MOST

Canada

International Sat. n°:

Canadian satellite n°: 26

Microvariability and Oscillations of STars

Launch data:

Designation	27843 / 03031D
Launch date	30 Jun 2003 - 14:15:26 UT
Launch site	Plesetk, LC-133/3
Launch vehicle	Rokot / Briz-KM (#9)
Mission	Scientific: Astronomy
Earth orbit on:
Perigee/Apogee	820 km sunsynchronous
Inclination	98.7
Period	101.4 min

Smallest astronomical space telescope to date. Will measure the ages of stars.

Key partners in the project are University of British Columbia (UBC) and the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies (UTIAS).

Funded and managed by the Canadian Space Agency.

Specifications

Prime contractor	Dynacon Enterprises Ltd (Toronto)
Operator	Canadian Space Agency (CSA)
Platform
Mass at launch	51.3 kg
Mass in orbit
Dimension	65 x 65 x 30 cm
Equipment	15 cm telescope, photometer
Solar array	Solar cells
Stabilization
DC power
Design lifetime

Will use Dynacom's lightweight gyroscopes.

Primary mirror diameter: 15 cm. The telescope will be able to detect and characterize the rapid oscillations in light intensity of stars. Pointing accuracy: 10 arcsec.

Downlink in S-band

Ref: #7, #14 - update: 19.09.11