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Planet Earth has entered the age of the Personal Satellite with the introduction of Interorbital's TubeSat Personal Satellite (PS) Kit. The IOS TubeSat PS Kit is the low-cost alternative to the CubeSat. It has three-quarters of the mass (0.75-kg or 1.65-lb) and volume of a CubeSat, but still offers plenty of room for most experiments or applications. And, best of all, the price of the TubeSat kit includes the price of a launch into Low-Earth-Orbit on an IOS NEPTUNE 9 (N9) launch vehicle. Since the TubeSats are placed into self-decaying orbits 310 kilometers (192 miles) above the Earth's surface, they do not contribute to the long-term build-up of orbital debris. After operating for a several weeks (the exact length of time on orbit is dependent on solar activity), they will safely re-enter the atmosphere and burn-up. TubeSats are designed to be orbit-friendly. Launches are expected to begin in 2012.
Total Price of the TubeSat Kit including a Launch to Orbit: $8,000! TubeSats are designed to function as a Basic Satellite Bus or as a simple stand-alone satellite. Each TubeSat kit includes the satellite's structural components, printed circuit board (PCB) Gerber Files, electronic components, solar cells, batteries, transceiver (requires an authorized frequency allocation from the FCC or equivalent non-US entity), antennas, microcomputer, and the required programming tools. With these components, the builder can construct a satellite that can be received on the ground by a hand-held amateur radio receiver. Simple applications include broadcasting a repeating message from orbit or programming the satellite to function as an orbital amateur radio relay station. These are just two examples. The TubeSat also allows the builder to add his or her own experiment or function to the basic TubeSat Kit. Examples of add-on experiments or applications include the following:
▼ Earth-from-space video imaging The hexadecagon-shaped TubeSat is assembled from a set of printed circuit boards (PCBs). A PCB stack forms the inner structure with a set of Solar Cell PCBs and Aluminum Closure Strips forming the external structure (see the Solar Cell PCB photo below). External Guide Bearings facilitate the satellite's deployment from a tubular ejection unit on orbit.
As long as the experiment or application satisfies the volume and mass restrictions, it can be integrated into the TubeSat. These restrictions provide a unique intellectual challenge for the experiment or application designer.
The TubeSat Transceiver PC boards are compatible with transceivers in the amateur radio band (Radiometrix TR2M with an Radiometrix AFS2 amplifier) or the Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) band (Microhard n920 or Microhard n2420). TubeSat builders have the option of using the included PCB Gerber files for the Radiometrix or Microhard transceivers or selecting a transceiver of their choice and building a custom transceiver PC board. The owner of a TubeSat operating in the amateur radio band will require an amateur radio license, a license to use an allocation frequency, and any applicable experimental permits from the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) or non-US equivalent. For information about obtaining the required amateur radio band frequency allocation, click here. For information about commercial operations from space, contact the FCC or equivalent (requires an Experimental Radio Service license in the US). If the builder selects the Radiometrix transceiver, it will be sent out as soon as the TubeSat builder has been assigned a transceiver frequency by the US FCC or or equivalent non-US entity. If the buyer selects the Microhard, he or she can order their unit directly from Microhard Systems Inc. and will receive a rebate for the value of the Radiometrix units. For detailed information reqarding the shipment of the Radiometrix units or ordering the Microhard transceivers, click here. TubeSats are also available as Double TubeSats, or Triple TubeSats. The length, volume, and mass of these expanded TubeSats are based on the multiplying factor. Download the latest TubeSat Brochure with specifications For more detailed information, e-mail Interorbital Systems for a TubeSat Kit Specifications and Pricing document. If the TubeSat developer should accidentally damage his or her kit or a kit component during development, a full replacement kit or individual replacement components are available at cost. E-mail IOS and request a TubeSat Kit Specifications and Pricing document for details. Prior to launch, each TubeSat is installed into its own slot in the launch vehicle's Satellite Ejection Unit. Once on-orbit, the satellites are released according to a pre-programmed timing sequence. The timing sequence is designed to prevent satellite- clustering. In the future, Interorbital expects to launch a set TubeSats or CubeSats once a month. The initial N9 launches will take place from the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of California, and in future, from the IOS Spaceport Tonga, located on the southern tip of the island of 'Eua in the South Pacific Kingdom of Tonga PAYMENT OPTIONS FULL PAYMENT OPTION: If the buyer pays the full cost of the TubeSat kit upfront, he or she is immediately placed on a launch manifest according to the order in which the payment was received. HALF PAYMENT OPTION: TubeSat buyers also have the option of paying half of the cost upfront, then paying the other half of the cost at a later date. With this option, the builder's TubeSat will not be placed on a launch manifest until full payment is received. Once again, for more detailed technical and pricing information, please e-mail IOS and request a TubeSat Kit Specifications and Pricing document. Payment for the standard TubeSat Kit can be made Online with PayPal. Payment can also be made by bank transfer, cashiers check, or personal check. Send checks to the address listed at the bottom of the page (California orders must include 8.25% sales tax). If you make your payment with PayPal, we recommend you use the E-Check option. This will add only a $5.00 charge to the total cost of your TubeSat. If you use your credit card or other option with PayPal, there is a 3% charge ($239.00 on an $8,000 order). This 3% fee is shown in the prices below. If you use the E-Check option, you will be refunded the balance upon payment ($234.00 on an $8,000 order). Don't forget to e-mail or send your order form to IOS after you have made your purchase. Your PayPal payment will be processed through Astro Expeditions LLC (Interorbital Systems' marketing division). Please include your e-mail address. Upon receipt of your order, you will be emailed your shipping information and your position on the current launch manifest. The following prices apply to California residents. Prices include the required 8.25% sales tax. The following prices apply to non-US residents. Prices include shipping.
If you have any questions, please contact IOS by phone, email, or post. Telephone: 661.965.0771 Interorbital
Systems, P.O. Box 662, Mojave, CA 93502-0662
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