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]
| Mission type | Earth Observation |
|---|---|
| Operator | Myanmar MAEU / Japan Hokkaido University |
| COSPAR ID | 1998-067SJ |
| SATCAT no. | 47976 |
| Mission duration | 2 years, 1 month and 14 days (final) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Bus | Cygnus NG-15 |
| Manufacturer | Japan Hokkaido University / Myanmar MAEU |
| BOL mass | 50 kilograms (110 lb) |
| Dimensions | 50 × 50 × 50 cm |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 20 February 2021, 17:36:50 [1][2] |
| Rocket |  Antares 230+ |
| Launch site | MARS LP-0A |
| Deployed from | ISS |
| Deployment date | 22 March 2021[3] |
| End of mission | |
| Decay date | 4 April 2023 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Low Earth |
| Perigee altitude | 416 km[4] |
| Apogee altitude | 421 km[4] |
| Inclination | 51.6°[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
edit- ^ Gebhardt, Chris; Neal, Mihir (20 February 2021). "Northrop Grumman's S.S. Katherine Johnson arrives at the ISS". NASASpaceFlight. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
- ^ Clark, Stephen (22 February 2021). "Northrop Grumman supply carrier delivers to International Space Station". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c Krebs, Gunter Dirk. "Lawkanat 1, 2". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "»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.
- ^ "MMSATS-1". N2YO.com. 4 April 2023. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
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