LASARsat

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LASARsat
LASARsat.jpg
Mission typeTechnology
OperatorLASAR by DoSpace, Planetum
COSPAR ID 2024-247Q 2024-247R, 2024-247Q COSPAR ID does not match expected format OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
SATCAT no. 62392 OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Website https://lasar.info
Spacecraft properties
ManufacturerSpacemanic
HiLASE
VZLÚ
SkyFox Labs
Dry mass1.2 kilograms
Dimensions10x10x11.3 centimeters
Start of mission
Launch dateDecember 21, 2024, 11:34:00 (2024-12-21UTC11:34) UTC
Rocket Falcon 9
Contractor SpaceX
Orbital parameters
Altitude500 – 600 kilometers
Inclination 45.5 degrees
Period 96 minutes

LASARsat (Laser-Assisted Satellite Reentry satellite) is a Czech scientific microsatellite, which was launched on December 21, 2024.

Contents

The LASARsat mission is a continuation of the Czech high school team LASAR, [1] which won the Conrad Challenge, a global STEM competition held in Houston. [2] The satellite is designed to test the possibilities of using high-power lasers for traffic management in orbit and to help to solve the problem of space debris.

The satellite was launched into a Low Earth orbit by SpaceX's Falcon 9 on the Bandwagon-2 mission. [3]

Description

LASARsat is 1U specification CubeSat, with dimensions of 10×10×11.3 centimeters and total volume of 1000 cubic centimeters.

Payload

The satellite has control, energy and communication equipment on board, the latter being designed for amateur radio contact. LASARsat is also carrying a small capsule with non-alcoholic Czech beer.

Scientific instruments

Detail of LASARsat and its instruments. Retroreflector and the series of photodiodes can be seen. LASARsat detail.jpg
Detail of LASARsat and its instruments. Retroreflector and the series of photodiodes can be seen.

Seven scientific instruments will be on board LASARsat:

  1. Photodiodes, which will be used to measure the laser's energy losses in Earth's atmosphere.
  2. Series of light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which will improve tracking accuracy.
  3. Retroreflectors, which will reflect the laser beam back to Earth's surface to allow its further study.
  4. Langmuir probe, which will measure changes in ionization upon laser's impact.
  5. Earthcam, a camera for capturing the Earth's surface, on which the effects of the laser beam on optical sensors will be tested.
  6. Two dosimeters, one supplied by Czech Aerospace Research Centre and the other one by SkyFox Labs. [4]

Mission

The satellite main mission is to gain further data on the possible usage of the LASAR method and usage of Earth-based lasers in space in general.

Orbit

The satellite will reside in a low Earth orbit at an altitude of 400 to 500 kilometres, with an inclination of 45.5 degrees and an orbital period of 96 minutes.

References

  1. ↑ Hubálková, Pavla. "Čeští středoškoláci ohromili experty z NASA" [Czech high schoolers surprise NASA experts]. WIRED CZ (in Czech). Retrieved 2024-08-09.
  2. ↑ "Czech high school students win Conrad Challenge at NASA". Radio Prague International. 2024-04-28. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
  3. ↑ Lentz, Danny (2024-12-20). "SpaceX launches Bandwagon-2 rideshare from Vandenberg". NASASpaceFlight.com. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
  4. ↑ "Čeští středoškoláci vypustí vlastní družici!". Kosmonautix.cz (in Czech). 2024-09-02. Retrieved 2024-09-02.
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