Info from K6JSX on Fox-1

"I've just agreed to become a member of the AMSAT "FOX-1" Satellite design team - this is an all volunteer effort. I'll be helping the team in the capacity of Electronics Test, Design, PCB-layout, Technical-review, Specification-analysis areas of this project.

Already I can tell you I've learned much just in my discussions with the AMSAT VP. Little tid-bits of info like:

Did you know 'today' it costs ~$125K per 1U-size (Fox-1/CubeSAT) to get on board a rocket for a launch to 650Km?

SAT at ~600Km (FOX-1) has about a 12yr life expediency until the orbit degrades and enters denser atmosphere burning up the SAT.

SAT at ~800Km (AO-51) has about a 100yr life expectancy.

So this indicated not only gravity but an X amount of drag on a SAT due to X amount of atmosphere at various altitudes, even if it is called 'space' implying a total vacuum/void-of-atmosphere.

As I discover/learn these tid-bits of interesting technical knowledge I'll share them with the Group. Sure looks to be an eye opening interesting experience!

Kuby, N6JSX/8, MS-EET, Owner"