D.I.Y. Satellite

Ho-jun Song built a fully functioning satellite. Dubbed GOD (global orbiting device), it’s set to become the first comsat designed and financed by a private citizen to reach orbit. The tiny (about 60 cubic inches) and cheap (around $500) device is a masterpiece of DIY engineering: Song hacked together a solar cell, a lithium-ion battery, an Arduino board modded to withstand cosmic rays, and four LED lights powerful enough to be seen from back on Earth.

To make your own satellite, here is a booklet of instructions, which feature Song’s charming hand-drawn illustrations as well as tech specs.