4 ms·

Quetzal-1 Satellite Goes Open Source

Cupprum 3y ago
It is nice to see another open source satellite [1]. Usually i only saw used in the satellites, releasing also the hardware part is super cool. However there are also other notable repositories. There is for instance a "space kit" for arduinos [2]. Another interesting project was QB50 [3], many student satellites, from multiple universities worked together to study the lower thermosphere. If you search for QB50, there are multiple public repositories with the code they used. [1] - https://github.com/Quetzal-1-CubeSat-Team https://github.com/Quetzal-1-CubeSat-Team [2] - https://github.com/ArduSat/ArdusatSDK https://github.com/ArduSat/ArdusatSDK [3] - https://spaceflight101.com/spacecraft/qb50/ https://spaceflight101.com/spacecraft/qb50/
- rzimmerman 3y ago
  I'd also plug an open source radio released by Planet (similar to what's on their Dove satellites): https://github.com/OpenLST/openlst https://github.com/OpenLST/openlst https://github.com/OpenLST/openlst-hw https://github.com/OpenLST/openlst-hw https://github.com/rzimmerman/gr-openlst https://github.com/rzimmerman/gr-openlst
aliljet 3y ago
This is wicked interesting. This may sound ridiculous, but I'm curious, how do you get a satellite to space? I can't just get a quick Lyft Line ride to leo, can I? :)
- toomuchtodo 3y ago
  You can. > $275k for 50kg to SSO with additional mass at $5.5k/kg. Affordable rates also available to Mid-Inclination LEO, GTO, and TLI. https://www.spacex.com/rideshare/ https://www.spacex.com/rideshare/
  - mastry 3y ago
    A slightly cheaper option… https://untamedscience.com/blog/gopro-to-space/ https://untamedscience.com/blog/gopro-to-space/
    - seemed_like 3y ago
      Wow, I want to try that, what a cool idea. You are using a little irreplacable helium, but it's in use at party stores around the world so it's not that irreplacable.
      - danielbarla 3y ago
        Is there a reason why helium would be preferred over hydrogen? I know very little about the topic, but would have guessed hydrogen to be cheaper and easier to obtain (never mind replace), and should offer higher performance. Doesn't seem like safety would be hugely high on the priority list.
    - toomuchtodo 3y ago
      Price delta -> orbital speed delta.
    - nozzlegear 3y ago
      Interesting, but what's the risk of your balloon + satellite being destroyed by the United States Air Force?
    - plugger 3y ago
      A HAB won't even approach space; you'd be lucky to get roughly 1/3 of the way there before the balloon burst.

It is nice to see another open source satellite [1]. Usually i only saw used in the satellites, releasing also the hardware part is super cool. However there are also other notable repositories. There is for instance a "space kit" for arduinos [2]. Another interesting project was QB50 [3], many student satellites, from multiple universities worked together to study the lower thermosphere. If you search for QB50, there are multiple public repositories with the code they used. [1] - https://github.com/Quetzal-1-CubeSat-Team https://github.com/Quetzal-1-CubeSat-Team [2] - https://github.com/ArduSat/ArdusatSDK https://github.com/ArduSat/ArdusatSDK [3] - https://spaceflight101.com/spacecraft/qb50/ https://spaceflight101.com/spacecraft/qb50/

rzimmerman 3y ago
I'd also plug an open source radio released by Planet (similar to what's on their Dove satellites): https://github.com/OpenLST/openlst https://github.com/OpenLST/openlst https://github.com/OpenLST/openlst-hw https://github.com/OpenLST/openlst-hw https://github.com/rzimmerman/gr-openlst https://github.com/rzimmerman/gr-openlst

aliljet 3y ago

This is wicked interesting. This may sound ridiculous, but I'm curious, how do you get a satellite to space? I can't just get a quick Lyft Line ride to leo, can I? :)

toomuchtodo 3y ago
You can. > $275k for 50kg to SSO with additional mass at $5.5k/kg. Affordable rates also available to Mid-Inclination LEO, GTO, and TLI. https://www.spacex.com/rideshare/ https://www.spacex.com/rideshare/
- mastry 3y ago
  A slightly cheaper option… https://untamedscience.com/blog/gopro-to-space/ https://untamedscience.com/blog/gopro-to-space/
  - seemed_like 3y ago
    Wow, I want to try that, what a cool idea. You are using a little irreplacable helium, but it's in use at party stores around the world so it's not that irreplacable.
    - danielbarla 3y ago
      Is there a reason why helium would be preferred over hydrogen? I know very little about the topic, but would have guessed hydrogen to be cheaper and easier to obtain (never mind replace), and should offer higher performance. Doesn't seem like safety would be hugely high on the priority list.
  - toomuchtodo 3y ago
    Price delta -> orbital speed delta.
  - nozzlegear 3y ago
    Interesting, but what's the risk of your balloon + satellite being destroyed by the United States Air Force?
  - plugger 3y ago
    A HAB won't even approach space; you'd be lucky to get roughly 1/3 of the way there before the balloon burst.