Are you ready for launch in 2021? We certainly hope so! Globally, twenty-twenty was quite the year and when the clock struck midnight, we took a moment to pause and reflect on the awful impact caused by the covid pandemic. Our hearts go out to all who have lost loved ones, family and friends. Whilst we’re still not out of the woods, there is good news and hope on the horizon in 2021.
For AmbaSat, 2020 was a formative year. We moved from ‘Kickstarter startup’ to a bonafide ‘satellite company’ startup, with new business premises and employing our first full-time staff. During the pandemic, we were mostly able to fulfill Kickstarter/Indiegogo orders, albeit at a slower pace than we would have liked.
So, what does 2021 hold? Well, to say that we are excited by what’s in store would be an understatement! There is so much happening and so much planned that 2021 might not be long enough to fit it all in… We have some exciting announcements for January/February 2021. At the moment we’re in final stages with contracts and agreements so restricted on providing full details however, here are some of the highlights:
- Rocket launches for 2021/22. SpaceX & Falcon 9 and contracted launches for 2021/22
- Ongoing development of AmbaSat-2. 5 on-board sensors, 3-year flight duration, moon orbit. And for those that asked, it will feature a camera!
- Educational partners who are helping us to deliver exciting new STEM-based AmbaSat Satellite Build courses. Education is one of our core values and we are growing our educational packages with a number of educational partners in order to deliver AmbaSat courses in the UK and USA
- New employees. Last year, even through the pandemic, we took on three new employees and 2021 will see further staff additions. If you’re interested, keep a look out on the AmbaSat blog or contact Jackie for available positions
- US roadshow. In the second half of 2021, we will be taking part in a 3 month US roadshow to promote AmbaSat in space, science and its technology advantages in schools and colleges across the USA
- Funding. We received major funding in late 2020 which amongst other things is allowing us to accelerate our business growth and deliver affordable satellite development programmes. We will also be seeking further funding to further build the business
- Exhibitions & events. SpaceComExpo in the USA, Global Space and Technology Convention (GSTC) in Singapore, both later in the year. We’re also looking at Space Comm UK and other events in Asia & Australia
Those are the headliners. The day-to-day business-type things continue and just a few of these highlights include:
- AmbaSat Drone flight to 1 kilometer altitude. This involves mounting an AmbaSat-1 satellite onto a frame and then lifting that frame using a Xiaomi Mi Drone 4k to a height of 1 km. The AmbaSat-1 is equipped with two sensors, the first is the BME680 (temperature, gas, humidity, pressure) sensor and the second is our new TESEO GPS sensor. The purpose of the flight is to test LoRaWAN connectivity over ‘The Things Network’ (TTN), including number of gateways receiving data, also we’ll be checking GPS resolution and reporting. We actually did some early low-altitude test flights a few weeks back. Images here are from those flights.
- High altitude Balloon (HAB) testing – As part of temperature, communications coverage and environmental studies, we’ll be launching several HABs. Hopefully in February & March. More updates to follow at the time of flight
- Of course there’s always the ongoing work with licensing, administration, sales and support
Our goals for 2021:
a) Deliver accessible space exploration to everyone by providing an affordable satellite development kit and rocket launch programme.
b) Provide STEM students, scientists and individuals with an exciting, REAL-WORLD ‘Build Your Own Satellite’ course which delivers a solid foundation and understanding of satellites, rockets, space, electronics, communications, project management, project collaboration and much much more. All culminating in the opportunity to build and launch your very own spacecraft.
Finally in this new year update, we would like to pass on our sincere thanks to everyone who has supported AmbaSat over the past two years. It would not have been possible without you.
If you represent a school, college, university or provide workshops and courses for students and you think that building and launching a satellite into Low Earth Orbit would be a cool thing for your organisation and students, then please get in touch, we would love to engage with you. Email: jackie.northrup@ambasat.com
Wishing you a healthy and happy 2021!
The AmbaSat Team.
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