Take Your Own Photos From Space?

A new satellite being developed by students at Stanford University will allow amateur radio operators to download specific photos taken by the satellite and, if all goes according to plan, direct the satellite to take a picture on command. Different modulation techniques for transmitting the images will be analyzed.

According to the AMSAT News Service, the Sapling Magnifica satellite's primary mission will be to prove several key technologies needed for future Stanford Student Space Initiative satellites to host scientific payloads. The International Amateur Radio Union has coordinated downlink frequencies of 437.400 and 2427.00 MHz. Launch is tentatively planned for later this year. More information is available at <https://github.com/stanford-ssi>.