Southern Stars, the leading provider of mobile applications for amateur astronomy, announces today that it will launch the first ever personal, interactive satellite into orbit. SkyCube will allow everyone, all over the world, to participate in its launch, “tweet” messages, and obtain pictures of the earth from space. nn”We want to create a space exploration mission that everyone can be a part of,” states Tim DeBenedictis, Southern Stars Founder. “We are developing a nano-satellite, and mobile apps to go with it, as the focus for a global education and public outreach campaign.” The satellite is a 10x10x10 cm “1U” CubeSat intended for launch as a secondary payload on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in 2013. Orbiting more than 300 miles up, on a path highly inclined to the earth’s equator, SkyCube will pass over most of the world’s inhabited regions.nnSkyCube will take low-resolution pictures of the earth and broadcast simple messages uploaded by sponsors. After 90 days, it will inflate a 10-foot (3-meter) diameter balloon. SkyCube‘s balloon will make the satellite as bright as the Hubble Space Telescope or a first-magnitude star. “You’ll be able to see it with your own eyes, sailing across the sky,” explains DeBenedictis. But SkyCube‘s balloon isn’t just for visibility. It will – within 3 weeks – bring SkyCube down from orbit due to atmospheric drag, ending the mission cleanly in a fiery "grand finale" that avoids any buildup of space debris.nnSkyCube will also send out a data pings every ten seconds. This will allow subscribers to broadcast messages or “tweet from space.” Each message is 120 characters in length. “You will be able tweet your wife from space to let her know you will be late for dinner,” jokes DeBenedictis.nnnnSouthern Stars is using Kickstarter (www.skycube.org) to allow millions of people worldwide to be a part of democratized space exploration. The SkyCube mobile app will be available on the iTunes Store, Google Play, and on any web browser. The basic sponsorship to participate in the mission is $1, which will allow the sponsor to tweet one message from space. nnThere are several tiers of sponsorship available with the SkyCube Mission that people can choose from. Packages range from sending messages and getting pictures to viewing the launch live and actually commanding SkyCube for a day in space. Additionally, corporate sponsorships are available that include a logo on the inflatable balloon. nnSouthern Stars has already pioneered applications for astronomy with its SkySafari apps, and has changed the way people view the night sky. “Apps let people interact in a very personal way with a powerful computer that they have on them all the time,” says DeBenedictis. “The concept of picking up a smart phone and getting pictures from space is novel. It isn’t the same as watching it on TV or reading about it.”nnAbout Southern StarsnSouthern Stars Group, LLC is headquartered in San Francisco. The company’s mission is to help people tap into their natural curiosity about the cosmos, via their mobile devices they use every day. Southern Stars has a long history in the astronomy software business. The company has been developing planetarium software since 1993. www.southernstars.com
Jay Hopkins The PR Spin, INC Contact Jay via email 323.993.5957
Experience A Delectable Blend Of Joy And Fear – Watch “ALY” At A Festival Near You!
”ALY,” the latest genre-blending short film from writer, director, and editor Kevin L. Lee, is making the rounds on the festival circuit. The short film premiered at the EB Indie Film Festival on August 3, 2024, and has since been showcased at the 2024 El Paso Film Festival, the 2024 New York Shorts International Film Festival, and the 2024 Sherman Oaks Film Festival, among others. “ALY” is starting 2025 off strong with its screening at Short. Sweet. Film Fest. on March 2, 2025. A captivating mix of comedy, romance, and horror, ”ALY” explores the nerve-wracking excitement of new love with an unexpected twist. The 14-minute short follows Michael and Aly on what could be the most significant night of their relationship—until Aly’s unsettling revelation threatens to change everything.
“Even though ”ALY” is technically a horror film, my hope is for the story to feel down-to-earth and relatable,” says director Kevin L. Lee. “I want the audience to have a good laugh and see themselves in these characters in their own weird, unique way.”Lee, an Asian-American filmmaker based in New York City, has spent over a decade immersed in film criticism and journalism. Lee brings a deep understanding of genre and narrative to his directorial work. With an MFA in film producing from Columbia University, he continues to develop innovative projects across film and television. Lee’s latest film, “ALY ,” has garnered widespread acclaim, not only for its compelling storytelling but also for his directorial approach, which has been praised by the film’s lead cast. Max Schuster, lead actor, shared, “Kevin is one of... Read More