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Mark Rober, known for his creative YouTube projects and engineering feats, in sending selfies to space.
Former NASA engineer Mark Rober is partnering with T-Mobile and Google to launch a satellite named SAT GUS. The satellite is designed to photograph uploaded selfies with Earth as the backdrop.
It’s set to launch aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket in January 2025. The space selfie satellite will orbit at approximately 600 kilometers above Earth and begin taking photos a few months post-launch. Participants will receive a notification when the satellite is positioned over their city, allowing them to be in their photo twice—once digitally on the satellite’s screen and once physically on Earth.
To participate, users need a code to upload their selfies. Codes can be obtained through CrunchLabs subscriptions, donations to STEM education programs, or select T-Mobile and Google Pixel offers. Starting December 3, codes can be redeemed at spaceselfie.com, where participants can upload their photos and track their selfie schedules.
Participants can redeem codes starting December 3, 2024, at spaceselfie.com. They’ll upload their photos, which will be displayed on a Pixel phone aboard the satellite, with the Earth photobombing in the background. Rober promises a unique twist: he’ll let participants know when the satellite is passing over their city, so they can step outside and theoretically appear in their selfies twice.
The project positions itself as a “free” one, but there is a catch. To qualify, participants must subscribe to CrunchLabs, sponsor a young engineer for $30, or be invited through T-Mobile or Google Pixel.
The satellite will be using hardware that includes two Google Pixel phones mounted on either side for redundancy, plus a flywheel system used for precise positioning. The satellite will be powered with a solar array to ensure it can capture selfies and transmit data back to Earth.
Inspire Young Engineers With Space Selfie
This project isn’t just about capturing a cool photo. Rober sees it as a way to inspire young engineers and promote STEM education. CrunchLabs, his engineering initiative, is collaborating with Google.org and FIRST Robotics to distribute STEM kits to underserved students, supported by the proceeds from the project.
While the space selfie satellite is designed for durability, Rober acknowledges that space can be unpredictable. On the Frequently Asked Questions section of the Space Selfie website, he promises the project will run as long as possible, taking into consideration that “sometimes unexpected space events occur.”
