www.3ders.org

Dec 2, 2014 | By Alec

Does anyone remember the Greek satellite collective SatNOGS? We first learned of this exciting project a few months ago, when we reported on their plans to develop an open-source network of 3D printed Ground Stations capable of connecting to Satellites.

Things have clearly been going well for the SatNOGS team since then, as they just picked up the Grand Prize at the 2014 Hackaday competition in November. Beating a diverse and massive field of 800 competitors to take the main prize, the Greek team has been given a difficult choice (considering their obsession): either a single trip into space, as soon as that becomes commercially available, or a cash prize of the oddly specific number of $196,418. As SatNOGS is a team effort, the latter prize might be the safer of the two options.

So what do you need to do to beat 800 innovative competitors? Well, the Hackaday jury was particularly impressed by the practical benefits of the SatNOGS team. 'It opens up the use of satellite data to a much wider range of humanity by providing plans to build satellite tracking stations, and a protocol and framework to share the satellite data with those that cannot afford, or lack the skills to build their own tracking station.' Their extensive use of 3D printing technology to keep the costs down, was also appreciated.

So what does this project do exactly? Well, in a nutshell, it offers open-source data to enthusiasts, who can use it to develop their own station capable of receiving satellite data an track them in real time. But there's also a powerful network factor involved, aimed at cooperative communication about satellites throughout the skies.

This project began as part of NASA's 2014 International Space Apps Challenge, an international event of mass collaboration aimed at space exploration and all its aspects, that was held on the 12th and 13th of April 2014. As part of the challenge, the Greek team developed 'the hardware and software parts that enabled us to real-time track and communicate with satellites.'

Since then, the Greek team of hackers, programmers and engineers have been expanding their project to provide an open-source basis for a community of Satellite tracking enthusiasts. As stated on their website, 'We love satellites! And there are thousands of them up there. SatNOGS provides a scalable and modular platform to communicate with them.'

To realise this, they have been working on a series of open-source designs for both the bulk manufacturing of the ground stations as well as the necessary software to operate them. Impressively, all of this has been realized using existing systems and can almost entirely created using 3D printing technology. Interested enthusiasts can find their open source designs on their website.

All in all, SatNOGS is an inventive open-source project that cleverly explores the potential of 3D printing. And it would not surprise me if we'll hear a lot more about them, after having won the Hackaday prize. Surely they'll pick the cash prize and invest it in their project?

Also take a look at their video pitch for the competition:

 

 

Posted in 3D Printing Applications

 

Maybe you also like:

• Slovakian man recovers after surgeons successfully apply a 3D printed titanium skull implant
• SUMISAYA Japanese sword combines traditional katana craftsmanship with 3D printing
• South African teens build self-repairing 3D printer to support human mission to Mars
• 3DPrinterOS and 3Dponics team up to offer 3D printable DIY hydroponics system
• Full Spectrum Laser secures $10 Million investment for growth in 3D printing
• World's largest 3D sand printer gives 1912 Brush car a new lease of life
• GE to build new Pennsylvania facility to develop & implement 3D printing technology
• Two men 3D printed a life-size replica of themselves to find love
• Get a personalized, 3D printed signpost that perfectly matches your location

   

Leave a comment:

Your Name: