What’s Unique:
450+ students, 18 countries, 1 satellite and 121,866 pieces of prime real estate. We are the largest American student-led spacecraft design program, and this is the first time that individuals and organizations around the world have the opportunity to personalize their very own portion of a satellite, and by doing so, support cutting-edge student research.

Their Mission:
To raise money to support student research in space life sciences and engineering, to advance space exploration and share the excitement of space exploration with the rest of the world, to inspire future scientists and explorers, and to launch our satellite into orbit!

How It Works:
In return for a donation to support development of our spacecraft, individuals and companies can put pictures, logos, slogans, signatures, and other messages on our website and on our spacecraft. With a launch expected in 2010, the satellite will orbit the Earth for five weeks after which a part of the satellite will return to the Earth to be recovered.

Images and messages on the outside of the spacecraft will be photographed in orbit, and donors who reserved a spot in the Gold Zone of the reentry capsule will receive the space hardware bearing their image or message. All donors will also be recognized on the website and in other venues. In total, 121,866 square centimeters are available, for as little as $35. The larger the donation, the more of this real estate a donor receives.

A Bit of History:
Development of the YourNameIntoSpace (Y*N*I*S) spacecraft and its science payload began in 2001, with the creation of the Mars Gravity Biosatellite program. The program goal is to design, develop, launch and operate a satellite that will orbit the Earth for five weeks to study how Martian gravity — about one-third that of Earth’s gravity — will affect the body. To date the project has actively engaged over 450 students from around the world, from engineers to English majors. Students have been involved with every aspect of the mission, from designing the satellite to developing launch operations and running educational outreach activities.

Setting Precedents:

• The largest American student-led spacecraft design program
• The first time students have paid their way into space by offering a spacecraft as a blank canvas to the public
• The first time individuals and organizations have had the opportunity to place a family photo, logo, slogan, signature, message or other image on the surface of a satellite
• The first privately developed life science spacecraft
• The longest biosatellite mission ever flown

Check out http://www.yournameintospace.org/