The Next Generation Satellite System
The smartphone is our own personal computer that we always have by our side. What if it was able to do much more? This is where the Modular CubeSat comes in. A CubeSat is a small 10 x 10 x 11.35 cm cube satellite and their relatively low cost allows many researchers and students to launch satellites for research and education. They usually use consumer off of the shelf components (COTS) which contribute to their low costs but their development costs are still very prohibitive for some schools and we think that we can make the CubeSat even cheaper.
By basing the satellite off of the Moto Mods platform, anyone who is able to develop a Moto Mod or create an Android app will be able to develop an instrument for the satellite. This will allow researchers to focus more on the development of their research instruments, and allow consumers to build their own satellite with ease. We are projecting a cost of $5000 for the build cost of the satellite.
We are a multidisciplinary team of six students at the University of California, Irvine and are excited about creating the next form of satellite development. With your help we will be able to achieve our goal of building and launching proof of concept version of the Modular CubeSat.
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What We Need & What You Get
Currently, we only have $600 in funds to complete the project and will be completing our first fully functional prototype within the next two weeks. This is only enough to build the first two prototypes! Although the satellite itself will cost $5000 in components there is still a lot more that needs to happen in the background. In order to achieve our goal of launching a proof of concept version of the satellite we will need your help.
Here is where the funding will go:
- Components: Even though most of the components can be bought off the shelf, some parts are still very cost prohibitive with our current budget.
- Ground Station: What is the point of building a satellite if you can't hear back from it? We will be building a ground station that will be able to transmit and receive signals to and from the satellite.
- Testing: High altitude balloon tests, Vibrational tests, Shock tests, Thermal Tests
- More Testing
- Even More Testing: The satellite has to be reliable!
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We have some great perks for our backers!
- Name on Website: Get your name on our project website
- Polo Shirt: Receive a Polo shirt with the team logo!
- Name on the Satellite: Have your name laser etched onto a component of the satellite!
If we are unable to reach our funding goal, the project will be unable to be ready to launch into space but we will still put in our effort into developing the satellite system as much as we can. We will then release our data to the public where hopefully someone else can complete the project.
The Impact
The Moto Mods Platform will allow:
- Satellite development without having to design the whole satellite
- A sub $5000 satellite
- Allow anyone to develop their own satellite
- Make space research more accessible to universities
- Allow schools to easily teach about satellites and satellite development
- Provide a surge in space related research
Other Ways You Can Help
If you cannot contribute, please spread the word! Your word is worth as much as a monetary contribution as it will allow more people to get to see what this idea has to offer.
This project will only succeed with your help!
Thank You
