MOST (satellite)
| MOST | |
|---|---|
| Type: | Space telescope |
| Country: |
 Canada
|
| Operator: | MSCI |
| COSPAR-ID : | 2003-031D |
| Mission dates | |
| Dimensions: | 60 kg |
| Size: | 65 cm × 65 cm × 30 cm |
| Begin: | June 30, 2003, 14:15 UTC |
| Starting place: | Plesetsk , Russia |
| Launcher: | Rockot |
| Status: | active |
| Orbit data | |
| Rotation time : | 101.4 min |
| Orbit inclination : | 98.7 ° |
| Apogee height : | 839 km |
| Perigee height : | 824 km |
| Eccentricity : | 0.0009 |
MOST ( Microvariability & Oscillations of Stars or Microvariabilité & Oscillations Stellaires ) is a Canadian space telescope for the precise measurement of star brightness . It determines oscillations of stars and detects extrasolar planets by changing the brightness of the system during a planetary orbit. With the help of a CCD sensor, the satellite can determine apparent differences in brightness of only one millionth of a mag.
Development, construction and communication
MOST was developed by the Canadian company Microsat Systems Canada (MSCI) in collaboration with the University of British Columbia , the University of Toronto , Spectral Applied Research , Ceravolo Optical Systems and AMSAT . The satellite mass of MOST is only 60 kg, which is why it is also called a microsatellite .
The connection to MOST is via the three ground stations in the universities of Vancouver , Toronto and Vienna . Each of the stations has about five overflights of 10 minutes each day. The data rate is 38,400 bit / s in the downlink and 9,600 bit / s in the uplink.
Mission history
MOST was launched on June 30, 2003 by a Russian Rockot rocket from Plesetsk into a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of approx. 820 km. In this way, the solar cells can continuously supply the satellite with energy. MOST can observe a particular star for about two months without interruption.
Initially, MOST was designed to observe around 10 stars within a year. The mission was extended annually until MOST had been in space for over 10 years and collected data from over 5,000 stars.
In autumn 2013, the operating costs were compared with the expected research results and alternative observation options. After MOST had already far exceeded expectations, the CSA decided to continue the ongoing observations until September 9, 2014, after which the MOST mission should be ended.
Nevertheless, the scientific interest in MOST data remained unbroken, and technical problems were not expected in the near future. MSCI took over the satellite from the CSA and made it available to interested astronomers for a fee.
Results
In 2004, the scientists published that the nearby star Prokyon (α Canis Minoris) does not oscillate as strongly as originally assumed.
In 2006 a previously unknown class of giant stars , the "slowly pulsating B supergiants", was discovered with the telescope .
The orbital time of the exoplanet 55 Cancri e , discovered in 2004, was determined to be only 17 hours in 2011. The diameter and density of the planet could be determined from the small fluctuations in brightness of the star 55 Cancri . 55 Cancri e is the densest known planet.
Successor telescopes
On February 25, 2013, Canada's second NEOSSat space telescope was launched into orbit.
A complementary satellite project to MOST is BRITE , in addition to Canada Austria and Poland are involved.
Web links
- MOST: Canada's First Space Telescope ( Memento from November 2, 2012 in the Internet Archive ), University of British Columbia (English)
- MOST: Mission , University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies (English)
- A tiny satellite probes the mysteries of the universe , Canadian Space Agency
- MSCI: MOST Specs (English)
- Bernd Leitenberger: Special astronomical satellites
Individual evidence
- ↑ MOST. N2YO, May 6, 2014, accessed May 6, 2014 .
- ↑ MOST Specs. Microsat Systems Canada, October 4, 2010, accessed December 8, 2010 .
- ↑ MOST Basics - The Microsatellite Concept. Retrieved May 6, 2014 .
- ^ Canadian satellite serves above and beyond. University of British Columbia, June 30, 2013, archived from original ; accessed on May 6, 2014 .
- ↑ Canada's MOST Astronomy Mission Comes to an End. In: SpaceRef. Canadian Space Agency, May 1, 2014, accessed May 6, 2014 .
- ^ Ross Gillett: The MOST Space Telescope Joins the Private Sector. In: The Commercial Space Blog. April 13, 2015, accessed May 22, 2017 .
- ↑ Elizabeth Howell: MOST is 13 years old today. In: Motherboard. June 30, 2016, accessed May 22, 2017 .
- ↑ MOST - A tiny satellite probes the mysteries of the universe. Small Satellite Makes Big Discovery. CSA, July 20, 2004, accessed May 6, 2014 .
- ↑ SUPER-EARTH EXOPLANET = SUPER-EXOTIC PLANET. University of British Columbia, April 28, 2011, archived from the original May 8, 2014 ; accessed on May 6, 2014 .
- ^ Marc Boucher: Communication Established with Newly Launched Satellites. In: spaceq.ca. February 26, 2013, accessed May 6, 2014 .