Introducing Postcards To Space and Project San Bao

[j05h]

So, I've been working on a new project full time since February. I presented my work to associates at ISDC 2006 and had a positive reception. An aerospace engineer has read the technical plan and says it can work. This whole effort is still under heavy alpha development, and I'm looking for feedback on both the current phase and what I'm trying to achieve. Some of the info about Project: San Bao needs to remain quiet for now, anyone that knows it from ISDC or figures it out, please respect this. <br /><br />Project: San Bao aims to develop and deliver (through appropriate contractors) a very large gossamer object to Low Earth Orbit in 2008. Part tech demonstrator, part sculpture, the spacecraft will be visible for several months. An internationally recognized partner is being sought to finalize development. (Again, not hard to figure out who, but "shhh" for now) I have a tenative agreement for the rocket, and am working on other industrial contacts. The final craft will be up to 300 meters across and sport cameras. In that configuration, the craft will be instantly recognizable across the world. <br /><br />Postcards To Space provides affordable consumer products that connect the purchaser to the space experience. The initial Postcards will be printed on the skin of the Project: San Bao craft or otherwise displayed. While created to enable microsatellite art, Postcards To Space is actively seeking other flight opportunities. Base support is expected from the space and science communities, followed by viral marketting online and off.<br /><br />http://www.postcardstospace.com<br />http://www.projectsanbao.com<br /><br />Josh <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div align="center"><em>We need a first generation of pioneers.</em><br /></div> </div>

 

[observer7]

So how many suckers.... I mean investors have you found so far? IMHO your project falls into the same category as deeds to lunar property. You will make money but what does it do for the long term investment in space activites. No infrastructure, no science, no new technology. <br /><br />Nothing against the idea, but I think it really is just a way to take advantage of the ignorant.<br /><br />--<br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <em><font size="2">"Time exists so that everything doesn't happen at once" </font></em><font size="2">Albert Einstein</font> </div>

 

[j05h]

Thanks for the feedback, Observer. The Project San Bao craft will be the largest inflatable space structure ever built - it can lead to all sorts of new uses as telescope components (kilometer-scale), steerable reflectors and antennae and other uses. The project isn't meant to create any infrastructure beyond the company and network needed to build it - this is a microsatellite project not a space station. The craft will only mass 150+ kg, and it'll be flying on a private rocket. It's an "implementation demonstrator" more than "tech demonstrator". This is not about science, it's a commercial space mission - that's like complaining about NBC's latest satellite not contributing to science. <br /><br />Postcards To Space will provide unique media for each participant. I'm not sure what you get from a fake lunar plot, but you'll at least get a pic from orbit when purchasing a Postcard and be able to see the craft you helped fund.<br /><br />If you've followed any of my posts on here, you'd have an idea of what I want to do as follow-up. The main goal is to fund development of water-mining hardware further in the future. In the meantime, this spacecraft provides a first realistic steppingstone to that hardware.<br /><br />You could argue that all commerce takes advantage of the ignorant, but that is a supremely cynical attitude. I'm trying to create a unique service that people will actually enjoy participating in. I think I've found a way to make space art fund itself. <br /><br />Josh <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div align="center"><em>We need a first generation of pioneers.</em><br /></div> </div>

 

[Boris_Badenov]

I think it's a great idea. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font color="#993300"><span class="body"><font size="2" color="#3366ff"><div align="center">. </div><div align="center">Never roll in the mud with a pig. You'll both get dirty & the pig likes it.</div></font></span></font> </div>

 

[observer7]

Well ok, I was being a bit cynical.<br /><br />I guess I didn't realize that you have something that might be used for a constructive purpose. Not that art doesn't have it place, it's just that I want to see space projects that contribute something toward the technologies that are going to get us out there. If your "art project" pans out and we can use the knowledge gained to make solar sails or inflatable structures then I guess its worthwhile.<br /><br />For information on lunar deeds (or should I say, complete scams) please see<br /><br />http://www.lunarregistry.com/<br />http://www.lunarlandowner.com/ <br /><br />--<br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <em><font size="2">"Time exists so that everything doesn't happen at once" </font></em><font size="2">Albert Einstein</font> </div>

 

[j05h]

