The ultimate space gift - CubeSat launch slots

What is a CubeSat?

Cubesats are very small satellites that are mainly used for research purpose. Each CubeSat is made up of an assembly of units that are typically 10 x 10 x11.35 cubic cm. The only restraint is that the weight of a cube sat should not exceed 1.33 kg.Depending on the weight, they are classified under Picosatellites. These are placed in the orbit by ISS or even through launch vehicles as attached payloads.

The first models were created in 1999 by the California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo in the Stanford University Space Systems Development Lab. The initial aim was to provide the students with easy and reliable access to space and its researches. The use of CubeSat is now not confined to students alone but also to companies and organizations both private and government. The design was proposed by Jordi Puig and Bob Twiggs.

Being miniature forms, these can be sent into space as secondary payloads. Even though the design was devised in 1999, the first CubeSat was successfully put into orbit in 2003 on a Russian Eurokot. The number of cubesats put into space had reached 75 by the year 2012.

The high cost of launching and placing the bigger satellites was one of the reason why the need for a smaller satellite was apparent for simpler researches. Such smaller satellites could also enable the deployment of several of these at a time with a heavy load launcher. The purpose was for academic reasons and now better variations of CubeSat satellites with a little more larger till 12 U to help serve in more complex studies and defense purposes. Cubesats are one of a kind of technological advancement that will provide development of education, promote more scientific mission and even provide answers to complex questions like the formation of the solar system.

CubeSats are commonly launched through Poly-PicoSatellite Orbital Deployer (P-POD). Usually for larger satellites, a new launcher is created for each satellite. But with CubeSat the low cost of the satellite required that the launcher be used several times without harm. The estimate cost of production and deployment of a CubeSat into space is about 65,000- 80,000 USD.

Picosatellites

The CubeSat comes under the classification of picosat. These should not be confused with the PICOSAT which is a serious of microsatellites. Picosats work by itself or on an assembly and the word swarm is used to refer to a group of cubesats used together. Sometimes a bigger satellite connects with the pico satellite for its functioning. A simple picosat payload would be only the size of a soda can and this makes its launch possible for as low as @12,000 to $18,000.

Do-it-Yourself CubeSat Kits

The first cubesats created by university students mostly comprised of Commercial off-the-shelf products and simple batteries. Currently there are DIY kits available for creating a CubeSat. with this any person with enough knowledge on satellites and its assembly can have their own satellite made on the sputnik model. Launch of CubeSats can be scheduled with companies like ULA ( United launch Alliance) which provides low cost launch and deployment opportunity for students. Pumpkin CubeSat Kit began its operations in 1993 and since then has sold several kits that stick to the standards. The software is standardized to make use of less power and provide high efficiency.

NASA CubeSat Space Mission

In February, 2015, NASA released a list of 14 Universities that will have their miniature satellites to be flown into the space orbit in its upcoming launches. These launches of rockets are planned to take place through 2016, 2017 and 2018. Years back NASA was one of the very few space exploration organizations and such initiatives are taken by them to promote contributions to space explorations. The ultimate goal for the next 5 years is to successfully place 50 satellites from the 50 states. Recently, the solar flares were being a matter of concern and NASA has sent 17 CubeSats to look into the matter.

ULA- United Launch Alliance

ULA was formed out of an alliance between Lockheed Martin and The Boeing Company in 2006. The aim was to provide reliable and low cost satellite and rocket launch services to US government for use in the defense sector, NASA and other organizations. The launch vehicles used are Atlas and Delta and they have a good track record of supporting US Space operations for over 50 years. They have a combined experience of over 100 years. The team is comprised of over 3400 employees and are employed at different ULA locations across US. A complex network of jobs like project management, testing, creation, launching, mission managements and business support are handled by these professionals. The range of operations of the payloads stretch from weather analysis, telecommunication to complex data collection that that eventually help to better life on earth and for a better understanding of the universe as a whole.

