Aalto-1

Artist's impression of Aalto-1 releasing its electrostatic plasma brake tether.

Aalto-1 is a Finnish research nanosatellite, created by students of Helsinki's Aalto University. Based on the CubeSat architecture, it was originally scheduled to be launched in 2013, though this has since been delayed to autumn 2015,[1] and later to May 2016. Upon its launch, it will become Finland's first indigenously-produced satellite.

Project history

The Aalto-1 project began in 2010 with a feasibility study, which was conducted as part of a university course on space technology.[2] The study was followed by the publication of a preliminary design in 2011.[2] A critical design review of the satellite was conducted in 2012.[2] In all, over 80 students of Aalto University's School of Electrical Engineering were involved in the project.[1]

Design

The solar-powered CubeSat-based satellite will weigh approximately 3 kilograms (6.6 lb),[2] and will carry a miniature Fabry-Pérot spectrometer, designed by VTT Technical Research Centre.[3] The satellite incorporates a modified electrostatic motor (dubbed a "brake tether"), which is designed to deorbit it at the end of its operational lifespan, with the intent of avoiding the creation of space junk.[2]

Launch

Aalto-1 is to be launched in May 2016 by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 "Finland’s first satellite heads for space in Autumn 2015". Aalto.fi. 17 December 2014. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Aalto-1 – Summary". Aalto.fi. 2012. Retrieved 23 December 2014.
  3. ↑ "Aalto-1, the Finnish student satellite". SouthgateARC. 17 October 2010. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  4. ↑ "Aalto-1 is the first Finnish nanosatellite project". Aalto University. Retrieved 2016-04-25.

External links

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