|
Dnepr
Launches Five Science Satellites
|
More
Information: |
|
|
A Dnepr 1
launched at 1005 GMT (3:05 a.m. PDT) September 26 from Complex 109 of
the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The rocket carried TiungSat 1, MegSat 1,
UniSat and SaudiSat 1A and 1B spacecraft. The satellites will be
placed into a 650 km (351 nmi) circular orbit with an inclination
of 65 degrees. The Dnepr, a converted former Soviet RS-20 (NATO
designation: SS-18) Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM), is
marketed by ISC Kosmotras. The SS-18 ICBMs were built by the NPO
Yuzhnoye State Design Bureau.
The 54 kg (120
lbm) TiungSat 1 was built by Surrey Satellite Technology Limited
(SSTL) for Malaysia’s Astronautic Technology, SDN, BHD (ATSB).
The satellite payload includes four cameras for multi-spectral
Earth imaging and meteorological Earth imaging  purposes.
The cameras range in resolution from 80 meters to 1200 meters.
Also included on the spacecraft are digital Store and Forward
communications equipment, a Cosmic-ray Energy Disposition
Experiment (CEDEX) to monitor radiation and GPS orbit
determination equipment. The spacecraft is a cube, with a large
boom extending out of one side. TiungSat means "minor
bird" in the native language of Malaysia.
The 50 kg (110
lbm) MegSat 1 will be operated by Italy’s Meggiorin group space
division, MegSat, S.p.A. It will offer a 64 kilobytes per second
Store and Forward communication capability during its four and a
half year lifetime. The spacecraft also includes two scientific  payloads.
One instrument will measure UV emissions from the aurora borealis
and the other will study microgravity conditions. Another use for
MegSat 1 will include testing new systems for reading gas and
water meters. The development of MegSat 1 (and the previously
launched MegSat 0), including launch and mission operations, is
expected to cost around US$7 million.
Saudisat 1A and
1B are research microsatellites weighing 10 kg (22 lbm) sposored
by the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST)
Space Research Institute of Saudi Arabia.
UniSat is a 10 kg
(22 lbm) microsatellite sponsored by Italy’s University of Rome
La Sapienza, and carrying an experiment studying micro-particles
in space and a small 5 km (3 mile) resolution camera.
SPACEandTECH Digest is a weekly roundup of the latest industry news of interest
to the space professional. SPACEandTECH Flash! is an internet push
service offered by Andrews Space & Technology to bring the
latest on orders, launches, and important breaking news to your
desktop. SPACEandTECH Digest and SPACEandTECH Flash! are part of
the Andrews Space & Technology www.spaceandtech.com
website, a website designed to serve the information needs of the
space industry.
If you would like to subscribe to the SPACEandTECH
Flash!
(currently a free service), contact the www.spaceandtech.com
Editor-in-Chief, Joe Hopkins, at editor@spaceandtech.com
|
