LASARsat
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| Mission type | Technology | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operator | LASAR by DoSpace, Planetum | ||||||||||||||
| Website | https://lasar.info | ||||||||||||||
| Spacecraft properties | |||||||||||||||
| Manufacturer | LASAR by DoSpace Spacemanic Planetum HiLASE VZLÚ SkyFox Labs | ||||||||||||||
| Dry mass | 1.2 kilograms | ||||||||||||||
| Dimensions | 10x10x11.3 centimeters | ||||||||||||||
| Start of mission | |||||||||||||||
| Rocket | Falcon 9 | ||||||||||||||
| Contractor | SpaceX | ||||||||||||||
| Orbital parameters | |||||||||||||||
| Altitude | 500 – 600 kilometers | ||||||||||||||
| Inclination | 45.5 degrees | ||||||||||||||
| Period | 96 minutes | ||||||||||||||
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LASARsat (Laser-Assisted Satellite Reentry satellite) is a Czech scientific microsatellite, which is to be launched into Earth orbit before the end of 2024.
The LASARsat mission is a continuation of the Czech high school team LASAR,[1] which won the Conrad Challenge, a global STEM competition held in Houston.[2] The satellite is designed to test the possibilities of using high-power lasers for traffic management in orbit and to help to solve the problem of space debris.
The satellite should be launched into a Low Earth orbit by SpaceX's Falcon 9 as part of the Bandwagon-2 mission.[3]
Description
[edit]LASARsat is 1U specification CubeSat, with dimensions of 10×10×11.3 centimeters and total volume of 1000 cubic centimeters.
Payload
[edit]The satellite is equipped with control, energy and communication equipment, including equipment designed for amateur radio contact. LASARsat is also carrying a small capsule with non-alcoholic Czech beer.
Scientific instruments
[edit]
Seven scientific instruments will be on board of LASARsat:
- Photodiodes, which will be used to measure the laser's energy losses in Earth's atmosphere.
- Series of light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which will be used to improve tracking accuracy.
- Retroreflectors, which will reflect the laser beam back to Earth's surface to allow its further study.
- Langmuir probe, which will measure changes in ionization upon laser's impact.
- Earthcam, camera for capturing the Earth's surface, and on which the effects of the laser's beam on optical sensors will be tested.
- Two dosimeters, one supplied by Czech Aerospace Research Centre and second one by SkyFox Labs.[3]
Mission
[edit]The satellite main mission is to gain further data on the possible usage of the LASAR method and usage of Earth-based lasers in space in general.
Orbit
[edit]The satellite is supposed to reach Earth's low orbit at altitude of 400 to 500 kilometres, with inclination of 45.5 degrees and orbital period of 96 minutes.
References
[edit]- ^ Hubálková, Pavla. "Čeští středoškoláci ohromili experty z NASA" [Czech high schoolers surprise NASA experts]. WIRED CZ (in Czech). Retrieved 2024-08-09.
- ^ "Czech high school students win Conrad Challenge at NASA". Radio Prague International. 2024-04-28. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
- ^ a b "Čeští středoškoláci vypustí vlastní družici!". Kosmonautix.cz (in Czech). 2024-09-02. Retrieved 2024-09-02.