Fleet of Satellites for Kids.
Do you represent a school that would like to own their own spacecraft and have it launched into orbit – IN SPACE ? Would you like a replica to frame and commemorate the event? Would you like to inspire your students to get involved in Science and Space? Would you like to do it for $300?
Sounds Impossible?
Zac Manchester, a graduate student in Aerospace Engineering at Cornell University is building a low cost swarm of spacecraft that he is calling Sprites – or KickSats. Over the last several years, Zac and a few collaborators have designed, built, and tested a very tiny and inexpensive spacecraft that can be built and launched into low Earth orbit for just a few hundred dollars each! Kidz In Space is a Fleet of those space craft and we would like to encourage you to take part in the adventure of a lifetime.
At the time of printing the project is part of the KickStart funding site and the project name is KickSat
Schools and Funding
You need to talk to your science teacher about this. They will then need to take this up through the normal funding chain. They may need to ask for funding from your Parents / Teachers / Citizens Association.
You can simply order on line for $300 and ask to join our fleet. You will have a standard Sprite with standard software but you will get the Fleet updates. Your module will simply not do anything extra. We are hoping to create opportunities for more ability, but we will have to wait and see.
When Will They be Launched?
Depending on funding, this may be 2012 Q2 or even a year later. Your participation will accelerate the program. Without the extra funding the project will have to compete for a free launch and that will delay the date of getting into orbit. The more, the better. The rocket will insert a box containing the swarm into orbit and once stable, they will be released by a spring loaded container.
How Long will they Remain in Orbit?
A matter of days, but you will be able to track your Sprite on the Internet. Even the big box that kicks them out will come back down after 2 months and will burn up in the earth’s atmosphere. There will be no lasting space junk that is currently causing problems.
Can’t afford a satellite of your own?
Contact me.
Contact
Want to take part in programing our own Sprites? Email me: Robert Brand at homepc@rbrand.com If you live in Australia you can call 02 9559 2299 during reasonable hours. I live in Sydney Australia
Learn More about the Project
Click here for the KickStart KickSat website:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/251588730/kicksat-your-personal-spacecraft-in-space
