Space-qualified parts and supply chain difficulties make satellite construction costly.
Satellite launch prices range from $10M to $400M, and maintenance is costly.
SBUDNIK, a low-cost satellite, was created by Brown University students.
Brown University students launched SBUDNIK to reduce orbital garbage.
6,000 tonnes of junk in low-Earth orbit (LEO) fly at 18,000 mph, damaging satellites as it accumulates.
AA batteries and off-the-shelf items were used to build $10K SBUDNIK by Brown's students.
To save costs and space garbage, researchers will sail other spacecraft or scale up.
According to Professor Fleeter, SBUDNIK proves space isn't exclusively for specialist initiatives.
Italy's National Research Council and others financed Brown's School of Engineering.