Operation Caelus is a project i'm starting to get a Cubesat with a Bitcoin node to space.
this will be a open source project for everyone to follow. the goal is to send a Cubesat with a Bitcoin node to the Thermosphere.
A Bitcoin node in space would be a great achievement for the bitcoin community!
The Cubesat will be build by various members of the Bitcoin community and financed with Bitcoins.
yes, i am well aware of the difficulties of this project, but i thought that if Apollo 11 landed on the moon on the 20th of July 1969 with less technology then a modern calculator, then so can the bitcoin community (but let's focus on the Thermosphere instead of the moon

one of the key goals with this Project, except for the Bitcoin node part is to create unique satellite with 0 or close to 0 commercial satellite parts, such as NanoPower P31U Power Supply, ISIS On Board Computer and so on.
for that, i suggest the Core computer to be made out of a RPI, most likely a RPI cluster (2x, can't drain to much power) or a tweaked RPI.
if Possible a camera could also be used on the satellite to broadcast live footage of the first Bitcoin node in space.
to make it more cost effective i propose a 1.33 Kg mass (MAX) Cubesat (10x10x10CM)
Building the satellite itself is not that hard nor expensive. the hard part is the launch it self. there are 2 ways one could go on about it.
TBA
First mission; satellite structure

[center]I have no started a Kickstarter campaign for the Structure!
i will also post a bitcoin Address here for donations. ALL donations will got towards the success of this project.
If you would like a Personal Bitcoin address to donate to, then that can be arranged.
1CXtmrWmi41zGiqwh1qf8Zivv5N1qV4q4Y[/center]
[center]First Goal; Cubesat structure. 0 / ~
(side panels included)

UPDATE*
Kickstarter campaign for the Structure has launched ! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/81 ... ace-and-fe