S-Net

S-Net

Manufacturer	Technische Universität Berlin
Country of origin	Germany
Operator	Technische Universität Berlin
Applications	inter-satellite communications
Specifications
Launch mass	9 kilograms (20 lb)
Power	solar cells, batteries[1]
Equipment	S-Band transceiver[1]
Regime	Low Earth Orbit
Design life	1 year[1]
Production
Status	In Service
Built	4[2]
Launched	4[3]
Operational	4[3]

S-Net is a worldwide inter-satellite communications network consisting of four satellites and being operated by Technische Universität Berlin.^[2]

Description

The project has the goal to investigate and demonstrate inter-satellite communication technology within a distributed and autonomously operating nanosatellite network. All satellites are equipped with a S-Band radio emitter and receiver, which not only enables communication with the ground-based control center but also allows for communication between the individual satellites.^[3] The number of satellites in the network was set to four as this number represents the best cost-benefit-ratio. With four satellites, a total of six independent communication links are possible, while only three are possible with three satellites. Moreover, four is the lowest number that enables multi-hop communication.^[1] The satellites are powered by solar cells and batteries and have a planned lifetime of one year.^[1] Future applications of the technology may be more effective monitoring of global issues like climate change, disaster management, maritime systems monitoring and even enable satellite constellations for high-bandwidth internet access.^[2][1]

Launch

The four satellites were successfully launched on a Soyuz-2.1A rocket from Vostochny Site 1S in Russia on 1 February 2018. The launch was originally scheduled for 22 December 2017, however due to the failure of a Soyuz-2.1B rocket, Roscosmos decided to delay the mission.^[3] The spacecraft were released into orbit at an altitude of approximately 580 kilometers at an interval of 10 seconds. The launch represents the tenth mission of the TU Berlin, sending a total of 16 satellites to space.^[2]

See also

• 2018 in spaceflight
• Iridium satellite constellation

References

1. "S-Net 1, 2, 3, 4 (Tubsat 13, 14, 15, 16)". space.skyrocket.de. Retrieved 2018-02-12.
2. "Stabsstelle Presse, Öffentlichkeitsarbeit und Alumni: Medieninformation Nr. 20/2018". www.pressestelle.tu-berlin.de (in German). Retrieved 2018-02-12.
3. "Soyuz-2.1a launches from Vostochny with 11 satellites - SpaceFlight Insider". www.spaceflightinsider.com. Retrieved 2018-02-12.

External links

• TU-Berlin Website