LASARsat (Laser-Assisted Satellite Reentry satellite) is a Czech scientific microsatellite, which is to be launched into Earth orbit before the end of 2024.
Mission type | Technology | ||||||||||||||
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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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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
editLASARsat is 1U specification CubeSat, with dimensions of 10×10×11.3 centimeters and total volume of 1000 cubic centimeters.
Payload
editThe 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
editSeven 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
editThe 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
editThe 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.