LASARsat

LASARsat (Laser-Assisted Satellite Reentry satellite) is a Czech scientific microsatellite, which is to be launched into Earth orbit before the end of 2024.

LASARsat

Mission type	Technology
Operator	LASAR by DoSpace, Planetum
Website	https://lasar.info
Spacecraft properties
Manufacturer	LASAR by DoSpace Spacemanic Planetum HiLASE VZLÚ SkyFox Labs
Dry mass	1.2 kilograms
Dimensions	10x10x11.3 centimeters
Start of mission
Rocket	Falcon 9
Contractor	SpaceX
Orbital parameters
Altitude	500 – 600 kilometers
Inclination	45.5 degrees
Period	96 minutes
Instruments Photodiodes Series of photodiodes LEDs Series of LED Reflectors Reflectors Langmuir probe Langmuir probe Earthcam Earth surveillance camera Dosimeters Two dosimeters

The LASARsat mission is a continuation of the Czech high school team LASAR,^[1] which won the Conrad Challenge, a global STEM competition held in Houston.^[2] The satellite is designed to test the possibilities of using high-power lasers for traffic management in orbit and to help to solve the problem of space debris.

The satellite should be launched into a Low Earth orbit by SpaceX's Falcon 9 as part of the Bandwagon-2 mission.^[3]

Description

LASARsat is 1U specification CubeSat, with dimensions of 10×10×11.3 centimeters and total volume of 1000 cubic centimeters.

Payload

The satellite has control, energy and communication equipment on board, the latter being designed for amateur radio contact. LASARsat is also carrying a small capsule with non-alcoholic Czech beer.

Scientific instruments

Detail of LASARsat and its instruments. Retroreflector and the series of photodiodes can be seen.

Seven scientific instruments will be on board LASARsat:

1. Photodiodes, which will be used to measure the laser's energy losses in Earth's atmosphere.
2. Series of light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which will improve tracking accuracy.
3. Retroreflectors, which will reflect the laser beam back to Earth's surface to allow its further study.
4. Langmuir probe, which will measure changes in ionization upon laser's impact.
5. Earthcam, a camera for capturing the Earth's surface, on which the effects of the laser beam on optical sensors will be tested.
6. Two dosimeters, one supplied by Czech Aerospace Research Centre and the other one by SkyFox Labs.^[3]

Mission

The satellite main mission is to gain further data on the possible usage of the LASAR method and usage of Earth-based lasers in space in general.

Orbit

The satellite is supposed to reach a low Earth orbit at an altitude of 400 to 500 kilometres, with an inclination of 45.5 degrees and an orbital period of 96 minutes.

References

1. Hubálková, Pavla. "Čeští středoškoláci ohromili experty z NASA" [Czech high schoolers surprise NASA experts]. WIRED CZ (in Czech). Retrieved 2024-08-09.
2. "Czech high school students win Conrad Challenge at NASA". Radio Prague International. 2024-04-28. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
3. "Čeští středoškoláci vypustí vlastní družici!". Kosmonautix.cz (in Czech). 2024-09-02. Retrieved 2024-09-02.