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Just curious (not a competitor :), what business model is there in placing micro-sats on the moon?
by greenhouse_gas 9y ago
Just curious (not a competitor :), what business model is there in placing micro-sats on the moon?
- mLuby 9y agoNot in the industry, but I'd guess in the short term there are two options: - scientific orgs (NASA, universities, etc); I get they'd love to pay for access to lunar surface. Maybe even some imaging from the dark side of the Moon? - prospecting companies like Deep Space Industries or Planetary Resources.
- Beltiras 9y agoI know what people mean when they say "dark side of the moon" but it always bothers me. There is no "dark side" to the moon. The picture that got stuck in my head was seeing the moon transit the earth: http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2015/08/21/4296866.htm http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2015/08/21/4296866.ht... Beautiful picture.
- dnautics 9y agoIts the side of the Moon that's dark when it faces the earth?
- Beltiras 9y agoWhen people say "dark side of the moon" they are almost exclusively speaking about the side that faces away from Earth.
- dotancohen 9y agoThe moon is tidally locked: rotates at the same speed that it resolves around the Earth. Therefore the same side always faces the Earth, modulo liberation.
- Zenka 9y agoIsn't it the dark side of the moon, since spacecraft passing behind the moon go 'dark'; out of radio contact since the moon blocks radio signals? On the other hand: it's the side of the moon that never receives earthshine. So it's dark in that sense.
- jk4930 9y agoConsidering that there's little time left, your payload (and business model) has severe constraints. Unless you have something pre-developed and nearly ready to launch (e.g. at a university), aim for something simple. That leaves you mostly with media attention (sponsors), technology demos (e.g. for third parties), paraphernalia/vanity items that wealthy individuals or communities pay for (no remains or religious artifacts please). But please be inventive. $980k (€800k) [1] for the first kg to the lunar surface, for lunar orbit it's less (ask me in private, it's not published). Expect $50k-500k to develop the payload (depends on what it is and who builds it). There are several open source CubeSat designs and kits that give you an idea. So whether you have a simple payload/business model or a more sophisticated one (more suitable for a later launch probably), contact me better sooner rather than later. Many details need to be cleared early on. [1] http://ptscientists.com/products/payload/ http://ptscientists.com/products/payload/
- greenhouse_gas 9y agoSorry if I wasn't clear but I don't have anywhere close to that kind of money to place something anywhere near the moon. I was just being curious as to who would.
- StavrosK 9y agoI mean, it depends on your definition of "near". For some of them, you just need a long enough ladder.
- gadders 9y ago>>(no remains or religious artifacts please) I can imagine some rich people would find it pretty cool to have an urn of their ashes left on the moon.
- jermaustin1 9y agoI think this is probably one of the most viable business models for a "CubeSat" sized payload. If I had a rocket to the moon, that is the first thing I would offer: "mix your human dust with moon dust"