MySat: Empowering Space Education Through DIY Satellite Kits

Introduction

Welcome to this special edition of The Cymes Media, where we highlight remarkable startups that are making waves in their respective industries. In this edition, we bring you the inspiring story of a Ukrainian startup called MySat. Founded by a passionate team with a vision for enhancing space education, MySat has embarked on a mission to empower students and enthusiasts to explore the wonders of space through their innovative DIY satellite kits. Join us as we delve into the journey of MySat, the stages of their startup development, the talented individuals behind it, and the unique advantages they bring to the table. Get ready to be inspired by the ingenuity of MySat as they unlock the doors to the cosmos for aspiring space enthusiasts.

The idea of creating a startup

Our team launched high-altitude balloons into the stratosphere for the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and sought sponsors for these launches. Abroad, such projects are funded by organizations like NASA or the European Space Agency. However, our scientists lacked funding for such experiments, so we decided to assist them. At an altitude of 30 km, the conditions are extremely challenging, similar to those in space. Our stratospheric satellites caught the interest of many as educational material for students studying space technologies.

What are the main stages of creating your startup?

We developed a prototype and launched it on a crowdfunding platform in 2021 to finance the first series of kits. Throughout 2021, leading universities purchased our kits for educational purposes. After a successful campaign there, at the end of 2021, we launched a Kickstarter campaign to gauge interest from other countries. The campaign was successful and concluded in February 2022. We were surprised to find that our main customers were not universities, but space enthusiasts.

Who are your team members?

Tetiana Tymchenko, our CEO, previously taught physics to students in the United States and later worked on the Lunar Research Service space project. Dmytro Khmara, our CTO, is an embedded systems developer who has worked on several space projects. Our team came together during the launches of stratospheric satellites for Ukrainian scientists. We met at space-related events and space hackathons such as the NASA Space Apps Challenge, Vernadskiy Challenge, and ESA ActInSpace.

What are the main advantages of this startup?

We have competitors worldwide. Unlike our competitors, MySat can be assembled by students as young as 7 years old. It is ideal for learning programming, modern electronics, and spacecraft construction. Only one of our competitors, besides us, supports image processing from a camera, but their solution is several times more expensive than ours.

Conclusion

MySat stands as a beacon of innovation, revolutionizing space education and exploration. The team's unwavering dedication and expertise have led to the development of a remarkable DIY satellite kit that empowers students and enthusiasts to dive into the realms of space technology. Through their affordable and accessible solution, MySat has democratized the learning process, enabling individuals as young as 7 years old to engage in hands-on experiences with programming, electronics, and spacecraft construction. With their unique image processing capabilities and a fraction of the cost compared to competitors, MySat has carved a niche for itself in the global market. As MySat continues to inspire and educate the next generation of space enthusiasts, we eagerly anticipate the limitless possibilities that lie ahead. Keep an eye on this trailblazing startup as they soar to new heights and ignite a passion for space exploration worldwide.