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High-tech, Low-cost Satellite Kit has NASA Holding Workshops

Catwell

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PocketQube Kit for amateur satellite makers (via PocketQube Kit)

 

Building a satellite is a hard job if you aren't a NASA space engineer, and buying all the components to build one is extremely costly. For instance, a 'less' expensive packet (from Cubesat) to build a cube satellite will set you back six figures. It's not exactly as accessible as a 3D printer.

 

However, a new company is making cube satellites easy to build and easier on the pocketbook. While you won’t be able to purchase a PocketQube for as little as a MakerBot, costing about $6000 it is very affordable for individuals and small companies with bigger budgets.. The price doesn't include the cost of solar panels for the power source, however, so you'll have to set aside some extra dough to make it work in the vastness of space. Still, it includes everything you'll need to get your cube satellite up and running in one easy set-up. You can also purchase a one, two, or three cube configuration, which costs $5999, $6149, and $6299 respectively.

 

The components included in the PocketQube satellite are an onboard computer to serve as the central brain of the satellite, cube skeletons for the cube configuration, a Labsat board to test electronics, and a radio board for communication.

 

Specifically, you could buy the components separately and create the configuration yourself. All you need is an Alba Orbital Skeletonized structure (1p, 2p or 3p), a Radiobro MiniSatCom, an Alba Orbital Labsat (Test and Development Board), and an Alba Orbital On- Board Computer (OBC). However, it will only cost you an extra $3 to buy it pre-made from PocketQube so I would just go with their package unless you are very confident in your skills.

 

While adding a solar power cell and panels to the mix could have your cube satellite ready for a space mission for under $10,000, the actual launch and landing from space could set you back considerably more.

 

According to PocketQube, due to the smaller size, weight, and configuration of the PocketQube it can launch and land for much less than its counterparts. Of course, money is all a matter of perspective and the cost of a space mission for your PocketQube will be around the cost of a car. So, basically, out of the range of most people but still cheaper than other satellites and possible within the price range of a small company or a university.

 

For comparison, the cost of sending a cube satellite into space can cost about the same as a house: in the six figures range. So, PocketQube is certainly making cube satellites more accessible and less expensive than previous models. Still, it is hard to believe that satellite technology will be the next prosumer technology on the mass market at prices as high as this.

 

Personally, I'm really interested to see what PocketQube adopters do with this technology. NASA seems interested in the technology already as PocketQube workshops have already been co-sponsored by Kentucky Space and NASA Kentucky. Perhaps NASA will be using low-cost, ready-made tech like the PocketQube to run future missions.


 

C

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