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Top secret: Can we send a C64 into space? (Patreon)

Published:
2020-09-14 20:47:14
Imported:
2026-06
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*** CONFIDENTIAL: FOR NOW PLEASE DO NOT DISCUSS OUTSIDE THIS PAGE ***

Dear Supporters

Recently fellow supporter Simon reached out to me with an incredible idea. What if we could launch a satellite into space that either contained a Commodore 64, or was controlled by a Commodore 64. This is a dream of mine, having grown up playing Space Shuttle and using the Solar System cartridge on my own C64.

What made this all the more exciting is Simon actually works for ESA! And believes there's a high chance that they would approve such an experiment. With the help of a certain tech billionaire, we'd also have a viable launch means that was simply not conceivable before.

Obviously if this progresses I'll be making a series of videos throughout the project, but for now we wanted to start simple by asking supporters exclusively:

"If you could launch a C64 into space, or control a purpose-built satellite with a C64, what retro-themed experiments would you conduct?"

Here are some ideas we've already had:

  • Beam SID music to Earth for amateur radio enthusiasts to receive
  • Play Space Invaders against a computer in space
  • Capture an image of Earth and process it through the C64 in 1982 graphics resolution
  • Compare certain variables in space with how they were in 1982... perhaps even looking out into the past of the Universe to try to capture an image of "1982"

Huge thanks to Simon for coming to me with this. I am keen to ensure we make it happen. With your input, we can compile a list of maybe 5 experiments that could be conducted in sequence over a period of time, with the payloads held in the satellite for when each experiment's time comes.

Thank you in advance for your "pie in the sky" thinking, or is it C64 in the sky? Here's hoping! And remember, the sky is not the limit...

Your friend in retro, Perifractic
& Simon at ESA

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Comments

Enkidu Edwards

I came across this www.uni64.com/en/p/modular64-standart Maybe useful In making the C64 small enough to fit a cube sat?

Michael K.

I am still thinking about what, to do with a C64 in space but .... The main issues are still not touched in the least way. We send a C64 in the form of a CubeSAT into space ... fine! So, how about the basics of CubeSAT operating ??? Since there is no Google Docs / GitHub / etc. out there I will start to be the "partypooper" here. 1. What size of CubeSAT will be used / sponsored / are we able to use with the money that can will be somehow appear for that project ? 2. Lets say that, we have a CubeSAT, and someone really took the effort to set up all the needed Interfacing / Controlboards / to operate the CubeSAT and make it usaeable in a space enviroment: What kind of comunication network do we use ? Who will pay for the cost of of operation during the lifespan of the C64 CubeSAT is traveling in space ? Who will pay for the launch cost, where will the journey beginn in terms of how much effort must be taken to stabilize the CubeSAT after launch and bring it on track for it's orbit ? What else will have being payed for during the lifespan of this operation ? Who will pay for this cost ? 3. We have No. 2 clear and we are going to sent a modified 250469 Motherboard C64 into space (imagine it will happen.) A C64 is useless without aktive input of a Floppy / Tape / SD-Card / ... The most iconic part of a C64 is it's VIC II and it's SID Chip ... I do see much sense of paying hundreds or thousands of dollars for the datatransfer of Video and Sound from a unit in space that has a Input / Output latency of several seconds or close to a minute ... If we use data that, will be simple ASCII or PETSCII character like the modem thing that was done in the ISS video ... I do not see any sense of using a real C64 for that ... An emulator on a raspberry pi zero will do the job and be much more efficient in terms of energy management on the CubeSAT. 4. The C64 will only be the payload of our CubeSAT .... So, we need to add an extra comunication system to that CubeSAT for I/O with the C64 that will need an extra set of COM - Modem and maybe need a higher speed network in and out of space. Who will pay for this ? We will maybe need not a 2U or 3U but a bigger CubeSAT because of extra load for energie (batteries) ... We are talking about an ancient piece of hardware that will consume at least 550 mA (My 250469 ALDI C64 from the early 1987 uses that 550 mA only sitting there idleing) and I do not know how much we also need to apply to the 9V rail if any. That will get us around 4 hours of operation from a single 2500 mAh 18650 cell. The real time will be shorter since we need a boost converter to make that 5V needed. Also we will use energy because of the temperature in space. If we want a longer operation time, we need to add extra cells --> extra weight also for solar panels. Depending on "our" orbit it can take a very long time to recharge the batteries ... We need to stay within very strict weight and size limits because of the form and system specs that are related to the launch platform we are assigned to use. ISS has a launch system that is the most "spacious" as far as I read. But, we got to find a way to send our C64 to the ISS first and then find a sponsor for that. So, enough "partypooping" for now .... I would suggest to first check and clear the basics ... Then start taliking about what we will and can do with a homecomputer in space, then talk about if all that makes really sense in the end.