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NASA Goes Bargain Basement With New Satellite

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the because-we-need-more-orbiting-space-junk dept.

coondoggie writes to tell us that NASA has announced a new low-cost satellite that could be ideal for those who wish to get into space quickly and (relatively) inexpensively. "The Fast, Affordable, Science and Technology SATellite (FASTSAT) is 39.5 inches in diameter — not much larger than an exercise ball. It is hexagonally shaped and clocks in at a little less than 200 Lbs. It can carry a payload up to 110 Lbs. [...] NASA said FASTSAT is just the right size for earth observing missions, space science missions, and technology demonstrations. 'We think we can do whole missions for less than $10 million instead of the traditional $100s of millions, and that includes the launch vehicle, the satellite, and the widget you want to test,' said Marshall Space Flight Center's Edward 'Sandy' Montgomery in a release."

7 of 150 comments (clear)

  1. not all rosy... by MrAndrews · · Score: 3, Funny

    The Russians aren't too happy about this new side to NASA... they're trying to distance themselves from the whole idea...

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    The world's only surviving livewriter.
  2. Is it just me by COMON$ · · Score: 3, Funny

    Or did anyone else have the vision of a giant slingshot for the launch?

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    CS: It is all sink or swim...oh and did I mention there are sharks in that water?
    1. Re:Is it just me by Selfbain · · Score: 3, Funny

      I had assumed they were just going to pray and hope God launched it for them.

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      Well, it has never been successfully tested.
  3. Oh, great by Dripdry · · Score: 3, Funny

    Now for a decent sized marketing budget, I can look in a telescope and see "Eat at Joe's" plastered up in the heavens?

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  4. Nearly GNU naming by niceone · · Score: 4, Funny

    FASTSAT Affordable, Science and Technology SATellite (FASTSAT)

    There, fixed it.

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    ccalam - acoustic versions of new songs.
  5. Re:The new unit of measurement by UbuntuDupe · · Score: 4, Funny

    That didn't bother me as much as saying that it "clocks in" at 200 pounds. I know, I know, it's just a metaphor, but I really don't like the idea of measuring weight with a clock, given NASA's past unit conversion problems...

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    Apology to Ubuntu forum.
  6. Re:Let me know when I can get one at the Dollar St by evil+agent · · Score: 3, Funny

    Perhaps if every slashdot reader contributed $10, we could get one. The highest rated comment ideas would be placed into a slashdot poll to decide what to do with it.

    I vote for geostationary orbit over Natalie Portman's house.

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    End transmission.