[amsat-bb] Re: Launch Costs (was-re: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol. 7, Issue 312)

[Trevor .]

> Clearly, we must expand beyond the amateur radio community 
> to raise funds of this magnitude, but to do so requires 
> both a non-amateur radio "vision" to what a HEO satellite 
> would provide (e.g. excite non-amateurs)  as well as a 
> "Case for Support" that would attract major donors, 
> such as foundations.

Very well put Barry.

If we look at the Kickstarter site we can see satellite projects that between them have raised almost $300,000 yet the online Fundraising by the projects took just 30 days.

ArduSat - $106,330
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/575960623/ardusat-your-arduino-experiment-in-space

KickSat - $74,587
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/zacinaction/kicksat-your-personal-spacecraft-in-space

SkyCube - $116,890
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/880837561/skycube-the-first-satellite-launched-by-you

None of the individuals involved in those projects has any  previous track record in building and launching satellites, yet lots of people were happy to back them with hard cash.

How is it people with no proven track record can so easily raise such sums of money ?

It's down to communications, they actively sought to engage with people and involve them in what they were doing. 

I think there's something we can learn here.

Across the world millions of people are keen on space and would love to be involved in a space project, even if it's just donating $25 to it - We need to reach out to them.

73 Trevor M5AKA