It was found that the next-generation small satellite No. 2, which was separated along with the third launch of the Korean spacecraft Nuri, successfully landed on the target orbit. However, in the case of some cube satellites that were ejected together, signal reception has not been smooth so far, so it is expected that it will take several more days to confirm whether Nuriho’s satellite ejection mission was successful.
The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on the 26th that the main payload satellite (Next Generation Small Satellite No. 2), which was launched at 6:24 p.m. revealed
The satellite signal was received for the first time at King Sejong Station in Antarctica at around 7:07 pm the day before the launch, and initial communication was made through the Daejeon ground station at 7:58 pm, followed by seven additional communications through Daejeon and overseas ground stations this morning.
On this day, through additional communication, satellite remote meter reading information was received, and whether or not the satellite attitude was facing the sun was checked. The satellite communication system transmission/reception function, command and data processing system function, power system solar panel power generation function, etc. were also checked to confirm that they were all normal.
For the next seven days, the status of the satellite will be continuously checked, the video radar antenna will be deployed, and the satellite 2 attitude stabilization process will be carried out. In addition, it will undergo initial operation over the next three months to prepare for payload inspection and mission performance, and then begin full-scale mission activities.
Next-generation small satellite No. 2 will carry out its mission by orbiting the earth about 15 times a day in a sun-synchronous orbit (550 km) for the next two years.
It has not yet been confirmed whether or not three of the auxiliary satellites have returned to their normal target orbits.
Of the 4 Toyosat (4 cube satellites) produced by the Korea Astronomical Research Institute, Unit 1 (Garam) received the satellite signal at 8:03 PM the previous day, and Unit 2 (Narae) received the satellite signal at 6:40 AM on the same day. He even performed communion.
However, in the case of Unit 3 (Dasol) and Unit 4 (Raon), they plan to continuously try to receive beacon signals (unique identification signals periodically sent from satellites to the ground).
Toyosat aims to observe space weather through formation flight of 4 cube satellites. However, there are concerns that the mission will be impossible if the two aircraft, which are currently difficult to receive satellites, fail to finally land on the target orbit.
Regarding this, an official from the Astronomical Research Institute explained, “The purpose is to fly in formation through the 4th Cube Satellite, but it is theoretically possible to attempt flight in vertical and horizontal formation with only the 2nd satellite signal reception confirmed.”
Two of the three private sector cube satellites, including Toyosat, completed satellite positioning through satellite signal reception. The remaining one (JAC) will continue to try to receive satellite signals and communicate.
“Since the ground station communication of the next-generation small satellite No. 2 was successful, we will do our best to ensure that the remaining satellites communicate and perform their missions well,” said the Director General of Massive Public Research Policy at the Ministry of Science and ICT in Chosun Studies.
Reporter Lee In-hee [email protected]