SatRevolution

Last updated

SatRev S.A. is a Polish company established in 2016, that specialises in building small, lightweight, nanosatellites. The company was listed in the NASA's "State of the Art Small Spacecraft Technology" report as one of 12 in the world. [1]

Contents

Satellites

The ŚWIATOWID satellite was launched into orbit on April 17, 2019, at 16:46 local time (20:46 UTC), aboard the unmanned spacecraft Cygnus NG-11, delivering supplies to the International Space Station. Along with it, another Polish satellite, Kraksat, built in cooperation between SatRevolution and AGH, was also launched into orbit. The spacecraft, with the Światowid satellite on board, arrived at the International Space Station on April 19 and docked with the Unity module at 11:31 UTC. [2]

Światowid was released into space from the Japanese module of the International Space Station, Kibō, on July 3, 2019, at 11:50 UTC. [3] After its release, the satellite began transmitting signals, which were received by amateur radio ground stations on the same day. Since the beginning of the mission, the satellite has been capturing and transmitting images of the Earth's surface. [4] One of the first objects photographed by Światowid was the Greater Gabbard wind farm off the coast of Great Britain, photographed on August 6, 2019 [5]

STORK is a planned 3U cubesat constellation that will consist of 14 earth observation satellites equipped with SatRev's Vision-300 imager, capable of a ground resolution of up to 5 m. [6] In June 2021 SatRev placed the first two satellites, STORK-4 and STORK-5 Marta, on the Low Earth Orbit using Virgin Orbit LauncherOne rocket. [7] Two more satellites, STORK-1 and STORK-2, have been launched on 13 January 2022 with a SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket as part of the Transporter-3 mission [8] while another one, STORK-3, has been launched on the same day by Virgin Orbit using a LauncherOne rocket. [9] STORK-6 launched on 9 January 2023 with the LauncherOne rocket of Virgin Orbit. The launch was a failure and STORK-6 did not achieve orbit. [10]

SW1FT is a 3U cubesat for Earth imaging purposes [11] that has been launched on 13 January 2022 together with STORK-1 and STORK-2 on a Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket. [8]

Despite the announcements made by SatRev, none of the satellites in the STORK series has transmitted any Earth imagery that has been publicly disclosed as of February 2024.

LabSat is a 3U cubesat that serves as a scientific platform for in-orbit experiments developed by polish academic institutions, including the Wrocław University of Science and Technology. [11] [12] It was too launched on 13 January 2022 as part of the Transporter-3 mission on a Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket. [8]

In February 2022 the Sultanate of Oman, SatRev, Virgin Orbit and Tuatara together signed a Memorandum of Understanding for collaboration on Oman’s first mission to deep space. [13] [14] SatRevolution planned to put the first Omani nanosatellite into orbit by the end of 2022. [15] [16] The satellite was expected to be launched from Spaceport Cornwall in the United Kingdom aboard the Virgin Orbit LauncherOne rocket. [17] The satellite, named AMAN-1, [18] was launched on 9 January 2023 from Spaceport Cornwall by Virgin Orbit with their LauncherOne rocket; the launch was a failure and the satellite did not achieve orbit. [10]

Following the failure of the first AMAN-1 mission, SatRev prepared another mission named STORK-7/AMAN-1. [18] This satellite was launched on November 11, 2023, aboard a Falcon-9 rocket as part of the Transporter-9 mission. [19] The satellite was intended to be placed into its target orbit by the space tug operated by Momentus, named Vigoride. However, on December 5, 2023, Momentus announced that the separation of the STORK-7/AMAN-1 satellite failed, and the satellite was irretrievably lost. [20]

In light of the loss of the STORK-7/AMAN-1 satellite, announced by Momentus, there is debate surrounding the announcement made by the ETCO SPACE [21] [22] following Omani news agency Oman Daily Observer [23] on 21 January 2024 regarding the acquisition of high-quality imagery from the AMAN-1 satellite.

Shortly after the announcement, comments surfaced indicating that one of the images purportedly taken by the STORK-7/AMAN-1 satellite bears a striking resemblance to an image available on the website of the Planet Labs. [24] The similarity extends to dynamic details such as the position of a vessel at sea, its track, wake, and the varying color of the waters near the coast. [25] This situation implies that the image must have been captured simultaneously and from the same perspective as a satellite from the Planet Labs constellation. Moreover, the resolution and angle of both images are remarkably similar.

Plans

Virgin Orbit considered launching satellites from SatRev on its planned mission to Mars in 2022 (the mission did not happen). [26] [27]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CubeSat</span> Miniature satellite in 10 cm cube modules

A CubeSat is a class of miniaturized satellite with a form factor of 10 cm (3.9 in) cubes. CubeSats have a mass of no more than 2 kg (4.4 lb) per unit, and often use commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components for their electronics and structure. CubeSats are deployed into orbit from the International Space Station, or launched as secondary payloads on a launch vehicle. As of December 2023, more than 2,300 CubeSats have been launched.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">FalconSAT</span> Program within the United States Air Force Academy for building small satellites

FalconSAT is the United States Air Force Academy's (USAFA) small satellite engineering program. Satellites are designed, built, tested, and operated by Academy cadets. The project is administered by the USAFA Space Systems Research Center under the direction of the Department of Astronautics. Most of the cadets who work on the project are pursuing a bachelor of science degree in astronautical engineering, although students from other disciplines join the project.

