About
OPEN DSKY Apollo 50th Anniversary - Make 100
$83,168
192
If you think the video above is great, just wait until you receive your reward!
With plenty of time before the 50th Anniversary of the Moon landing, imagine having this iconic device on your desk: You can use it to simply display the current time, your GPS coordinates, play some sound bytes from the Apollo era, etc. This is an ideal device to teach or learn about space, history & programming. Makes a fantastic prop in Escape Rooms. It also promises to have some appeal to collectors everywhere. Because of its open software & the community of developers, the possibilities are endless & your reward is bound to increase in functionality over time as people come up with other uses and new features are written.
"Even if I was only 6 years old when Neil Armstrong took his “small step for man, but a giant leap for mankind” and set foot on the moon, I remember to this day watching this historical moment in Black & White on our new Color TV."
MIT video from 1965 (very interesting and detailed for the era) https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=11&v=ndvmFlg1WmE
Clip from the documentary “Moon Machines" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWcITjqZtpU
Every Apollo mission had 2 computers on board. Called the Apollo Guidance Computer (AGC for short), one was in the Command Module and the other in the Lunar Module. The Display Keyboard (DSKY for short) interface for the astronauts was centrally mounted on the console giving them easy access to all major functions of the space craft.
Now, you can have your own functional Replica. Using the same interface as the Nasa Astronauts used on their trips to the Moon and back, you enter a selection of VERBS and NOUNS to command the computer.
We built a few prototypes, showed them around and received excellent feedback. But transforming a prototype into a production unit takes a lot of effort, time & MONEY. This is where you come in! Whether you are brand new to the world of Space Exploration or an experienced Astronaut, whether you know every detail of the Moon missions or just started looking to the skies, YOU can help us write the future.
A display that could show + and - was super important back in the day, and we simply could not substitute this functionality. Believe it or not, in 2018, you cannot find anywhere in the world a suitable +/- 3 segment (we found some in Israel but color/size would simply not match) so we had to create our own from scratch!
Not only will your pledge let you enjoy this phenomenal product, but it will also help us continue to develop its feature set. Resulting from one of our Open Enigma Kickstarter backer’s suggestion, we ended up creating our Open DSKY Replica as a fun project. Thank you Rob! Integrating LEDs and buttons with an Arduino was not the challenge but extensive research went into creating a faithful replica both in its precise look/dimensions and software functionality.
Just like the astronauts entered a VERB of 16 and a NOUN of 36 on the lighted keyboard to display the time, you do exactly the same. MIT custom created for the Astronauts a very simple, straightforward, yet very efficient user interface. We used our creative license to replace some of the programs that do nothing without a Saturn 5 Rocket or a Command Module retro boosters to play sound clips from the era and rocket sound effects. We are producing our units with the utmost attention to details and we gave our unit:
- A Very Accurate Real Time Clock
- A GPSr
- An IMU (Gyroscope)
- An MP3 Player with speaker
- Upgrade-ability via USB
- Lighted keypad
We are committed to produce ONLY 100 Kickstarter Limited Edition units by Hand. These are sold first come first served, will ship with a numbered & signed Certificate of Authenticity & when we reach Serial Number 100, there will be no more.
We can't conclude without paying Homage to space explorers vets everywhere. Many developments born from space exploration eventually meet civilian acceptance (like GPS). The AGC/DSKY will now (with your support) have that same opportunity (albeit 50 years later).
MEDIA COVERAGE
http://www.syfy.com/syfywire/you-can-now-have-the-apollo-keypad-on-your-desk-and-it-actually-works
SO WHAT CAN THIS THING DO??
Using the same simple Verbs/Nouns command combinations the astronauts used, (and a few of our own) you can:
- Display your GPS coordinates
- Monitor the Distance to Target with Speed and ETA.
- Display the Time
- Look at Gyroscope values and react
- Set various Alarms
- Play various Audio/Music/Sound effect MP3 files
- Set various Count-Up and/or Count-Down Timers
GOALS:
The $20,000 Goal of this campaign will help us reach Low Earth Orbit by allowing us to tool-up and produce all units.
STRETCH GOAL:
$50,000 will allow us to enter Moon Orbit by permitting us to invest in Fran Blanche's efforts.
$100,000 will allow us to give everyone (who backed a kit or assembled device) our brand new FREE Laser Cut Solid Cherry wood Desk/Display stand.
$ 150,000 GREAT NEWS! We will upgrade every PCB kit for free with this PING feature when we reach our $150K Stretch Goal: As we are working on adding more and more functionality to the Open DSKY, we realized that if it had a Ping sensor, not only could you use the GPS like the Astronauts were using telemetry on long distances, making sure in the process that you don't let the Gyroscope (IMU) fall in Gimbal lock, but once you get too close for GPS accuracy, you could do exactly like the Astronauts and switch to the Radar (Ping in our case) until touchdown.
$ 200,000 There are rumors in the S&T lab that a password protected servo motor actuated concealment storage is possibly in the planning stages as an alternative back for the Open DSKY. This would allow some DSKY owners to hide their firearm or plutonium or favorite blend of herbs or spices inside their DSKY... However, we cannot confirm or deny at this time.
REWARDS:
Please review below the updated Matrix to know specifically what is included (or not) in each reward level.
KEYCHAIN: Everyone who pledges $10 or more (free shipping), will receive their choice of a rectangular or round Open DSKY keychain as a Thank You for your support.
3 STG 3-SEGMENTS: For a pledge of $25, we will send you 3 of our custom, exclusive and unique, specially created 3 Segment (+/-) LED with shipping included.
