Extreme Hobbyists Put Satellites Into Orbit With $8,000 Kits

"Attention wannabe supervillains: Putting your own,
personal satellite into orbit is not such a far-fetched
idea after all. Interorbital Systems, which makes
rockets and spacecraft, created a kit last year that
lets almost anyone with a passion for electronics and
space build a satellite. The $8,000 kit includes the
price of the launch.

The company is now ready to launch its first sub-orbital
test flights in California next month."

See:

http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/...intcid=postnav