In 2020, I signed up for Hack-A-Sat, a satellite hacking competition hosted by the US Air Force and Defense Digital Service. Back then, I knew little about aerospace or satellites, but the challenge hooked me. While I didn’t make it far in the competition, it sparked an unexpected curiosity: what if I could build a satellite instead of just hacking one?
Fast forward to today, and I’ve built my first satellite: a tiny AmbaSat-1 femto-satellite. With the support of a $1,000 grant from the 1517 Fund, I purchased the kit, assembled the spacecraft, and programmed its sensors. Though it hasn’t launched yet, my satellite is awaiting integration into a CubeSat for its journey to Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Here’s how I went from hacking to building satellites and why this DIY adventure could be for you too.
Hack-A-Sat and My Aerospace Fascination
Hack-A-Sat was unlike anything I’d done before. The event blended cybersecurity with space technology, challenging participants to exploit vulnerabilities in satellite systems. It wasn’t just about hacking—it was a crash course in understanding how satellites operate, communicate, and sometimes fail. I came away realizing two things:
- Satellites are incredibly sophisticated yet approachable with the right tools and mindset.
- I wanted to learn more, but as a builder, not just a hacker.
My journey led me to discover AmbaSat, a UK-based company offering DIY satellite kits. The idea of assembling a spacecraft at home and seeing it launched into space? Irresistible.
Building AmbaSat-1: A DIY Spacecraft
AmbaSat-1 is a tiny 35mm square satellite packed with sensors, a LoRaWAN radio for communication, and solar panels for power. Think of it as the Raspberry Pi of space exploration. Up to 200 of these femto-satellites are loaded into a single CubeSat, which serves as their collective launch vehicle. Once deployed into orbit, each AmbaSat sends telemetry data back to Earth for about a month.
What’s Inside?
- Gyroscope, Accelerometer, Magnetometer: Essential for understanding orientation and movement in space.
- Environmental Sensor: My chosen payload includes temperature, humidity, gas, and pressure sensors.
- LoRaWAN Radio: Allows communication with ground stations across the globe.
The kit’s step-by-step instructions made the assembly process manageable, even for someone new to aerospace. With a soldering iron, a bit of patience, and a lot of curiosity, I pieced it together.
The Mission: Goals and Challenges
Goals:
- Assemble and program a functional satellite.
- Use LoRaWAN to receive real-time sensor data on my AmbaSat Mission Control Dashboard.
- Test environmental monitoring capabilities, from detecting temperature changes to measuring volatile organic compounds.
Challenges:
- Precision Work: Soldering tiny components to the printed circuit board was both thrilling and nerve-wracking.
- Waiting for Launch: As of now, the CubeSat launch timeline depends on regulatory and testing phases, so patience is a new skill I’ve had to master.
Why DIY Satellites Matter
AmbaSat kits democratize space exploration. For a fraction of the cost of traditional satellites, hobbyists, educators, and researchers can build and launch their own spacecraft. This accessibility opens doors for: - STEM Education: Students can learn hands-on about space systems and programming. - Citizen Science: Individuals can conduct meaningful experiments in LEO. - Innovation: Low-cost satellite platforms encourage creative solutions to big problems.
What’s Next?
My AmbaSat-1 is assembled and ready for launch. Once it’s integrated into the CubeSat, the team at AmbaSat HQ will handle testing, regulatory approvals, and final preparations for its journey to space. On launch day, I’ll be glued to the live video feed as the rocket carries my DIY satellite into orbit. From there, it’s all about data—analyzing telemetry, environmental readings, and anything else my tiny spacecraft can share from 300km above Earth.
Why You Should Build One Too
Hack-a-Sat pulled me into the world of aerospace, but AmbaSat showed me it wasn’t just about the destination. It’s about the process of learning, building, and discovering what’s possible with the tools we have. The thrill of seeing my 0x4143fSat launch into orbit will be incredible, but even if it stayed on the ground, the journey would still be worth it.
For anyone out there wondering if space is “too big” or “too complicated” to be part of, let me tell you: start where you are. Whether it’s joining a hackathon, building a DIY satellite, or just reading about CubeSats, the first step is closer than you think.