<img src="https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/536_copy_e235f26585.jpg" alt="536 copy.jpg" srcset="https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/thumbnail_536_copy_e235f26585.jpg 245w,https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/small_536_copy_e235f26585.jpg 500w,https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/medium_536_copy_e235f26585.jpg 750w,https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/large_536_copy_e235f26585.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw">In collaboration with the National Research University – Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod (NRU UNN), <a href="https://www.geoscan.ru/en" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Geoscan</a> has developed the first Geoscan 16U platform-based satellite as part of the Space-π educational project. The ‘Lobachevsky’ microsatellite will be the first 16U CubeSat device designed for agricultural and environmental research.Geoscan specialists will equip it with a payload consisting of hyper- and multispectral cameras, to enable vegetation monitoring operations and provide data for the advancement of precision agriculture and land management. To enhance the quality and speed of crop analysis, images from the cameras will be processed using artificial intelligence at the UNN computing center. Spectral imaging requires transmitting large volumes of data from the orbit – for this purpose, the 'Lobachevsky' is equipped with a high-speed <a href="https://www.geoscan.ru/en/blog/new-opportunities-geoscan-satellites" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">COMMX transmitter</a> developed by Geoscan. It reaches a throughput of up to 250 Mbps.The satellite will also carry an analog cross-band radio signal repeater. This device will enable ham radio enthusiasts to communicate over distances of up to 3,000 km using household Walkie-Talkie radios. The satellite’s frequencies have already been <a href="https://iaru.amsat-uk.org/finished_detail.php?serialnum=991" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">coordinated</a> with the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU).The repeater board contains memristors – components that change their resistance based on the electric charge that flows through them. UNN scientists will send data read/write commands several times a week to test the memristors’ functionality in outer space.‘Lobachevsky’ launch is scheduled for summer 2025. The satellite will begin its journey 515 kilometers above Earth in a near-polar orbit.<blockquote>“We’ve been working with 3U CubeSat educational satellites for the last three years. During this time, we have gained valuable experience in managing a small satellite constellation. In 2024, the development team took on a new challenge – creating a 16U satellite platform (approximately 20×20×40 cm). The first small satellite of this form factor is ‘Lobachevsky’, developed for UNN as part of the Space-π project operated by the Foundation for Assistance to Small Innovative Enterprises. This scientific and educational satellite opens new horizons in Earth remote sensing. The 16U CubeSat form-factor satellites are equipped with advanced orientation and communication systems, which makes them suitable for a variety of research and commercial applications. We plan to develop our satellite constellation further and to continue providing custom spacecraft design services, fostering innovation and progress in the space industry”, says Alexander Khokhlov, Head of the Microsatellite Projects Department at Geoscan.</blockquote><hr>The <a href="https://space.geoscan.ru/en/cubesat-16u" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Geoscan 16U</a> satellite platform is a 16U CubeSat form-factor spacecraft for Earth remote sensing. The platform provides power supply, satellite control, orientation, stabilization, two-way communication with the ground station, and is designed to operate in a low Earth orbit at an altitude of 400–600 km.The platform’s solar panels feature gallium arsenide photovoltaic converters (PVCs). This material resists radiation and temperature fluctuations more effectively, increasing the solar panels’ average orbit-generated power by over 50% compared to silicon PVCs.<a href="https://www.geoscan.ru/en/blog/first-geoscan-16u-platform-based-satellite-developed" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Source</a>.

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In collaboration with the Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Geoscan has developed the first Geoscan 16U platform-based satellite as part of the Space-π educational project

