UoSAT-3
| Mission type | OSCAR |
|---|---|
| Operator | University of Surrey |
| COSPAR ID | 1990-005B[1] |
| SATCAT no. | 20437 |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Manufacturer | SSTL |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 22 January 1990, 01:35:27 UTC |
| Rocket | Ariane 40[2] |
| Launch site | Kourou ELA-2 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Sun-synchronous |
| Inclination | 98 degrees |
UoSAT-3, also known as UO-14 and OSCAR-14, is a British satellite in Low Earth Orbit. It was built by a spin-off company of the University of Surrey, Surrey Satellite Technology (SSTL) and launched in January 1990 from French Guiana.[1] The satellite functioned as one of a series of OSCAR satellite in orbit around the Earth, as well as observing Earth and performing scientific experiments.[2]
UoSAT-3 was launched on the same rocket as its sister satellite, UoSAT-4.[2]
Current Status
UoSAT-3 exceeded its expected operational life by 3 years and ceased active service in 1999.[3] However, amateur radio enthusiasts managed to track the satellite for a certain amount of time afterwards via the satellite's FM voice transponder.[3]
The satellite, which is now non-operational, forms a part of the growing amounts of space debris orbiting around the Earth. The payload will decay in the Earth's atmosphere some time in the future.
References
- 1 2 "Sat Cat". Celestrak. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
- 1 2 3 "UoSat 3, 4, 5 (UO 14, 15, 22 / Oscar 14, 15, 22) / Healthsat 1". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
- 1 2 "Messages from Space". University of Surrey. Retrieved 27 June 2012.