5 ms·

Ask HN: Can I put something in space?

11 points by hazz99 8y ago

Hello, Is it possible for a technically-minded person to put their own cubesat/related technology into space? Are there major legal hurdles, or is it mainly financial? Cheers.

flingo 8y ago
More to this question, are there any limits on what you can put in orbit? e.g. could I put a satellite in orbit that broadcasts an SSTV signal that's goatse, or a handgun? For the sake of the question, assume I can launch/reside in any country.
sigmaprimus 8y ago
Not sure where you live but in Canada there are laws regarding doing this, not saying you can't but you might get in trouble, that being said it's almost always easier asking for forgiveness than permission. Here is a link to the Canadian law that covers this https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.canadianrocketry.org/files/tc_hpr_reqs_jan00.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwiVh4nLyZHdAhUDFXwKHcooAdoQFjAMegQIAxAB&usg=AOvVaw1gAWpOC-rMM8y-Bvqhg3GD https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://w... If your interested in satellite tech I suggest looking into amsat, and if you want a cheap way to communicate with satellites, I suggest getting your HAM license and go that route. Good luck
danielvf 8y ago
Three or four man college teams do cubesats all the time, so I’m guessing it’s entirely doable by an individual. In the US I know you have to get FCC approval, and do so you’ll probably need to plan on an orbit with a short lifetime.
giaour 8y ago
Yes, you can do so. The cheapest option at the moment is to use a TubeSat kit from InterOrbital Systems ( http://www.interorbital.com/Tubesat%20Kits http://www.interorbital.com/Tubesat%20Kits). The kit is $8,000 and includes a launch into low Earth orbit. You will need approval if you want to take images of the Earth. Take a look at DIY Satellite Platforms by Sandy Antunes for a detailed overview and guide.
- bluehazed 8y ago
  Looks like that pricing is academic only, though.
  - giaour 8y ago
    True; if you're putting a tubesat into orbit for commercial purposes, they will probably charge you more.
- arwineap 8y ago
  Hrm, approval from who? Seems like public "space"
  - giaour 8y ago
    The 1967 Outer Space Treaty makes individual nations responsible for the extra-terrestrial activities of persons and entities under their jurisdiction. US persons and entities need authorization from NOAA. (cf https://space.stackexchange.com/a/26373 https://space.stackexchange.com/a/26373 )

11 points by hazz99 8y ago

Hello, Is it possible for a technically-minded person to put their own cubesat/related technology into space? Are there major legal hurdles, or is it mainly financial? Cheers.

flingo 8y ago

More to this question, are there any limits on what you can put in orbit? e.g. could I put a satellite in orbit that broadcasts an SSTV signal that's goatse, or a handgun? For the sake of the question, assume I can launch/reside in any country.

sigmaprimus 8y ago

Not sure where you live but in Canada there are laws regarding doing this, not saying you can't but you might get in trouble, that being said it's almost always easier asking for forgiveness than permission. Here is a link to the Canadian law that covers this https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.canadianrocketry.org/files/tc_hpr_reqs_jan00.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwiVh4nLyZHdAhUDFXwKHcooAdoQFjAMegQIAxAB&usg=AOvVaw1gAWpOC-rMM8y-Bvqhg3GD https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://w... If your interested in satellite tech I suggest looking into amsat, and if you want a cheap way to communicate with satellites, I suggest getting your HAM license and go that route. Good luck

danielvf 8y ago

Three or four man college teams do cubesats all the time, so I’m guessing it’s entirely doable by an individual. In the US I know you have to get FCC approval, and do so you’ll probably need to plan on an orbit with a short lifetime.

giaour 8y ago

Yes, you can do so. The cheapest option at the moment is to use a TubeSat kit from InterOrbital Systems ( http://www.interorbital.com/Tubesat%20Kits http://www.interorbital.com/Tubesat%20Kits). The kit is $8,000 and includes a launch into low Earth orbit. You will need approval if you want to take images of the Earth. Take a look at DIY Satellite Platforms by Sandy Antunes for a detailed overview and guide.

bluehazed 8y ago
Looks like that pricing is academic only, though.
- giaour 8y ago
  True; if you're putting a tubesat into orbit for commercial purposes, they will probably charge you more.
arwineap 8y ago
Hrm, approval from who? Seems like public "space"
- giaour 8y ago
  The 1967 Outer Space Treaty makes individual nations responsible for the extra-terrestrial activities of persons and entities under their jurisdiction. US persons and entities need authorization from NOAA. (cf https://space.stackexchange.com/a/26373 https://space.stackexchange.com/a/26373 )