STSat-2A

STSat-2A
NamesScience and Technology Satellite-2A
Mission typeTechnology, Science
OperatorKAIST Satellite Technology Research Center (SaTReC)
Mission duration2 years (planned)
Failed to orbit
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft typeSTSat
BusSTSat-1
ManufacturerKAIST Satellite Technology Research Center (SaTReC)
Launch mass100 kg (220 lb)
Dimensions62 cm x 70 cm x 90 cm
Power160 watts
Start of mission
Launch date25 August 2009, 08:00:33 UTC
RocketNaro-1 # 1
Launch siteNaro Space Center
ContractorKhrunichev / KARI
End of mission
Last contactFailed to orbit
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit (planned)
RegimeLow Earth orbit
Perigee altitude300 km (190 mi)
Apogee altitude1,500 km (930 mi)
Inclination80.0°
Period103.0 minutes
Instruments
Dual-channel Radiometers for Earth and Atmosphere Monitoring (DREAM)
Laser Retroreflector Array (LRA)
Dual Head Star Tracker (DHST)
Pulsed Plasma Thruster (PPT)
Fine Digital Sun Sensor (FDSS)
← STSat-1

STSat-2A (Science and Technology Satellite-2A) [1] was a satellite launched by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), the national space agency of South Korea, from the Naro Space Center in Goheung County, South Jeolla using the Naro-1 (KSLV-1) launch vehicle.[2][3]

Spacecraft

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The KAIST Satellite Technology Research Center (SaTReC) developed STSat-2A as a Sun observation, satellite laser ranging and engineering and technology demonstration sponsored by the Ministry of Science and Technology. It was expected to be operational for about two years, and was scheduled to be launched between 2005 and 2007.[4] The Laser Retroreflector Array (LRA) instrument was intended to measure the orbit of STSAT-2A, in order to investigate variations in its orbit.[5]

It was a follow-up to STSat-1, which was launched using a Kosmos-3M rocket on 27 September 2003. Originally a Dual-channel Radiometers for Earth and Atmosphere Monitoring (DREAM) microwave radiometer was intended as the principal payload of STSat-2A for an expected launch in 2007.[6] The Laser Retroreflector Array (LRA) was described as an early expected payload for STSat-2A which would consist of nine retroreflectors in a mechanical casing.[4]

Mission

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STSat-2A has three missions: the indigenous research and development to place a satellite into low Earth orbit, development of indigenous spacecraft, and the ability to develop scientific payloads.[5]

Launch

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STSat-2A was launched on the maiden flight of the Naro-1 launch vehicle, which lifted off the Naro Space Center, on the southern coast of South Korea at 08:00:33 UTC on 25 August 2009. The launch failed to place STSat-2A into orbit after half of the payload fairing failed to separate.[7] This resulted in the second stage being too heavy to reach orbit, and it fell back to Earth along with the satellite. A second satellite, STSat-2B, was launched on 10 June 2010, but the launch vehicle failed again.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "STSat-2". NASA. Archived from the original on 16 May 2010. Retrieved 26 August 2009. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. ^ "South Korea Completes Space Center For Rocket Launch". AFP Nasdaq. 12 June 2009. Retrieved 14 June 2009.
  3. ^ "Government Approves Launch of South Korea's First Space Rocket". Telecoms Korea. 2 June 2009. Retrieved 14 June 2009.
  4. ^ a b "Korea's First Satellite for Satellite Laser Ranging" (PDF). NASA. Retrieved 14 June 2009. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  5. ^ a b "STSat (Science and Technology Satellite)". Global Security. 4 February 2009. Retrieved 14 June 2009.
  6. ^ Kim, Sung-Hyun; De-Hai Zhang; Ho-Jin Lee; Hyuk Park; Seok-Hun Yun; Chun-Sik Chae; Eun-Sup Sim; Jing-Shan Jiang; Yong-Hoon Kim (25–29 July 2005). "Korean spaceborne microwave radiometer on STSAT-2: Dual-channel radiometers for earth and atmosphere monitoring (DREAM)". Proceedings. 2005 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, 2005. IGARSS '05. Vol. 1. South Korea: Department of Mechatronics, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology. pp. 464–466. doi:10.1109/IGARSS.2005.1526211. ISBN 0-7803-9050-4. S2CID 42049796.
  7. ^ "South Korean satellite lost shortly after launch". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved 26 August 2009.
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