From Bristol 24-7 www.bristol247.com
An innovative project that allows individuals to design, build and launch personalised spacecraft then send them to the Moon has started in Bristol.
The pocket spacecraft, slightly smaller than a CD and as thin as a piece of paper, are attached to a mothership which will be fired into space courtesy of a commercial rocket.
When they arrive months later, the fleet of mini spacecraft will be photographed as they are released to land on the Moon to complete their mission
The scheme is supported by the Pervasive Media Studio, based at the Bristol’s Watershed media centre. Costing from £99, explorers who back the project will be able to personalise their own spacecraft by adding a picture or message direct from social media or game profile, or create their own unique design.
They can do this from their smartphone or web browser and will be able to monitor progress throughout their mission with their own pocket mission control app.
Anyone can take part in the mission via the crowdfunding website Kickstarter – and it only needs support from just over 2,000 people to go ahead.
Pocket Spacecraft founder Michael Johnson said: “By backing this mission people will revolutionise space exploration and space science.
“By democratising interplanetary space exploration we will create a generation of young explorers who can use the same affordable methods to explore Mars, Venus and beyond.
“We’re building tools so that one day every child will be able to send their own spacecraft on a robotic field trip in space.”
Much of the work will take place on Bristol’s harbourside. Clare Reddington, director at iShed and The Pervasive Media Studio added: “Of all the disruptive digital projects we have supported in the studio, this one has quite the most potential to change the world.”
The campaign ends on August 26. For more information go to: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1677943140/send-your-own-pocket-spacecraft-on-a-mission-to-th
Pictured: A CAD drawing of the CubeSat bus that will be modified to carry the Pocket Spacecraft