First Geoscan 16U Platform-Based Satellite Developed

<img src="https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/1_J9_A8752_1200_630_c7feab87a8.jpg" alt="1J9A8752_1200_630.jpg" srcset="https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/thumbnail_1_J9_A8752_1200_630_c7feab87a8.jpg 245w,https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/small_1_J9_A8752_1200_630_c7feab87a8.jpg 500w,https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/medium_1_J9_A8752_1200_630_c7feab87a8.jpg 750w,https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/large_1_J9_A8752_1200_630_c7feab87a8.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw">During the night of November 5, 53 small satellites, including 16 Space-π cubesats, were launched from Vostochny Cosmodrome along with the Ionosfera-M spacecraft No. 1 and No. 2 and the Fregat upper stage. Among them are <a href="https://www.geoscan.ru/en/blog/five-new-satellites-ready-launch">five satellites</a> based on the modified <a href="https://www.geoscan.ru/en/products/cubesat">Geoscan 3U</a> platform, developed by Geoscan specialists for various universities and companies: TUSUR GO, RTU MIREA1, Vizard-ion, Colibri-S, and Horizon. As of now, mission control center have successfully established contact with all of these nanosatellites.The first signals were received by the <a href="https://en.sonik.space/launches/1/">SONIKS</a> and SatNOGS open ground stations approximately 6.5 hours after launch, as the Space-π satellites were the last to detach from the upper stage at an altitude of around 500 km, just before it was de-orbited over the Pacific Ocean. The satellite antennas were confirmed to deploy successfully and the transceivers are functioning normally. From then on, the CubeSats were then managed by the Geoscan mission control center, where Geoscan specialists conducted two-way communication sessions to ensure that the satellites could receive commands and transmit extended telemetry. A total of five sessions took place: on the evening of November 5, we established contact with the RTU MIREA1 and TUSUR GO satellites, and on the morning and evening of November 6, with Vizard-ion, Colibri-S, and Horizon.<blockquote>“The very first communication sessions with the satellites were quite brief due to the limited precision of the initial orbital parameters. Nonetheless, we managed to establish two-way communication and request telemetry information. Telemetry data confirmed that the satellites’ primary systems were functioning as expected. Once the first onboard parameters were received, the satellites reported that their antennas had deployed, batteries had charged to nominal voltage levels, power consumption was within acceptable limits, and internal temperatures averaged above +10 °C. We are currently gathering additional telemetry data and preparing the satellites for full operational deployment,” said Egor Meltsov, Geoscan Satellite Operator.</blockquote>Each satellite has its unique payload and specific mission objectives: Vizard-ion, for instance, is designed for testing the VERA plasma propulsion system and GNSS/GPS signal receiver. Colibri-S, equipped with a hyperspectrometer, is intended for remote Earth observation, while Horizon is designed for experiments developed by students of BSTU “VOENMEH”. Additionally, TUSUR GO and RTU MIREA1 will operate as a pair to explore inter-satellite communication. After testing the onboard cameras, all nanosatellites will transmit color images of Earth in both digital and analog (SSTV) formats for radio amateurs worldwide.<a href="https://www.geoscan.ru/en/blog/new-cubesats-are-orbit-and-have-made-contact" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Source</a>.

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On November 5, 2024, at 02:18 Moscow time, five nanosatellites based on the updated Geoscan 3U platform were launched from the Vostochny cosmodrome as part of the Space-π project.

The new Geoscan cubesats are in orbit and have made contact

This November, five new educational satellites designed by Geoscan specialists are set to launch into space. Built on the advanced <a href="https://www.geoscan.ru/en/products/cubesat">Geoscan 3U</a> platform, these satellites mark a new milestone in the ongoing Space-π project. Currently, all small spacecraft have successfully been integrated with their launch containers, fully prepared for launch together with the Ionosfera-M spacecraft No. 1 and No. 2, and with the Fregat launcher.Three satellites — TUSUR GO, Vizard-ion, and RTU MIREA1 — were integrated in Balashikha within Aerospace Capital’s clean room, while two others, Horizon and Colibri-S, completed integration at the Vostochny Cosmodrome, the launch point for this mission. Each satellite has its unique payload and specific mission objectives. Notably, two of them will work in tandem to explore inter-satellite communication, an essential goal within the Space-π project framework.<ul><li><a href="https://en.spacepi.space/satellites/tusur-go/">The TUSUR GO</a> satellite, developed for Tomsk State University of Control Systems and Radioelectronics, is intended for flight testing a satellite communication device, including monitoring data transmission to ground terminals via other spacecraft.</li><li><a href="https://en.spacepi.space/satellites/rtu-mirea-1/">RTU MIREA1</a>, produced by MIREA Russian Technological University, is equipped with a GNSS receiver and an optical visible-range camera, enabling it to study cloud formation on Earth. Additionally, the transceiver module will provide an inter-satellite communication link with the TUSUR GO satellite to support data exchange experiments.</li><li><a href="https://en.spacepi.space/satellites/vizard-ion/">Vizard-ion</a>, created for the MSU-STANDART company, is designed to test the VERA plasma propulsion system and a GLONASS/GPS signal receiver. These technologies will enable radio occultation experiments to study the ionosphere, conducted in collaboration with the RTU MIREA1 CubeSat.</li><li><a href="https://spacepi.space/satellites/colibri-s/">The Colibri-S</a> satellite, developed by the S. P. Korolev Samara National Research University, carries a hyper spectrometer for Earth observation. It will capture hyperspectral images of the Earth’s surface for remote sensing applications.</li><li><a href="https://en.spacepi.space/satellites/gorizont/">Horizon</a>, a CubeSat built by the Baltic State Technical University “Voenmekh,” includes innovative student-led developments: a deployable solar panel module to study degradation in space, an electronic component testing module, a mechanical orientation unit powered by electric motors, and a payload control system.</li></ul>Before integrating the CubeSats, Geoscan specialists conducted ground tests with a platform prototype to make sure the core systems operate correctly. For this purpose, an operator established communication with the satellite, successfully transmitted commands and received data.<blockquote>“We conducted a number of pre-flight tests with an engineering mock-up of the satellite platform using radio communication: a complete check of the spacecraft’s main systems ensuring its operation in orbit - communication, orientation in space, power supply, on-board computer, and others. During testing, communication link was successfully established with the satellite model, allowing critical commands necessary for its operation to be transmitted and correctly acknowledged. Additionally, we transmitted an image capture command to the satellite model, followed by a request to send the photo back via radio link. The result was a complete image from the satellite camera, with no data loss, even in a noisy radio environment. We are now actively preparing for the launch in November and subsequent satellite operations in orbit,” commented Geoscan satellite operator Egor Meltsov.</blockquote>The next communication session will take place once the small spacecraft reach orbit and approach the company’s ground control station. Additionally, the first telemetry data from the CubeSats will be accessible to anyone with reception stations within the <a href="https://en.sonik.space/">SONIKS</a> network.<a href="https://www.geoscan.ru/en/blog/five-new-satellites-ready-launch" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Source</a>.

