MMSAT-1 (also known as Lawkanat-1) was a Burmese microsatellite launched to the International Space Station (ISS) on 20 February 2021 and deployed into orbit from the ISS on 22 March 2021. It was Myanmar's first microsatellite and jointly built by Japan's Hokkaido University and Myanmar Aerospace Engineering University.[5] It was delivered to the ISS by the American cargo spacecraft Cygnus NG-15. MMSAT-1 was temporarily held on ISS and its deployment was delayed due to the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état.[5] It was deployed into orbit on 22 March 2021.[3]

MMSAT-1 (Lawkanat-1)
Mission typeEarth Observation
OperatorMyanmar MAEU / Japan Hokkaido University
COSPAR ID1998-067SJ Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.47976Edit this on Wikidata
Mission duration2 years, 1 month and 14 days
(final)
Spacecraft properties
BusCygnus NG-15
ManufacturerJapan Hokkaido University / Myanmar MAEU
BOL mass50 kilograms (110 lb)
Dimensions50 × 50 × 50 cm
Start of mission
Launch date20 February 2021, 17:36:50 (20 February 2021, 17:36:50) [1][2]
RocketUnited States Antares 230+
Launch siteUnited States MARS LP-0A
Deployed fromISS
Deployment date22 March 2021 (2021-03-22)[3]
End of mission
Decay date4 April 2023
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeLow Earth
Perigee altitude416 km[4]
Apogee altitude421 km[4]
Inclination51.6°[4]

MMSAT-1 was intended to be used not only for environmental observation and mineral exploration, but also for natural disaster control, but human rights activists worried that the satellite could be used for military purposes.[6][5] According to Hokkaido University, as Myanmar did not yet have the necessary equipment, the satellite would initially be operated from Japan.[7]

MMSAT-1 reentered the atmosphere on 4 April 2023.[8]

References

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  1. ^ Gebhardt, Chris; Neal, Mihir (20 February 2021). "Northrop Grumman's S.S. Katherine Johnson arrives at the ISS". NASASpaceFlight. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  2. ^ Clark, Stephen (22 February 2021). "Northrop Grumman supply carrier delivers to International Space Station". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  3. ^ a b これまでに放出された超小型衛星 [Microsatellites released thus far] (in Japanese). JAXA. 23 March 2021. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  4. ^ a b c Krebs, Gunter Dirk. "Lawkanat 1, 2". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  5. ^ a b c Kelly, Tim (12 March 2021). "Exclusive: Myanmar's first satellite held by Japan on space station after coup". Reuters. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  6. ^ "Myanmars erster Satellit bleibt zunächst in der ISS" [Myanmar's first satellite remains in the ISS for the time being]. Deutsche Welle (in German). 19 March 2021. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  7. ^ "»Lawkanat-1«: Japan setzt umstrittenen Satelliten für Myanmar im All aus" ["Lawkanat-1": Japan deploys controversial satellite for Myanmar in space]. Der Spiegel (in German). 23 March 2021. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  8. ^ "MMSATS-1". N2YO.com. 4 April 2023. Retrieved 11 April 2023.