Open Source Satellite Initiative / 2008 ~

Visit Open Source Satellite Initiative website for more.

What?

Developing a total D.I.Y. space program - (Building / Lauching / Operating)

Commercial electronic components ONLY spacecraft: Aerospace grade components are very expensive and even not possible to buy as an individual
Cheap launching cost
Private & cultural missions: needs worldwide discussions to justify future private space program

How?

Build a satellite
Rent a Rocket
Get a communication frequency from IARU (International Amateur Radio Union)
Finish the satellite assembly
Test the satellite
Launch
Commnunicate

How much is the rocket?

A rocket is very expensive, so OSSI rent a space for small satellite. Renting a space for 100mm * 100mm * 100mm is about 65k Euro as of 2010 Nov..

Legal?

Launching something into LEO (Low Earth Orbit: 600km~2000km) is legal as of 2010 Nov. But Institutions like FCC is trying to make this illegal.

Funding

Currently, OSSI sells T-shirts to fund the rocketing renting.

10,000 T-shirts = 1 satellite

Collaborations

Justification of art and cultural sides of private space program is very important
OSSI collaborates with artists all over the world
OSSI gets tecnical helps from passionate peoples (pros and amateurs) around the world

Future

Make a satellite kit under 200 USD
Lower the unit launching cost by group launching

Issues

Individual VS Institution (Government / Military / Corporation)
Amateur VS Professional
Art VS Technology
Fantasy VS Science
Useless VS Useful
Hope VS Politics

Visit Open Source Satellite Initiative website for more.