I've been making this project into something constructive from the start- it's designed as an achievable first step to much larger things. Also, if all goes (roughly) as planned, we will have a recurring product every few years. I fully intend on using a derived Project San Bao craft to attempt the NASA Solar Sail Challenges. I don't think there is any way to predict which technologies will lead to opening the space frontier, especially because the main factor is economic. Making space pay is the only way for this to happen. <br /><br />Those lunar deeds are hilarious! I'd heard of them but not seen one before. The major problem is that there is no authority to sell lunar land grants. And there is the small issue of possesion. That is snake oil, and I hope you find Postcards To Space in a different class. <br /><br />Do you think it matters having postcards printed on the craft, or would a displayed/photographed version be as good? That is, it would show a picture of your postcard with timestamp and the San Bao sculpture in the background. The current plan is to have both, but there are potential technical issues with printing. What will make this a truly satisfying (would buy another) experience? <br /><br />Josh <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div align="center"><em>We need a first generation of pioneers.</em><br /></div> </div>

 

[owenander]

asteroid mining is what needs to happen to really open up space exploration<br />we can't keep lugging up necessary materials

 

[j05h]

As a potential Postcard participant, would you prefer public or private web-based viewing of postcards? There will be a physical viewing on some replica craft, so the question is about electronic access. Do you want to be able to link postcards into your blog, MySpace or other pages? As a web user, how do you want it to integrate online? <br /><br />I'll be ordering the first round of postcards in the next few days, on target for a July 15 opener.<br /><br />Owen- of course we need asteroid mining. It's time to get off our keisters and do something about it! <br /><br />Josh <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div align="center"><em>We need a first generation of pioneers.</em><br /></div> </div>

 

[spacester]

What the -<br /><br />How did I miss this thread until now?<br /><br />WAY COOL IDEA JO5H!!!!<br /><br />But ideas are cheap. The key is to actually fly stuff. Microsatelite art paying for itself, very very very cool.<br /><br />Did I mention that I like it? Every part of it. Too sweet. I am actually at a loss for words, what are the odds of that? <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /><br /><br />Anything I can do to help? (I haven't clicked the links yet, and I'm out of time until tonight, and that'll be my first stop.) <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[j05h]

What I'm lookig for from you is feedback. Whether you love the idea or hate it, what will make it better? I want to add other services as suggested. The single thing everyone wants is a pic from space - I'm working on it. The first Postcards are almost ready, I might have them by next weekend. Two of my consultants want total openness on the project - development, financial, etc. I wouldn't call it "open source" but very close - and most of the tech is off-the-shelf. <br /><br />There are some aspects that I can't discuss online yet, but will have news soon. <br /><br />Josh <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div align="center"><em>We need a first generation of pioneers.</em><br /></div> </div>

 

[j05h]

7/24 updates:<br /><br />Postcards To Space is accepting orders for snailmail Postcards. I'll have t-shirts and other merchandise this week as well. I'm exploring the content-management that will be necessary to allow users to login and manage their Postcards. The likely solution is Plone-based and will allow end-users to design mosaics of Postcard plots as well as manage individual images. Also looking into syndication and Flickr as a temporary feed for the early Postcards. Every Postcard purchased is a vote of confidence in the project: I'm not pursuing investors or government loans right now, but am relying on end-user support only. Any interested media or potential sponsors, please contact at josh@postcardstospace.com<br /><br />The site will have a Grand Opening on August 31st. It'll include a raffle, press release and media kit. Expect version 2 of the website sometime later this fall. <br /><br />Project: San Bao - On the space sculpture end - I now have handshake deals with both an integration/launch provider and an inflatable manufacturer. Am pursuing Letters of Support from them and refining the sculpture's requirements. The press release August 31 will include new information on the craft and manufacturers.<br /><br />Both websites have some new graphics and PostcardsToSpace.com has a working shopping cart.<br /><br />Josh <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div align="center"><em>We need a first generation of pioneers.</em><br /></div> </div>

 

[j05h]

News: a couple of updates on both websites. I'm arranging the project's industrial partners. I talked with Chris Reed at Bigelow Aerospace today. Postcards To Space will be flying 5 postcards on the next Genesis module. I'll be selecting the cards randomly out of all the cards I receive back before October 15. <br /><br />Send a Note to the Cosmos! PostcardsToSpace.com<br />Printed on giant rings in space at ProjectSanBao.com<br /><br />Josh<br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div align="center"><em>We need a first generation of pioneers.</em><br /></div> </div>