wfk@moscom.UUCP (Fred Koschara) (05/30/84)
[] The Independent Space Research Group (ISRG) is a worldwide, not-for-profit, scientific organization. Its primary mission is to design, construct, and operate a series of increasingly advanced astronomical satellites for use by serious amateurs, students, and professionals. The first of these, called the "Amateur Space Telescope" (AST) is targeted for launch in [1985]. The ISRG is developing the AST in cooperation with two teams of students and faculty at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and the University of Rochester. Several professionals in the aerospace field are acting as advisors, and a volunteer staff is giving support in areas such as technical writing, artwork, and public relations. THE AMATEUR SPACE TELESCOPE --- ------- ----- --------- The AST is planned to be a 9 cu.ft. volume, 175 lb. satellite, carrying an 18" Ritchey-Chretien Cassegrain telescope, two solid-state CCD TV cameras, three photometers, a small spectrograph, and the necessary control and communication hardware. The ISRG is working toward a launch for the AST aboard the US Space Shuttle or a commercial rocket during late 1985. The AST will be available to students, educational institutions, amateur and professional astronomers. It will be operated like a conventional observatory on Earth in that those wishing to perform observations will submit proposals to the ISRG, which will then schedule the approved observations in available time slots. Anyone with about $400 worth of equipment will be able to receive pictures and data directly from the AST, record them, and display them on a black and white TV or homemade photographic printer. The equipment will be similar to that used for amateur radio slow scan television. Students at major universities might also be allowed to directly control the satellite as part of their observational astronomy programs. A worldwide network of ground stations will be necessary to control the AST and receive data from it. The ISRG is starting to organize that network, to be made up of existing advanced amateur radio stations. Possible use of government installations is also being examined. THE INDEPENDENT SPACE RESEARCH GROUP --- ----------- ----- -------- ----- Funding for the AST and other ISRG activities comes from grants, tax deductable contributions, and membership dues. The ultimate goal is a membership large enough to finance space astronomy projects through individual dues and dona- tions. *Supporting Membership* in the ISRG can be obtained for a minimum contribution of $15 per year, which entitles the member to: - six bimonthly issues of the ISRG newsletter - a vote in the affairs of the organization - a chance to participate in ISRG projects. Other membership options are available, and full information can be obtained by contacting the Independent Space Research Group directly. For more information, please contact: The Independent Space Research Group Membership Secretary P. O. Box 1246 Troy, NY 12180 USA ================================================================================ Submitted by Fred Koschara @ Moscom, East Rochester, New York in the interest of taking space out of the hands of the government and putting it in the hands of the people who will use it.