ESTCube-2

ESTCube-2
ESTCube-2 artist impression by Taavi Torim
Launch date 2019
Orbital elements
Altitude 500-700km

ESTCube-2 is an Estonian satellite slated for launch in 2019. It is a prototype for ESTCube-3, an Estonian moon orbiting mission planned for the early 2020s. ESTCube-2's primary objectives are to test a "plasma brake" for deorbiting satellites and to test electric sail propulsion technology.[1] It will reduce its orbit using a 300m tether which interacts with the ionospheric plasma. The orbit will go from a 700 km altitude orbit to a 500 km altitude one in a half year.[2]

See also

References

  1. "Estonia's mission to the moon could revolutionise space travel". 20 March 2017.
  2. "ESTCube-2 - ESTCube". www.estcube.eu.
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