Re: [amsat-bb] The Columbia Syndrome...

[Emily Clarke <w0eec@xxxxxxxxx>]

Steve,

I think AMSAT is pulling itself together, but there are many facets to the 
hobby and while they seem divisive at times in the end I think the 
organization will pull together.  Hopefully that will happen when Eagle 
gets into full swing.

Although there has been very little information posted about Eagle on the 
website, there are things in the works.  From what little I know (and I 
don't know much beyond what has been made public about it) it looks much 
better than AO-40 in many respects.   So I wouldn't want to dust off the 
AO-40 plans and recreate it, though I respect the opinions of those who say 
we should (or should build another AO-10/13 or one of the RS series).  I'm 
very interested in seeing what updated technology will do, especially 
lighter and more stringently qualified batteries.  I'd also like to know in 
advance that there are adequate and affordable means of putting together 
ground stations for the various band configurations.

I'm also going to be very interested in seeing what testing is performed on 
the ground.  For example, do they put it on a remote mountain top and do 
real-life testing of the transponders (and perhaps open those up for tests 
by real users, getting feedback along the way?)  Are there test firings of 
the critical parts like rocket motors and thrusters (if it has them.)  Is 
it put on a spin table to measure the amount of pull the magnetorquers have 
and the accuracy of the sun sensors.  Also, do they subject the CAN-DO bus 
components and other critical components to radiation testing. I'd like to 
see some destructive testing such as a failure of a housekeeping unit and 
battery failure (which seems to be one of the more frequent things that 
cause satellites to fail) and have confidence that backup systems can take 
over and keep the spacecraft operational.  While I'm reasonably sure they 
will do all these things and probably much more, it would be good if the 
status reports reflected these types of milestones.

One thing I hope the project team considers critical is a backup plan.  It 
would be excellent to have four or more sets of identical components that 
have all been flight qualified.  If Eagle is a success, putting together 
Eagle2 and possibly Eagle3 would come down to putting together an 
additional space frame and raising the launch costs.  The time between 
launches would be reduced, and perhaps a constellation of Eagles could fly 
at the same time.  If there are problems, they can troubleshoot them on the 
ground with less risk than in space and develop a low risk and well 
considered plan for repair. If other launches take place the problem can be 
avoided.

I have confidence that the Eagle team will have a project plan in place 
whether or not it gets shared in with the general membership.  While I 
would love to be privy to it, I think I can also be patient.

73,

Emily






At 05:17 PM 8/1/2004 -0400, you wrote:
>Just curious... but I am beginning to wonder to what likelihood will AMSAT 
>and those here who will read this that have, or are currently supporting 
>it's projects, going to pull together and get back on its feet with an 
>effort to pick up the pieces and recover from our ill fated AO-40 
>satellite project.  Or...and I really hope I'm wrong here, but has this 
>same community that should be fully familiar by now with the inherent 
>risks...are they too, just as easily snake bit and averse to failure as 
>our American pop culture has been
>to some recent failures in the manned and unmanned exploration of 
>space.  Though I don't even own an AO-40 class station but will one day 
>soon,  Projects of that scale and beyond are what I want to put my money 
>and efforts to supporting and really not much less.  I too am disappointed 
>at the loss of AO-40 but what an awesome effort and learning curve it has 
>been for so many who were witness to and a part of it.  My hats off to all 
>and to a hand full that even put me to work with a front row seat at 
>times, side by side with these pros in their field.
>
>OK... so, ECHO seems to be off to a good start.  Greeaat...but are we 
>going to let AO-40 be our short-changed Apollo program.  I sure hope 
>nobody has circular filed the Phase-3D plans yet ;)  And this of course is 
>all my own opinion and I know my words will be worth more to some than 
>others.  In short, my hope is that what I saw first hand, I can again be a 
>part of, where people rally around a great project of similar or grander 
>scale and will want to commit to a repeatable process in the construction 
>of a very capable system instead of a sky full of single channel noise.
>
>73
>Steve
>K5PK
>----
>Sent via amsat-bb@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
>Not an AMSAT member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
>To unsubscribe, send "unsubscribe amsat-bb" to Majordomo@amsat.org



---------------------------------
W0EEC - CM87tm
AMSAT Area Coordinator - San Francisco Bay Area
http://www.projectoscar.net    http://www.PlanetEmily.com 
http://www.emilyshouse.com/experthams/ao7/

Help Pay For Echo - http://www.amsat.org/amsat/sats/echo/index.html
---------------------------------  
----
Sent via amsat-bb@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
Not an AMSAT member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
To unsubscribe, send "unsubscribe amsat-bb" to Majordomo@amsat.org