Orbiting Space Suit Transmitting on 2 meters!

I thought someone would have done a better job explaining the rationale for dumping a used space suit, so here it is:

Remember that the service "truck" for the ISS, the space shuttle, isn't flying at this time. Remember that little accident a couple of years ago? And the Russion Progress spacecraft isn't exactly as roomy as the shuttle when it comes to transferring equipment to and from the ISS.

It makes more sense economically, better for mission safety and for efficiency, that large disposable items don't take up valuable cargo space on the Progress that could otherwise be used for returning experiments and such to Earth. It's better to eject them from the ISS into a decaying orbit so that it burns up in the atmosphere a few days or weeks later.

Plus it gives NORAD/Northern Command another target to track to hone their skills at detecting a small space-based weapon that virtually no one has the economic resources to deploy ;-)

If you're so pissed at NASA for wasting resources, why don't you get off your collective butts and write - no, VISIT - your congressman and convince him/her that you yourself have the answer? Otherwise, let the rest of us celebrate this all too infrequent boost to the visibility of our hobby.

Jon - KB1HTW

 

Just saw it on CNN.COM.

73
Don - KDØJBN

 

That is something! It really did make it to CNN. Here's the =entire= link.

http://www.cnn.com/2006....ex.html

 

BTW , you can track SuitSat's progress here:

http://www.n2yo.com/

 

WOW!

At my school on Monday I am bringing my radio equipment and we are going to listen!

I am very excited to hear this, and 1hr 3 mins to release!

 

T- 20 Minutes and counting. Pushing Major Tom out the Hatch (Suitsat) KC2ESD Listening 145.990Mhz at 04:00 Feb 4th.
BTW The First Friday Simplex Net is tonight Friday 3rd at 19:30Hrs EST. If you are near the Atlantic City Area check in.
The Frequency is 146.580Mhz.
Rick KC2ESD Net Control.

 

Great Idea for the kids in school. To bad KC0usq cant spell and what a heck of a vhf shack. I wonder who should be in school ..:laugh:

 

Hey Thats pretty cool...I cant get the link to open tho..I'd love to know when or if it will pass over My location...Thanks for the info!

KCØUTE

 

No, I would suggest you take off the "Service Cap" Why? Because it a HOBBY! Do you get paid for it? No? That makes it a hobby.

I helped run a Navy MARS station for three years. That was a military duty. The amateur radio part our our "club" was just that. Our ARES service was a vital part during and after Hurricane Ivan in Pensacola but guess what? We didn't get paid. We volunteered. No pay. We did it because we wanted to.

ARES and others that volunteer during are wonderful people but don't make it out to be more than it is. Call it what you want but a hobby is a hobby is a hobby no matter how serious you take it.

 

CTO the FCC calls it the Amateur Radio Service...!

Bill, W0LPQ

 

Sounds like to me some of you wern't breast feed as a baby.

 

So when will we hear it. Dont get that Jpass thing. Got to many kids tugn on me to figure out right now

 

Heh heh, thats great...kids are hilarious. but it IS a valid question.

And yes, i WILL keep smiling...its good for the health.

I will be listening...i hope i can stay awake long enough.

73...N7YA

 

Suitsat is a Dead Stick i'm sorry to say. Better luck next time.
I just wish NASA and the Russian Space Agency will remember next time "Failure is not an Option"
Rick KC2ESD
BTW I would probily have better luck Launching a VX-2R in a Large model Rocket with a "G" class engine.

 

What a big joke..In less then 5 hours in orbit it died!..