Former NASA engineer and popular YouTube-blogger Mark Rober has once again surprised the Internet. He plans to launch a satellite capable of taking unique selfies from the best angle — high above the Earth. In partnership with Google and T-Mobile, Roper has developed a project where users will be able to see themselves against the background of the planet right from orbit.
How does it work?
The satellite, scheduled for launch in January 2025 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket (Transporter 12 mission), will be equipped with two cameras and Google Pixel smartphones. Creating selfies from space is as simple as possible: users send their photo taken on Earth, it goes to the screen of the Google Pixel smartphone mounted on the satellite, and at the same time a second camera on the satellite takes a photo of the display with the selfies open along with the Earth in the background. This combination will give you the opportunity to take portraits in maximum quality.
Rober promises to take these selfies for everyone who is interested. The photos will be created a few months after launch, when the satellite will fly over your city, and the exact time of the shoot will be communicated in advance to let everyone prepare.
How can you get access to satellite selfies?
Although the campaign is advertised as “free,” there are certain conditions:
- T-Mobile subscribers can get the code in the T-Life app.
- Google Pixel users will also have access to free codes.
- Others can get the code by subscribing to CrunchLabs, a service that offers engineering kits for kids. Subscriptions cost between $25 and $80 per year.
Registration is available as of December 3 at spaceselfie.com by uploading your photo and receiving an email with details.
Technology and engineering challenges
To keep the satellite running, Rober and his team created a system of solar panels charging a 120W*h battery. However, the main engineering challenge was to control the satellite’s position: to collect power, take pictures, and transmit photos. Due to the lack of engines for orientation, a flywheel was installed, which can change position to adapt to different tasks.
Entertainment or science?
Rober’s project is not just a gimmick, but an example of how innovation can combine technology, science and entertainment. This satellite, besides creating selfies, draws attention to the possibilities of space technology and its integration into everyday life.
Rober, who has previously created viral videos about defending against driveway thieves and building obstacle courses for squirrels, has proven again: engineering can be fun and accessible to everyone.
Earlier we reported on how an astronaut took funny selfies through a weightless bubble.
Provided by The Verge
