Ask HN: How can I send an internet connected server into low earth orbit?

2 points·zubairq··5 comments

I want to send a Raspberry PI or other small form factor server into low earth orbit that I can ping, SSH, and serve web pages from. How do I power this and who can I send the payload with?

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SpaceFlight.com can handle the launch. Why do you want a LEO orbit, there might be better orbits for your mission? You'll probably want a radhard processor instead of a Pi Zero. You will also need Batteries, Thermal, Attitude Determination and Control, RF and antennas...minimum budget is probably $1M including launch for a "server in space" mission. There is a lot that goes into making a spacecraft. A good book to pick up is SMAD[0]. Reach out to me if you have the resources, I'd be happy to help.

[0]https://www.amazon.com/Space-Mission-Engineering-Technology-...

Oh wow I was thinking more like $10,000 , shows how little I know about this. Ok I’ll read up on that and get back to you

There is a Planet Money episode where they talk about trying to get their own satellite launched, and it includes several pointers that might help you get started.

https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2017/12/01/567267573/plan...

Super, thanks! I'm listening to it now! Do you know if anyone has already done this by the way? I'm thinking a Pi Zero powered by solar

@noahdesu Thanks, I listened to the entire NPR series on launching something. So interesting! I never realised how much there is involved, and they didn't say the prices, but I don't think it will be less than $100,000 for sure now!

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