Get Free CubeSat Launch Slot

The ULA Launch agency has called for applications from all US based universities and colleges to apply for their own launch slot for free. The opportunity also promotes the tie up with K-12 schools to part in the competition. They have also included the Student Rocket Launch Payload Program. The call for applications was sent out in April 2016 and the organizers have informed that the last due date for submitting completed applications would be by June 1, 2016. The awards are planned to be announced by the Summer itself. (http://www.waaytv.com/space_alabama/applications-now-open-for-free-cubesat-rides/article_d649fcee-fcd8-11e5-b19e-13491fa36d6c.html)

The price of CubeSat launch slot is a restraining factor for the universities to have their satellites put into space. With this opportunity by ULA, the eligible ones can get themselves a free CubeSat launch slot. The number of winners will be 6 and they will be delivered as secondary payload on two Atlas V missions. The organizers have also informed that this will be a precursor to a larger plan of adding slots to students with every Atlas V and Vulcan Centaur launches.

Space Express (http://www.spaceexpress.org) is also expected to come up with such opportunities for students to make use of their skills in space exploration using CubeSats and other miniature satellites. The project also aims to increase the interest of the future generation in space initiatives.  

Graffiti In Space: Who will be the First?

Introduction

We can see several graffiti writings and paintings on the streets around us which depict different notions. It has recently gained popularity as a part of the hip-hop culture. Graffiti was earlier seen as vandalism and people caught drawing on public or private walls were punished. The current trends have changed and it is seen as an art form with great artists doing wonderful graffiti works.

Graffiti Seen from Outer Space

The world's largest graffiti painting was done by the artist INSA and was right named INSA's GIF-ITI. The image was a heart-shaped graffiti repainted with small variations over 3 times and satellite images of these 3 images were captured and converted into gifs. INSA is a graffiti artist and was famous for its huge wall murals. With his new work of art, covering an area of 57, 515 sq meters, he had successfully created the enormous graffiti that could be seen from space.

This is a case of graffiti being able to be viewed from outer space, but recently there are reported cases of Graffiti in outer space. Let's take a look at a few instances of such graffiti.

Morse Code on Martian Sand

JPL ( Jet Propulsion Laboratory) has put up its signature Morse code JPL on the tires of the Curiosity Rover. So every time the tire rolls, the signature JPL is imprinted on the Martian sands. Some justifications say that this is to give a proper measurement of the distance covered by the rover on Mars. The number of imprints of JPL on the sand can give the distance traveled approximation. Whatever may be the reasoning, this is a simple instance of graffiti on the Red Planet.

Evidence for Graffiti in Apollo 11

The command module of Apollo 11 which successfully landed Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on the moon has been on display at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum for over 40 years since 1970. In a recent project undertaken to make a clear study of the capsule, the researchers uncovered markings similar to graffiti drawings. The spacecraft had three astronauts, namely Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins. The graffiti markings were on the interior walls which were hidden from sight. The curator of the museum, Allan Needell had sent out the pictures of the drawings.

One of the markings has been like some course correction scribbles. Studies were conducted by comparing these with the audio transcripts and were found to be communication details for the coordinates for the Lunar module Eagle. These were found near the navigation section near the telescope and sextant for easy access to the coordinates. (http://www.cnet.com/news/space-graffiti-discovered-inside-apollo-11-command-module/)

There was another marker noticed on the chamber R5 which said: “ Launch Day Urine bags.” This was a notification to inform that it contained urine collected before the waste disposal technology started working. There was also a countdown marked from 16th to 24, till the capsule landed in the pacific. It is not known which astronaut had done this, yet it shows that he was eagerly waiting to get back.

There was also a graffiti note by Michael Collins on the interior wall of the capsule which praised Spacecraft 107 and wished it all the very best for the future years. This was the first of the one of the kind, graffiti markers found in outer space.

