karn (01/18/83)
Jan 14,1983 -- The Radio Amateur Satellite Corp. (AMSAT) and the
Volunteers In Technical Assistance (VITA) {note -- pronounce as
VI-TAH as in the word vital} have today announced their intent
to pursue a joint effort to develop a low-cost packet radio
satellite system called PACSAT.
VITA, headquartered in Rosslyn, VA, is a private, nonprofit
organization that supports people working on technical problems
in developing countries with technical information provided by
thousands of volunteer scientists, engineers and technologists.
The information and assistance VITA provides is aimed at helping
local people in developing countries to select and implement
technologies appropriate to their local situations.
VITA Director Henry Norman and VITA Project Coordinator Dr. Gary
Garriott (WA9FMQ) today announced that VITA has just awarded
AMSAT a $15,000 Design Definition Grant to support development of
PACSAT as a reliable low-cost digital satellite system to meet
requirements for communications of technical information on
renewable energy resources to and from their many field
locations. AMSAT's role in this joint activity will be to provide
hardware suitable for demonstration programs and to provide
technical assistance in developing a low-cost system. Part of
this effort will involve adapting solar power, amateur radio and
personal computer technology for use in the field, far removed
from any technical support.
AMSAT's PACSAT project manager Den Connors (KD2S) indicated that
this grant will support initial PACSAT design definition
activities which are being coordinated by AMSAT with work being
done in some 15 locations around the world.
It is also of interest to note that WA9FMQ is a cousin of NASA
astronaut Dr. Owen Garriott, W5LFL who may be amateur radio's
first "space mobile" by operating from the Space Shuttle if a
proposal submitted by AMSAT and ARRL is approved by NASA.
AMSAT
850 Sligo Ave.
Silver Spring, MD 20910
VITA
1815 North Lynn St.
Rosslyn VA 22209