If you always dreamed about launching/controlling your own satellite, maybe your dream can become true in the nearby future, because an US company, Interorbital Systems introduces its TubeSat "Personal Satellite Kit".

The TubeSat is a very small satellite & weighs only 0.75 Kg, but it still offers plenty of room for most experiments, or functions.  The price of the TubeSat kit actually includes the price of a launch into Low-Earth-Orbit on an IOS NEPTUNE 30 launch vehicle. Since the TubeSats are placed into self-decaying orbits 310 kilometers above the Earth's surface, they do not contribute to any long-term build-up of orbital debris. After a few weeks of operation, they will safely re-enter the atmosphere and burn-up. TubeSats are designed to be orbit-friendly. 

The TubeSat allows the builder to add his or her own experiment or function to the basic TubeSat kit. Examples of add-on experiments or functions include the following:

• Earth-from-space video imaging

• Earth magnetic field measurement

• Satellite orientation detection (horizon sensor, gyros, accelerometers, etc.)

• Orbital environment measurements (temperature, pressure, radiation, etc.)

• On-orbit hardware and software component testing (microprocessors, etc.)

• Tracking migratory animals from orbit

• Testing satellite stabilization methods

• Biological experiments

• On-orbit advertising

• Private e-mail

• Space art

• Space burials

The price is quite consumer friendly, because for $ 8000 USD it's yours. Launches are expected to begin in the 4th quarter of 2010.

You can discuss this article at our forum here.

Look here for more info from Orbital Systems.

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