EduSAT

This article is about the Italian microsatellite. For the Indian communications satellite, see GSAT-3. For other uses, see Edusat.
EduSAT
Mission type Technology
Educational outreach
Operator ASI
Sapienza
COSPAR ID 2011-044A
SATCAT № 37788
Spacecraft properties
Manufacturer Sapienza
Launch mass 10 kilograms (22 lb)[1]
Start of mission
Launch date 17 August 2011, 07:12:20 (2011-08-17UTC07:12:20Z) UTC[2]
Rocket Dnepr
Launch site Dombarovsky 370/13
Contractor Kosmtras
Orbital parameters
Reference system Geocentric
Regime Sun-synchronous
Perigee 644 kilometres (400 mi)
Apogee 699 kilometres (434 mi)
Inclination 98.20 degrees
Period 98.04 minutes
Epoch 22 November 2013, 05:10:16 UTC[3]

EduSAT is an Italian microsatellite which was launched in August 2011. The satellite was built and is operated by the Sapienza University of Rome in conjunction with the Italian Space Agency ASI, and is primarily used for educational outreach and technology demonstration.[4][5]

EduSAT is a 10-kilogram (22 lb) satellite,[1] measuring 31.5 by 31.5 by 26.0 centimetres (12.4 in × 12.4 in × 10.2 in).[4] The spacecraft is powered by surface-mounted solar cells. It carries an experimental analogue sun sensor, a magnetometer and a temperature sensor. The satellite also tested a prototype PocketQube deployer and a passive deorbit mechanism. As of September 2013 it remained operational.[1]

EduSAT was launched aboard a Dnepr carrier rocket from Site 370/13 at the Dombarovsky launch site in Russia. The launch was conducted by Kosmotras with liftoff occurring at 07:12:20 on 17 August 2011. The rocket carried six other satellites, with an additional payload bolted to the upper stage.[6] The satellite was placed into a sun-synchronous low Earth orbit. As of 22 November 2013 it was in an orbit with a perigee of 644 kilometres (400 mi), an apogee of 699 kilometres (434 mi), 98.20 degrees inclination and a period of 98.04 minutes.[3]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "UCS Satellite Database". Union of Concerned Scientists. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
  2. McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
  3. 1 2 "EDUSAT Satellite details 2011-044A NORAD 37788". N2YO. 22 November 2013. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
  4. 1 2 "EduSat". eoPortal Directory. European Space Agency. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
  5. "EduSAT project". Agenzia Spaziale Italiana. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
  6. Krebs, Gunter. "EDUSAT". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 22 November 2013.


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