A 110 kg mini-satellite from Stuttgart University known as the “flying laptop” has been launched successfully today as a secondary passenger on the Soyuz-Fregat flight from Baikonur.
The satellite development was significantly supported by Airbus Defence and Space, especially its satellite platform technology. This „Future Low-cost Platform“ (FLP) is equipped with an Airbus patented integrated new Onboard-Computer and Power supply architecture.
The satellite serves as a technology demonstrator for the new platform and furthermore carries four payloads, namely two cameras – near infrared and multispectral –, a ship detection AIS receiver from DLR Bremen and a space-ground laser-terminal from DLR Oberpfaffenhofen.
The development of the satellite was mainly funded by the German member state Baden-Württemberg with substantial additional industry in-kind equipment sponsoring, PhD scholarships and consulting manpower, mainly from Airbus Defence and Space GmbH and Tesat-Spacecom GmbH & Co.KG.
Due to the high interest DLR also provides antenna station access to Weilheim (15m), Inuvik and O’Higgins for the platform commissioning phase up to one week. The satellite operation is carried out via the Mission Operations Centre at Stuttgart University. After initial satellite commissioning, Stuttgart will use its own local antenna for both platform and payload control.
For more than twenty-five years, Jetfly has been developing its Shared Ownership Program, focusing in particular on the Pilatus PC-12, a turboprop aircraft renowned for its versatility, reliability, a...
Bombardier Defense will provide three Global 6500 aircraft to fly maritime surveillance missions for the Australian Border Force. Metrea - the originator and leading provider...
Which strategy leads to cost-effective, climate-friendly aviation in 2070? Four scenarios from the Bauhaus Luftfahrt think tank illustrate the impacts of different transformation paths. Key points: In...
U.S.-based aircraft management, fractional ownership, jet cards, and charter services operator Airshare is equipping its fleet of Embraer Phenom 300s with the Gogo Galileo HDX system. The up...
