Last but not least: The art of space branding
The first billboard in space is ready to go: The European startup Space Billboard will launch the world's first billboard into space.
The billboard will orbit the Earth 15 times a day, bringing the first ads that will literally spread their message around the world. Although the billboard will not be visible from Earth, all messages will be broadcast under the SpaceBillboard website as well as in customers' branding campaigns. The billboard is scheduled to be launched in January 2016, starting from Alcântara in Brazil.
Researchers at the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium came up with the novel idea of launching a real billboard into space to fund their research of a new line-up of Nex Gen satellites, called Cube Sats. A Cube Sat is small - about the size of a milk carton - and lightweight, which makes them cheaper to build and launch. This makes a Cube Sat the perfect answer for universities and start-ups in space research. The European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA in the US have active Cube Sat programs that help drive the development and application of new technologies to support new business solutions.
Once the Space Billboard has been sold out, it will be placed on the Cube Sat. It is expected to operate in orbit for up to ten years. After that, the satellite will burn up in the atmosphere to ensure that no space debris is left behind.
Marketing & Sciencet
Space Billboard is a new type of group funding project in which private and corporate donors help to advance space exploration. For companies, purchasing one or more of the 400 available square meters on the billboard is a perfect opportunity to showcase their innovation. At 2500 euros per square meter for the launch premiere, Space Billboard is an excellent way to bring together experts from science and industry to support the future of technology.
Personal messages can also be placed on the billboard. Sending a personal message in the room costs 1 euro per character. So far, many have already signed up to exchange their message, as the company writes in a press release. Most of the registrations so far are messages of love. (uma)
