UNITE (satellite)

UNITE (Undergraduate Nano Ionospheric Temperature Explorer) is a CubeSat nanosatellite developed by the University of Southern Indiana. The project was funded by NASA's Undergraduate Student Instrument Project and primarily designed and built by students. It was launched into space on 5 December 2018 and is expected to be deployed into its orbit from the International Space Station in early 2019. Its mission includes measuring plasma in the lower ionosphere and monitoring the drag and temperature of the satellite itself.[1][2]

UNITE
Mission typeIonospheric research
OperatorUniversity of Southern Indiana
COSPAR ID1998-067PX
SATCAT no.44031
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft type3U CubeSat
Launch mass4 kg (8.8 lb)
Dimensions10 cm (4 in) x 10 cm (4 in) x 30 cm (12 in)
Start of mission
Launch date5 December 2018 (2018-12-05) UTC
RocketFalcon 9 FT, CRS-16
Launch siteCape Canaveral Air Force Station
ContractorSpaceX
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeLow Earth
 


References

  1. Luttrull, Benjamin (5 May 2018). "USI's first spacecraft to be deployed in 2019". usi.edu. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
  2. Farless, John (18 November 2018). "USI engineering and physics team to put spacecraft into orbit". usi.edu. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
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