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Five of the 16 small spacecraft of the nearest launch from Vostochny within the framework of the Space-π project were made using the Geoscan 3U satellite platform

Five new Geoscan satellites ready for launch

October 5, Moscow hosted the first scientific-practical <a href="https://conf.sonik.space/en">conference “Making Space Open”</a>, an international event for everyone interested in open space technologies and research. The event took place at the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IKI RAN), bringing together industry experts and enthusiasts, technology company specialists, radio amateurs, scientists, students, and schoolchildren. Many also joined online, with the livestream watched by over 1,000 people.The plenary session was the key event of the conference, featuring a presentation on the <a href="https://en.spacepi.space/">Space-π</a> educational project by Alexander Khokhlov, head of a small spacecrafts projects department at Geoscan. He spoke about the significant contribution of <a href="https://geoscan.space/en/geoscan-edelveis">Geoscan-Edelveis</a>, the company’s first satellite, to the development of amateur radio satellite technology and community in Russia. A colleague from Greece also delivered a presentation on the activities of the international nonprofit Libre Space Foundation, which develops and supports open space technologies and projects.The session concluded with a discussion titled “Space Exploration: The World We Want to Live In,” featuring invited experts—Andrey Ionin, member of the Council on Foreign and Defense Policy, Dmitry Konanykhin, host of Radio Russia, engineer and writer, and Sergey Kuzin, head of the Solar Astronomy Laboratory at the Space Plasma Physics Department of IKI RAN. They discussed current issues in modern space exploration, trends, promising directions, and what steps need to be prioritized for the successful development of the space industry.<blockquote>“Right now, the technologies needed in space have enormous commercial potential. The first thing I would recommend is to focus on the studies of life in space. I mean not just humans but also plants, animals – how all this can live in space. In a few years, this will be the main global market. Not digital technologies, but biotechnologies – because they are applicable to humans, how they live, and the quality of life. That’s where the main market will be, that’s where the key technologies will be. Space is a great tool for exploring these technologies, perhaps in extreme conditions, to find solutions that can then be applied on Earth. The second direction is robotic systems – for example, for building and maintaining lunar bases, exploring the Moon, or repairing systems in near space. The third direction is finding projects that bring together the largest international community possible, something that unites people from different countries,” Andrey Ionin said during the discussion.</blockquote><img class="image_resized" style="width:75%;" src="https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/DN_7519_ffe1365aec.jpg" alt="DN-7519.jpg" srcset="https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/thumbnail_DN_7519_ffe1365aec.jpg 234w,https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/small_DN_7519_ffe1365aec.jpg 500w,https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/medium_DN_7519_ffe1365aec.jpg 750w,https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/large_DN_7519_ffe1365aec.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw">The sessions with reports were equally engaging and informative, each block thoroughly covering topics related to open space technologies, education, experiments, and successful current projects. Kirill Starikov, head of Geoscan’s ground systems department, discussed the ideology behind SONIKS, the open <a href="https://en.sonik.space/">network</a> of ground stations <a href="https://www.geoscan.ru/en/blog/soniks-has-commenced-its-operation">launched</a> last year with support from the company, while scientists from Reshetnev University, Moscow State University, IKI RAN, the Institute of Solar-Terrestrial Physics (ISTP SB RAS), and the Ioffe Physical-Technical Institute spoke about the development of scientific and educational small spacecraft and their payloads. School teachers described their experience working with students in space-oriented classes and laboratories, as well as new exciting projects – concepts for a space park, a school observatory, and an astronomy club. The youngest participant was a schoolgirl from Rostov-on-Don, who shared how she conducts space lessons for younger students and launches her own projects on cubesat in space.During the breaks, all attendees were free to explore a small exhibition in the hall: they saw the improved <a href="https://www.geoscan.ru/en/products/cubesat">Geoscan 3U</a> satellite platform, which forms the basis for five microsatellites of the Space-π project (to be launched in November 2024), the model of the UmKA-1 school satellite currently in orbit, and the Matrix Particle Detector (MADIZ), a device for studying the tracks of charged particles in Earth’s orbit, installed on the Altair satellite.<img class="image_resized" style="width:75%;" src="https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/DN_8388_c2943d9131.jpg" alt="DN-8388.jpg" srcset="https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/thumbnail_DN_8388_c2943d9131.jpg 234w,https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/small_DN_8388_c2943d9131.jpg 500w,https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/medium_DN_8388_c2943d9131.jpg 750w,https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/large_DN_8388_c2943d9131.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw"><blockquote>“This conference is an important step toward the future, toward the creation of an open and accessible space. Today we heard about the results already achieved in the development of our scientific and educational infrastructure, which will undoubtedly help us in further research. I am confident that all participants and listeners have come closer to understanding that space is accessible to everyone, and through joint efforts and openness in both results and methods of achievement, we will be able to conquer new heights and make technological and scientific discoveries. I hope this conference will become an annual event, attracting more diverse specialists, highlighting new projects, and popularizing space knowledge,” Kirill Starikov concluded.</blockquote><a href="https://www.geoscan.ru/en/blog/opening-space-conference-results" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Source</a>.<div class="raw-html-embed"><style>
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Enthusiasts of open space projects gathered at the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences

