KITSAT-1

KITSAT-1 or KITSAT-A (Korean Institute of Technology Satellite) is the first South Korean satellite to be launched. Once launched, the satellite was given the nickname "Our Star" (우리별). KITSAT-1 operated in a 818 miles (1,316 km) by 825 miles (1,328 km) low Earth orbit (LEO). Of the 12 satellites launched by South Korea, KITSAT-1 is in the highest orbit. While KITSAT-1 maintains equilibrium by gravity gradient forces, magnetic torque can be used to control attitude if needed. The forecasted lifespan of KITSAT-1 was only five years, but communication with the satellite was maintained for 12 years. Since the launch of KITSAT-1, South Korea launched an additional 36 satellites by 2020.

KITSAT-1
Artist rendering of KITSAT-1 satellite
NamesKITSAT-A
Korea Institute of
Technology Satellite-1
Uribyol-1
KITSAT-OSCAR-23
KO-23
Our Star
Mission typeTechnology demonstration
OperatorSaTReC
COSPAR ID1992-052B
SATCAT no.22077
WebsiteKAIST SaTReC
Mission duration5 years (planned)
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftKITSAT-1
BusSSTL-70
ManufacturerSurrey Satellite Technology (SSTL)
Launch mass48.6 kg (107 lb)
Dimensions35.2 cm × 35.6 cm × 67 cm (13.9 in × 14.0 in × 26.4 in)
Power30 watts
Start of mission
Launch date10 August 1992, 23:08:07 UTC
RocketAriane 42P H-10
Launch siteCentre Spatial Guyanais, ELA-2
ContractorArianespace
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit
RegimeLow Earth orbit
Perigee altitude1,316 km (818 mi)
Apogee altitude1,328 km (825 mi)
Inclination66.00°
Period112.0 minutes
Instruments
Digital Store and Forward Communication Experiment (DSFCE)
CCD Earth Imaging System (CEIS)
Digital Signal Processing Experiment (DSPE)
Cosmic Ray Experiment (CRE)
 
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.