The Space Test Program (STP) is the primary provider of spaceflight for the United States Department of Defense (DoD) space science and technology community. STP is managed by a group within the Advanced Systems and Development Directorate, a directorate of the Space and Missile Systems Center of the United States Space Force. STP provides spaceflight via the International Space Station (ISS), piggybacks, secondary payloads and dedicated launch services.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Space tug</span> Spacecraft used to transfer cargo from one orbit to another

A space tug is a type of spacecraft used to transfer spaceborne cargo from one orbit to another orbit with different energy characteristics. The term can include expendable upper stages or spacecraft that are not necessarily a part of their launch vehicle. However, it can also refer to a spacecraft that transports payload already in space to another location in outer space, such as in the Space Transportation System concept. An example would be moving a spacecraft from a low Earth orbit (LEO) to a higher-energy orbit like a geostationary transfer orbit, a lunar transfer, or an escape trajectory.

Technology Education Satellite (TechEdSat) is a successful nano-sat flight series conducted from the NASA Ames Research Center in collaboration with numerous universities. While one of the principal aims has been to introduce young professionals and university students to the practical realm of developing space flight hardware, considerable innovations have been introduced. In addition, this evolving flight platform has tested concepts for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) sample return, as well as planetary nano-sat class mission concepts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Planet Labs</span> American company specializing in satellite imaging of Earth

Planet Labs PBC is a publicly trading American Earth imaging company based in San Francisco, California. Their goal is to image the entirety of the Earth daily to monitor changes and pinpoint trends.

NanoAvionics Corp is a small satellite bus manufacturer and mission integrator founded as a spin-off from Vilnius University, Lithuania in 2014.

<i>ArgoMoon</i> Nanosatellite

ArgoMoon is a CubeSat that was launched into a heliocentric orbit on Artemis 1, the maiden flight of the Space Launch System, on 16 November 2022 at 06:47:44 UTC. The objective of the ArgoMoon spacecraft is to take detailed images of the Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage following Orion separation, an operation that will demonstrate the ability of a cubesat to conduct precise proximity maneuvers in deep space. ASI has not confirmed nor denied whether this took place, but several images of the Earth and the Moon were taken.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TROPICS (spacecraft constellation)</span> NASA mission

TROPICS(Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats) is a NASA constellation of six small satellites, 3U CubeSats, that will measure temperature and moisture profiles and precipitation in tropical systems with unprecedented temporal frequency. This data will enable scientists to study the dynamic processes that occur in the inner core of the storm resulting in rapid genesis and intensification. William Blackwell of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Lincoln Laboratory in Lexington, Massachusetts is the principal investigator. The constellation was initially planned to be delivered to orbit on three launches between June and July 2022. Due to the loss of the first two satellites after a launch failure in June of 2022, the first satellites were delivered to orbit aboard a Rocket Lab Electron rocket on 7 May 2023.

NASA's Pathfinder Technology Demonstrator (PTD) Project is a series of tech demonstrations of technologies aboard a series of nanosatellites known as CubeSats, providing significant enhancements to the performance of these versatile spacecraft. Each of the five planned PTD missions consist of a 6-unit (6U) CubeSat with expandable solar arrays.

EnduroSat AD is a Bulgarian aerospace manufacturer headquartered in Sofia. It was founded in 2015 by Raycho Raychev. The company designs, builds, and operates CubeSats and Nanosatellites for commercial and scientific missions and is developing inter-satellite linking and data applications. EnduroSat was nominated as one of the top 5 small satellite start-ups.

Vigoride is a space tug that is under development by Momentus Space. The total payload capacity that it can support to LEO is 750 kg. Vigoride is capable of changing orbital planes, inclination, and propelling spacecraft to up to 2 km/s. It also provides small satellite operators access to power, communications, and station keeping while with the tug. Momentus states that the cost is roughly $15,000 per kg depending on the exact customer specifications. Vigoride uses a microwave electrothermal thruster (MET) and water as the propellant. In 2019, the first test of the MET in space was completed and was deemed a success in a press release, while the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission accused it of misleading investors. The maiden launch was originally scheduled for January 2021, but was delayed due to Momentus not being able to receive FAA approval before the launch. On 22 March 2021, a Vigoride mock-up named Vigoride SC was launched in place of a functional Vigoride. In October 2020, the company stated that it had already booked 1.5 Vigorides out of the 3 planned to be launched in December 2021. On 25 May 2022, Momentus launched its first Vigoride spacecraft aboard SpaceX Transporter 5 mission.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Small Innovative Missions for Planetary Exploration</span> NASA program

Small Innovative Missions for Planetary Exploration (SIMPLEx) is a planetary exploration program operated by NASA. The program funds small, low-cost spacecraft for stand-alone planetary exploration missions. These spacecraft are intended to launch as secondary payloads on other missions and are riskier than Discovery or New Frontiers missions.

