Help us build a smarter small satellite.
CubeSat33 is a 3U CubeSat — about the size of a loaf of bread — built around two systems that make every minute in orbit productive: dual-mode green propulsion and high-speed laser communications with active beam steering. We're raising the funds to build it, test it, and put your name on it.
What we're building, and why it matters
CubeSat33 is built around two core systems that work together to maximize mission success — so every minute in orbit becomes productive, with far more time observing and much faster data delivery.
Dual-mode green propulsion
A single green propellant that switches between fast chemical thrust and efficient electrospray mode — one tank, two jobs: rapid maneuvers when you need them, and years of fuel-sipping station-keeping for a long, productive mission.
High-speed laser comms
An optical downlink with active beam steering that rapidly delivers large amounts of data during every available pass — so valuable observations come home fast instead of sitting unused onboard for hours.
A future relay concept
Down the road, the same bus could hand data to a satellite communications system such as Starlink (or a similar network) for near-real-time delivery — a future concept we explore on the project page. No partnership exists today.
Funded in phases, so the base stays achievable
The base goal builds and bench-tests a real satellite. Stretch goals, funded by pledges beyond the base, carry it to qualification and orbit.
$150,000 · Base — Build & bench-test
Engineering model (flight computer, power, attitude control), the dual-mode propulsion testbed, the laser-comms downlink, a ground station, and the core team. Outcome: a working CubeSat33 bus proving both core systems on the bench.
$320,000 · Stretch — Flight hardware
Procure and assemble all flight subsystems, including the electric-propulsion module.
$480,000 · Stretch — Qualification
Full environmental testing (vibration + thermal-vacuum), flight software, and spectrum licensing — a launch-ready satellite.
$700,000 · Stretch — Launch & operate
A rideshare launch slot, deployer integration, insurance, 12 months of operations, and an open-data portal for the laser-comms downlinks.
Every dollar of the base goal
| Line item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Engineering development model (avionics + comms bench) | $52,000 |
| Laser-comms downlink — optics, beam steering + firmware | $22,000 |
| Ground station (S/UHF) | $8,000 |
| Flight software & integration | $8,000 |
| Lab consumables, harness, mechanical | $6,000 |
| Core team stipends (2 part-time engineers, 6 months) | $14,000 |
| Reward fulfillment (pins, patches, shipping) | $9,000 |
| Contingency (12%) | $14,280 |
| Platform + payment fees (~9%) | $13,180 |
| Total — base goal | $150,000 |
Full-mission cost across all phases is ~$700,000 — in line with the $500k–$640k+ that turnkey 3U missions advertise, plus our dual-mode propulsion and laser-comms additions.
Every backer flies with us
Pick a pledge level. Physical rewards are budgeted; flight-dependent rewards are delivered if and when CubeSat33 reaches orbit.
Backer-only updates, your name on the digital Backer Wall, and a mission-patch wallpaper.
Pledge $10Embroidered mission patch + pin + stickers + access to the downlinked mission data.
Pledge $75Mission tee + patch + pin + your name on the digital plaque flown aboard CubeSat33.
Pledge $150Your name or one-line message etched in the onboard plaque data + signed mission poster + above.
Pledge $250Your message included in a commissioning laser downlink, returned to you with the telemetry log + above.
Pledge $5003D-printed scale model of CubeSat33 + your name on the flight hardware + above.
Pledge $1,000A downlinked image/telemetry session tagged to you + a live video call with the team + above.
Pledge $2,500Help pick a downlink observation target + sponsor credit in mission materials + scale model + above.
Pledge $5,000Your logo on the satellite + a named subsystem + a launch live-stream invite + above.
Pledge $10,000From funding to flight
Month 0 — Funding closes
Lock the design; order long-lead avionics.
Months 1–4 — Build
Assemble the engineering model; integrate the dual-mode propulsion testbed and laser-comms downlink.
Months 4–7 — Bench-test & first rewards
Test the full stack; demonstrate both core systems on the ground; ship pins, patches and tees to backers.
Months 7–18 — Qualify & launch (stretch-dependent)
Flight hardware, environmental qualification, rideshare integration, orbit and operations.
Risks & challenges
Common questions
Is this a real satellite or just a website?
Real hardware. The site explains the engineering; this campaign funds building it.
What if you don't hit the base goal?
Kickstarter is all-or-nothing. If we don't reach $150,000, no one is charged and the project doesn't proceed.
What if you raise more than the base but not enough to launch?
The base builds and bench-tests CubeSat33. Additional funds unlock flight hardware, qualification, and launch via the stretch goals. Flight-dependent rewards are fulfilled only if we reach orbit.
Why mention Starlink at all?
Only in the context of the future relay concept, and only as the clearest example of a satellite communications system that already operates every link in the chain. The concept fits any comparable network, and we say "Starlink or a similar system" throughout. CubeSat33 is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or in partnership with Starlink, SpaceX, or any operator — no such relationship exists.
Let's make every orbit productive.
Help put a smarter small satellite in orbit — and your name on it.