ThinSat 1A/1L

Launch data:

ThinSat 1 (single unit) with solar array ribbon [Virginia Space]

ThinSat 1 launch configuration (21 units) [NSL]

ThinSat 1 deployed in 3 and 6-string configurations [NSL]

Spacecraft data:

Description:

• The ThinSats are a new design from NearSpaceLaunch for the Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority and carry student experiments. Twelve Thinsats were deployed. Each is made of a number of Thinsat cases 0.01 x 0.11 x 0.11m in size connected by solar panel ribbons 0.30m long 0.05m wide. The satellites are launched folded up and deploy after ejection in an accordion-like fashion.
• Multiple units of Thinsats can be grouped together by thethering with nintinol wire or nintinol ribbons with solar arrays attached. Usually three or six ThinSats will be grouped together. There are three different configurations:
  • Three Thinsat 3T (1B,1G,1K), consisting of three Thinsat cases connected by two ribbons. Overall mass 1 kg, size 0.01 x 0.1 x 1.3m.
  • Six Thinsat 6T (1C,1D,1F,1H,1J,1L), consisting of six Thinsat cases connect by five ribbons. Overall mass 2 kg, size 0.01 x 0.1 x 2.7m
  • Three Thinsat D+4T (1A, 1E, 1I), consisting of five Thinsat cases (one of them a double-width 0.03 x 0.11 x 0.11m case) connected by 4 ribbons. Overall mass 2 kg, size (0.01-0.03) x 0.1 x 2.2m.
• The overall goal of the ThinSat-1 mission, is to orbit 60 small experiments to advance STEM education, and promote space science research and systems engineering for grades 4 – 12 and universities. It includes approximately 70 schools from nine states. The student teams will analyze the data collected by their experiment and submit a report detailing their findings. The students will track their experiment and receive data in near real time through the Globalstar network and the Space Data Dashboard website. Online content and resources will enhance the educational experience.

External links:

• SpaceNews: Satellite description