Peter, Most of us really miss the old birds. I was transferring satellite QSOs from the 1980s through the early 2000s to my electronic logbook, and was amazed at what I worked.
AMSAT-DL has an excellent P3 satellite, currently being updated, but essentially ready to go. Here is the problem: $5M - $10M launch costs to HEO. Even a super discount rate of $1M would be impractical. In the old days, we could beg, borrow, and barter for launches at nominal rates on test flights. Unfortunately, the launch industry has matured, and can find buyers for even the smallest spaces and mass. Sometimes counties can get what I think of as National Prestige Rates for a first launch, but those days are largely behind us. Personally, I am confident that AMSAT-DL will fly their satellite, but it is clear that future HEOs will be few and far between. That is the highly abbreviated answer. 73s, Alan WA4SCA -----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Peter Klein Sent: Thursday, August 29, 2013 1:59 AM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] High orbit satellites? What are the chances that there will be another high-orbit satellite like AO-10 and AO-13? Does AMSAT have any plans in that direction since the demise of AO-40? My main satellite interest is live communication with faraway places, and I really miss those Molnya birds. --Peter, KD7MW _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
