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A comment on Arduino-based ArduSat will run your code in space.

Re:Arduino-based ArduSat will run your code in space by lwat on Thursday June 21, 2012 @06:43PM (#4144545)
Why bother running your code in space like this? All you get is access to the data generated by the on-board sensors, you don't get to control anything on the sat. They'd be better off just streaming the data to earth and giving people access to it here.

Furthermore, as far as I can tell none of the sensors they plan on using is rated for use in space, for example commercial GPS units stop working when they reach around 1000 km/h (to stop them being used in missiles)

Finally their supposed launch date is 2013, and I really don't see how they can make such a tight deadline when they're not even done designing the thing.

Don't waste your money on this kickstarter.

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Re:Arduino-based ArduSat will run your code in space by joelspark on Friday June 22, 2012 @04:15AM (#4145924)
The reason we wanted to have the code itself in space is because there ARE things people can control on the sat (supervised by us): you can control the cameras, command the attitude control, and activate the antenna. We also thought it would be more rewarding for students who want to use the satellite to gain real experience in coding on real hardware.

The you're right about the commercial GPS, it wont return location data above a certain altitude. We want to use the commercial GPS for other experiments (it will still have some functions that work). We've also included a second space-rated GPS in the bus itself for the location data.

To help us bring down the integration/testing time, we've teamed up with the manufacturer of the components of the satellite, they will be using their facilities and engineers to make sure we deliver by 2013 launch date.

Let me know if there is anything I can address about the design!

Cheers, Joel

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Re:Arduino-based ArduSat will run your code in space by pvarangot on Friday June 22, 2012 @04:37PM (#4148646)
What space grade GPS did you buy? All the ones I'm aware of exceed your Kickstarter budget or are US-export-restricted.
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Re:Arduino-based ArduSat will run your code in space by joelspark on Saturday June 23, 2012 @09:47AM (#4150829)
The current plan is to use one made by SSBV: http://cubesatshop.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&#...

Our engineering partner, GOMSpace, is also almost finished developing their own CubeSat GPS, and have expressed interest in flying that on the satellite, so we may switch over to that one.

Cheers, Joel

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Re:Arduino-based ArduSat will run your code in space by barcoder on Thursday June 21, 2012 @07:25PM (#4144663)
Your post sums up my fillings _unfortunately_. It's a beautiful dream and I'm glad to see people are willing to back such a project given the high chance of no return.
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