A 3D-printed satellite assembled at Tomsk Polytechnic University
is scheduled to launch from the International Space Station (ISS) to
the 120th anniversary of the school. TPU handled the
satellite to RSC “Energia”, where final preparations will take place for
shipment to the Baikonur Cosmodrome. “Tomsk-TPU-120” satellite delivery
on the ISS will be held on 31 March.
On March 31 from Baikonur Cosmodrome it is scheduled to launch a cargo
spacecraft “Progress MS-02”, which will bring TPU satellite on the
International Space Station. – Credit Tomsk Polytechnic University
During the next spacewalk ISS astronauts will launch the satellite
from the outer surface of the station. The satellite will orbit at 400
km. The term of its operation in space will last about six months.
The TPU satellite refers to nanosatellites (CubeSat) and has
dimensions of 300x100x100 mm. It will be the world's first space
vehicle, which housing was 3D-printed. In the future, the technology can
be a breakthrough in the creation of small satellites and make them
more massive and accessible.
The device was designed in the TPU scientific and educational center
“Modern production technologies”. Materials of which made the satellite,
were developed by scientists of Tomsk Polytechnic University and the
Institute of Strength Physics and Materials Science.
The TPU satellite was built to test new technology of space materials
science and a series of the university developments and its partners.
Various sensors will record the temperature of the board, the plates
and batteries, electronics data. These data will be transmitted to Earth
in real time mode. According to the data, scientists will be able to
analyze the condition of the materials and decide whether they will be
used in the construction of the prospective spacecrafts.
To be reminded that in May 2016 Tomsk Polytechnic University
celebrates 120 years since its foundation. Therefore, according to
polytechnicer idea, the satellite “Tomsk-TPU-120” will have to
transmit a greeting to Earth
inhabitants, recorded by students of the university in 10 languages:
Russian, English, German, French, Chinese, Arabic, Tatar, Indian, Kazakh
and Portuguese.
The greeting signal will be transmitted once a minute on
437.025 MHz FM on
10 at 07:55 UTC and switched off on May 11 at 10:10 UTC.. One of the Kenwood transceivers (TM D700) on the ISS will provide a cross-band relay, re-transmitting the signal on
145.800 MHz FM.
Reception reports will be appreciated. Please send reports to
mailto:rv3dr@mail.ru
Source :
tpu.ru
