Launching your own satellite

OK, I have to admit, this is probably out of most peoples reach but it isn't as far fetched as it can sound. To build a satellite doesn't take the wealth of a small country anymore. With the CubeSat program started by California Polytechnic State University it mustn't cost more than US $40,000 to launch your own hamster space station. For this sum, they will take care of everything pertaining to the launch. You just have to supply them with your satellite to be, conforming to their CubeSat standard. The CubeSat is standardized to a cube (hello!) with the size of about 10 cm so leave the next Hubble to the big guys.

The CubeSat program is really aimed at universities and high schools (over 60 world wide so far) but private companies have also joined so if you can fork up the dough, I'm sure they will launch your creation.

Tags: DIY, CubeSat, satellite, space