AMSAT_ZL has reached a staging point in the development of their satellite project, KiwiSAT.

The exciting KiwiSAT project, to create and launch a New Zealand produced satellite, started several years back.

Right when the work was well advanced but based on the USA standards and criteria. Suddenly the development was back to square one due to political changes, requiring redesign of almost everything.

The KiwiSAT Team met that challenge and has produced a fine unit ready to launch. Then came another set-back. Our critically important Leader of the KiwiSAT Engineering Team, Fred Kennedy ZL1BYP, was struck down and driven to endure many months of medical procedures. This has have left him unable to continue his important work.

AMSAT-ZL is looking both to its members and to the general New Zealand amateur radio population for a coordinator to join the team and lead the project through this final stage.

Needed is a volunteer “Orbit Insertion Team” consisting of a Launch Co-ordinator and as many assistants as he/she requires to undertake the task of securing a launch for KiwiSAT. This new team will also take over Fred Kennedy’s leadership responsibilities. In parallel, the established KiwiSAT engineering team will continue their involvement, giving support along the way.

Much of the new team’s work will be organisational rather than hands-on engineering. Involved is arranging final environmental testing of KiwiSAT, identifying and negotiating a launch, attending the launch and attending to funding for this final phase. Basic planning is complete, we need action.

Other tasks will undoubtedly crop up however it is envisaged that the current team will ensure the preparation of KiwiSAT to full flight status is completed.

KiwiSAT by AMSAT-ZL - http://www.kiwisat.org.nz/