Quakesat

Quakesat is an Earth observation nanosatellite based on three CubeSats. It was designed to be a proof of concept for space-based detection of extremely low frequency signals, thought by some to be earthquake precursor signals. The science behind the concept is disputed.[2]

Quakesat
Mission typeEarth observation
COSPAR ID2003-031F
SATCAT no.27845
Website
Mission duration2 years (planned)
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftCubeSat
Spacecraft type3 CubeSat
ManufacturerStanford University
Launch mass5 kg (11 lb)
Start of mission
Launch date30 June 2003, 14:15:26 UTC
RocketRockot
Launch sitePlesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 133
ContractorKhrunichev State Research and Production Space Center
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit [1]
RegimeLow Earth orbit
Perigee altitude821 km (510 mi)
Apogee altitude833 km (518 mi)
Inclination98.70°
Period101.40 minutes
Instruments
Magnetometer
 

Mission

The students working on the project hope that the detection of magnetic signals may have value in showing the onset of an earthquake.[3] QuakeFinder, the company that put the satellites together, is from Palo Alto, California. They are gathering data on the extremely low magnetic field fluctuations that are associated with earthquakes to help better understand this area of study. The primary instrument is a magnetometer housed in a 2 ft (0.6 m) telescoping boom.

The 30 June 2003, deployment of Quakesat was alongside other university CubeSats and one commercial CubeSat. The launch occurred on a Rokot rocket from Russia's Plesetsk Cosmodrome.

See also

References

  1. "Trajectory: Quakesat 2003-031F". NASA. 14 May 2020. Retrieved 16 December 2020. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. Malik, Tariq (2003). "What's Shakin'? Tiny Satellite to Try and Predict Earthquakes". Space.com. Archived from the original on 24 July 2008. Retrieved 8 December 2008.

QuakeFinder LLC Single axis search coil, small E-field dipole

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