Mark Rober launches satellite to capture selfies with Earth

In a groundbreaking initiative, Mark Rober, a prominent YouTuber and former NASA engineer, is set to launch a satellite into orbit that will allow people to take selfies with the Earth in the background. Scheduled for launch in January 2025 aboard SpaceX’s Transporter 12 mission, this satellite represents a collaboration between Rober, Google, and T-Mobile. Following its launch, the satellite will begin capturing selfies a few months later, aiming to elevate the concept of personal photography to a cosmic level. Rober has gained fame on YouTube for innovative projects, from glitter bomb traps for porch pirates to creating large-scale water guns. This new project entails not just taking pictures but also engaging subscribers through a unique platform. Users can sign up to have a portrait taken against the backdrop of Earth, requiring them to specify their location and schedule for the selfie. Interestingly, there are strings attached to the opportunity. While the adventure is marketed as “free,” participants must have a CrunchLab subscription, which costs between $25 to $80 annually, or be existing T-Mobile customers to receive a promotional code. The photo operations will begin accepting codes starting December 3rd, involving a simple upload process through the website spaceselfie.com. After uploading, users will receive an email notification detailing the exact timing for their photo capture, providing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be part of a celestial event. The technology behind the satellite is equally impressive. Equipped with two cameras and two Google Pixel phones for redundancy, the setup relies on a solar array powering a battery pack to manage energy needs. Notably, the satellite must orient itself to effectively collect solar power, take selfies, and communicate with Earth, which presents a unique engineering challenge. To overcome this without traditional maneuvering systems, Rober's team has incorporated a flywheel mechanism that facilitates position changes. This innovative approach promises to make the selfie experience as seamless as possible while navigating the complexities of satellite operation.