Subscribe with SteadyTSAT (TestSat-Lite)
TSAT [Taylor University]
TSAT (TestSat-Lite) is a nanosatellite designed and built by engineering students at Taylor University in Upland. It is built on a double CubeSat form factor.
TSAT is a dual mission using the GlobalStar satellite communication modem to demonstrate a reliable and global nanosat network and a Space Weather bus design consisting of a langmuir plasma probe, 3-axis magnetometer, and 3 ultraviolet photodiodes.
In February 2012, TSAT was down-selected for a launch opportunity through the NASA ELaNa program. It has completed final pre-launch tests and was delivered to NASA for launch in early 2014.
TSAT was launched on 18 April 2014 as a secondary payload on a Falcon-9 v1.1 rocket on the ELaNa-5 mission. It reentered the earth atmosphere on 28 May 2014.
The GlobalStar communication experiments are continued on the GEARRS satellites.
| Nation: | USA |
|---|---|
| Type / Application: | Technology |
| Operator: | Taylor University |
| Contractors: | Taylor University |
| Equipment: | |
| Configuration: | CubeSat (2U) |
| Propulsion: | None |
| Power: | Solar cells, batteries |
| Lifetime: | |
| Mass: | 2 kg |
| Orbit: | 301 km × 332 km, 51.65 |
| Satellite | COSPAR | Date | LS | Launch Vehicle | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TSAT (TestSat-Lite) | 2014-022C | 18.04.2014 | CC SLC-40 | Falcon-9 v1.1 | with Dragon CRS-3, OPALS, HDEV, ALL-STAR/THEIA, KickSat 1, SporeSat 1, PhoneSat 2.5 |
Launch Sites:
- CC = Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Eastern Test Range, Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA
References:
- Hank D. Voss, Jeff F. Dailey et al.: TSAT Globalstar ELaNa-5 Extremely Low-Earth Orbit (ELEO) Satellite