“Opening Space” conference results

<figure class="image"><img src="https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/1200x630_angl_55247964c8.png" alt="1200x630 (англ).png" srcset="https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/thumbnail_1200x630_angl_55247964c8.png 245w,https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/small_1200x630_angl_55247964c8.png 500w,https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/medium_1200x630_angl_55247964c8.png 750w,https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/large_1200x630_angl_55247964c8.png 1000w," sizes="100vw"></figure>Today, on the 67th anniversary of the Earth's first artificial satellite launch, Geoscan excited to announce the start of new space campaign! In 2022, <a href="https://en.spacepi.space/satellites/geoskan-edelvejs/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Geoscan-Edelveis</a> <a href="https://www.geoscan.ru/en/blog/first-geoscan-spacecraft-space" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">delivered into orbit</a> the names of everyone who wished to participate. This time, you can send not only your name but also an image into space.For 2025, the launch of the school small satellite 239Alferov is planned. The satellite is being developed by Geoscan for Presidential Physics and Mathematics Lyceum No. 239 and Zh.I. Alferov Physics and Technology School as part of the Space-π project. A digital storage device will be installed on the satellite containing the names, drawings, and photos submitted by the participants. Additionally, the satellite's management team will select the 100 most interesting drawings, which after the launch will be transmitted to Earth in the amateur radio frequency band.The 239Alferov satellite will be launched using the Soyuz-2.1b rocket and the Fregat upper stage from the Vostochny Cosmodrome. The payload will include a gamma-ray burst detector and a VERA ablative pulsed plasma engine.The campaign will run until April 15, 2025. To participate, you need to fill out a form on <a href="https://geoscan.space/en/name-on-orbit-2025/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">website</a>. After that, you will receive an email with a confirmation of registration in the form of a ticket or an A4 certificate.Stay tuned for updates on the launch of the 239Alferov satellite and the campaign results!

