ESTCube-1


(C)University of Tartu, Estonia


Nation: Estonia
Type/Application: Technology, Earth ofservation
Operator: University of Tartu
Configuration: CubeSat (1U)
Power: Solor cells, batteries
Mass: 1.33 kg
Frequency:
   437.250 MHz CW beacon, callsign ES5E/S
   437.505 MHz primary downlink, 9600 bps AX.25 telemetry, callsign ES5E-11
  2401.250 MHz secondary downlink (2.4GHz downlink has not been implemented)
Launch day: 7 May 2013, 02:06UTC
Launch vehicle: Vega
Launch site: KoELA-1


Mission Objectives:

1. Test the deployment of a 10 m tether, which is an integral part of the
   electric solar wind sail development. http://www.electric-sailing.com/

2. Measure the force being excerted to the sail.

3. To take a picture of the tether.

4. As an added mission to take a picture of the Earth and, if possible Estonia.


Mission Phases:

1. Carrier rocket takes the satellite into orbit and deploys it.

2. 5 minutes after deployment the satellite starts up and starts preliminary
   system checks to determine the integrity of the  satellite's hardware.

3. 30 minutes after deployment the radio antennas of the satellite will
   be deployed and communications with the Earth will be made possible.

4. 40 minutes after deployment the satellite's radio beacon will bea
   activated and first messages will be sent back to the Earth (this is
   the first time the satellite's successful launch can be determined)

5. Satellite's beacon will be held active for a couple of days to determine
   satellite's health

6. The satellite will turn on all of its subsystems and will stay in
   standby for commands from the groundstation.

7. The groundstation will communicate with the satellite for diagnostics
   and possible software updates

8. Satellite's rotation will be stabilized and first camera pictures
   will be taken.

9. The main mission will start: the coils within the satellite will
   be used to spin it up and the tether deployment starts.

10.Tether deployment ends, the tether will be electrified and measurements
   will start. The satellite will keep sending telemetry for confirming
   the E-sail effect.


http://www.estcube.eu/en/home
http://amsat-uk.org/2013/04/13/estcube-1-tether-satellite/
http://amsat-uk.org/2013/05/06/estcube-1-estonias-first-cubesat-2/
http://heiseiturezuregusa.blog.ocn.ne.jp/a/2013/06/622_eac0.html
http://vimeo.com/54556598
http://vimeo.com/57528833
http://vimeo.com/57528834
ESTCUBE-1 first photo