Chapter 1 — Opening: The Spark of Possibility
Good morning, beautiful Space people! And wow… Kennedy Space Center! Rockets launching, engines roaring… and my ego, quietly following, and wanting to be part of it.
I’m Lijie, Captain of icMercury, and today I want to talk about possibility — the kind that makes you lean forward and think: “Wait… maybe I can do this too?”
Last year, I stood here and said: “We’ll launch a personal satellite called icMercury.” I know some of you probably thought: “Sure… and my coffee cup will fly to Mars too.”
Today? That satellite is in orbit. Signal live. Experiments running. And yes, small teams — even in pajamas — can do the impossible.
How You can Launch Your Own Satellite (Video)
So here’s my question: What could you make possible if you just tried?
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Chapter 2 — The Gaps That Challenge Us
Space is thrilling… mind-blowing… and yes, intimidating.
Two gaps stand in our way:
1. Engagement gap — Space is amazing but often feels like a secret club. Want in? Good luck. Individual adults, rural teachers, small organizations — all locked out.
2. Visibility gap — Brilliant space projects fly into orbit, but most people don’t notice. Rockets soar… yet recognition lags.
Here’s the twist: these gaps aren’t obstacles. They’re invitations.
What if ordinary people could actually participate in extraordinary missions?
That’s exactly what drives icMercury — not just a company, but a playground where ideas go from thought to orbit.
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Chapter 3 — From Vision to Orbit
From Miami Beach to New York, San Francisco, London, Istanbul, Finland, India… we built a global dream team. Mostly over Zoom. Sometimes in pajamas.
Two years ago, it was “Can we?” Today, it’s “We did!”
Here are some highlights:
From spark to signal in orbit — proof that action beats doubt, every single time.
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Chapter 4 — HADES-ICM: PocketQube, Big Lessons
Let me introduce HADES-ICM — tiny, mighty, and yes… it fits in your pocket. Who here has a pocket? Can you show us? Good. Imagine a satellite that could fit in there… and actually orbit Earth.
The challenge: Can a PocketQube satellite teach, inspire, and let anyone interact with space?
• Size? 5×5×8 cm, 400 grams — basically a loaf of bread with ambition.
• Coating? Graphene experiment from University of Manchester — students see futuristic materials perform in orbit.
• Inside? Interactive software — a game connecting users to live satellite data.
Picture this: a student opens the app, tracks the satellite overhead, sees live experiments… and thinks, “Wait, I just did space science from my bedroom?”
Lesson: break ideas into steps, make them interactive… even a PocketQube satellite can reach the stars.
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Chapter 5 — Connecting the Dots: Ideas Meet People
One satellite is cute. Two? Cute squared. Magic? Happens when people connect.
We call it Connecting the Dots:
Together, this ecosystem makes space tangible, interactive… and maybe even addictive.
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Chapter 6 — The icMercury App: To See and Be Seen
“Another app?” Yes. But listen: this one lets you see — and be seen.
• To see — Track your satellite live overhead. Know a signal is moving across your city right now. With a tiny receiver, you can even send a message back. Your signal flirting with orbit… romantic, right? Raise your hand if you think that’s cool!
• To be seen — Schools, creators, organizations… build channels, show projects, experiments, or ambitious doodles. Connect with people who care.
It’s more than software. It’s a bridge between imagination and orbit, curiosity and action.
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Chapter 7 — Collaboration: Expanding the Signals
A signal alone? A whisper. Connected? A louder whisper. Everyone connected? A roar.
Some of our favorite connections:
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Chapter 8 — Making the Impossible Possible
Every experiment, every collaboration, every spark of curiosity proves a simple truth: impossible is just a dare waiting for action.
We put ourselves inside a bigger trend — connecting technology, education, art, imagination.
The question that started icMercury: What if space could feel personal and fun?
Today, it is. Satellites, experiments, apps… interactive and reachable. Inspiration isn’t abstract — it’s actionable.
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Chapter 9 — From Vision to Action: Your Signal in Orbit
Last year, a vision orbited in our minds: a small satellite carrying experiments, games, and the chance to participate.
Today? That vision orbits above us. Signals live. Anyone can track, engage, and send messages.
The lesson: the impossible becomes real when ideas meet action — and small efforts connect to larger trends.
At icMercury, we’re not just launching satellites. We’re launching curiosity, connection… proof that your ideas can make impossible things happen.
So, keep looking up. Track the orbit. Send your own signal. Make the impossible possible — and know, you are never alone.
Thank you!
#SmallSat #NASA #KennedySpaceCenter #PocketQube #icMercury #InterstallarCommunication #SpaceEducation #SSEC2025
