Part-Time-Scientists
Encyclopedia
The Part-Time Scientists became the first German team to officially enter the Google Lunar X-Prize competition on June 24, 2009. Their goal is to reach the moon before the Lunar X-Prize deadline of December 31, 2012.
e rocket, produced by Space Exploration Technologies
, to launch their spacecraft into low earth orbit
(LEO).
consists of a globally distributed network of transmitting and receiving stations. This distribution allows for uninterrupted 24/7 communication with the moon or Mars. Current plans are for this network to make use of the unencrypted amateur bands
at 10.0–10.5 GHz and 2.4 GHz.
A test network, consisting of 15 link stations connected to a server, will be built in 2010. The network will be designed to take advantage of existing satellite communication facilities. The Cloud Communications Network is being developed under a Creative Commons license.
More information on this project can be found at the COMRAY project website.
(26C3). "PresenTationS" is being developed and released under the GNU General Public License
(GPL). The software supports numerous transition effects and graphics formats. Various adjustable parameters make it possible to generate animations with film-like image effects. There are also plans to integrate additional features, such as videos and video conferencing embedded directly into the presentation.
The "PresenTationS" software is based on a cross-platform library developed by PTS and is available under the GNU Lesser General Public License
(LGPL).
. In a two hour presentation, the team provided a detailed overview of all parts of the project. This was the first time the European-made private lunar rover prototype had been presented to the public.
Concept
The Part-Time Scientists plan to use a Falcon 1Falcon 1
The Falcon 1 is a partially reusable launch system designed and manufactured by SpaceX, a space transportation company in Hawthorne, California. The two-stage-to-orbit rocket uses LOX/RP-1 for both stages, the first powered by a single Merlin engine and the second powered by a single Kestrel engine...
e rocket, produced by Space Exploration Technologies
SpaceX
Space Exploration Technologies Corporation, or more popularly and informally known as SpaceX, is an American space transport company that operates out of Hawthorne, California...
, to launch their spacecraft into low earth orbit
Low Earth orbit
A low Earth orbit is generally defined as an orbit within the locus extending from the Earth’s surface up to an altitude of 2,000 km...
(LEO).
Cloud Communication Network
The Cloud Communication NetworkCloud communications
Cloud communications are Internet-based voice and data communications where telecommunications applications, switching and storage are hosted by a third-party outside of the organization using them, and they are accessed over the public Internet. Cloud services is a broad term, referring primarily...
consists of a globally distributed network of transmitting and receiving stations. This distribution allows for uninterrupted 24/7 communication with the moon or Mars. Current plans are for this network to make use of the unencrypted amateur bands
Amateur radio frequency allocations
Amateur radio frequency allocation is done by national telecommunications authorities. Globally, the International Telecommunication Union oversees how much radio spectrum is set aside for amateur radio transmissions...
at 10.0–10.5 GHz and 2.4 GHz.
A test network, consisting of 15 link stations connected to a server, will be built in 2010. The network will be designed to take advantage of existing satellite communication facilities. The Cloud Communications Network is being developed under a Creative Commons license.
More information on this project can be found at the COMRAY project website.
Presentation Software
A new software tool, "PresenTationS", was presented at the 26th Chaos Communication CongressChaos Communication Congress
The Chaos Communication Congress is an annual meeting of the international hacker scene, organized by the Chaos Computer Club. The congress features a variety of lectures and workshops on technical and political issues....
(26C3). "PresenTationS" is being developed and released under the GNU General Public License
GNU General Public License
The GNU General Public License is the most widely used free software license, originally written by Richard Stallman for the GNU Project....
(GPL). The software supports numerous transition effects and graphics formats. Various adjustable parameters make it possible to generate animations with film-like image effects. There are also plans to integrate additional features, such as videos and video conferencing embedded directly into the presentation.
The "PresenTationS" software is based on a cross-platform library developed by PTS and is available under the GNU Lesser General Public License
GNU Lesser General Public License
The GNU Lesser General Public License or LGPL is a free software license published by the Free Software Foundation . It was designed as a compromise between the strong-copyleft GNU General Public License or GPL and permissive licenses such as the BSD licenses and the MIT License...
(LGPL).
Open Doors Day – Federal Ministry for Education and Research
On August 22–23, 2009, the Part-Time Scientists presented their project at the Open Doors Day of the Federal Ministry for Education and Research.26th Chaos Communication Congress
On December 28, 2009, the team presented their mission at the 26th annual Chaos Communication CongressChaos Communication Congress
The Chaos Communication Congress is an annual meeting of the international hacker scene, organized by the Chaos Computer Club. The congress features a variety of lectures and workshops on technical and political issues....
. In a two hour presentation, the team provided a detailed overview of all parts of the project. This was the first time the European-made private lunar rover prototype had been presented to the public.
