S-Net

S-Net
ManufacturerTechnical University of Berlin
Country of originGermany
OperatorTechnical University of Berlin
Applicationsinter-satellite communications
Specifications
Launch mass9 kilograms (20 lb)
Powersolar cells, batteries[1]
EquipmentS-Band transceiver[1]
RegimeLow Earth Orbit
Design life1 year[1]
Dimensions
Production
StatusIn Service
Built4[2]
Launched4[3]
Operational4[3]

S-Net is a worldwide inter-satellite communications network consisting of four satellites and being operated by the Technical University of Berlin.[2]

Description

The project has the goal to investigate and demonstrate inter-satellite communication technology within a distributed and autonomously operating nanosatellite network. All satellites are equipped with a S-Band radio emitter and receiver, which not only enables communication with the ground-based control center but also allows for communication between the individual satellites.[3] The number of satellites in the network was set to four as this number represents the best cost-benefit-ratio. With four satellites, a total of six independent communication links are possible, while only three are possible with three satellites. Moreover, four is the lowest number that enables multi-hop communication.[1] The satellites are powered by solar cells and batteries and have a planned lifetime of one year.[1] Future applications of the technology may be more effective monitoring of global issues like climate change, disaster management, maritime systems monitoring and even enable satellite constellations for high-bandwidth internet access.[2][1]

Launch

The four satellites were successfully launched on a Soyuz-2.1A rocket from Vostochny Site 1S in Russia on 1 February 2018. The launch was originally scheduled for 22 December 2017, however due to the failure of a Soyuz-2.1B rocket, Roscosmos decided to delay the mission.[3] The spacecraft were released into orbit at an altitude of approximately 580 kilometers at an interval of 10 seconds. The launch represents the tenth mission of the TU Berlin, sending a total of 16 satellites to space.[2]

See also

  • 2018 in spaceflight
  • Iridium satellite constellation

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "S-Net 1, 2, 3, 4 (Tubsat 13, 14, 15, 16)". space.skyrocket.de. Retrieved 2018-02-12.
  2. ^ a b c d "Stabsstelle Presse, Öffentlichkeitsarbeit und Alumni: Medieninformation Nr. 20/2018". www.pressestelle.tu-berlin.de (in German). Retrieved 2018-02-12.
  3. ^ a b c d "Soyuz-2.1a launches from Vostochny with 11 satellites - SpaceFlight Insider". www.spaceflightinsider.com. Retrieved 2018-02-12.

External links

  • TU-Berlin Website
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Launches are separated by dots ( • ), payloads by commas ( , ), multiple names for the same satellite by slashes ( / ). Cubesats are smaller.
Crewed flights are underlined. Launch failures are marked with the † sign. Payloads deployed from other spacecraft are (enclosed in parentheses).