KickSat: A Revolutionary Kickstarter Project

KickSat was a Kickstarter project from 2011, and this Sunday, KickSat will be launched into space. It will carry over 100 mini satellites into space.

Launch Details and Mission Objectives

KickSat will be launched from Cape Canaveral on Sunday, and it will travel to an altitude of 200 miles. Inside KickSat will be over 100 tiny satellites that will orbit Earth. Have a look at the video below.

Every one of these tiny satellites is equipped with a microcontroller from Texas Instruments, two antennas, a radio, a gyroscope, and a magnetometer. They also come with solar cells which will be used to power the devices.

Deployment and Functionality

On April the first, the tiny satellites will be deployed from the KickSat. They will remain in space for a few months and will transmit telemetry packets which can be picked up by radios back on Earth.

The deployment of these tiny satellites, often referred to as “Sprites,” marks a significant milestone in the field of space exploration and miniaturization of technology. Each Sprite is about the size of a cracker and weighs only a few grams. Despite their small size, they are capable of performing a variety of tasks, including measuring the local environment in space and sending data back to Earth.

One of the primary goals of the KickSat project is to demonstrate the feasibility of using very small satellites for scientific and commercial purposes. The low cost and small size of these satellites make them an attractive option for a wide range of applications, from Earth observation to space weather monitoring.

Moreover, the KickSat project has inspired a new generation of space enthusiasts and engineers. By making space technology more accessible and affordable, projects like KickSat are helping to democratize space exploration and open up new opportunities for innovation and discovery.

In addition to their scientific and commercial potential, the Sprites also have educational value. Schools and universities can use these tiny satellites to teach students about space technology and satellite design. By involving students in real-world space missions, educators can inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.

The KickSat project is a testament to the power of crowdfunding and community support. By leveraging the resources and enthusiasm of a global community, the project has been able to achieve something that would have been impossible for a small team working alone. This collaborative approach to space exploration is likely to become increasingly important in the future, as more and more people and organizations seek to participate in the exploration and utilization of space.

As we look forward to the launch of KickSat and the deployment of its tiny satellites, we can be excited about the many possibilities that this project represents. Whether it’s advancing our understanding of space, developing new technologies, or inspiring the next generation of explorers, KickSat is paving the way for a new era of space exploration.

Source Engadget