Bangalore, India: Ignited by their maiden success in placing a tiny satellite in the polar orbit early this month, its young pioneers are raring to launch two more satellites into space. “The successful launch and placing of our first pico-satellite (StudSat) in the earth’s lower orbit has inspired us to build two similar satellites for the next launch,” the project’s core member G. Kartik said.
Riding piggy back on India’s advanced remote sensing satellite Cartosat-2B and three other satellites, the 850-gm cubical StudSat was launched onboard the polar satellite launch vehicle (PSLV-C15) by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) from its spaceport Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh, about 80 km northeast of Chennai.
Going forward, many of the members associated with the project have decided to continue with the institute to build the next two satellites that will have two-three additional instruments for astronomical, atmospheric and terrestrial studies, including terrain mapping.
“We will begin work on the next project after StudSat becomes fully operational and stabilises in its functions. Though designed with a six-month life span, we are hoping it will last at least a year,” Kartik added.
Source: Hindustan Times
