Phase 4A (also known as Es'Hail 2) is scheduled to be launched by SpaceX by the end of the year. https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/ Unfortunately, that satellite will not be visible from the US. Phase 4B is in limbo. The original ride share satellite was supposed to be the Air Force WFOV (Wide Field of View) test bed. The official word from AMSAT is that the satellite has been delayed indefinitely. https://www.amsat.org/project-status-overview/ However, the WFOV test bed is part of the AFSPC-12 mission with a projected 2020 launch. https://www.afspc.af.mil/News/Artic...-launch-services-contracts-to-spacex-and-ula/ Whether AMSAT still has a place on that satellite, I have no idea (and it's probably not possible to get a straight answer from anyone).
Bummer. Well, I certainly appreciate the update. It's now clear to me, as to why the trail of information on the interwebs "went silent." Thanks for the update and good luck! I hope the U.S. can get a g-sync amateur satellite... in my lifetime.
