On 7/19/2014 3:24 PM, Phil Karn wrote:
>However, the Fox-1A, Fox-1B, Fox-1C, and Fox-1D satellites will
>eventually lead to the Fox-2 series of satellites.
I've been hearing that for years, so please forgive my skepticism. Tony
AA2TX himself told me that the analog Fox-1 would be followed by the
digital Fox-2. Now we have Fox-1B, Fox-1C, etc, that will also be
analog. Forgive me if I feel a little like Achilles racing the tortoise.
Ah, but the plan always was to build four of the Fox-1 series, which is
a series of FM analog transponders. Initially, one had a launch and the
other three would be "ready to fly" if other opportunities came up. If
you're going to spend the time developing them, why not partner for free
launches (ELaNa) for more than one? The opportunities for an FM
transponder and educational outreach are good. I still have
universities looking to partner.
Look at it this way... we are "clearing the shelves" with 3 out of 4 of
the intended Fox-1 going to orbit, that really means that we can pretty
much call it a day with Fox-1 and move on to Fox-2 now. We will build
them all and be done with them all by next May. There will be more than
one flying soon, so that we can learn how well they work and apply those
lessons to Fox-2 while we're working out the design. It's only the
beginning!
Jerry Buxton, NØJY
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