Quakesat
Quakesat is an Earth observation nanosatellite based on three CubeSats. It was designed to be a proof of concept for space-based detection of extremely low frequency signals, thought by some to be earthquake precursor signals. The science behind the concept is disputed.[2]
 | |
| Mission type | Earth observation |
|---|---|
| COSPAR ID | 2003-031F |
| SATCAT no. | 27845 |
| Website | |
| Mission duration | 20 years, 3 months and 25 days (elapsed) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | CubeSat |
| Spacecraft type | 3 CubeSat |
| Manufacturer | Stanford University |
| Launch mass | 5 kg (11 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 30 June 2003, 14:15:26 UTC |
| Rocket | Rockot |
| Launch site | Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 133 |
| Contractor | Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit[1] |
| Regime | Low Earth orbit |
| Perigee altitude | 821 km (510 mi) |
| Apogee altitude | 833 km (518 mi) |
| Inclination | 98.70° |
| Period | 101.40 minutes |
| Instruments | |
| Magnetometer | |
Mission
The students working on the project hope that the detection of magnetic signals may have value in showing the onset of an earthquake.[3] QuakeFinder, the company that put the satellites together, is from Palo Alto, California. They are gathering data on the extremely low magnetic field fluctuations that are associated with earthquakes to help better understand this area of study. The primary instrument is a magnetometer housed in a 2 ft (0.6 m) telescoping boom.
The 30 June 2003, deployment of Quakesat was alongside other university CubeSats and one commercial CubeSat. The launch occurred on a Rokot rocket from Russia's Plesetsk Cosmodrome.
See also
References
- "Trajectory: Quakesat 2003-031F". NASA. 14 May 2020. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. -
- John Upton (13 August 2011). "Pursuing the Grail of an Earthquake Predictor, but Facing Skeptics". The New York Times. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
- John Upton (15 August 2011). "The Science of Predicting Earthquakes: U.S. Geological Survey refuses to fund controversial research into electromagnetic signals". The Bay Citizen. The New York Times. Archived from the original on 25 September 2011. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
- David, Leonard (2003). "Cubesats: On the Prowl for Earthquake Clues". Space.com. Archived from the original on 10 November 2006. Retrieved 5 December 2008.
- Malik, Tariq (2003). "What's Shakin'? Tiny Satellite to Try and Predict Earthquakes". Space.com. Archived from the original on 24 July 2008. Retrieved 8 December 2008.
QuakeFinder LLC Single axis search coil, small E-field dipole