DIY space exploration

http://space.1337arts.com/


Ham radio enthusiasts used to contact astronauts in orbit. Amateur telescope astronomers have always contributed to observational discoveries. But it is now getting to the point that small groups or individuals and absurdly minimal budgets can push remote/robotic access to high altitudes almost to the point of space.

Project Icarus, the original $150 near-space launch!

What we are beginning to see are projects in the hundreds to thousands of dollars range - within the budget of individual, regular-income enthusiasts, which are getting closer and closer to space.

These people seem happy to post results and how-to guides of their projects on the web, so a technical literature of high-altitude vehicle construction for the backyard tinkerer is beginning to accumulate. This will only get built upon.

There are 3 economic layers in space exploration now - Governmental/Big Science, Corporate/Large Scale Private, and now, almost unbelievable, DIY.

Anyone know of other DIY space exploration projects of any kind?