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Konstantin Bogdanov, RIA Novosti commentator.
a U.S. rocket launch “Minotaur” put into orbit 29 satellites. Record start made by the U.S. military, immediately attracted attention. What is so interesting States sent into orbit?
Minotaur I – it’s solid-fuel booster, created by the conversion of military ballistic missiles of the Minuteman II. Since 2000, this is the 11th launch of missiles of this type, all successful. Of all in the family “Minotaur” was 25 starts, all too successful.
Missiles are used mainly for outputting light (within 300-600 kg, depending on the angle) of military and general state load.
military satellites, domestic – 29
Let’s start with the fact that full-satellites on board exactly one – STPSat 3. This is not a spy satellite, and scientific research platform. On board are several systems associated with the study of the properties of solar radiation and the near-Earth plasma.
Others – this microsatellites weighing 1-4 kg, most of which is made in the standard CubeSat. These are small “cubes” liter volume, which bear a couple of other simple devices and are usually collected by university laboratories.
There is such a cube itself several (up to 10 – depending on the equipment) of thousands of dollars. The total cost of launch services, however, seems to creep up to 100 thousand dollars – but it is quite lift sum even for the average global university.
Most students are engaged in – some kind of a form of ultra-modern model airplane with major scientific value. Again, well-fed enthusiasm of youth: to run into orbit box, his head with his hands and projected screwed – it’s worth it.
By the way, this format is interested in the military. In load “Minotaur” had a few “bricks” made by them. Including one – students of the Military Academy at West Point.
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Military-it’s okay, and university mates too. Much more interesting to others. Among the 28 microsatellites on board the “Minotaur” was the following – TJ3SAT. Remarkable it is not the fact that the Office has heaped any defense or scientific and fundamental problems.
The fact that this device is designed and developed by high school students of a school in the U.S. state of Virginia.
Well, well, is not that “one of the” – first, by Soviet standards, this special school. In this case – in-depth study of engineering disciplines in the field of electronics and automation. Secondly, even among such schools it has been repeatedly recognized from the American leader.
And this event is perhaps the most important in history with 29 satellites at a time Posted on orbit. Military load military load, but it must be noted that the United States has the ability to run the school microsatellites.
In this they have the money, and most importantly – the school and the students capable of such satellites even in the roughest approximation to do.
hard to overestimate the role of such projects in the education of future engineers for the aerospace industry.
author’s opinion may not necessarily represent those of
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