Invader's Artwork in ISS
Artist Invader had once sent his artwork named SpaceOne to the stratosphere by attaching it to a Helium balloon in the year 2012. This was done as a part of the project – Art4Space. Later in June 2014, this graffiti artist sent his piece of artwork, the Space2 which was a geometrical representation of the popular game Space Invader. He wished to push all boundaries and reach art wherever he could. Art is more like inspiration and it will prove the same for scientists too. (http://thecreatorsproject.vice.com/blog/invaders-artwork-aboard-the-international-space-station)

It does more work than simple inspirational art. Space 2 connects the iss to ESA locations in Europe. This was sent in the ATV -5 spacecraft. This was launched from Guiana Space Center, Kourou in French Guiana. It is a form of binary art and thus serves the purpose of communication and linking. The artist's basic idea was to use tiles instead of pixels to create the image and his initial aim was to place it on walls all over the world. He has been successful in placing several of these mosaic tile pictures in different locations and finally the one in the International Space Station.

Shepard Fairey's Mission Patch in Space

Street artist Shepard Fairey was put on work by the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space(CASIS) to create a promo patch for their newest venture ARK 1. The aim of ARK1 is to promote scientific research in space and will have experiments conducted to study protein crystallization and colloidal connection. The ARK 1 along with the research equipment will also have the patches designed by Fairey.

The patch depicts a new logo for the mission. The blue and green theme of the design in the triangular patch is to match the CASIS logo. There is also a depiction of the ISS with the space shuttle. The research is conducted by expedition teams 37 and 38 and therefore the patch has the numbers in small circles. The basic idea is to promote the brand and the logo of ARK 1 across the globe towards a major cause of space research.

Brand Development with Outer Space Graffiti

All designers reach their optimal goals on earth with the open space featuring a vast opportunity they dream to make their artwork reach outer space. Some people like Fairey and Invader are lucky enough. But for others, the way is to sneak up tags, names, or pictures along with objects that go into the ISS supply. But more is to come up with space graffiti and billboards.

Recently a Japanese soft drink company named 'Pocari Sweat' expressed its plan to send a can weighing 1 kg to outer space on the Moon. (http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/the-first-advert-on-the-moon-Japanese-soft-drink-manufacturer-will-deliver-a-can-of-pocari-sweat-to-9382535.html) It will have a powdered form of the drink and will be the first of its kind advertisement or brand set up on the moon. This is not the first plan for marketing in space as the notion was scuppered in 1993 when presented by Space Marketing Inc. The first forms can yet be attributed to the logos of the ISS and sponsors on the space probes. Some of these have been created by Martin Wilson (http://martinwilson.me/)who is a space marketing consultant.

“Perhaps future space probes will be plastered in commercial logos, just as Formula One cars are now. Perhaps Robot Wars in space will be a lucrative spectator sport. If humans venture back to the moon, and even beyond, they may carry commercial insignia rather than national flags.”- Martin Rees

Wow in outer space, the great dark beyond

Introduction

The Great Dark is also known simply as the Dark or Dark Beyond. It is one of the Realms of existence. In simple words, one can describe the Dark Beyond as the outer space in the World of Warcraft. Some descriptions state it to be the first forms of everything when there was nothing in this world. This makes it the first mortal world and it comprises of the lot of moons, stars and other planets. The Azeroth and Draenor planets are found in this mortal world known as the Dark Beyond. The Twisting Nether when compared to the Dark Beyond is an Astral Plane of chaos.

Planets of WoW

Argus: This planet was the home to the eredars. The eredars were basically magical creatures. The planet was Argus was shattered by the Sargeras and the eredars were split into the Man'ari, who are the current leaders of the Burning Legion and the Draenei, who followed Velun and were exiled into Eredun. The burning Legion continuously hunted the Draenei.

Azeroth: Almost all of the Warcraft stories are set in the Azeroth. Its a planet which was graced by the Titans but later the Burning Legion came in bringing in demon races to Azeroth.

