KiwiSAT progress report
by Fred Kennedy ZL1BYP – KiwiSAT Project Leader

Just before the Christmas period, a very successful funding appeal was launched on the Amsat-BB by AMSAT-ZL President – Terry ZL3QL and I note with pleasure that the build fund swelled to 30% of the $10k target in a very short time.

This is a brilliant response that boosts not only the financial resource but also the morale of the team! Believe me, building a bird is "mega" hard work (ask those that have done it before) and support from the eventual benefactors is very well received. The feeling that it’s all worth while is restored – at least for a while!

In addition to the actual cash donations we also have a number individuals offering to sponsor a specific item – as did we (AMSAT-ZL) in the pre launch build-up for Phase 3D. Doing that provides a “personal input” to the project and
we’re looking into suitable identifiable sub-units.

In the last Status Report mention was made of the Solar Cell problems faced by the team. VERY recent events have, however, meant that this is no longer an impediment to progress!

A very thorough update of each of the satellite's subsystems is available at the AMSAT-ZL website
http://www.kiwisat.org.nz/status.html

Fred, Zl1BYP