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Send your name into space

<img src="https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/1200_630_0150_398a457677.jpg" alt="1200_630_0150.jpg" srcset="https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/thumbnail_1200_630_0150_398a457677.jpg 245w,https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/small_1200_630_0150_398a457677.jpg 500w,https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/medium_1200_630_0150_398a457677.jpg 750w,https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/large_1200_630_0150_398a457677.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw">Two years ago, <a href="https://www.geoscan.ru/en" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Geoscan company</a> embarked on its first journey into space: on August 9, 2022, they successfully <a href="https://www.geoscan.ru/en/blog/first-geoscan-spacecraft-space" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">launched</a> their first satellite, <a href="https://geoscan.space/en/geoscan-edelveis" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Geoscan-Edelveis</a>, into orbit from the Baikonur Cosmodrome!This milestone was marked by several significant achievements:<ul><li>the simultaneous launch of 16 Russian satellites, including Geoscan-Edelveis, set a record in the history of the Russian rocket and space industry at that time;</li><li>Geoscan-Edelveis became the first private microsatellite from St. Petersburg to reach orbit;</li><li>for the first time in Russia, we launched a satellite <a href="https://www.geoscan.ru/en/blog/22-772-names-from-all-over-the-world-are-sent-into-space-in-2022" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">carrying the names of 22,772 everyone interested</a> into space;</li><li>Geoscan-Edelveis also hosted the first successful in-space flight <a href="https://www.geoscan.ru/en/blog/first-flight-trials-geoscan-edelveis-thruster" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">tests of a thruster for cubesats</a> designed in our country.</li></ul>During its 18 months in orbit, its satellite became one of the most recognized amateur radio satellites globally, ranking in the top 25 for the amount of data received by the international SatNOGS network. During this time, it transmitted around 600 images of Earth, the Sun, and outer space to radio enthusiasts worldwide, even capturing the aurora borealis triggered by a powerful solar flare. The last communication session with Geoscan-Edelveis took place on February 18, 2024, over Australia. It spent a total of 360 million kilometers in the orbit, before eventually <a href="https://www.geoscan.ru/en/blog/geoscan-edelveys-completes-space-mission" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">burning up</a> in the atmosphere.<figure class="image"><img src="https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/Screenshot_2024_08_09_at_16_38_49_Apogee_and_Perigee_for_53385_f7840c53b8.png" alt="Screenshot 2024-08-09 at 16-38-49 Apogee &amp; Perigee for 53385.png" srcset="https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/thumbnail_Screenshot_2024_08_09_at_16_38_49_Apogee_and_Perigee_for_53385_f7840c53b8.png 245w,https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/small_Screenshot_2024_08_09_at_16_38_49_Apogee_and_Perigee_for_53385_f7840c53b8.png 500w,https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/medium_Screenshot_2024_08_09_at_16_38_49_Apogee_and_Perigee_for_53385_f7840c53b8.png 750w," sizes="100vw"><figcaption><a href="https://celestrak.org/satcat/table-satcat.php?CATNR=53385" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Changing the height of the satellite</a></figcaption></figure>Geoscan-Edelveis marked the beginning of Geoscan company’s space era. Following this mission, it <a href="https://www.geoscan.ru/en/blog/we-did-it-again" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">launched</a> the <a href="https://en.spacepi.space/satellites/strato-sat-tk-1/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">StratoSat TK-1</a>, a cubesat it developed for the Stratonautica company. Additionally, in collaboration with the Innovation Promotion Foundation and the Autonomous Nonprofit Organization “Space Education Development,” it initiated the <a href="https://en.sonik.space/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">SONIKS</a> project — a school network of open ground stations for receiving satellite data. Now it is preparing to launch five new satellites as part of the <a href="https://en.spacepi.space/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Space-π</a>&nbsp;project.To commemorate the second anniversary of Geoscan-Edelveis’ launch, Geoscan company have created a film about this groundbreaking project. The film highlights the team behind the launch, shares insights from radio amateurs who worked with their satellite, and includes discussions with Geoscan employees about their ongoing space projects.The film can be viewed in <a href="https://vk.com/video-95056764_456239484" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">VK Videos</a> and on <a href="https://rutube.ru/video/abcb07430097d26e0cacd37aead8d82d/?r=wd" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">RUTUBE</a>.<a href="https://www.geoscan.ru/en/blog/film-about-geoscan-edelveis-story-geoscans-first-satellite" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Source</a>.

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Geoscan company has made a film about its first satellite project as part of the Space-π program of the Innovation Promotion Fund