K'aresh: This planet has a prosperous ecosystem until it was attacked by Dimensius, who was the king of the Void. This led the ethereals who lived in K'aresh to roam the Nether Plane and leaving the planet situation unknown.

Xoroth: This it the planet of dread which is the homeland to steeds of the Burning Legion. The dreadsteeds of the dreadlords roam Xoroth under the governance of Lord Hel'nurath. When a warlock requests epic mount, the player will have to call for a Dreadsteed through a portal.

Xandros: This is again a destroyed planet which faced this situation due to the Burning Legion member , Mongrethod. Players are sent to this destroyed world in the quest of the Talador Storyline.

Outland: Draenor is a destroyed world and Outland is the left backs of this destroyed red world. The draenei take refuge in the Outland after their hometown was shattered by the Burning Legion.

Several other planets existed in the Dark Beyond other than the above listed ones.

End of Azeroth

The end of the Azeroth began as a question that faced the scholars. The conclusion was deducted that the realm of Emerald Dream surrounded the Azeroth and layed secluded from the other planes by the Astral plane of the Twisting Nether. Then was the critical question of what comes after the Nether? The final answer, the Dark Beyond was well acclaimed. It started from the end of chaos at the Nether and the end of the Dark Beyond was not defined. Anything that was beyond knowledge about the WoW outer space was the Dark (http://wowwiki.wikia.com/wiki/Great_Dark_Beyond).

Differences Between the Dark Beyond and the Twisting Nether

Several planets and world existed in space and the Astral Plane that lies between these worlds was called the Twisting Nether or Nether Plane. This plane is filled with fragments, chaos and magic. It crosses across the Dark Beyond but still remains unknown or undetectable by the mortals. The World of Wildcraft still does not give an exact definition or purpose of the two planes and its interconnections.

Conflicts over the Description of the Dark Beyond

In the novel, The Last Guardian, the story depicts the Dark Beyond to be filled with demons who made it their homeland and even ruled over it. The Dark Portal was also said to be a connection that existed between two points of the Twisting Nether. In contrast, the future novels continuously spoke of the Twisting Nether to be composed of the demons. If the first description of the Dark Beyond as given in The Last Guardian holds true, then the Nether Plane should be considered as a three dimensional plane that allowed quick intergalactic travel.

Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness has the Second War as the major concept in which Aegwynn describes the Dark Beyond similar to how the current chronicles see the Twisting Nether. Some sources claim it to be a retcon. In the Warcraft II chronicles, the usage of Astral Nether and the Dark has been rather complicated and confusing when compared to the future editions. There was also the added obscure data which stated Aegwynn to be responsible for taking care of Azeroth from the dark forces of the Beyond, the later chronicles confirm her area of work to be keeping check on the demons of the Nether. The proper description of the Astral plane was provided only later after the Warcraft II edition.

The outer space of the WoW is rather complicated and one might never know if the Dark Beyond had forces that were on constant fight with the Burning Legion and this remains unknown to the other powers who are fighting over the planet of Azeroth.

Conclusion

When a person is playing the Warcraft Role Playing Game, the Nether Plane seems to be like a part of the Dark beyond. They exist in the same area with no boundaries. Currently diagrammatic representations of the two are available which shows the Twisting Nether to be running across the Dark beyond in greens. The Dark Beyond can also be assumed to be indefinite. The planets are on the same material plane as the Dark while the Twisting Nether is within the material plane.

World of Warcraft is an encapturing MMOG game which lets the player explore the outer space on a different perspective and has been immensely successful with children and adults alike. This love for the outer space can be invigorated exponentially when the SpaceExpress Project (http://www.spaceexpress.org)will come to Universities and Schools which will describe space through demonstrations, activities and simulations. The participants can create their own mission and the routes to the success of the mission can also be set by them. The several factors like propulsion, mission length and other factors can be determined and finally the mission profile can be viewed as a virtual space mission till its successful completion This will help in increasing the interest of the new generation in space science and exploration.