The National Aeronautics and Space Administration(NASA) has chosen ‘India Sat’, an indigenous experimental satellite developed by 3 students from Tamil Nadu namely, M. Adnaan of Thanthonrimalai, M. Kesavan of Nagampalli and V. Arun of Thennilai for launch in suborbital space in June, next on NASA’s sounding rocket 7.
- This satellite model has outnumbered many other satellites designed as part of the global competition conducted by the Cubes in Space, a programme of Idoodledu Inc in association with NASA.
Note– This satellite has been considered to be the world’s smallest and lightest satellite.
About the satellite
i.It is made of reinforced graphene polymer that is 3 cm(centimetre) in size and weighs 64 gm(gram).
ii.To transmit and receive the signal from Earth to outer space, it has its own radio frequency communication.
iii.The satellite through the solar cells attached, generates power for it.
iv.The cosmic radiation inside the rocket will be absorbed and measured by the photographic film.
Key Info
- The students were mentored by Rifath Shaarook of Chennai-based Space Kids India for this research.
- The Department of Physics of Government Arts College, Karur sponsored for this research which cost Rs 1.35 lakh.
Additional Info
i.In 2017, an Indian High school student team and Space Kidz India designed Kalam SAT, an experimental student payload flown under Cubes in Space program by a STEM-based education program by Idoodle Learning.Inc and NASA.
ii.It is named after former Indian president Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. In 2019 this satellite was launched by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
iii.It is to be noted that this is the first to use the rocket`s fourth stage as an orbital platform.
Recent Related News:
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch the Amazonia – 1 onboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) as a primary payload by August 2020.
Amazonia -1 is Brazil’s first satellite for Earth observation – designed, assembled and tested in Brazil.
About National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA):
Administrator– James Frederick “Jim” Bridenstine(13th administrator)
Headquarters– Washington, United States of America