A Film About Geoscan-Edelveis: The Story of Geoscan’s First Satellite

<figure class="image"><img src="https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/630_2_3_1_copy_574dbe8d58.jpg" alt="630 (2)_3_1 copy.jpg" srcset="https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/thumbnail_630_2_3_1_copy_574dbe8d58.jpg 245w,https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/small_630_2_3_1_copy_574dbe8d58.jpg 500w,https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/medium_630_2_3_1_copy_574dbe8d58.jpg 750w,https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/large_630_2_3_1_copy_574dbe8d58.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw"></figure>The conference "Making Space Open" organized by non-commercial “Space Education Development” with the support of <a href="https://www.geoscan.ru/en" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Geoscan</a> will be held on October 5, in the framework of the international event <a href="https://roadtospace.cosmos.ru/en" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">“Road to Space”</a>. It will take place at <a href="http://www.iki.rssi.ru/eng/index.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Moscow Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences</a> and will become a platform for exchange of ideas and technologies in the field of open space and popularization of astronautics. Presentations will be given by participants, which can include any specialist, researcher, postgraduate, or undergraduate student who has filled out the application form.Among the main topics:<ul><li>open-source small spacecraft projects;</li><li>amateur radio satellites;</li><li>conducting scientific experiments in space;</li><li>development of small spacecraft technologies for scientific research;</li><li>educational space projects;</li><li>experience of space education;</li><li>open ground technologies for space exploration (radio and software technologies, amateur radio projects).</li></ul>If your activities are related to the creation of open space technologies, as well as research, educational, or outreach projects on space, send in your applications and take part in the conference!You can join as a spectator or speaker: to do so, please fill out the <a href="https://forms.yandex.ru/cloud/66a8b55c73cee708d11edfd2/">registration form</a>. Form for submitting you works with presentation will be additionally sent in the near future. When preparing, please keep in mind that 10-15 minutes are allotted per presentation.Applications will be accepted until the end of August. The conference organizers will select 24 presentations to be part of the final event agenda.Admission is free; there will also be an online broadcast available and a videoconference will be organized for speakers from other cities.Where: Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 84/32 Profsoyuznaya St., entrance A-4, Moscow.When: October 5 from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. — break).<a href="https://www.geoscan.ru/en/blog/international-conference-making-space-open-registration-started" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Source</a>.

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Exchange of open space ideas and technologies during World Space Week 2024

Conference “Making Space Open”

<img src="https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/large_6_B4_A6107_1200_630_1_8a7dd64508_ddc9784cc5.jpg" alt="large_6_B4_A6107_1200_630_1_8a7dd64508.jpg" srcset="https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/thumbnail_large_6_B4_A6107_1200_630_1_8a7dd64508_ddc9784cc5.jpg 245w,https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/small_large_6_B4_A6107_1200_630_1_8a7dd64508_ddc9784cc5.jpg 500w,https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/medium_large_6_B4_A6107_1200_630_1_8a7dd64508_ddc9784cc5.jpg 750w," sizes="100vw"><a href="https://www.geoscan.ru/en" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Geoscan</a> specialists have developed in-house high-speed radio transmitter device titled COMMX (for X-Band Communication). This new product enables data transmission from small spacecraft to Earth at data rate of up to 200 Mbps, using the 10.45 GHz amateur radio band.The communication system is a critical component of a satellite, comprising all available transceiver devices. These devices typically operate in various frequency bands and, together with the ground segment, form communication channels. Previously, data from Geoscan satellites was transmitted via a low-speed bidirectional channel at a frequency of 435 MHz and a data rate of 9.6 kbps. With the new high-speed COMMX transceiver, data can now be sent to Earth hundreds of times faster. For instance, downloading <a href="https://vk.com/video-170904221_456239169" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">this short video</a> of the <a href="https://en.spacepi.space/satellites/strato-sat-tk-1/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">StratoSat TK-1</a> launching micro CubeSats, approximately 3 MB in size, took Geoscan specialists a couple of weeks in <a href="https://www.geoscan.ru/ru/blog/v-rossii-vpervye-vyveli-sputniki-na-orbitu-iz-kubsata" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">July 2023</a>. With the new data link, this would have taken less than a second!The new development integrates various areas of electronics, including ultra-high-frequency electronics, high-speed circuits, and FPGA. The device operates in the DVB-S2 standard, which has proven its effectiveness in satellite TV and has since been adopted for space communication, capable of transmitting any type of data. The standard defines types of modulation and data coding, and the use of channel error correction LDPC code brings the data rate close to its theoretical limit.<blockquote>«Radio communication technologies have reached a very high level of development over the last decades. Communication channels operating in the DVB-S2 standard are now commonplace. However, few organizations produce such devices, and their cost is relatively high. One of Geoscan’s strategies is to expand our knowledge and accumulate experience, which is why we were keen to develop COMMX in house,» says Dmitry Borovitsky, Head of the Small Spacecraft Development Department.</blockquote>The compact high-speed transmitter was specifically designed for the <a href="https://www.geoscan.ru/en/products/cubesat" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Geoscan 3U</a> satellite platform, but the technology can be applied to the company’s other projects.<img src="https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/large_1200_630_03_06_2024_8d9bdead9b_999078d139.jpg" alt="large_1200_630_03_06_2024_8d9bdead9b.jpg" srcset="https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/thumbnail_large_1200_630_03_06_2024_8d9bdead9b_999078d139.jpg 245w,https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/small_large_1200_630_03_06_2024_8d9bdead9b_999078d139.jpg 500w,https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/medium_large_1200_630_03_06_2024_8d9bdead9b_999078d139.jpg 750w," sizes="100vw">«Five educational CubeSats built by Geoscan are scheduled for launch later this year. Our university customers have developed intriguing scientific and technological payloads for these satellites. Some space experiments, such as hyperspectral imaging of the Earth, will require large amounts of data to be transmitted from orbit, necessitating a high-speed transmitter. COMMX is especially vital for the “Lobachevsky” spacecraft under development by Nizhny Novgorod State University, which is based on our new satellite platform – Geoscan 16U. This will be our first full-fledged remote sensing device developed for agroecology tasks across various regions of Russia. The satellite will capture high-resolution images of forests, fields, and crops, which will then be sent to Earth for research by all interested organizations,» adds Alexander Khokhlov, Head of Geoscan’s Small Spacecraft Projects Department.<a href="https://www.geoscan.ru/en/blog/new-opportunities-geoscan-satellites" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Source</a>.

