ve had multiple inquires in the past year for shared missions beyond LEO, and are pursuing each to its end as we go along. It’s difficult and frustrating work; a roller coaster of optimism and reality. Meanwhile, engineering continues to chug along on Golf, with two launches earned but not yet manifested, and is deserving of your time and/or monetary support.

73, Drew KO4MA