BGUSAT is an Israeli research

CubeSat A CubeSat is a class of miniaturized satellite based around a form factor consisting of cubes. CubeSats have a mass of no more than per unit, and often use commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components for their electronics and structure. CubeSats ...

built by the IAI and Ben Gurion University.

Mission

BGUSAT is designed as a research satellite, to explore atmospheric and weather phenomena in Infra-red wavelength, exploring the atmospheric gaseous contents and atmospheric glow. As a student research satellite, it allowed the students to gain experience with the development and integration of a nano satellite.

Satellite

The satellite is a basic 3 U CubeSat (30 x 10 x 10 cm) with a mass of about 5 kg. The on board computer is a GR712RC designed by Ramon Chips and Cobham Gaisle. The camera payload is a small camera, working in the wavelength of IR and NIR 1.7 - 1.55

\ mu m /math>. The ground station is operated by the researchers and students of Ben Gurion University.

History

Originally called NEGEVSAT, the project started as a Ben Gurion University student project in 2008. Originally planned as a 1U CubeSat (10 x 10 x 10 cm) the satellite was planned in conjunction of the Faculty of Engineering Sciences. The students worked on the design of the altitude and control system, the power system and ground station operations. After a few years, the project was put on hold due to lack of funding. As of 2013, BGUSAT project was restarted. With the donation of Rachel and Max Javit from Connecticut, the satellite's design evolved to a 3U CubeSat (30x10x10 cm) with a small earth observation camera. The donation allowed also for a small GPS and communication device and initial ground station operations. Collaboration with IAI to use their CubeSat bus platform and a new on board computer. In addition, a sum of 1 Million NIS was dedicated by the

Israeli Space Agency The Israel Space Agency (ISA; he, סוכנות החלל הישראלית, ''Sokhnut heKhalal haYisraelit'') is a governmental body, a part of Israel's Ministry of Science and Technology, that coordinates all Israeli space research programs wi ...

for research and image processing of the images received from the satellite. BGUSAT was successfully launched on February 15, 2017, 3:58 UTC on

PSLV-C37 PSLV-C37 was the 39th mission of the Indian Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) program and its 16th mission in the XL configuration. PSLV-C37 successfully carried and deployed a record 104 satellites in sun-synchronous orbits. Launched on ...

on a record-breaking launch which released 104 satellites. The Israeli DIDO-2 nano-satellite was also launched in the same launch.

Mission Patch

The mission patch was designed by Tal Inbar and Igal Gabai. Designed to look like the silhouette of the head of

David Ben-Gurion David Ben-Gurion ( ; he, דָּוִד בֶּן-גּוּרִיּוֹן ; born David Grün; 16 October 1886 – 1 December 1973) was the primary national founder of the State of Israel and the first prime minister of Israel. Adopting the nam ...

, surrounded by an orange lining representing the

Negev The Negev or Negeb (; he, הַנֶּגֶב, hanNegév; ar, ٱلنَّقَب, an-Naqab) is a desert and semidesert region of southern Israel. The region's largest city and administrative capital is Beersheba (pop. ), in the north. At its sout ...

area. the satellite watches the Earth and Israel. the blue glow represents the atmospheric studies. The constellation Columba (''Dove'' in Hebrew) is shown representing peace as well as the launch date, February, in which Columba is clearly seen over the Israeli skies. The Israeli flag, Ben Gurion University's logo and the Israeli space agency's logos are clearly seen.

References

External links