LASARsat (Laser-Assisted Satellite Reentry satellite) is a Czech scientific microsatellite, which is to be launched into Earth orbit before the end of 2024.

LASARsat
LASARsat during tests
Mission typeTechnology
OperatorLASAR by DoSpace, Planetum
Websitehttps://lasar.info
Spacecraft properties
ManufacturerLASAR by DoSpace
Spacemanic
Planetum
HiLASE
VZLÚ
SkyFox Labs
Dry mass1.2 kilograms
Dimensions10x10x11.3 centimeters
Start of mission
RocketFalcon 9
ContractorSpaceX
Orbital parameters
Altitude500 – 600 kilometers
Inclination45.5 degrees
Period96 minutes

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
 
Detail of LASARsat and its instruments. Retroreflector and the series of photodiodes can be seen.

Seven scientific instruments will be on board of LASARsat:

  1. Photodiodes, which will be used to measure the laser's energy losses in Earth's atmosphere.
  2. Series of light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which will be used to improve tracking accuracy.
  3. Retroreflectors, which will reflect the laser beam back to Earth's surface to allow its further study.
  4. Langmuir probe, which will measure changes in ionization upon laser's impact.
  5. Earthcam, camera for capturing the Earth's surface, and on which the effects of the laser's beam on optical sensors will be tested.
  6. 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
  1. ^ Hubálková, Pavla. "Čeští středoškoláci ohromili experty z NASA" [Czech high schoolers surprise NASA experts]. WIRED CZ (in Czech). Retrieved 2024-08-09.
  2. ^ "Czech high school students win Conrad Challenge at NASA". Radio Prague International. 2024-04-28. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
  3. ^ a b "Čeští středoškoláci vypustí vlastní družici!". Kosmonautix.cz (in Czech). 2024-09-02. Retrieved 2024-09-02.