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Geoscan specialists have developed in-house high-speed radio transmitter device titled for data transmission from small spacecraft to Earth at data rate of up to 200 Mbps, using the 10.45 GHz amateur radio band

New opportunities for Space-π satellites

Last year, <a href="https://www.geoscan.ru/en" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Geoscan</a>, in collaboration with the Foundation for Assistance to Small Innovative Enterprises (FASIE), launched <a href="https://en.sonik.space/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">the SONIKS project</a> dedicated to establishing a network of open ground stations in schools and additional educational organizations across Russia. The initiative was presented at the III Congress of Young Scientists and garnered support from the president of Russian Federation. To date, Geoscan has manufactured and dispatched 44 stations to various cities, spanning from Kaliningrad to Chukotka, with 17 already installed and actively utilized for interaction with various spacecrafts.The idea for the network emerged as a solution to significant challenges within the Space-π project. Participants faced difficulties in organizing their own control centers and in regular reception of data from cubesats. With SONIKS help they can know monitor the status of cubesats more regulary. This capability facilitates swift assessments of satellite responses to issued commands, enabling effective monitoring of voltage, current, temperature, and other parameters crucial for accomplishing scientific and educational objectives.The second important objective of the SONIKS project is to engage schoolchildren in working with data from real spacecraft, including space photos, payloads (such as sensors, receivers, and engines), and telemetry.Through the platform, users can:<ul><li>Receive and analyze telemetry data from cubesats and their onboard payloads.&nbsp;</li><li>Utilize amateur radio functions, such as receiving images, text or voice messages, and beacons, ordering QSL cards, etc.</li><li>Facilitate real-time communication and information exchange among different stations connected to the internet.</li><li>Provide users access to a public database containing cubesats information.</li><li>Educate high school students on amateur radio communications, engineering, and programming.</li></ul>Despite their extensive capabilities, the ground stations themselves are relatively simple from both hardware and software perspectives. Each station comprises an antenna covered by a radio-transparent hood, a mount, a low-noise amplifier, a software-defined radio, and a cable assembly. Installed on the rooftops of institutions, they receive radio signals within the 130 MHz to 1 GHz band (VHF and UHF), transmitting data from satellites to the network continuously, around the clock. Educational institutions hosting these stations are provided with accounts, enabling students to book sessions with available spacecraft across all network stations.For instance, one such station has already been installed in the Far East, at the Chukchi Observers amateur astronomy enthusiasts club, located at the Provideniya School’s Growth Point. Using this station, students received a farewell message from <a href="https://en.spacepi.space/satellites/geoskan-edelvejs/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">the Geoscan-Edelveis</a> small spacecraft before its <a href="https://www.geoscan.ru/en/blog/geoscan-edelveys-completes-space-mission" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">orbital descent</a>, and began tracking number of small satellites over the region’s territory, while also receiving images from weather satellites.<blockquote>«We received the special quadrifilar antenna, receiver, and other equipment at the end of January. After waiting for suitable weather conditions to install the antenna on the roof, we are now testing the station’s operations and receiving telemetry, including satellite parameters. Initially, decoding the data required some experimentation, such as converting an audio file from the station into an image using specialized software and overlaying it on a map. After contacting the project’s programmer, a new firmware was developed for our station, enabling automatic reception of images and packet data,» shared Anton Balatsky, the club’s leader.</blockquote>The developed ground stations are connected to an open non-commercial network, allowing not only schoolchildren or Space-π project participants, but also anyone interested, to learn about amateur radio communication basics, receive satellite data, and even <a href="https://gitlab.com/space-education-development/soniks/soniks-client-docker/-/blob/sonik/sonik/SONIK-GUIDE-ENG.md" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">connect their own antenna</a> to plan observations across all network stations. Additionally, the project website features an interactive <a href="https://globus.sonik.space/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">global map</a> for monitoring the status of ground stations and satellites, links to pages displaying network data visualizations from some cubesats, educational materials, and more.Currently, ten more stations are being prepared for dispatch, with another batch in the manufacturing process. Our specialists continue to update and enhance the website, constantly integrating new functionalities for satellite data handling and developing an interactive educational section tailored for schoolchildren.Photo source: Chukchi Observers Club, Provideniya School’s Growth Point.

