Astrocast-P
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Mission Images:
Image credit: Astrocast |
Mission Objectives:
Main mission goal: machine-to-machine communication between satellites.
Scientific/engineering mission goal: orbit determination in real-time and in post-processing based on low-cost single-frequency multi-GNSS receivers onboard the satellite. After the precursor mission, a constellation of ~40 satellites is planned using low-cost multi-GNSS dual-frequency receivers, allowing the formation and computation of a highly uniform polyhedron in space with mm-accuracy, relevant for geocenter, reference frame and GNSS orbit determination.
Role of SLR for the mission: Validation of the satellite positioning and orbit determination results obtained by the onboard low-cost multi-GNSS receivers (u-blox NEO-M8T) capable of tracking GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou and QZSS satellites, both, in real-time and in post-processing mode. Tracking of the Astrocast precursor satellite is only required during several concentrated time periods of about one day, so that the validation of the orbits obtained from individual GNSS and from a combination of systems is possible.
Mission Parameters:
Satellite | Astrocast-0.1 | Astrocast-0.2 |
Sponsor: | ETH Zurich and Astrocast SA | ETH Zurich and Astrocast SA |
Expected Life: | 1-2 years | 1-2 years |
Primary Applications: | Precursor mission for a future constellation | Precursor mission for a future constellation |
COSPAR ID: | 1809941 | 1901806 |
SIC Code: | 2401 | 2402 |
NORAD SSC Code: | 43798 | 44083 |
Launch Date: | 2018-12-03 | 2019-04-01 |
NP Bin Size: | 15 sec | 15 sec |
RRA Shape: | 3 small reflectors, slightly tilted | 3 small reflectors, slightly tilted |
Reflectors: | 3 small reflectors, slightly tilted | 3 small reflectors, slightly tilted |
Size of Reflector: | 10 mm diameter, 7.5 mm height | 10 mm diameter, 7.5 mm height |
Orbit: | ||
Orbital period: | ~90 minutes | ~90 minutes |
Inclination: | 98 degrees | 98 degrees |
Altitude: | 575 km | 575 km |
Eccentricity: | ~0 | ~0 |