Build Your Own Linux-Based Satellite

An anonymous reader writes "For $10 million, SpaceDev is offering a Linux-based microsatellite that can be controlled over the internet using any laptop or desktop computer. The Modular Microsat Bus utilizes such things as plug and play USB, Ethernet, and other standards, while providing critical features such as power, maneuvering, and communication for you. Up to 40 kg of project space are at your disposal"

$10 million and 40kg? Why not $250k and 1kg?

[Saint Aardvark]

This is cool...but 'way out of my league. For those that have got $10 million to spare, have fun. What I'd like is a picosatellite [eoportal.org]o coop.

These students [space.com] got theirs into space for $120,000. Sure, that doesn't include "donated material, equipment and expertise", or the estimated $40,000 launch cost [66.102.7.104], but let's be optimistic and call it $250,000 all told. Well, get 50 people in and it's only $5000 each -- less than a good used car. Make it 500 people and you've got the cost down to less than a trip for two to Vegas. And for this I get to help send a satellite running Linux into space -- as close as I'm likely to come to making the trip myself.

I know that ham radio folks are already doing this sort of thing, but they've got their own goals. I admit, mine are a bit fuzzy beyond "put this L33+ satellite into space", but that's kind of appealing too. What could we cram on a picosatellite? What imaging can you do for cheap -- what resolution, what wavelengths? And of course, the question everyone wants answered: Can you host a webserver in space, and could it survive a Slashdotting?

I think something like this would be cool beyond measure. Who's in?

How do they get to space?

[AKAImBatman]

It's amazing what they can do with SoC's these days, isn't it? The only part I don't understand is, how are they expecting that these sats going to fly? AFAIK, NASA stopped flying PongSats on the Space Shuttle after the Challenger incident. (aka, "The Get Away Special") Are they planning to pool these sats together to pay for a booster? Or do you have to get your own? Where is that $10 million going? (For the cost of a couple of these, I could buy a Delta II and send 100-200 desktop towers into space! And that would be assuming I used Car Batteries to power them!)

multiple payloads, SpaceX falcon/OS Pegasus

[everphilski]

multiple primary payloads...SpaceX Falcon I and Orbital Sciences Pegasus.

(from the f*cking article)

-everphilski-

I see a potential filesharing haven....

[Anonymous Coward]

Imagine... Linux-based filesharing peers (each with gigs of cached bootleg material) floating kilometers overhead, far beyond the reach of the entertainment industry!

Plug and play USB ?

[c_fel]

I wonder who's gonna plug something in the satellite once launched in space...