Who funds amateur radio satellites?
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I am currently studying for my Technician Exam and I am amazed at the sheer number of amateur radio satellites in orbit. Knowing how expensive it is to launch something into space, and assuming there is very little return on investment concerning these satellites (since they are free to use), who funded them? Don't get me wrong, I'm super happy they are there, I'm just perplexed as to how (in terms of money) they got there.
satellites
edited 3 hours ago
Kevin Reid AG6YO♦
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asked 4 hours ago
Dave GDave G
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Dave G is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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$begingroup$
I am currently studying for my Technician Exam and I am amazed at the sheer number of amateur radio satellites in orbit. Knowing how expensive it is to launch something into space, and assuming there is very little return on investment concerning these satellites (since they are free to use), who funded them? Don't get me wrong, I'm super happy they are there, I'm just perplexed as to how (in terms of money) they got there.
satellites
edited 3 hours ago
Kevin Reid AG6YO♦
15.9k33069
asked 4 hours ago
Dave GDave G
185
New contributor
Dave G is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I am currently studying for my Technician Exam and I am amazed at the sheer number of amateur radio satellites in orbit. Knowing how expensive it is to launch something into space, and assuming there is very little return on investment concerning these satellites (since they are free to use), who funded them? Don't get me wrong, I'm super happy they are there, I'm just perplexed as to how (in terms of money) they got there.
satellites
edited 3 hours ago
Kevin Reid AG6YO♦
15.9k33069
asked 4 hours ago
Dave GDave G
185
New contributor
Dave G is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
$endgroup$
I am currently studying for my Technician Exam and I am amazed at the sheer number of amateur radio satellites in orbit. Knowing how expensive it is to launch something into space, and assuming there is very little return on investment concerning these satellites (since they are free to use), who funded them? Don't get me wrong, I'm super happy they are there, I'm just perplexed as to how (in terms of money) they got there.
satellites
satellites
edited 3 hours ago
Kevin Reid AG6YO♦
15.9k33069
asked 4 hours ago
Dave GDave G
185
New contributor
Dave G is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 3 hours ago
Kevin Reid AG6YO♦
15.9k33069
asked 4 hours ago
Dave GDave G
185
New contributor
Dave G is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 3 hours ago
Kevin Reid AG6YO♦
15.9k33069
edited 3 hours ago
Kevin Reid AG6YO♦
15.9k33069
edited 3 hours ago
Kevin Reid AG6YO♦
15.9k33069
15.9k33069
asked 4 hours ago
Dave GDave G
185
New contributor
Dave G is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 4 hours ago
Dave GDave G
185
asked 4 hours ago
Dave GDave G
185
185
New contributor
Dave G is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Dave G is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Dave G is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
add a comment |
1 Answer
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Many of the amateur radio satellites are built, owned, and operated by various AMSAT organizations around the world. They typically get their funds from donations and organization membership fees. They're able to keep their costs low by using commodity hardware when possible, utilizing volunteer labor, and sharing launch vehicles with other payloads (essentially carpooling to orbit).
From AMSAT-NA's history:
AMSAT’s major source of operating revenue is obtained by offering yearly or lifetime memberships in the various international AMSAT organizations. Membership is open to Radio Amateurs and to others interested in the amateur exploration of space. Modest donations are also sought for tracking software and other satellite related publications at Amateur Radio gatherings. In addition, specific spacecraft development funds are established from time to time to receive both individual and corporate donations to help fund major AMSAT spacecraft projects.
However, in corporate terms, these funds usually yield operating capital that’s well below project budgets for comparable commercial satellite activities. For example, AMSAT-North America’s entire operating budget for 2014, including all the development funding generated from member donations toward AMSAT’s latest satellite project (the FOX Project) amounts to just a little more than $250,000.
answered 3 hours ago
mrogmrog
34919
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1
$begingroup$
Thanks for the incredibly quick answer and it makes sense! It's nice to know I can get a quick and expert answer here since I'm just beginning in amateur radio.
$endgroup$
– Dave G
2 hours ago
add a comment |
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1 Answer
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1 Answer
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active
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votes
$begingroup$
Many of the amateur radio satellites are built, owned, and operated by various AMSAT organizations around the world. They typically get their funds from donations and organization membership fees. They're able to keep their costs low by using commodity hardware when possible, utilizing volunteer labor, and sharing launch vehicles with other payloads (essentially carpooling to orbit).
From AMSAT-NA's history:
AMSAT’s major source of operating revenue is obtained by offering yearly or lifetime memberships in the various international AMSAT organizations. Membership is open to Radio Amateurs and to others interested in the amateur exploration of space. Modest donations are also sought for tracking software and other satellite related publications at Amateur Radio gatherings. In addition, specific spacecraft development funds are established from time to time to receive both individual and corporate donations to help fund major AMSAT spacecraft projects.
