[akiselev]

Yes.

a) The vast majority of satellites are "prototypes." They're built a few at a time, extensively tested, then launched. In the case of satellite frameworks like Cubesat, they're open source and tested every time someone launches one.

b) This is not untested tech, at all. Cubesats have been using consumer technology in satellites extensively, both by startups, hobbyists, and academia (doing advanced stuff like orbital reconfiguration, atmospheric sampling, telecommunications, etc). Combined with NASA's existing suppliers for aerospace grade components, these satellites which have a really high success rate.

[mariusz79]

Cubesats don't use LCDs. mainly because LCD won't work under low temp conditions, so that's problem number one. Problem number two - we don't know how Arkyd will be propelled. They are selling possibility to point the telescope anywhere but what about changing it's direction? How many maneuvers they can do with limited amount of propellant on board? There is more questions, but really what's the point?

[akiselev]

LCD temperature specs are for ATP, where heat transfer functions very differently from vacuum. With radiation being the only way energy enters or leaves the satellite's thermal system, all the satellite has to do is heat the LCD faster than it is radiating heat. This is the case for most instrumentation on satellites and thermal is one of the most important and well understood systems.

Colloid thrusters (or other ionic propulsion), or even a chemical hybergolic propellant (hydrazine + oxygen for example) would work perfectly for propulsion. This is a solved problem, so much so that there are off the shelf modules for cubesat propulsion.