The Israel Institute of Technology (Technion) is set to launch a group of three nanosatellites, which will fly in controlled formation into space late this year.
Dutch company Innovative Solutions In Space will carry out the launch, which will see the world’s first autonomous satellite to be flown in formation.
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The satellites will be launched onboard an Indian Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) in order to obtain signals from Earth and calculate the location of the source of transmission for search-and-rescue operations, remote sensing, and environmental monitoring.
With an individual size of 10cm x 20cm x 30cm, they have been developed as part of the Adelis-SAMSON Project, which includes a team of researchers headed by Technion Aerospace Engineering faculty Pini Gurfil.
The project aims to prove that a group of satellites can fly in a controlled formation for one year while orbiting at an altitude of 600km.
Adelis Foundation and the Israel Space Agency are also involved in the project.
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By GlobalDataGurfil said: “Satellite miniaturisation together with advanced Israeli technology will enable us to take Israel an important step forward in the field of nanosatellites.
“The degree of innovation here can be compared to switching from a PC to a laptop and then to a mobile phone, which offers far more capabilities than its predecessors.”
Each of the satellites will also feature measuring devices, antennas, computer systems, control systems and navigation devices.
Weighing around 8kg in total, the satellites are powered by Rafael’s krypton gas-based propulsion system.
The satellites will also be able to collect energy through solar panels, which will extend from the sides of each satellite and serve as wings that will control the flight formation without using fuel.
