Clues To The Universe From Canada's First Microsatellite

TECH SPACE

Since the target stars are bright and provide high photon fluxes across wide bandpasses, a large telescope aperture isn't needed to ensure good signal-to-noise. The handicap has been noise due to atmospheric scintillation (what makes stars "twinkle"'), so a small telescope in orbit can overcome this. Also, unlike instruments whose primary purpose is imaging, a photometer does not require a highly-focused image.

by Janet Wong
Toronto April 25, 2001
Clues to some of the universe's enduring mysteries could soon be captured, thanks to a space telescope and microsatellite set to go into space next year -- a Canadian first that is now being built by a team of U of T aerospace researchers.

In collaboration with the University of British Columbia and Dynacon Enterprises Limited (a Canadian industry leader in the space technology field), Robert Zee and his team at the Space Flight Laboratory at the U of T Institute for Aerospace Studies (UTIAS) are designing, building and testing critical subsystems for the Microvariability and Oscillations of STars (MOST) satellite. MOST is the Canadian Space Agency's first microsatellite mission.

"Our team is responsible for building several key spacecraft subsystems including the structure, thermal, computer and communications subsystems. The telescope, or payload, is being built by UBC," says Zee, manager of the Space Flight Laboratory.

"The remarkable thing about this is that we're doing it for about $6 million Canadian, far less than the $50 million to $200 million currently spent on U.S. small spacecraft projects."

This microsatellite weighs about 50 kilograms and is the size of a small suitcase. Its primary mission is to collect and gather information about other stars in the galaxy similar to our own sun, something that has not been done from space before.

This information will allow scientists to deduce things like the size of the star, its age and core composition. By looking at the oldest stars in the galaxy astronomers can then place a lower limit on the age of the universe. The microsatellite will also allow astronomers to detect orbiting planets and determine their atmospheric compositions.

Zee adds the microsatellite can do what the Hubble space telescope can't -- stare at a star continuously for up to seven weeks to gather information. Hubble can only stare at a star for up to six days because of its orbit.

Janet Wong is a news services officer with the Department of Public Affairs.

TECH SPACE

China Studying Novel Steam Engine For Micro Probes

Tsinghua - March 21 2001
Gentle puffs of steam could one day propel tiny spacecraft round the cosmos, say space scientists in Beijing. Steam power would provide a green alternative to toxic fuels in miniature rocket motors.

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2016 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement All images and articles appearing on Space Media Network have been edited or digitally altered in some way. Any requests to remove copyright material will be acted upon in a timely and appropriate manner. Any attempt to extort money from Space Media Network will be ignored and reported to Australian Law Enforcement Agencies as a potential case of financial fraud involving the use of a telephonic carriage device or postal service.