Interested in carrying out a scientific experiment in conditions of zero gravity and no oxygen? SpacePharma has announced a new venture of nano-satellites that will provide services to scientists in Israel and from around the world. The venture for launching scientific experiments into space is supported and promoted by the Israel Space Agency in the Ministry of Science, Culture and Sport.
Nano-satellites are still under development, the intention being that, in the future, any person or small company will be able to send a nano-satellite into space. At present this is not possible, and the only entities that have shot nano-satellites into space are the same ones as have launched regular satellites. Developments in this area though are proceeding rapidly.
SpacePharma was founded by Yossi Yamin and Ido Priel. It has on its staff a team of former Intelligence Corps people who specialized in satellites.
Space is an ideal environment for chemical, biological and materials experiments requiring zero gravity or an absence of oxygen. The problem is that taking part in such an experiment currently requires participation in satellite launches by the global space industry. The queue is very long, the service is very costly, and it takes time to transmit the information to the ground. By contrast, an experiment on a nano-satellite is supposed to transmit data to the researcher's mobile telephone, within a short time.
The team is designing a nano-satellite measuring 10x10x30 centimeters. The satellites will make their way into space on launchers together with other satellites, and will stay in space for up to three years. The company's first launch, which will carry several experiments that have already been ordered, is planned for early 2015. Launching an experiment using this technology will cost $100-300 thousand, which includes insurance against possible failure of the experiment.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on June 9, 2014
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2013