The Space Selfie: A Journey to Orbit and Beyond
This article recounts the ambitious project to launch a satellite capable of taking selfies in space, a venture that involved significant investment, technical challenges, and ultimately, a triumphant success. The goal was to create a satellite, "Sat Gus," that could wirelessly receive pictures from Earth and display them on a screen in space, capturing a selfie over any location on the planet. The creator promised free access to this selfie satellite for everyone if successful.
Overcoming Earth's Gravity: The Rocket Launch
The project faced two major hurdles. The first was achieving a successful rocket launch to escape Earth's gravity. This involved a complex launch process, where "a million things can happen, only one of which is good." The satellite consisted of 7,836 parts, any one of which could break, jeopardizing the entire mission.
To celebrate the launch, a watch party was organized near the launch pad. Tim Dodd, also known as Everyday Astronaut, was present at the launch site. Previous collaboration with Elon Musk was brought up, specifically a clip where Tim Dodd suggested a change on the Starship hot gas thrusters.
Weather was a concern, as the launch site, Vandenberg Space Force Base, is known for its fog, a factor historically used to conceal nuclear missile silos during the Cold War. Preparations were made, including setting up remote trigger cameras to capture launch footage.
From Countdown to Liftoff
The night before the launch was filled with anticipation and final preparations. Nerves were high, given the stakes involved. Despite the anxiety, the morning of the launch brought clear skies, considered a good omen. After meeting with volunteers and practicing the live stream, the launch sequence began.
The launch process involved a complex series of events: 1. The rocket had 15 minutes to launch. 2. Detach the first-stage rocket. 3. Ensure the first-stage rocket lands safely. 4. Activate the second stage to deploy the satellites.
The launch was successful, and the crowd erupted in cheers. The Falcon 9 rocket ascended, powered by nine Merlin engines.
Stage Separation and Landing
The process included main engine cut off, second stage ejection, and the booster's return. The booster performed a boost back burn to return to the landing site. The landing was successful, accompanied by sonic booms. Sat Gus was successfully placed into orbit. This moment was emotionally charged, representing years of hard work and a step forward for humanity.
Mission Control: Booting Up the Satellite
With the rocket launch complete, the second milestone was booting up the satellite and initiating selfie mode. This involved activating and testing the satellite's systems from a mission control center.
The commissioning process had seven steps, including booting up the flight computer, unfolding the solar panels, and deploying the camera. Initial boot-up took longer than expected, causing some tension in mission control. The team invoked a NASA tradition of eating peanuts for good luck, a practice originating from a series of successful missions after peanuts were brought.
Establishing Communication: Overcoming Challenges
The team successfully unfolded the solar arrays and deployed the high-power antennas, crucial for communication. However, the initial attempt to contact a ground station in Antarctica failed. The satellite was tumbling more than expected, disrupting the antenna's line of sight.
The team waited anxiously for the next ground station pass. T-Mobile and Google Pixel were acknowledged for their partnership and the important parts their technology played in the success of the project.
Stabilizing and Capturing the Selfie
Communication was eventually established. The satellite used torque rods to despin, allowing for a more stable connection. After further stabilization using reaction wheels, the camera and screen were deployed. The first-ever selfie from space was successfully captured. The accomplishment marks a significant achievement, and the creator declared that taking a space selfie with Sat Gus will be free for everyone.
Camp Crunch Labs
With the project completed, attention turned to Camp Crunch Labs, a virtual space-themed summer camp. This camp aims to engage kids in space-related activities and challenges, promoting engineering thinking. Participants can earn a "platinum ticket" to join the creator for a mega experiment.