KITSAT-1
Artist rendering of KITSAT-1 satellite | |
| Names | KITSAT-A Korea Institute of Technology Satellite-1 Uribyol-1 KITSAT-OSCAR-23 KO-23 Our Star |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Technology demonstration |
| Operator | SaTReC |
| COSPAR ID | 1992-052B |
| SATCAT no. | 22077 |
| Website | KAIST SaTReC |
| Mission duration | 5 years (planned) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | KITSAT-1 |
| Bus | SSTL-70 |
| Manufacturer | Surrey Satellite Technology (SSTL) |
| Launch mass | 48.6 kg (107 lb) |
| Dimensions | 35.2 cm × 35.6 cm × 67 cm (13.9 in × 14.0 in × 26.4 in) |
| Power | 30 watts |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 10 August 1992, 23:08:07 UTC |
| Rocket | Ariane 42P H-10 |
| Launch site | Centre Spatial Guyanais, ELA-2 |
| Contractor | Arianespace |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit |
| Regime | Low Earth orbit |
| Perigee altitude | 1,316 km (818 mi) |
| Apogee altitude | 1,328 km (825 mi) |
| Inclination | 66.00° |
| Period | 112.0 minutes |
| Instruments | |
| Digital Store and Forward Communication Experiment (DSFCE) CCD Earth Imaging System (CEIS) Digital Signal Processing Experiment (DSPE) Cosmic Ray Experiment (CRE) | |
KITSAT-1 or KITSAT-A (Korean Institute of Technology Satellite) is the first South Korean satellite to be launched. Once launched, the satellite was given the nickname "Our Star" (우리별). KITSAT-1 operated in a 818 miles (1,316 km) by 825 miles (1,328 km) low Earth orbit (LEO). Of the 12 satellites launched by South Korea, KITSAT-1 is in the highest orbit. While KITSAT-1 maintains equilibrium by gravity gradient forces, magnetic torque can be used to control attitude if needed. The forecasted lifespan of KITSAT-1 was only five years, but communication with the satellite was maintained for 12 years. Since the launch of KITSAT-1, South Korea launched an additional 36 satellites by 2020.