A Phase 4 Lite Proposal

摘要

As the Phase 3-D project winds down the inevitable question comes up - what should we do next? Is AMSAT in a situation where it can support a project to build a next-generation spacecraft? Should it be a single large spacecraft, or a series of smaller spacecraft? Can we afford to do another large project like Phase 3-D?A goal which amateurs have never successfully achieved is a geosynchronous amateur satellite. Previous projects, OSCAR 4 and Arsene (FO-24) have not been successful for different reasons. This proposal for a geosynchronous amateur satellite addresses shortcomings of previous proposals, lessons learned from the Phase 3-D project, and one well thought out approach to a geosynchronous project. The paper will address frequencies, spacecraft design, spacecraft sub-systems, orbital locations, ground station requirements, potential launch opportunities, and potential sources for external funding.