Observations from Scotland         28/05/2008             GM1SXX

SUITSAT2, another chance to waste a golden opportunity.

I notice that there may be an opportunity to fly another radio experiment on an old ORLAN space-suit.

Lets hope that the powers that be don't just do another FM 'me-too' payload and think about putting something a little more interesting on board.  I've read that Suitsat2 may have the chance to fly some solar panels and a rechargeable battery so why not use the opportunity constructively and fly a LINEAR TRANSPONDER to show newcomers the way for the forthcoming linear birds.

After all, it's a LOT more fun than an FM squawk box and it could dare I suggest it, 'support concurrent users'.  Far more importantly, it could teach prospective linear satellite users the benefits of using as little power as is needed to make a QSO.  Like it or not, amateur satellites are destined to become smaller as the opportunities for launch space decline because of commercial pressures from other users.

Linear and FM transponders need completely different operating procedures, a point that some users obviously don't grasp. Why not use this launch opportunity to help train newcomers in how to use a linear transponder bird effectively?

If we must have an FM transponder on Suitsat2, why not make it a secondary payload and give one of the groups building linear transponders a crack of the whip? 

FM is OK on a terrestrial repeater but rather un-SUIT-able (pun intended) as a satellite training medium.

I'm fairly sure that if it happens, SuitSat2 is likely to be another golden opportunity wasted for AMSAT but I'd be delighted if I could be proven wrong.  After all, it's surely so much more fun and very  educational  to stuff an FM radio in an old space suit along with the dirty laundry rather than put a linear transponder on board.   And yes, I do know the ISS and therefore anything chucked overboard is in a low orbit but that would be part of the fun!  (LA2QAA agrees....... LA2QAA)

The projected life of SuitSat2 could be six months.  That's six months of potential 'self-training' opportunity down the toilet should it carry yet another FM radio.  At least, that's my take on it.

I'll even put my money where my mouth is and donate £100 (or $195 US) to anyone or any group  brave enough to buck the AMSAT trend for FM Junque-sats and who is planning to fly a LINEAR transponder on SuitSAT.  Should you be that person or group, I can be contacted via callsign lookup on QRZ.com.

FLASH FLASH FLASH!  LA2QAA has agreed to chuck in £50 as well, should a linear transponder be flown.  

 73 Al.
GM1SXX

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Post Scriptum

OOPS! Looks like my pessimism was entirely justified.    Suitsat2 is 'in the pipeline' as far as planning goes but it's just a re-hash of the first experiment.  Nothing new there then.

 Here's what the IARU pages say.