KITSAT-1

KITSAT-1 or KITSAT-A (Korean Institute of Technology Satellite)[2] is the first South Korean satellite to be launched. Once launched, the satellite was given the nickname "Our Star" (우리별). KITSAT-1 operated in a 818 miles (1,316 km) by 825 miles (1,328 km) low Earth orbit (LEO). Of the 12 satellites launched by South Korea, KITSAT-1 is in the highest orbit.[3] While KITSAT-1 maintains equilibrium by gravity gradient forces, magnetic torque can be used to control attitude if needed.[4] The forecasted lifespan of KITSAT-1 was only five years, but communication with the satellite was maintained for 12 years.[3] Since the launch of KITSAT-1, South Korea launched an additional 36 satellites by 2020.[2]

KITSAT-1
Artist rendering of KITSAT-1 satellite
NamesKITSAT-A
Korea Institute of
Technology Satellite-1
Uribyol-1
KITSAT-OSCAR-23
KO-23
Our Star
Mission typeTechnology demonstration
OperatorSaTReC
COSPAR ID1992-052B
SATCAT no.22077
WebsiteKAIST SaTReC
Mission duration5 years (planned)
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftKITSAT-1
BusSSTL-70
ManufacturerSurrey Satellite Technology (SSTL)
Launch mass48.6 kg (107 lb)
Dimensions35.2 cm × 35.6 cm × 67 cm (13.9 in × 14.0 in × 26.4 in)
Power30 watts
Start of mission
Launch date10 August 1992, 23:08:07 UTC
RocketAriane 42P H-10
Launch siteCentre Spatial Guyanais, ELA-2
ContractorArianespace
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit[1]
RegimeLow Earth orbit
Perigee altitude1,316 km (818 mi)
Apogee altitude1,328 km (825 mi)
Inclination66.00°
Period112.0 minutes
Instruments
Digital Store and Forward Communication Experiment (DSFCE)
CCD Earth Imaging System (CEIS)
Digital Signal Processing Experiment (DSPE)
Cosmic Ray Experiment (CRE)
 

Description

KITSAT-1 is considered to be a smallsat or microsatellite.[5] KITSAT-1 is the smallest low Earth orbit satellite that has been launched by South Korea.[3]

Instruments

KITSAT-1's on-board computer (OBC) system uses an OBC186 for the main OBC and an OBC80 as the backup on-board computer system.[5]

KITSAT-1 carried a Digital Store and Forward Communication Experiment (DSFCE), a CCD Earth Imaging System (CEIS), a Digital Signal Processing Experiment (DSPE), and a Cosmic Ray Experiment (CRE).[6]

The CCD Earth Imaging System is equipped with two different cameras. These cameras are a wide-angle camera with a 4 km/pixel resolution and a high-resolution camera with a 400 m/pixel resolution.[4] The two CCD cameras on KITSAT-1 are located on the bottom of the satellite so that the cameras should always be pointed toward Earth[7]

On board was equipment to run the Cosmic Ray Experiment (CRE). The experiment's main purpose was to monitor and study space radiation in a 1,320 km (820 mi) low Earth orbit. These space radiation measurements were to be taken in short and long time frames. The CRE is able to measure high-energy protons, galactic cosmic rays from deep space, and solar cosmic rays from solar flares.[4]

The CRE payload consists of two subsystems. The two subsystems are the Cosmic Particle Experiment (CPE) and the Total Dose Experiment (TDE). The CPE is used to measure the Linear Energy Transfer (LET) spectrum over short time frames, and the TDE is used to measure the total accumulated ionizing radiation dose over long time frames.[4]

Launch
The Ariane 4 launch vehicle, with TOPEX/Poseidon, KITSAT-1, and S/80T on board

Launched in 1992, KITSAT-1, which stands for the Korea Institute of Technology Satellite-1, was the first satellite developed by SaTReC. Developed through a collaborative program between SaTReC and the University of Surrey, United Kingdom, the main objective of the KITSAT-1 program was to acquire satellite technology through the training and education of satellite engineers.[8]

KITSAT-1 was placed in a 1320 km orbit with a 66° orbital inclination. This orbit lies just within the inner Van Allen radiation belt.[4]

The success of the KITSAT-1 program marked the beginning of space technology development for South Korea.[9]

KITSAT-1 was launched from Centre Spatial Guyanais (CSG) on 10 August 1992 on an Ariane 42P H-10 launch vehicle along with NASA's TOPEX/Poseidon satellite and France's S80/T satellite. Its launch weight was 48.6 kg, and it measured 35.2 cm x 35.6 cm x 67 cm. The console of the University of Surrey UoSAT-5 satellite was used.

With this launch, South Korea became the 22nd country to operate a satellite.

See also

References
  1. "STSat 2C 2013-003A NORAD 39068". N2YO.com. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
  2. An, Hyoung Joon (April 2020). "South Korea's space program: Activities and ambitions". Asia Policy. 27 (2): 34–42. doi:10.1353/asp.2020.0029. S2CID 219499652. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  3. Choi, J.; Jo, J.H.; Choi, E.J.; Yu, J.; Choi, B.K.; Kim, M.J.; Yim, H.S.; Roh, D.G.; Kim, S.; Park, J.H.; Cho, S. (2020). "Space surveillance radar observation analysis: One-year tracking and orbit determination results of KITSAT-1, "우리별 1호"". Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences. 37 (2): 105–115. Bibcode:2020JASS...37..105C. doi:10.5140/JASS.2020.37.2.105. S2CID 225783832. Archived from the original on 22 December 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  4. Min, K. W.; Kim, S. H.; Shin, Y. H.; Choi, Y. W. (December 1993). "KITSAT-1 cosmic ray experiment initial results" (PDF). Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences. 10 (2): 103–112. Bibcode:1993JASS...10..103M. Archived (PDF) from the original on 15 April 2022. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  5. Kim, H.S.; Lee, H.K.; Choi, S.D. (May 1996). "On-board computer system for kitsat-1 and 2" (PDF). Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences. 13 (2): 41–51. Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 May 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  6. "Display: KITSAT-A 1992-052B". NASA. 10 February 2021. Retrieved 2 March 2021. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  7. Park, S.; Bae, J.; Sung, D.K.; Choi, S.D. (May 1996). "Development of the thermal model for kitsat-1/2 microsatellites and its verification using in-orbit telemetries" (PDF). Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences. 13 (2): s105-116. Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 May 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  8. "KITSAT-1 mission page from SSTL". SSTL. Archived from the original on 27 December 2016. Retrieved 26 December 2016.
  9. "KAIST Satellite Technology Research Center (SaTRec)". KAIST SaTRec. Archived from the original on 28 March 2022. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
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