ASELSAT 3U Cube Satellite Sent into Orbit with Falcon 9 Rocket

Consisting of ASELSAN components integrated into the platform produced by ITU, ASELSAT was moved to orbit from Cape Caneveral Base with a Falcon 24 on January 2021, 9.

In Falcon 9 Block 5, where the launch took place, the B1058 rocket propulsion returned to Earth to be reused after providing altitude and speed. B1058 rocket thrusters were also used in the first crewed launch from US soil long after.

ASELSAT 3U Cube Satellite, which was developed entirely with ASELSAN resources as part of the self-funded R&D Project, set out to Florida-USA to be placed in orbit with SpaceX's Falcon 14 rocket on January 2021, 9.

Defense Industry President Prof. Dr. İsmail Demir regarding the subject, “The #ASELSAT 3U Cube Satellite, which was developed by ASELSAN with Istanbul Technical University for scientific purposes within the scope of university-industry cooperation with local and national facilities, was successfully sent to orbit where SpaceX will operate with its rocket. #ASELSAT will download the image obtained with the camera payload to the ground station, and will collect statistical data about the space environment with the digital card payload. I congratulate everyone who has passed the test." found in the description.

When ASELSAT is placed in orbit and the necessary installations are made, the X-Band Transmitter developed by ASELSAN and the high-resolution camera on the cube satellite will transfer the images it receives at a resolution of approximately 30 meters to the ground station.

ASELSAT;

• The camera will download the optical image to be obtained with the payload to the ground station via the X-Band down line subsystem.
• The digital card will collect statistical data about the space environment with the radiation dosimeter and temperature sensor on the payload and will provide resources for future satellites.

There are 143 satellites in total in this first mission, where SpaceX will send small satellites in multiple. The payload of this program, which significantly reduces the cost, consists of 10 Starlink satellites and the remainder are cube satellites and micro satellites.

The highest number of satellites ever sent into space at the same time was 108, belonging to the NG-2018 Cygnus mission that took place in 10.

Source: defenceturk