I highly recommend subscribing to The Orbital Index newsletter. One of the 3 newsletters that I actually read every week. It's (almost) completely outside my profession but very interesting to read nonetheless.
what are the other 2?
So, you want to build a CubeSat?
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Re: So, you want to build a CubeSat?
#12What are some ways that an individual person could benefit from their own CubeSat?
Re: So, you want to build a CubeSat?
#13Why build it if the cost is 10K+ to deploy?
There are starting to be some lower cost options. A recent Kickstarter promised a ~$250 price point for a Femtosat/Sprite size craft launched as a rideshare inside a 3U Cubesat: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ambasat/ambasat-1-an-ed... (not speaking to the likelihood of it actually launching, just that it is purportedly an option)
Re: So, you want to build a CubeSat?
#14What are some ways that an individual person could benefit from their own CubeSat?
For the average person, probably not much; The main blocker will be that it costs about $10k to build, $20k to have it launched into space (USD).
Re: So, you want to build a CubeSat?
#15I highly recommend subscribing to The Orbital Index newsletter. One of the 3 newsletters that I actually read every week. It's (almost) completely outside my profession but very interesting to read nonetheless.
what are the other 2?
Not op, but The Prepared is great if you have any interest in manufacturing, supply chains, and modern infrastructure.
Re: So, you want to build a CubeSat?
#16How effective is an internet connection from a CubeSat? I'm curious, I've read about radio comm and this article mentions using the GlobalSat or Iridium network is possible, but would that (or any other option) be a "broadband bandwith" available to whatever software is running on the CubeSat?
For the radio & antenna you'll probably have on a small CubeSat, expect slow and unreliable, but it depends on if you're running your own ground station, in which case you may only be able to communicate for minutes a day or less, or are using a large ground station network or satellite constellation like Iridium, which will still be slow, but will offer much more frequent communication opportunities.
Re: So, you want to build a CubeSat?
#17Now I want to build a CubeSat that will point a laser pointer at different population centers as it passes around the earth. E.g. this pass of North America you choose LA, then NYC, then Houston, then Chicago... so you can see it streak by in the sky.
My rough estimation is you could create a spot 2 miles across with a standard laser pointer at 400 miles high. Maybe you could use a different kind that would have a little more spread. And you'd have even more if you weren't beaming directly downwards -- maybe you could point it at 45 degrees or more with a powerful laser and get nice coverage.
Re: So, you want to build a CubeSat?
#18Now I want to build a CubeSat that will point a laser pointer at different population centers as it passes around the earth. E.g. this pass of North America you choose LA, then NYC, then Houston, then Chicago... so you can see it streak by in the sky. My rough estimation is you could create a spot 2 miles across with a standard laser pointer at 400 miles high. Maybe you could use a different kind that would have a li…
cool idea for ten minutes but this is exactly the kind of pollution I don't want from cheaper satellites
Re: So, you want to build a CubeSat?
#19Earlier quoted context omitted.
what are the other 2?
Not op, but The Prepared is great if you have any interest in manufacturing, supply chains, and modern infrastructure. https://theprepared.org/
Benedict's Newsletter (https://www.ben-evans.com/newsletter) is also one I find interesting, a collection of posts related to "tech and thought"
Re: So, you want to build a CubeSat?
#20Now I want to build a CubeSat that will point a laser pointer at different population centers as it passes around the earth. E.g. this pass of North America you choose LA, then NYC, then Houston, then Chicago... so you can see it streak by in the sky. My rough estimation is you could create a spot 2 miles across with a standard laser pointer at 400 miles high. Maybe you could use a different kind that would have a li…
cool idea for ten minutes but this is exactly the kind of pollution I don't want from cheaper satellites
I guess this is the space equivalent of when Clark Griswold's redneck cousin Eddie comes into town.
Move over, high falutin' space types! I want a laser pointer pointing at my house every night!