Click image for full resolution.
A laboratory technician does some very precise measurements on the tiny satellite.
Click image for full resolution.
TechEdSat measures only 10 centimeters across and cost less than $30,000.
Click image for full resolution.
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Aki Hoshide, Expedition 33 flight engineer, works near the airlock in the Kibo laboratory of the International Space Station. The Small Satellite Orbital Deployer (SSOD) previously installed on the Multi-Purpose Experiment Platform (MPEP) is visible in the airlock.
MOFFETT FIELD, Calif.- NASA engineers, student interns and amateur radio enthusiasts around the world are listening for signals from a small, cube-shaped satellite launched into orbit from the International Space Station Thursday.
The satellite, dubbed “TechEdSat,” was released at 8:44 a.m. PDT from the new Japanese Small Satellite Orbital Deployer aboard the space station.
TechEdSat measures about 4 inches (10 centimeters) on a side and carries a ham radio transmitter. It was developed by a group of student interns from San Jose State University (SJSU) in California with mentoring and support from staff at NASA’s Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif. TechEdSat arrived at the space station aboard the Japanese H-II Transfer Vehicle July 21 and the station’s Expedition 33 crew processed it for launch.
“TechEdSat will evaluate plug-and-play technologies, like avionics designed by commercial providers, and will allow a group of very talented aerospace engineering students from San Jose State University to experience a spaceflight project from formulation through decommission of a small spacecraft,” said Ames Director S. Pete Worden.
TechEdSat’s mission showcases collaboration among NASA, academia and industry to set the standard for future endeavors with small satellites known as Cubesats.
TechEdSat is funded by Ames and NASA’s Space Technology Program. The total cost was less than $30,000 because engineers used only commercial off-the-shelf hardware and simplified the design and mission objectives.
For more about TechEdSat, visit SJSU’s site about the mission:
http://www.techedsat.com
For more about Ames Research Center, visit:
https://www.nasa.gov/ames
For more information about NASA education programs, visit:
https://www.nasa.gov/education
– end –
text-only version of this release
To receive Ames news releases via e-mail, send an e-mail with the word “subscribe” in the subject line to ames-releases-request@lists.arc.nasa.gov. To unsubscribe, send an e-mail to the same address with “unsubscribe” in the subject line.
Ann Marie Trotta
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1601
ann.marie.trotta@nasa.gov
Rachel Hoover
Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif.
650-604-4789
rachel.hoover@nasa.gov