2022-01-12, 08:45 PM
The first one (satellite tracking) could reasonably compete with existing solutions in that space like the InReach and the SPOT. One aspect of these commercial solutions is the immediacy at which they can sent out "SMS" signals, which I think will be hard to replicate without a full "shell" of satellites.
I assume what you have in mind is just one satellite in a polar sun-synchronous orbit, right? That orbit passes over the whole earth twice every day, so it's a good choice to give intermittent but global coverage with only one sat. Bonus point is that higher latitudes get better coverage, which I think is good for these people who venture off the beaten path.
Anyway, I think 200$/200$ is a darn good price-point for that kind of global telemetry.
One concern is that this will _have_ to go through a centralized entity (even if non-profit), unless you want to launch your own sat.
Regarding the dinghy locator idea, why not just re-package a MAIANA? That way other ships don't run you over in your dinghy.
I assume what you have in mind is just one satellite in a polar sun-synchronous orbit, right? That orbit passes over the whole earth twice every day, so it's a good choice to give intermittent but global coverage with only one sat. Bonus point is that higher latitudes get better coverage, which I think is good for these people who venture off the beaten path.
Anyway, I think 200$/200$ is a darn good price-point for that kind of global telemetry.
One concern is that this will _have_ to go through a centralized entity (even if non-profit), unless you want to launch your own sat.
Regarding the dinghy locator idea, why not just re-package a MAIANA? That way other ships don't run you over in your dinghy.