- FedSat
FedSat (
Australia 's 'Federation Satellite') is an Australian scientific research satellite launched fromTanegashima Space Center ,Japan by a NASDAH-IIA launch vehicle in December 2002 (NASDA is now merged withJAXA ). The satellite was developed by the Cooperative Research Centre for Satellite Systems, a cooperative made up of several universities, commercial organisations and government bodies. The ground station is at the Institute for Telecommunications Research, part of theUniversity of South Australia , nearAdelaide . Since 2005 it was operated by theAustralian Department of Defence . The spacecraft's battery failed in May of 2007 and the mission has been terminated.The satellite has five payloads:
* Communications Payload: A collection of three components (UHF transponder,Ka-band transponder and base-band processor) used to perform several experiments in satellite communications.
* High Performance Computing Experiment: A reconfigurable computer based on aXilinx FPGA , the first of its kind to be used in space.
* GPS Payload: AGlobal Positioning System receiver built byNASA .
* NewMag Payload: A magnetometer built by theUniversity of Newcastle, Australia , used to take measurements of theEarth 's magnetic field near its poles.
* Star Camera: An experimental star camera built by theUniversity of Stellenbosch , used to determine the position of the satellite in space by analysing images of surrounding stars.The satellite platform, comprising the structural/thermal components, power system, attitude control system, onboard computer and groundlink, was originally developed in the
UK by Space Innovations Limited. It was later completed along with integration of payloads inCanberra , Australia.External links
* [http://www.crcss.csiro.au/ Cooperative Research Centre for Satellite Systems]
* [http://www.itr.unisa.edu.au/rd/crcss/fedsatlaunch.htm ITR - FedSat Launch Details]
* [http://plasma.newcastle.edu.au/plasma/research/crcss/crc.htm University of Newcastle FedSat page]
* [http://www.smh.com.au/news/science/australia-loses-its-foothold-in-the-next-frontier/2007/09/27/1190486482451.html A beacon of hope falls silent]
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