PCB: For a pledge of $40, we will send you the bare DSKY Motherboard You also get the Bill of Materials (BOM) so you can populate it yourself.
PRINT PRO PACKAGE: For a pledge of $70, if you already have a 3D Printer and love to use it, and can source the electronics on your own, this is the reward for you! Visit our instructables.com and we will provide you with the required STL files, BOM, and a PCB and the laser cut/engraved button caps along with the Frosted windows.
PCB, 3D Printed and Laser Cut: For a pledge of $125, ($100 Early Birds) you get all the components that you cannot get elsewhere. You also get the Bill of Materials (BOM) so you can procure, populate and build it yourself. But of course, it includes our 3 of our Exclusive 3 Segment +/- Display, all the Laser Cut/Engraved Keycaps and our cool Color Laser printed, Laser engraved and Laser cut Frosted window.
BAREBONES KIT: For a pledge of $250, ($200 Early Birds) you get the absolute minimum components to build your own Open DSKY. This includes the PCB, all LEDs, pushbuttons, pins, resistors, on/off switch, Maxim I/Cs, RTC, IMU, GPS, SD Player and SD card. It does NOT include an Arduino Nano, batteries, battery holder, battery connector, speaker, laser cut/engraved button caps or 3D printed top plate. You supply your own 9 Volt battery & connector. If you need to get to the moon in a hurry with a limited budget and already have your rocket ship and Arduino Nano, this is for you. It will get you off the pad and on your way.
ELECTRONICS DIY KIT: For a pledge of $400, ($350 Early Birds) we will send you the PCB, and all the electronics components (including a preprogrammed Arduino Nano) to make your own Open DSKY. It is ready for your space engineering team to solder up and mount in your own Spacecraft Instrumentation Panel.
COMPLETE KIT: For a pledge of $500, ($400 Early Birds) we will send you the PCB, all the electronics components (including a preprogrammed Arduino Nano) and all 3D Printed and Laser cut components to make your own Open DSKY.
ASSEMBLED/TESTED ELECTRONICS: For a pledge of $600, ($500 Early Birds) we will send you a fully assembled and tested electronics only unit ready for you to mount in your own spacecraft control panel.
ASSEMBLED/TESTED 3D PRINTED and LASER CUT: For a pledge of $700, ($600 Early Birds) we will send you a fully assembled and tested electronics unit mounted in its 3D Printed enclosure.
KICKSTARTER LIMITED EDITION (Make 100): For a pledge of $900, you get it all! The fanciest hand crafted Open DSKY built to the highest specifications in a gorgeous solid Mahogany wood box .This is the limited version of the product. You also get an DSKY Velour carrying bag (which can contain your own text) to keep your prized treasure in. Comes with it's own numbered Certificate of Authenticity. No more than a total of 100 KICKSTARTER LIMITED EDITION units will ever be made.
5 COMPLETE KITS: For a pledge of $2000, we will send you the PCBs, all the electronics components (including preprogrammed Arduino Nanos) and all 3D Printed and Laser cut components to make 5 Open DSKY. essentially, you get 5 for the cost of 4.
KICKSTARTER STEEL EDITION : For a pledge of $5000, you get 1 of a maximum of 5 in the World fanciest hand crafted Open DSKY built to the highest specifications using STAINLESS STEEL in a gorgeous solid WALNUT wood box with CUSTOM TRIM. This is the Steel version of the product. You also get a CUSTOM DSKY Velour carrying bag (which can contain your own text) to keep your prized treasure in. Comes with it's own numbered Certificate of Authenticity. No more than a total of 5 KICKSTARTER STEEL EDITION units will ever be made. Because of the very high costs of producing such a unique unit in so small quantities, none will be produced unless the demand is present, we are sorry we do not have a picture of the finished product.
KICKSTARTER EXCLUSIVE ULTIMATE EDITION : For a pledge of $8000, you get 1 of a maximum of 5 in the World fanciest hand crafted Open DSKY built to the highest specifications using SOLID ALUMINUM (like the real ones) in a gorgeous solid PURPLE HEART wood box with CUSTOM TRIM. This is the ultimate version of the product. You also get a CUSTOM DSKY Velour carrying bag (which can contain your own text) to keep your prized treasure in. Comes with it's own numbered Certificate of Authenticity. No more than a total of 5 KICKSTARTER ULTIMATE EDITION units will ever be made. Because of the very high costs of producing such a unique unit in so small quantities, none will be produced unless the demand is present, we are sorry we do not have a picture of the finished product.
Risks and challenges
Our Open Enigma Kickstarter (100% fullfilled on time) has taught us many lessons which we are applying to this crowdfunding campaign. We are very proud to have been able to deliver every reward on schedule and we will do our very best to repeat this success.
Producing handcrafted quality hardware takes time and a lot of unplanned things can happen and delay production. The Moon Landing 50th anniversary is still over a year away, and Christmas 2018 is even closer. No worries, worst case scenario, we will deliver this year!
MISSION FACTS
1) Apollo and NASA are registered trademarks of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and we are in no way affiliated with them, nor are we affiliated in any way with M.I.T, Raytheon or Draper's Lab.
2) S&T GeoTronics LLC in no way grants permission (express or implied) for the use of this device to launch unmanned spacecrafts and/or missiles.
3) We cannot be held responsible for any personal injury or loss resulting from the use of your DIY rocket or maker spacecraft with our device.
Questions about this project? Check out the FAQ
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Funding period
- (36 days)