BeeSat CubeSat

BeeSat (Berlin Experimental and Educational Satellite) is a pico satellite project of Berlin Institute of Technology.

The main objective of BeeSat is the on-orbit verification of newly developed micro reaction wheels for pico satellite applications.

Although there are currently many developers of so-called CUBESATs, which are pico satellites at the size of 10x10x10 cm³ and a maximum mass of 1 kg, many of them lack a precise attitude control system. This in turn is mandatory for more sophisticated applications, which require pointing capability.

Having a precise attitude control system opens the gate to new potential and very cost effective applications, which includes areas such as earth observation, space science, astronomy and on orbit verification of new technologies.

The combination of highly sophisticated miniaturised technologies and the advantage of forming swarms or clusters of pico satellites will result in completely new applications at very low cost.

BeeSat will demonstrate the use of coin sized micro reaction wheels for attitude control of pico satellites in orbit as one of the key elements on which TU Berlin is currently working. Further missions with a focus on other key technologies are planed for the future.

Radio communications:
-Frequency band: UHF, 435...436 MHz
-Operation mode: half duplex
-Transmit power: 0.5 W
-Modulation: GMSK
-Downlink Baudrate: 9600/4800 bits/s
-Uplink Baudrate: 4800 bits/s

Additional information:
http://www.ilr.tu-berlin.de/RFZT/beesat/BeeSat/
Welcome_to_BeeSat.html