Still speaking of space… we have several satellite
news items for you …
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MO-112 Satellite overlaid on
image of SpaceX Cargo Dragon
launch in early June.
(SpaceMauritius.com image)
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The first amateur satellite from Mauritius is in
orbit and operating. MIR-SAT 1 was launched from the International Space
Station on June 22 and has now been renamed MIRSAT-OSCAR 112. According to the
AMSAT News Service, it carries a digipeater and a camera experiment. Details
are available from <https://spacemauritius.com>.
Two satellites operating on amateur frequencies
were launched June 30 as part of a multi-satellite launch aboard the SpaceX
Falcon 9. One, from Kuwait, appears to be commercially-built, according to the
AMSAT News Service, and the other was built by the University of the Mexican Army
and Air Force.
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Artist's conception of WISA
Woodsat satellite in orbit.
(European Space Agency image)
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Finally, a wooden cubesat called WISA Woodsat made
a successful test flight into the stratosphere in June. The ARRL Letter
reports that the plywood satellite, built by a Finnish wood company, was lifted
19 miles by a weather balloon, took selfie videos and parachuted back to Earth.
An actual launch into orbit is planned, with the goal of collecting data on the
behavior and durability of plywood in the space environment.
