Wood cubesat demonstrator

I am raising funds to fully realize a test flight of a wood frame cubesat.

As more and more spacecraft are put into orbit, more and more are burning up in the upper atmosphere. This results in a lot of aluminum oxide being released into the upper atmosphere which damages the ozone layer. Along with other effects both known and unknown.

Inspired by the Japanese Lignosat wood CubeSat, I designed a full wood CubeSat frame that does not require an aluminum frame. Although it does use metal hardware, it is far less than a typical cubesat. This is version 1 of the wood cubsat frame which is being used to test the concept and construction. The frame is made of dried and vacuum stabilized birch wood. Providing a strong but light frame to build off from. If the test frame works well, the version 2 will be produced for sale for whomever wants a cubesat frame that is half the price of typical aluminum frames, and lowers levels of metal oxides upon disposal.

The first test satellite is called “Chickadee 1” and will be very basic in construction and operation. It will not have control or propulsion, it will simply monitor itself and keep watch on how the frame behaves and holds up in orbit. The internal components will consist of a small computer with a satellite internet connection, solar power, and an internal camera to observe outgassing and structural stress. Its mission lifespan will not be very long, a few weeks at best. But it should be long enough to demonstrate the feasibility of the frame.

The cubesat will be taken into orbit on a ride share or small sat supplier among others. The launch provider will be sorted out if funding for the projects shows its mission is viable. To be perfectly honest I do not expect this fundraiser to succeed, or for anyone to notice it even exists. But I would rather try and fail than not try at all.

Funds raised will be used to acquire the parts needed to finish the cube sat. To pay for a satellite internet connection for the duration of the mission, to pay for tools needed to better construct the version 2 frame, and launch costs. If I raise more than is needed for the cubsat, any extra will go towards building a small workshop living space on my property where I can expand my floor space and living situation outside of the tiny room I currently live in. I do not expect to raise much if anything, so I will prioritized the cubesat first. The work/living space improvements are a different but related project, and will not be applicable unless I raise more than is needed for the project. I want to be honest and transparent about this. I do not expect to raise any money, historically fundraising never works for me. But if I do raise anything it will be used for everything I described here with updates posted on milestones.