Sputnik Anniversary Launch

[zavvy]

<b>Anniversary Launch for 'Nanosats'</b><br /><br />LINK<br /><br />Fifty mini-satellites are to be sent into space to celebrate the launch of the first ever satellite, Sputnik 1. <br /><br />The "nanosats", each weighing 1kg, will blast into orbit on board an Ariane rocket in 2007, said Arianespace. <br /><br />Each satellite will represent a nation, and will do small-scale research experiments during two years in orbit. <br /><br />The former Soviet Union's Sputnik 1 was the size of a basketball and became the first human-made object to leave Earth's atmosphere on 4 October, 1957. <br /><br />"Just like 50 years ago, when the first man-made Earth satellite was launched, these nanosatellites will signal a new era for scientists worldwide," said Jean-Yves Le Gall, chief executive officer for Arianespace. <br /><br />The company markets launch services for the European Space Agency (Esa). <br /><br />"Arianespace is very proud to be participating in this commemoration," he added. "Supporting science and research is an integral part of our assigned mission." <br /><br />Space race <br /><br />Compared with Sputnik which weighed 83kg, nanosatellites weigh under 10kg and can be sent up in clusters in low-Earth orbit, which is less than 2,000km above the planet's surface. <br /><br />Increased miniaturisation of electronic and mechanical components has made it possible to construct much smaller and lighter satellites. <br /><br />These satellites can significantly reduce the cost of access to space for many nations and can be used in groups, or swarms, for Earth observation. <br /><br />UK satellite company Surrey Satellite Technology Limited has developed small satellites, like SNAP-1 which was launched in June 2000. <br /><br />It weighed 6.5kg and carried micro-miniature GPS navigation, camera technology, onboard computing, propulsion and attitude control technologies. <br /><br />Commercial telecommunications satell

 

[zavvy]

It was my pleasure... <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /><br /><br />

 

[omegamogo]

Sputnik always held a special place in my heart. When ever I hear the word 'Satellite' I immediately think of Sputnik! Damn I love that bird...<br /><br />I knew it was small but I didn't know it was <i>that</i> tiny! I thought it was about 5 times the size of a basketball or so.<br />Oddly enough, I think there are some parts of Sputnik that are still classified, I can't seem to find any complete plans or schematics of it.