STRaND-1

STRaND-1
Mission type Technology
Operator Surrey Space Centre
COSPAR ID 2013-009E
SATCAT no. 39090
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft type 3U CubeSat
Manufacturer SSTL
Start of mission
Launch date 25 February 2013, 12:31 (2013-02-25UTC12:31Z) UTC
Rocket PSLV-CA C20
Launch site Satish Dhawan FLP
Contractor ISRO
Orbital parameters
Reference system Geocentric
Regime Low Earth

STRaND-1 (Surrey Training, Research and Nanosatellite Demonstrator 1) is a "3U" CubeSat developed by Surrey University's Surrey Space Centre (SSC) and Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL). The 4.3 kg (9.5 lb) nanosatellite was launched into orbit on board a PSLV Rocket from India on February 25, 2013,[1][2] becoming the first smartphone satellite in space.

Design and operation

STRaND-1 is operated by two computers: one is the classic CubeSat computer and second is a Google Nexus One smartphone running the Android operating system.

The smartphone was intended to provide cameras, accelerometers and high-performance computer processors - almost everything except solar panels and propulsion. During the first phase of the mission STRaND-1 was intended to use a number of experimental apps to collect data, while a new high-speed Linux-based CubeSat computer developed by SSC takes care of the satellite. During phase two the STRaND team intended to switch the satellite's in-orbit operations to the smartphone, thereby testing the capabilities of a number of standard smartphone components in a space environment.[3] There was a public contest in August 2011 to create "space apps" to run on the phone. The winning entries included an app for magnetic field measurements, satellite telemetry display, an Earth imaging application called 360 App, as well as one app which is purported to allow users to see people scream in space.[3] However, the smartphone on board STRaND-1 was not used to control the satellite before it unexpectedly turned off in March 2013 (phase two was not turned on at this time).[4] On July 23, 2013 Mike Rupprecht DK3WN received signals from the UK STRaND-1 satellite after a near four month absence.

See also

References

  1. ↑ https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-21577780
  2. ↑ http://www.sstl.co.uk/News-and-Events?story=2123
  3. 1 2 Lindsey, Clark (2013-02-25). "Indian PSLV successfully places seven satellites into orbit". NewSpace Watch. Retrieved 2013-02-25. (Subscription required (help)).
  4. ↑ "NASA's PhoneSats set mark for first smartphone satellites". Spaecflight now. 2013-04-25.
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