However, in corporate terms, these funds usually yield operating capital that’s well below project budgets for comparable commercial satellite activities. For example, AMSAT-North America’s entire operating budget for 2014, including all the development funding generated from member donations toward AMSAT’s latest satellite project (the FOX Project) amounts to just a little more than $250,000.
answered 3 hours ago
mrogmrog
34919
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
Thanks for the incredibly quick answer and it makes sense! It's nice to know I can get a quick and expert answer here since I'm just beginning in amateur radio.
$endgroup$
– Dave G
2 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Many of the amateur radio satellites are built, owned, and operated by various AMSAT organizations around the world. They typically get their funds from donations and organization membership fees. They're able to keep their costs low by using commodity hardware when possible, utilizing volunteer labor, and sharing launch vehicles with other payloads (essentially carpooling to orbit).
From AMSAT-NA's history:
AMSAT’s major source of operating revenue is obtained by offering yearly or lifetime memberships in the various international AMSAT organizations. Membership is open to Radio Amateurs and to others interested in the amateur exploration of space. Modest donations are also sought for tracking software and other satellite related publications at Amateur Radio gatherings. In addition, specific spacecraft development funds are established from time to time to receive both individual and corporate donations to help fund major AMSAT spacecraft projects.
However, in corporate terms, these funds usually yield operating capital that’s well below project budgets for comparable commercial satellite activities. For example, AMSAT-North America’s entire operating budget for 2014, including all the development funding generated from member donations toward AMSAT’s latest satellite project (the FOX Project) amounts to just a little more than $250,000.
answered 3 hours ago
mrogmrog
34919
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
Thanks for the incredibly quick answer and it makes sense! It's nice to know I can get a quick and expert answer here since I'm just beginning in amateur radio.
$endgroup$
– Dave G
2 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Many of the amateur radio satellites are built, owned, and operated by various AMSAT organizations around the world. They typically get their funds from donations and organization membership fees. They're able to keep their costs low by using commodity hardware when possible, utilizing volunteer labor, and sharing launch vehicles with other payloads (essentially carpooling to orbit).
From AMSAT-NA's history:
AMSAT’s major source of operating revenue is obtained by offering yearly or lifetime memberships in the various international AMSAT organizations. Membership is open to Radio Amateurs and to others interested in the amateur exploration of space. Modest donations are also sought for tracking software and other satellite related publications at Amateur Radio gatherings. In addition, specific spacecraft development funds are established from time to time to receive both individual and corporate donations to help fund major AMSAT spacecraft projects.
However, in corporate terms, these funds usually yield operating capital that’s well below project budgets for comparable commercial satellite activities. For example, AMSAT-North America’s entire operating budget for 2014, including all the development funding generated from member donations toward AMSAT’s latest satellite project (the FOX Project) amounts to just a little more than $250,000.
answered 3 hours ago
mrogmrog
34919
$endgroup$
Many of the amateur radio satellites are built, owned, and operated by various AMSAT organizations around the world. They typically get their funds from donations and organization membership fees. They're able to keep their costs low by using commodity hardware when possible, utilizing volunteer labor, and sharing launch vehicles with other payloads (essentially carpooling to orbit).
From AMSAT-NA's history:
AMSAT’s major source of operating revenue is obtained by offering yearly or lifetime memberships in the various international AMSAT organizations. Membership is open to Radio Amateurs and to others interested in the amateur exploration of space. Modest donations are also sought for tracking software and other satellite related publications at Amateur Radio gatherings. In addition, specific spacecraft development funds are established from time to time to receive both individual and corporate donations to help fund major AMSAT spacecraft projects.
However, in corporate terms, these funds usually yield operating capital that’s well below project budgets for comparable commercial satellite activities. For example, AMSAT-North America’s entire operating budget for 2014, including all the development funding generated from member donations toward AMSAT’s latest satellite project (the FOX Project) amounts to just a little more than $250,000.
answered 3 hours ago
mrogmrog
34919
edited 3 hours ago
answered 3 hours ago
mrogmrog
34919
answered 3 hours ago
mrogmrog
34919
answered 3 hours ago
mrogmrog
34919
34919
1
$begingroup$
Thanks for the incredibly quick answer and it makes sense! It's nice to know I can get a quick and expert answer here since I'm just beginning in amateur radio.
$endgroup$
– Dave G
2 hours ago
add a comment |
1
$begingroup$
Thanks for the incredibly quick answer and it makes sense! It's nice to know I can get a quick and expert answer here since I'm just beginning in amateur radio.
$endgroup$
– Dave G
2 hours ago
1
1
$begingroup$
Thanks for the incredibly quick answer and it makes sense! It's nice to know I can get a quick and expert answer here since I'm just beginning in amateur radio.
$endgroup$
– Dave G
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
Thanks for the incredibly quick answer and it makes sense! It's nice to know I can get a quick and expert answer here since I'm just beginning in amateur radio.
$endgroup$
– Dave G
2 hours ago
add a comment |
Dave G is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Dave G is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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