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To date, Geoscan has manufactured and dispatched 44 stations to various cities, spanning from Kaliningrad to Chukotka, with 17 already installed and actively utilized for interaction with various spacecrafts

SONIKS has commenced its operation

<img class="image_resized" style="width:99.54%;" src="https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/68382_3_3b12e3523c.jpg" alt="68382_3.jpg" srcset="https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/thumbnail_68382_3_3b12e3523c.jpg 245w,https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/small_68382_3_3b12e3523c.jpg 500w,https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/medium_68382_3_3b12e3523c.jpg 750w,https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/large_68382_3_3b12e3523c.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw">On February 18,&nbsp;<a href="https://geoscan.space/en/geoscan-edelveis">Geoscan-Edelveis</a>, the first private CubeSat from St. Petersburg to venture into space, successfully concluded its mission and decayed, burning up in the Earth’s dense atmospheric layers. Over its 558-day operational period, it not only achieved all principal objectives but also became one of the most celebrated&nbsp;<a href="https://community.libre.space/t/geoscan-edelveis-mission/9644">amateur radio satellites</a>, transmitting images of our planet, and entered the top-25 ranking in terms of data packets received by the global SatNOGS network.Following its <a href="https://www.geoscan.ru/en/blog/first-geoscan-spacecraft-space">launch</a> from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on August 9, 2022, which commenced the beginning of the Geoscan company’s entry into space, Geoscan-Edelveis, as the pioneer among the 16 Space-π project satellites, began relaying images of the Earth and space via its onboard panoramic camera. Throughout its mission, around 600 images&nbsp;<a href="https://www.geoscan.ru/en/blog/four-months-orbit-radio-amateurs-touch">were received and decoded</a> by radio enthusiasts worldwide, with 72 people awarded QSL cards and diplomas from amateur radio contests.Telemetry from the satellite was accessible on <a href="https://dashboard.satnogs.org/d/9DnJFFO4z/geoscan-edelveis?orgId=1">SatNOGS</a> and <a href="https://dashboard.sonik.space/d/9DnJFFO4z/geoskan-jedel-vejs-rs20s?orgId=1&amp;refresh=10s">sonik.space</a> — a platform dedicated to the innovative project of the Geoscan company, an expansive network of ground stations for receiving spacecraft signals. Throughout the lifespan of the CubeSat, SatNOGS documented 26,680 observations and 1,606,660 beacon signals received, and sonik.space has accumulated 2,313 observations since November 22, 2023.Another significant achievement of the satellite was accomplishing its primary payload tasks. Initially, Geoscan experts conducted successful trials of the GNSS receiver from Elvis company, followed by testing of the gas propulsion system engineered by the Fakel Design Bureau in spring and summer of 2023, backed by the Foundation for Assistance to Small Innovative Enterprises. This was the <a href="https://www.geoscan.ru/en/blog/russia-completes-first-national-successful-cubesat-thruster-trials">first successful test</a> of a CubeSat engine in Russian space history.Overall, Geoscan-Edelveis traversed over 360 million km in orbit and transported&nbsp;<a href="https://geoscan.space/en/name-on-orbit/passengers">22,772 names</a> of people and organizations to space, inscribed on a minuscule silicon chip!The final communication session with the satellite was conducted above Australia. Although the satellite was at a mere altitude of approximately 100 km, with internal temperatures nearing 50°С and external temperature sensors offline due to overheating, it nonetheless relayed telemetry and farewell words, which have been receivable by everyone over the last two weeks – “SO LONG! THX 4 ALL 73!”&nbsp;<img class="image_resized" style="width:100%;" src="https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/Traektoriya_Geoskana_Edelvejsa_9d38ae7ee4.png" alt="Траектория Геоскана-Эдельвейса.png" srcset="https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/thumbnail_Traektoriya_Geoskana_Edelvejsa_9d38ae7ee4.png 245w,https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/small_Traektoriya_Geoskana_Edelvejsa_9d38ae7ee4.png 500w,https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/medium_Traektoriya_Geoskana_Edelvejsa_9d38ae7ee4.png 750w,https://strapi.spacepi.space/uploads/large_Traektoriya_Geoskana_Edelvejsa_9d38ae7ee4.png 1000w," sizes="100vw">On the graph, each position is the average value of the satellite’s orbital altitude over one day. For each plot position, the actual TLE was used.<a href="https://www.geoscan.ru/en/blog/geoscan-edelveys-completes-space-mission">Source.</a>

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