* '''Communication Frequencies:''' Most of the student satellites operate in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultra_high_frequency UHF] or [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Very_high_frequency VHF] bands. Recently, some student satellites have been launched which operate in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S_band S band]. It will be very difficult to obtain license for frequencies higher than these. This means that you cannot have exorbitantly high data rates.<br /> <br />'Once these basic checks are performed, some more advanced comparisons can be made using the criteria given below:* '''Social Impact:''' Since in many cases, the money spent in making the satellite is taxpayers' money, a satellite which gives back to the society is generally preferred. If not a direct benefit to the society, at least benefit to the scientific community should be aimed for.* '''Originality:''' If a satellite with your payload already exists, then there won't be much to be gained from your satellite except in the case where your satellite covers different geographies, or if new data is required, or if your satellite is an advancement over the existing satellite. If nothing is being gained from your satellite except your learning, pursuing that payload might not be a good idea.* '''Time:''' 2 years is an ideal target for completing a student satellite from the day of inception. Longer the time a satellite takes to complete, more difficult it will be to ensure continuity, since the old teams will graduate and the next generation will take time to reach the level of the old team. <br />----Once you are done reading this page, you can move on to [[Presenting the ideas and getting feedback]]