- Many off the shelf components do work well in space. CubeSats will be in orbit below the high radiation belts. We have had spacecraft with the same technology functioning in orbit now for more than 10 years.
- These will transmit at 300-500 mw which is enough to be received with a tracking yagi antenna. Don't tell amateur radio operators what they've been doing for years won't work.
Yes this posting is essentially correct. My name is Charles Bonsall and I am the CubeSat Program Manager for OSSS, Inc. I would like to address a few of the comments...
Obviously the small size, mass and power available limits the functionality of these spacecraft, however there are still many valid scientific, engineering and educational uses for them, as well as other personal uses.
The level of miniaturization now available allows these small CubeSats to be real functioning spacecraft. And there are no other such opportunities as such low cost.
A number of present university and corporate customers are using them to test/qualify various devices and concepts in orbit at much less cost than any other way.
Most CubeSats will be placed in orbits that provide only 1-2 years on orbit before they are completely consumed in the upper atmosphere upon re-entry. A few others will be placed in orbits far above those used for manned flights like the shuttle and space station.
The next launch will be on a modified Russian SS-18 ICBM. The last was on a modified US Minuteman missile. This is a swords to plowshares use of very expensive obsolete military resources.
I invite you to view the OSSS, Inc. web site at for more information.
Thank you.
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- Many off the shelf components do work well in space. CubeSats will be in orbit below the high radiation belts. We have had spacecraft with the same technology functioning in orbit now for more than 10 years. - These will transmit at 300-500 mw which is enough to be received with a tracking yagi antenna. Don't tell amateur radio operators what they've been doing for years won't work.
Yes this posting is essentially correct. My name is Charles Bonsall and I am the CubeSat Program Manager for OSSS, Inc. I would like to address a few of the comments... Obviously the small size, mass and power available limits the functionality of these spacecraft, however there are still many valid scientific, engineering and educational uses for them, as well as other personal uses. The level of miniaturization now available allows these small CubeSats to be real functioning spacecraft. And there are no other such opportunities as such low cost. A number of present university and corporate customers are using them to test/qualify various devices and concepts in orbit at much less cost than any other way. Most CubeSats will be placed in orbits that provide only 1-2 years on orbit before they are completely consumed in the upper atmosphere upon re-entry. A few others will be placed in orbits far above those used for manned flights like the shuttle and space station. The next launch will be on a modified Russian SS-18 ICBM. The last was on a modified US Minuteman missile. This is a swords to plowshares use of very expensive obsolete military resources. I invite you to view the OSSS, Inc. web site at for more information. Thank you.