MicroSat Hitchhiker An Alternative/Adjunct to Phase Ⅳ

摘要

If the history of AMSAT and satellite systems in general teach us anything, it is that it is never a good idea to pin all of your options on one system, worse on one satellite. By virtue of its cost alone, Phase-4 will move AMSAT in just that direction. It is the main focus of AMSAT planning beyond the MicroSat program. Some consideration has been given to the idea of producing another of the Phase-3 type satellites, and this has much merit. However, AMSAT will eventually decide to move into the GEO field, and before it does, it should examine all the possible routes to getting there. I think, and I hope this paper has shown why, that the MicroSat design can serve as a low-cost alternative to Phase-4.