The ‘Sathyabamasat,’ a satellite developed by students and faculty of Sathyabama University, will be launched along with the Cartosat 2C satellite in the PSLV C34 mission in June.
Announcing this at a pre-launch programme at the university on Saturday, Project Director (Cartosat 3A & 3B projects) at ISRO’s Satellite Centre, C.A. Prabhakar, asked students to be innovative. He received the satellite from the university founder-Chancellor Jeppiaar.
Mr. Prabhakar said that there were three threats in the world — terrorism, global warming and energy crisis.
“With change in weather, global warming will affect many people. Sathyabamasat can monitor green-house gases. So, you will know the sources of emission and curb it,” he added.
Mr. Jeppiaar said the project was initiated in 2009. “ISRO and Sathyabama University signed an MoU to support the design, development and launch of the satellite. Subsequently, a space technology centre was established on the university campus to conduct advanced research in rocketry, satellites and space applications. A team of students and faculty members have been working on the project, periodically reviewed by ISRO scientists,” he said.
Director of Sathyabama University, Mariazeena Johnson, said that the aim of the satellite project was to provide real time design and development experience of compact space systems to students.
“ISRO will be the primary agency to use the satellite data. Later, it will be shared with other agencies like Indian Meteorological Department for interpretation. Once the life span of the satellite gets over, it can be used for amateur radio communication,” she added.
