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For a long time now I have been very interested in sending my own satellite up as a hobbyist project. I have a good background in software, electronics and hard

by bArray 8y ago

For a long time now I have been very interested in sending my own satellite up as a hobbyist project. I have a good background in software, electronics and hardware (top to bottom robotics), but not a solid background in physics. A few questions: 1. What's the cheapest you can put a satellite in space (in terms of launch) and for how long would it orbit at that cost? Size wouldn't really be too much of a problem (I can go as low as 3x3x3 cm at a push). 2. Are there strict limitations about what you are allowed to put up into space? (In terms of components and contamination). Also in terms of transforming - is it allowed to unfold? 3. Do the satellites have to undergo some formal testing to be allowed on the space craft? What's that process and how much does it cost? I imagine they can't risk it blowing up or falling apart? 4. Has anybody looked to sub-divide the cubesat 10x10x10 into 8 smaller satellites? If you could somehow keep them all attached in fixed locations, you could have a much larger sensor surface area at a low cost. 5. How do they get the satellites to the launch location and how long does it have to be there in advance? I think using reaction wheels is good for rotation and I don't think propulsion will be as "easily" possible. Compliant communications would be the most difficult part in my opinion, trying to keep it low power and effective. As for the actual mission of the project, I'm still not decided. It could be cool to host some kind of server from space, but just throwing some hobbyist sensors up there and seeing how they behave would also be good. Thank you in advance for any help with those questions.

Bonooru 8y ago
I worked in a lab for the US government building cubesats for a summer during college. I can't answer everything, here are a few answers. 1. Last time I heard pricing per pound to orbit was ~$10,000 per pound. This was for the shuttle though, so I don't know if this has changed. 2. I would guess this depends on the launch provider. Whoever's launch you're piggybacking off of will probably get to make this decision. I never heard of any real restrictions, but this wasn't my area of expertise. 3. You'd be right about that. I don't know about pricing, but your payload will need to go through vibration testing and the like 4. No clue on this one 5. You'd probably have to physically make the trip (and I'd think you'd want to. Seeing a launch is always cool). Timing will depend on whose launch you're piggy backing off of, but we needed to have everything done a few weeks before launch day. Hope this helped a bit.
- bArray 8y ago
  Thanks! I did wonder whether it was costed by the weight of the craft.
- MayorOfAmerica 8y ago
  Would you be able to give me more details on that program? That's something I'd be really interested in pursuing!
portillo 8y ago
1.- As an individual, the cheapest and simplest options would be to use Nanoracks, Spaceflight, or a similar company that handles most of the launch process. Their price is ~$100k for a 1U Cubesat. I have serious doubts that they would be OK with a 3x3x3 cm satellite, as these are really hard to track and they are big enough that, if there is a collision, they can cause some serious damage. See for example https://spacenews.com/fcc-fines-swarm-900000-for-unauthorized-smallsat-launch/ https://spacenews.com/fcc-fines-swarm-900000-for-unauthorize... 2.- Yes, there are. For example, in terms of materials, you can check http://nanoracks.com/wp-content/uploads/standard-materials-and-processes-requirements.pdf http://nanoracks.com/wp-content/uploads/standard-materials-a.... Yes, in satellites there are several things that normally unfold (i.e., solar panels, antennas, sensors) 3.- They normally undergo (at least) outgassing, vacuum, vibration, and thermal testing. Not sure if all of them are mandatory. I would say that outgassing is a must in most places. See http://nanoracks.com/wp-content/uploads/flammability-offgassing-and-compatability-requirements.pdf http://nanoracks.com/wp-content/uploads/flammability-offgass... 4.- Yes, some people have launched things much much smaller than a Cubesat (like Chipsat), but normally you would be required to decay/deorbit quite quickly since as I mentioned, space people don't like small things flying around. 5.- If you use a launch provider, you normally do integration at their facilities. Then they handle the rest of the process for you. I would say that a normal deadline for integration is ~3 months before launch?
- bArray 8y ago
  Thanks, especially for the links!

by bArray 8y ago

Bonooru 8y ago

I worked in a lab for the US government building cubesats for a summer during college. I can't answer everything, here are a few answers. 1. Last time I heard pricing per pound to orbit was ~$10,000 per pound. This was for the shuttle though, so I don't know if this has changed. 2. I would guess this depends on the launch provider. Whoever's launch you're piggybacking off of will probably get to make this decision. I never heard of any real restrictions, but this wasn't my area of expertise. 3. You'd be right about that. I don't know about pricing, but your payload will need to go through vibration testing and the like 4. No clue on this one 5. You'd probably have to physically make the trip (and I'd think you'd want to. Seeing a launch is always cool). Timing will depend on whose launch you're piggy backing off of, but we needed to have everything done a few weeks before launch day. Hope this helped a bit.

bArray 8y ago
Thanks! I did wonder whether it was costed by the weight of the craft.
MayorOfAmerica 8y ago
Would you be able to give me more details on that program? That's something I'd be really interested in pursuing!

portillo 8y ago

1.- As an individual, the cheapest and simplest options would be to use Nanoracks, Spaceflight, or a similar company that handles most of the launch process. Their price is ~$100k for a 1U Cubesat. I have serious doubts that they would be OK with a 3x3x3 cm satellite, as these are really hard to track and they are big enough that, if there is a collision, they can cause some serious damage. See for example https://spacenews.com/fcc-fines-swarm-900000-for-unauthorized-smallsat-launch/ https://spacenews.com/fcc-fines-swarm-900000-for-unauthorize... 2.- Yes, there are. For example, in terms of materials, you can check http://nanoracks.com/wp-content/uploads/standard-materials-and-processes-requirements.pdf http://nanoracks.com/wp-content/uploads/standard-materials-a.... Yes, in satellites there are several things that normally unfold (i.e., solar panels, antennas, sensors) 3.- They normally undergo (at least) outgassing, vacuum, vibration, and thermal testing. Not sure if all of them are mandatory. I would say that outgassing is a must in most places. See http://nanoracks.com/wp-content/uploads/flammability-offgassing-and-compatability-requirements.pdf http://nanoracks.com/wp-content/uploads/flammability-offgass... 4.- Yes, some people have launched things much much smaller than a Cubesat (like Chipsat), but normally you would be required to decay/deorbit quite quickly since as I mentioned, space people don't like small things flying around. 5.- If you use a launch provider, you normally do integration at their facilities. Then they handle the rest of the process for you. I would say that a normal deadline for integration is ~3 months before launch?

bArray 8y ago
Thanks, especially for the links!