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DIY Satellite Platforms: Building a Space-Ready General Base Picosatellite for Any Mission
Want to build your own satellite and launch it into space? It’s easier than you may think. The first in a series of four books, this do-it-yourself guide shows you the essential steps needed to design a base picosatellite platform―complete with a solar-powered computer-controlled assembly―tough enough to withstand a rocket launch and survive in orbit for three months. Whether you want to conduct scientific experiments, run engineering tests, or present an orbital art project, you’ll select basic components such as an antenna, radio transmitter, solar cells, battery, power bus, processor, sensors, and an extremely small picosatellite chassis. This entertaining series takes you through the entire process―from planning to launch.
80 pages, Paperback
First published October 31, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 4, 2017
Very pragmatic and realistic about amateur space compared to much of the hype. Wish I had read this before I started dreaming of my own, unrealistic, $1000 launch!
May 18, 2019
Good intro on how to get satellite and launch it. some info might be outdated now
September 7, 2015
A very entertaining and enlightening book. I had no idea how accessible personal satellites (picosatellites) have become! I'm almost tempted to build one! In fact I probably will do so within the next few years. Then set it on a shelf to be launched at my funeral because no way can I afford the launch fees while I'm alive!
That's only partly a joke. Launch fees remain outside the justification realm of my wallet but they are certain to fall. Once they drop into the sub-3K range it'll be a lot more tempting.
But don't take my word for it. Read this book if you have even the slightest interest in space. Mr. Antunes covers a wide variety of topics pertinent to satellites and other hobby electronics. It's a light read and chock full of information.
And you might just get the but and have your own space toy someday…
That's only partly a joke. Launch fees remain outside the justification realm of my wallet but they are certain to fall. Once they drop into the sub-3K range it'll be a lot more tempting.
But don't take my word for it. Read this book if you have even the slightest interest in space. Mr. Antunes covers a wide variety of topics pertinent to satellites and other hobby electronics. It's a light read and chock full of information.
And you might just get the but and have your own space toy someday…
January 4, 2016
This entire series, on building do-it-yourself satellites, is a great introductory set for people considering building CubeSats or other small satellite systems. You really need the entire series, though, rather than reading one or two of them, to get the full picture. Also, these are pretty short books, so they don't cover everything you need to know. For example, there's little/no information on sources for parts. And nothing about programming the systems or doing the actual PC/104 hardware design.
February 7, 2012
I liked it. It really makes me want to start looking into building my own satellite and finding out if one day I could send it to space.
May 19, 2012
Cool. Should I ever need to send something into the stratosphere, this will be the way I do it.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews