AsianScientist (Dec. 4, 2013) – Singapore now has a second satellite – both built by Nanyang Technological University (NTU) – orbiting in space.
The VELOX-PII, classified as a pico-satellite (a satellite that weighs around 1 kg), lifted off on board Russia’s RS-20B rocket (Dnepr) on Thursday, 21 November 2013. All systems are functioning well. It is now soaring some 600 kilometers above Earth on a sun-synchronous low-Earth orbit.
While in space, VELOX-PII will run tests to prove the viability and robustness of NTU’s satellite technology, including hardware and software built in-house by students. This includes the fine sun sensor that is used to determine a satellite’s orientation with respect to the sun; control and sensing algorithms that determine and control the satellite’s orientation; and a power management system to harvest maximum solar energy for its solar panels.
The 1.33 kg VELOX-PII is developed under NTU’s Undergraduate Satellite Program, a multi-disciplinary hands-on space project for students. Since 2009, second year engineering students onward develop and build real satellites under the program managed by NTU’s Satellite Research Center.
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Source: Nanyang Technological University; Photo: NASA Goddard Photo and Video/Flickr/CC.
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