UoSAT-3

UoSAT-3
Mission type OSCAR
Operator University of Surrey
COSPAR ID 1990-005B[1]
SATCAT № 20437
Spacecraft properties
Manufacturer SSTL
Start of mission
Launch date 22 January 1990, 01:35:27 (1990-01-22UTC01:35:27Z) UTC
Rocket Ariane 40[2]
Launch site Kourou ELA-2
Orbital parameters
Reference system Geocentric
Regime Sun-synchronous
Inclination 98 degrees

UoSAT-3, also known as UO-14 and OSCAR-14, is a British satellite in Low Earth Orbit. It was built by a spin-off company of the University of Surrey, Surrey Satellite Technology (SSTL) and launched in January 1990 from French Guiana.[1] The satellite functioned as one of a series of OSCAR satellite in orbit around the Earth, as well as observing Earth and performing scientific experiments.[2]

UoSAT-3 was launched on the same rocket as its sister satellite, UoSAT-4.[2]

Current Status

UoSAT-3 exceeded its expected operational life by 3 years and ceased active service in 1999.[3] However, amateur radio enthusiasts managed to track the satellite for a certain amount of time afterwards via the satellite's FM voice transponder.[3]

The satellite, which is now non-operational, forms a part of the growing amounts of space debris orbiting around the Earth. The payload will decay in the Earth's atmosphere some time in the future.

References

  1. 1 2 "Sat Cat". Celestrak. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
  2. 1 2 3 "UoSat 3, 4, 5 (UO 14, 15, 22 / Oscar 14, 15, 22) / Healthsat 1". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
  3. 1 2 "Messages from Space". University of Surrey. Retrieved 27 June 2012.


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