At 4 in., the Kalamsat V2 satellite is so small it can fit snuggly in the palm of your hand. The 2.6-lb satellite, which was designed by students from the private Space Kidz India group, recently launched from the Sriharikota space center in southern Andhra Pradesh, India, according to AFP.
The satellite will facilitate communications for amateur and non-commercial ham radio transmissions.
India Prime Minister Narendra Modi commended the successfully launch of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and the student-built payload.
According to AFP, Space Kidz India CEO and Founder Srimathy Kesan says Kalamsat V2 cost $16,900 (1.2 million rupees) to build.
This isn’t the students’ first satellite rodeo. In 2017, they developed an even smaller design at 64 g (2.26 oz), but it failed to reach orbit aboard a NASA rocket.