Momentus Inc, sometimes styled Momentus space, is an American spaceflight company founded by Mikhail Kokorich which plans to offer space infrastructure services in the form of on-orbit services. The company advertises three orbital tug services which are based around spacecraft electric propulsion and vary in payload mass and Delta-v. As of late 2022 the company has launched one demonstration mission, which produced positive results.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">FOSSA Systems</span> Satellite manufacturing company

FOSSA Systems is a company based in Madrid, Spain, specializing in satellite manufacturing and IoT solutions. Their services include space-related technologies and solutions for IoT applications. The company operates within the European market.

References

  1. ↑ Caldwell, Sonja (2021-10-27). "State-of-the-Art of Small Spacecraft Technology". NASA. Retrieved 2021-11-12.
  2. ↑ "Cygnus z polskimi satelitami dotarł do ISS". space24.pl (in Polish). 2019-04-19. Retrieved 2024-02-18.
  3. ↑ "Para polskich satelitów już poza ISS [AKTUALIZACJA]". space24.pl (in Polish). 2019-07-02. Retrieved 2024-02-18.
  4. ↑ Chapman, Scott (3 July 2019). "@scott23192". X (former Twitter). Retrieved 18 Feb 2024.
  5. ↑ SatRev (7 Aug 2019). "Newest picture from Światowid!" . Retrieved 18 Feb 2024.
  6. ↑ "STORK 1, ..., 14". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
  7. ↑ "Virgin Orbit Selected to Launch SatRev's "Constellation of Constellations"". spaceref.com. Retrieved 2021-11-12.
  8. 1 2 3 Clark, Stephen (13 January 2022). "SpaceX launches 105 customer satellites on third Transporter rideshare mission". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  9. ↑ Wall, Mike (14 January 2022). "Virgin Orbit sends 7 satellites to orbit in fourth mid-air launch". Space.com . Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  10. 1 2 Graham, William (2023-01-09). "Virgin Orbit fails on first mission from the UK with Start Me Up". NASASpaceFlight.com. Archived from the original on 10 January 2023. Retrieved 2023-01-10.
  11. 1 2 "SatRevolution S.A." SatSearch. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
  12. ↑ Werner, Debra (20 May 2020). "Momentus announces contracts with Sen, Alba Orbital and SatRev". SpaceNews . Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  13. ↑ "The Sultanate Of Oman And SatRev Form International Consortium For Country's First Satellite Launch and Mission To Deep Space – SatNews". news.satnews.com. Retrieved 2022-02-14.
  14. ↑ "Oman to launch its first satellite in 2022". SatellitePro ME. 2021-10-31. Retrieved 2022-02-14.
  15. ↑ "Oman to launch its first satellite in 2022". SatellitePro ME. 2021-10-31. Retrieved 2021-11-12.
  16. ↑ "Polish companies to cooperate with Oman in space programme". www.thefirstnews.com. Retrieved 2021-11-12.
  17. ↑ "The Sultanate Of Oman And SatRev Form International Consortium For Country's First Satellite Launch and Mission To Deep Space – SatNews". news.satnews.com. Retrieved 2022-02-14.
  18. 1 2 "Aman 1". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2024-02-18.
  19. ↑ Volosín, Juan I. Morales (2023-11-06). "Transporter-9 | Falcon 9 Block 5". Everyday Astronaut. Retrieved 2024-02-18.
  20. ↑ "Momentus Mission Update". www.businesswire.com. 2023-12-06. Retrieved 2024-02-18.
  21. ↑ "Home". Aman. Retrieved 2024-02-18.
  22. ↑ "ETCO SPACE on LinkedIn: Aman-1 satellite captures images of Oman from the space. 🛰️🇴🇲✨ | 10 comments". www.linkedin.com. Retrieved 2024-02-18.
  23. ↑ Team, Observer Web (2024-01-22). "Aman-1 satellite releases its first images". Oman Observer. Retrieved 2024-02-18.
  24. ↑ "Sat Rev – "bliźniaczy satelita" Aman-1 dla Omanu" (in Polish). 2024-02-16. Retrieved 2024-02-18.
  25. ↑ Comparison of satellite data from Planet and from Aman-1 satellite , retrieved 2024-02-18
  26. ↑ "Virgin Orbit to add extra rocket stage to LauncherOne for interplanetary missions". SpaceNews. 2019-10-24. Retrieved 2021-11-12.
  27. ↑ O'Callaghan, Jonathan. "Virgin Orbit Is Planning An Ambitious Mission To Mars In 2022". Forbes. Retrieved 2021-11-12.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.