BeeSat-1 or Berlin Experimental and Educational Satellite 1, is a German satellite operated by the Technical University of Berlin. The spacecraft is a single unit CubeSat, which was designed to test systems intended for use on future spacecraft, including a new design of reaction wheel.[2][3] It has also been used for amateur radio, and is equipped with a small camera.[4]
 BeeSat-1 before launch | |
| Mission type | Technology |
|---|---|
| Operator | TUB |
| COSPAR ID | 2009-051C |
| SATCAT no. | 35933 |
| Website | www |
| Mission duration | 12 months (planned) 15+ months (achieved) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft type | 1U CubeSat |
| Launch mass | 1 kilogram (2.2 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 23 September 2009, 06:21 UTC |
| Rocket | PSLV-CA C14 |
| Launch site | Satish Dhawan FLP |
| Contractor | ISRO |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Sun-synchronous |
| Perigee altitude | 713 kilometres (443 mi) |
| Apogee altitude | 723 kilometres (449 mi) |
| Inclination | 98.36 degrees |
| Period | 99.01 minutes |
| Epoch | 21 January 2014, 05:49:02 UTC[1] |
BeeSat-1 was launched by a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, serial number C14, flying in the Core Alone, or PSLV-CA, configuration.[5] The launch took place from the First Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, at 06:21 UTC on 23 September 2009.[6] BeeSat-1 was a secondary payload aboard the rocket, which deployed the Oceansat-2 satellite. Five other secondary payloads were flown aboard the rocket; SwissCube-1, UWE-2, ITU-pSat1, Rubin 9.1 and Rubin 9.2.[7][8]
BeeSat-1 is operating in a Sun-synchronous orbit with an apogee of 723 kilometres (449 mi), a perigee of 714 kilometres (444 mi) and 98.4 degrees of inclination to the equator. It has an orbital period of 99.16 minutes.[9] BeeSat-1 was designed to operate for at least twelve months,[2] and as of January 2011[update] it is still operational.[4]
