How much power needed to turn on the micro satellite?

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JAKARTA - Surabaya State Polytechnic Electronics (PENS) Ten November Institute of Technology (ITS) Surabaya, is preparing a nano-satellite. The plan, the satellite was launched in 2013.

PENS ITS is not alone in this project. He worked with the four public universities (PTN) others who each have a particular focus of work in progress as a whole these nano satellites. For example, the University of Indonesia (UI) in charge of work on communication payload, and the University of Gadjah Mada (UGM) has a duty finish Hand On Board Data Link (OBDH). PENS ITS own focus on working on the Control Satellite Attitude Determination (ADCs) or known by the term ground station (satellite in the Earth's surface).

In addition they have also Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) and ITS participating in this project. No lag, the institution of the National Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN) is responsible as an expert.

Chairman of the satellite project teams PENS Endra Pitowarno explains, the satellite will be launched with a distance of 670 km and orbiting masl opposite direction of rotation of the earth. "If the earth rotates from west to east, the satellite will be orbiting from north to south. This is to avoid the satellite always get sunlight as a source of energy," said Endra as quoted from the ITS website, on Tuesday (01/26/2011).

The man usually called Epit explained, as the responsible workmanship ADCs, PENS ITS charge of making the control system to regulate the attitude of the satellite when it was just above the territory of our country. Because, according to the orbit earlier, nano-satellite will be not only just above the territory of Indonesia, but also vice versa.

"If the satellite is outside the territory of Indonesia, is allowed to be orbiting satellite. This is an effort to save energy. Understandably, the tiny satellite weighing ten pounds only holds approximately 25 watts of power," says professor who has served since 24 years this past.

The cultivation of which is expected to use satellite to Rp20 billion budget that has reached the stage mock-up. Epit rate, the budget of that size is proportional to the functions of satellites that will operate up to two years. In addition to communications, satellites can also be used as a means of defense. "The spacecraft is at the same time the embryo of aerospace technology capability," said Epit.

Lecturers who are familiar with the field of robotics is said, the plan, the nano-satellite will be launched by rocket India or China. "Because of its small size, these satellites is launched with a piggy back on the rocket," he added.

In addition to project 'keroyokan', making nano satellites is a long-term project. One priority is applied gradually since 2009. This year, the cultivation of the satellite is focused for the satellite to function as a means of emergency communications. Appropriate functions, the satellite can be used for example when the communication system is lost due to natural disasters. Next year, development focused on the surveillance satellite payload. In surveillance payload, satellite fitted with high-resolution camera to be able to perform remote sensing to the inside surface of the earth.

How much power needed to turn the micro satellite? Only 25 watts of course, is even more economical electricity than light bulbs at home.