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First Norwegian Satellite Launched

It took a group of 80 students across four national universities several years to design and build the first Norwegian satellite ever constructed. Today it was launched from Plesetsk, Russia, marking a milestone in Norwegian space history.

Posted by Tormod
26 October, 2005 03:10:33

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NCUBE-2 is a cube satellite measuring only 10 centimeters to each side, and carries a payload that will allow it to track reindeer fitted with special responders. This is the first application of a unit identification network known as Automatic Identification Signal, AIS, in space. AIS has recently been introduced to track ships along the Norwegian coast via ground stations.

For a satellite project, NCUBE is a demonstration of what can be achieved with a minimum amount of money. Mostly funded via government grants, everyone involved have worked on a volunteer basis. Expertise has been granted from several research institutes (the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment and the Institute for Energy Technology).

Students from The National College of Science and Technology in Trondheim, Narvik University College, and the Norwegian University of Life Sciences have been involved in the project.

A ground station has been built in Narvik, from which the student management team will perform satellite operation and control.

The Andoya Rocket Range has been an important facility for the project, and has contributed with personell and resources. Andoya hosted a press conference during the launch.

The NCUBE project comprises 2 satellites. NCUBE-1, which was supposed to be launched first, has been delayed and will probably be launched in early 2006.

Source: Norwegian Space Centre

Comments (1 posted):

C1ay on 26 October, 2005 11:35:17

In related news.... Cubesats Rule! Think small. Think fast. Think cheap. These are the watchwords for an on-going revolution in building tiny satellites that deliver big results.

They are called CubeSats. Packed with microelectronics, these ultra-small spacecraft can fly in formation, dock with each other, carry out science duties, inspect other satellites, scan our planet�and might be used to create an actual Earth-orbiting game of "Space Pong." As the name implies, a CubeSat is a cube-shaped satellite having the diminutive dimensions of 4x4x4 inches (10x10x10 centimeters). You can hold one in the palm of your hand. They weigh roughly a couple of pounds (one-kilogram). In some cases, a CubeSat can be comprised of multiple cubes to build a larger, but still very small satellite.... More at Space.com....