Interview with the chief designer of Skoltech satellites

Dmitry Ris, Chief designer of the Skoltech B1 and Skoltech B2 satellites: "Since the separation of the B1 and B2 satellites from the Fregat upper stage, we have received a large amount of telemetry, the analysis of which showed that both satellites are working normally."

 

On August 9, 2022, from the Baikonur cosmodrome, the Soyuz-2.1b rocket with the Fregat upper stage successfully launched 16 Cubesat 3U satellites of the Space-π project into the planned orbit. Among them are two Skoltech devices - Skoltech B1 and Skoltech B2, manufactured in the Space Systems Laboratory of the Skoltech System Design Center. Satellites B1 and B2 are designed to test the technology of inter-satellite communication at a great distance. The experience gained as a result of this launch can be used in the future to organize the grouping of small satellites performing an important scientific mission – operational registration of gamma radiation and pointing ground-based telescopes in the direction of gamma-ray flare. Dmitry Ris, chief designer of the project, engineer of the Skoltech System Design Center, told about how things are now with satellites.


Dmitry Ris - Chief designer of the project, engineer of the Skoltech System Design Center
What data have we received from the satellites since they were put into orbit? What is the technical condition of Skoltech B1 and Skoltech B2 in outer space?
During the time that has passed since the separation of satellites B1 and B2 from the Fregat upper stage, a large amount of telemetry was received, the analysis of which showed that both satellites were working normally/normally: all systems successfully survived the launch, the antennas opened, the satellites entered orbit with a sufficient charge of batteries, onboard computers started, GPS data is received and the onboard time is synchronized with the GPS time. The temperature range of the satellite design is within the expected limits. The energy balance is positive, so the batteries during the orbital revolution are not discharged to the level at which the satellites will go into an emergency state.


Orbitron program with the current position of our satellites relative to the Earth
How do you keep in touch with satellites?
Communication with satellites is maintained through a temporary ground radio station of the Space Systems Laboratory. In the future, it is planned to switch to a much more powerful ground control complex of Skoltech, which is currently at the manufacturing stage. Telemetry frames are obtained on each satellite flyby over a ground radio station. Satellites B1 and B2 are controlled when they pass over the radio station at a sufficient elevation angle, which is explained by the insufficient power of the power amplifier of the radio station.

What kind of research with satellites will be carried out in the future?
At the next stages of the study, it is planned to conduct a trial session of inter-satellite radio communication. The satellites have cameras with various lenses: the B1 satellite has a low–resolution camera with a short-focus lens; the B2 satellite has a high-resolution camera with a long-focus lens of good quality. The acquisition of images from these video cameras is planned after upgrading the amplifier of the ground radio station and obtaining a stable command mode of operation with satellites at low elevation angles.


Integration of Skoltech satellites into the launch container at the 31st Baikonur site in July 2022.