Story 2014-07-16 3QV Time running short for crowdfunded satellite rescue mission

Time running short for crowdfunded satellite rescue mission

by
in space on (#3QV)
story imageA group of scientists and enthusiasts are undertaking one of the most ambitious and interdisciplinary crowdfunded projects ever attempted:
They want to resurrect a long-dead satellite and send it on a close-range flyby of the Moon. The public has taken an inordinate interest in this resurrection plan, funding its RocketHub project to the tune of $160,000 - but the dream is quickly evaporating. The International Sun/Earth Explorer-3 (ISEE-3), which finished its original mission more than 30 years ago, has just days left in which to troubleshoot the satellite's many remaining problems. At this point the question is not whether the team can do everything they'd hoped, but how much of the original dream they can salvage.
This is interesting at every level. The satellite itself is interesting, this project is too, but the level of interest and effort that has gone into the RocketHub project is really amazing. Good luck, team!
Reply 0 comments