Technical characteristics
Mass
47 kg
Dimensions
450mm x 450mm x 543mm (antenna not included).
Orbit
670 km altitude, polar, heliosynchronous, with a period of 98 min.
Lifespan
7 months (213 days)
Mission
Behavior of liquids in microgravity conditions, Messaging communications, Solar cell technology
Structure
Machined 7075 T73 alloy
Atittude control
Magnetic stabilization (magnetometers and magnetocouples)
Thermal protection
Passive (design criteria and multilayer insulation blankets)
Data management
8-bit 80C31 microprocessor, 7 MHz, 256 kbytes of SRAM memory, 64 kbytes of EEPROM memory, watchdog clock, 64 14-bit analog-to-digital conversion channels and 4 digital-to-analog conversion channels, 24 digital outputs and 8 digital inputs. 250 mW consumption. Asynchronous communications with the modem at 9600 bps.
Communications
9600 baud modem with minimum phase shift keying (MSK), 10 W transmitter in the 400 MHz band, omnidirectional antenna
Power supply and management
Four solar panels (three with Si cells and one with GaAs cells) providing 30 W each (20 W average over an orbit); two NiCd batteries, 6 Ah each at 20 V; control of battery charge and discharge and voltage and current levels
Launch
Ariane IV-40 ASAP
Separation system
5SSASAP (Ariane)