After years spent rummaging through back-alley electronic stores, Song Hojun hopes finally to reach the stars.
The South Korean artist has been building a home-made satellite to be launched into space in December.
For nearly six years he combed academic papers and bought specialised components - all for his dream of creating a device for transmitting messages from space.
SOUNDBITE: SOUTH KOREAN ARTIST SONG HOJUN SAYING (Korean):
"People can make a reservation for the LED (Light Emitting Diode) message. If he or she makes a booking for a message, such as 'I love you', the satellite will flash the light in Morse Code using the LED lights in space, at a certain time. People will be able to see the blinking lights with the naked eye or through a telescope."
While the components came in priced at $440, costs for launching it into space are set to hit over $100,000.
Song's parents funded large parts of the project. He also sells t-shirts and DIY (Do It Yourself) satellite manuals online.
SOUNDBITE: SOUTH KOREAN ARTIST SONG HOJUN SAYING (Korean):
"I believe that, not just a satellite, anything can be made with the help of the internet and social platforms. I chose a satellite to show that."
The "OpenSat" measures 1,000 cubic centimetres.
It will be launched from a Russian rocket station in Kazakhstan later this year.
