TalTech 'Hämarik' satellite reaches orbit early morning Thursday
After the launch of Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech) student satellite "Hämarik" ("Dusk") had been postponed multiple times due to adverse weather conditions, the projectile finally reached earth orbit on September 3.
Head of the satellite development team Rauno Gordon said that they were still awaiting updates from the launch site in French Guiana following lift-off: "At precisely 4.51 a.m., the rocket launched along with 53 on-board satellites. And now, a couple hours after launch, we have received confirmation that all satellites have exited the rocket and Hämarik has reached orbit," Gordon confirmed.
Video of launch sequence of rocket Vera:
"Hämarik" brings the number of Estonian student satellites in orbit to two, as TalTech's first satellite, "Koit" ("Dawn"), launched on July 5 2019, from Russia.
"Koit" and "Hämarik" are both 1U cube satellites, made up of multiples of 10 cm × 10 cm × 10 cm cubic units. Both satellites use RGB sensors for visual light images and NIR sensors for near-infrared images that can be used for assessing vegetation growth, climate, geology and sea conditions.
More than 150 students have contributed to TalTech's satellite program since 2014.
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Editor: Kristjan Kallaste, Andrew Whyte