[Kickstarter] ARKYD: A Space Telescope for Everyone

[Taube]

It baffles me that this was not here before...
Google wants to give one of the space telescopes they developed for the masses to use.

ARKYD: A Space Telescope for Everyone

The first publicly accessible space telescope! Take amazing photos of space or have your photo displayed above the Earth.

Since the formation of Planetary Resources, our primary goal has been to build technology enabling us to prospect and mine asteroids. We've spent the last year making great leaps in the development of these technologies. These advancements have presented us with the opportunity to engage in another passion of our team:
to make space exploration accessible to everyone.

Space has always been something that most people only dream about. Very few ever get the chance to experience space — to feel that overwhelming sense of awe described by astronauts. Our challenge and vision is this: how can we make
that a reality?
Introducing: The ARKYD — [ahrk-kid]

The ARKYD is a technologically advanced, orbiting space telescope that will be controlled by YOU, the crowd, through your pledges and community involvement! You can even direct your telescope time to non-profit science centers and universities for use in your communities!

Just think about the true impact of this endeavor for a moment. Together we can provide access to technology that costs tens of millions of dollars into the hands of students, scientists and a new generation of explorers, who will use it in ways we can’t even fathom yet!
At Planetary Resources, our primary focus is mining asteroids, and we’re pushing the boundaries of what is possible by vertically integrating and applying innovations from consumer-based industries. It’s our goal to reduce the cost of space observatories many times over, allowing anyone to access them for their own use. We want to empower the crowd to solve the big problems of our time — and this is the first step to making that a reality.

TL:DR; THROW DOWN 25$! Get a picture of your picture IN SPACE!!
THROW DOWN MORE TO GET A SAY IN WHAT IT TAKES PICTURES OF!!

[TummieGaruda]

Sounds like the Slooh telescope project but in space. I wonder how much it's going to cost to use and how long of a waiting period there will be to "control" the telescope. There will probably be a list of object to choose from a catalog. Also looks to be the size of an 8 Inch telescope either SCT or reflector.

[Silenka]

Wow this is pretty spiffy. The Oatmeal already donated the maximum amount, it seems.
(Fuck yeah I'm an asteroid)