UPDATED 5/30/2013 - Added optical tube extension rails, strengthened the "selfie cam" attachment point and improved the secondary mirror attachments.

UPDATED 5/29/2013 - Added solar panels and fixed a few details to improve print quality.

Inspired by today's launch of the Planetary Resources kickstarter, I created a 3D model of the Arkyd 100 spacecraft.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1458134548/arkyd-a-space-telescope-for-everyone-0

The ARKYD 100 Space Telescope is Planetary Resources’ first Arkyd Series 100 product. It will provide the company with the core spacecraft technologies necessary for asteroid prospecting while creating the first space telescope within reach of the private citizen. The ARKYD contains the critical structures, avionics, attitude determination and control, and instrumentation that enable low-cost asteroid exploration.

The ARKYD 100 Space Telescope provides spectacular views of the Earth’s surface and deep space, including the rich, virtually unexplored areas between our planet and the Sun. Central to its configuration and functionality is a precision imaging system. With arc-second resolution, the ARKYD 100 spacecraft camera will provide detailed celestial and Earth observations where you want them, and when you want them. The ARKYD 100 is capable of surveying for near-Earth asteroids during one orbit, then be retasked for rain forest observation on the next. The possibilities for utility and engagement are only limited by the imagination of the user.

Planetary Resources is currently developing the ARKYD 100 Space Telescope for spaceflight in the near future, and is proud to have it as its first product offering to the public.

Category: Physics & Astronomy