{"id":20761,"date":"2022-01-14T09:33:57","date_gmt":"2022-01-14T07:33:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oewf.org\/?p=20761"},"modified":"2022-01-14T09:34:00","modified_gmt":"2022-01-14T07:34:00","slug":"nanosatellite-adler-1-successfully-launched","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oewf.org\/en\/2022\/01\/nanosatellite-adler-1-successfully-launched\/","title":{"rendered":"Nanosatellite ADLER-1 successfully launched"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Detection of Space debris in Low Earth Orbit about to begin<\/strong>kann beginnen<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Today, Virgin Orbit launched the first privately funded Austrian satellite into orbit. ADLER-1 will use two devices to detect (micro) space debris that can be dangerous for satellites and astronauts. The small satellite is a trailblazing example of the \u201cfast space\u201d sector, due to its realization time of just 15 months from blueprint to successful launch. Three organizations with Austrian roots are carrying out the project: Christian Federspiel’s Findus Venture GmbH is financing the project. Spire Global provided the satellite\u2019s bus and ground stations, built the space radar detector in Glasgow, Scotland and also organized the launch. The Austrian Space Forum (OeWF) developed the highly sensitive impact sensor and coordinates the scientific analysis. ADLER-1 is expected to communicate its first dataset within a few weeks.innen.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

see photos and videos about Adler-1<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"LauncherOne
LauncherOne rocket with Adler-1 on board has been launched from a Boing 747 (c) Virgin Orbit<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Why space debris is dangerous<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gernot Gr\u00f6mer, Director of the Austrian Space Forum: \u201cSpace debris is a challenging issue we have to address as quickly as possible. According to current estimates, up to 170 million objects that are larger than 1mm orbit the earth. Even the smallest particles with a diameter of just a few millimeters can develop the impact force of a pistol bullet. But most of the available data is based on computer simulations. To know more about the size, amount and distribution of space debris will not only contribute to the protection of spaceflight, such as weather satellites and communication satellites, but also preserve the unhindered access to space for future generations. To that end, the Austrian Space Forum has teamed up with Spire Global, an expert when it comes to tailor made nanosatellites and swiftly adjustable projects. We are proud to be a part of this trend-setting venture, that will see a satellite from blueprint to orbit in no more than 15 months\u2019 time. As the first privately financed satellite from Austria, ADLER-1 will make an important contribution to environmental protection beyond the earth’s atmosphere.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Adler-1
Adler-1 on it’s way to space (c) Virgin Orbit<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

About ADLER-1<\/strong><\/strong>
Nanosatellite ADLER-1 (Austrian Debris Detection Low Earth (Orbit) Reconnoiter) is 30x10x10 cm in size and weighs 6 kg. It is a technology demonstrator for two new types of space debris detectors. The two instruments, a radar device and an impact sensor, are intended to track down micro space debris in earth orbit at an altitude of around 500 km, the so-called low earth orbit. Existing computer models of the European Space Agency ESA, which currently provide information for determining the distribution, number and size of space debris, can be supplemented or adjusted with the in-situ data. ADLER-1 was launched with Virgin Orbit: A modified Boeing 747 launched a rocket at an altitude of 11 km, which put ADLER-1 into its 500 km orbit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Space Debris Detectors on Board ADLER-1<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ADLER-1 combines two complementary (micro) space debris detection systems:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

the radar-based detection of debris particles comes from Spire Global. Particles that fly by in the vicinity of the satellite are recognized and their relative speed is measured. The OeWF built a deployable piezoelectric plate, so to speak a \u201cspace microphone\u201d, to determine the impact energy of the particles.
“This launch allows us to continue the accelerated pace of this important project with Findus Venture GmbH and the OeWF to study the space debris environment in Low Earth Orbit so they can verify and complement space debris models even more quickly,”<\/em> said Peter Platzer, CEO of Spire. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ADLER-1 in a nutshell:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n