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Get OzQube-1 Into Space

From Backyard Shed to Orbit

OzQube-1 is a tiny satellite that's being built in a backyard shed in suburban Perth, Western Australia.
It's the first of its kind to be built in Australia. It is a new type of satellite called a PocketQube - a cube measuring 5cm on each side.  OzQube-1 is a demonstration that building a satellite can be done by anyone, not just nations, large companies and well funded institutions. It is a fully functioning Earth Observation satellite - meaning that it has a camera onboard. It is designed to take photos of the Southern Hemisphere - especially Australia! It will send those images via radio down to the ground and anyone can try their hand at receiving them with low cost hardware connected to a computer.

Here's a couple of online articles describing the project:

ScienceNetwork WA (produced by Scitech)
http://www.sciencewa.net.au/topics/space/item/3605-diy-satellite-launches-from-backyard-shed-to-lower-orbit
SatMagazine
http://www.satmagazine.com/story.php?number=1481898241

With your help, OzQube-1 will be able to make it to orbit!
Once upon a time, building a satellite was extremely expensive. The PocketQube form factor is changing that. But getting satellites into space is still expensive. PocketQubes  can't change the cost of operating a rocket, but because they are small, the cost for each satellites is much less compared to their cubesat cousins.
In order to get OzQube-1 into space, I need help to fund the launch costs (~$30,000), along with other necessary things like insurance, government permits (potentially up to $10,000) and specialized testing of the satellite ( several thousand dollars). The testing is required by the organisations that launch the rockets. They want to make sure that my satellite is not going to fall apart during the extreme forces that occur during the rocket flight. 

Who Am I?
The creator of this tiny marvel is me - Stuart McAndrew. By day, I work as an IT professional. By night, I teach myself how to design and build satellites.
Space is cool! Building something yourself that can go into space is even cooler! This project shows that if you learn the right skills, you can achieve something amazing.

Why should you contribute to my project?

Australia’s first amateur satellite – Oscar 5 - was launched into orbit in 1970. Since then, there haven’t been any other Australian amateur satellites. In the meantime, other countries have continued to develop their capability in space, and Australia has lagged a long way behind.

I want to change that.

By funding my project, you’re not just helping me to get my satellite into orbit. You’re helping to show the world that Australia isn’t going to be left behind any more. You’re helping to build the foundations of an emerging national industry. You’re helping to show kids that there’s more to space than being an astronaut. You’re helping to show them that STEM education can lead to exciting careers. You’re helping to inspire others to follow their dreams and to aim for the sky.

This is SPACE 2.0!

Follow the project on Facebook  and Twitter .
Check out the project profile on the STEM Network

Donations 

  • Josh Anthony
    • $10 
    • 7 yrs
  • Anonymous
    • $20 (Offline)
    • 8 yrs
  • Anonymous
    • $40 (Offline)
    • 8 yrs
  • Anonymous
    • $40 (Offline)
    • 9 yrs

Organiser

Stuart McAndrew
Organiser
Mullaloo WA

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