The soon-to-be-launched INSPIRESat-1 CubeSat, a product of the International Satellite Program in Research and Education (INSPIRE), takes center stage in recent space news. As a small scientific satellite, INSPIRESat-1 is poised to provide invaluable insights into the Earth’s ionosphere, among other noteworthy research contributions.
Key Features of INSPIRESat-1
With a weight of less than 10 kilograms, INSPIRESat-1 is a scientifically potent entity despite its petite size. It will be strategically placed in a low earth orbit and comes equipped with a Compact Ionosphere Probe (CIP), an advanced tool designed for in-depth study of the Earth’s ionosphere. This layer of the atmosphere is continuously ionized by solar radiation, making it an intriguing subject for space science.
CIP functions as an all-in-one plasma sensor. This innovative instrument is capable of performing multiple sensor functions through a time-sharing mechanism, further enhancing the utility and efficiency of INSPIRESat-1.
INSPIRESat-1’s Mission Objectives
INSPIRESat-1 aims to enhance our understanding of several solar phenomena. These include the reason behind the Sun’s corona being significantly hotter than the photosphere and how the abundance of elements alters during different solar events. Additionally, it will explore how these solar events impact the Earth’s ionosphere. The term ‘order of magnitude’ used here refers to an exponential change of plus or minus 1 in a value or unit.
The satellite is slated for launch aboard an upcoming Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), marking an important milestone in collaborative space exploration.
About PSLV and INSPIRESat-1’s Launch
The PSLV, India’s third generation launch vehicle, will carry INSPIRESat-1 to space. Unique in its features, the PSLV is the first Indian launch vehicle equipped with liquid stages. This four-staged vehicle utilizes solid rocket motors for the first and third stages, while employing liquid rocket engines for the second and fourth stages.
Who Developed INSPIRESat-1?
The development of INSPIRESat-1 results from a collaborative effort among several prominent institutions. These include the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) at the University of Colorado Boulder in the U.S., National Central University in Taiwan, Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, and the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST).
About INSPIRE and the Future Plan
INSPIRE is a consortium of universities with active space programs. It was established to promote advancements in space science and engineering. As part of the INSPIRE program, a constellation of earth and space-weather observation satellites is planned. This includes a series of INSPIRESats, ranging from INSPIRESat-1 to INSPIRESat-7.
What is a CubeSat?
A CubeSat, such as INSPIRESat-1, is a small, low-cost, standardized satellite design that is primarily used for technological demonstration and research. Falling under the category of Nanosatellites, CubeSats typically weigh less than 10 kilograms. Other members of the Nanosatellite family include PocketQubes, TubeSats, Sun Cubes, and ThinSats.
As we anticipate the launch of INSPIRESat-1, its potential contributions to space science and our understanding of Earth’s ionosphere paint a hopeful picture for the future of space exploration.
