Researchers from the Australian National University, the Sydney University, and the Von Karman Institute in Belgium have been facing delays. This is because they have been trying to launch their twenty-centimeter-long INSPIRE-2 mini cube satellite for 4 months. We’ll assume they were waiting to hitch a ride on a NASA resupply mission, and leave it there.
More About the INSPIRE-2 Cube Mini Satellite
First, the two-kilogram spacecraft measures 20cm x 10cm x 10cm. Then the scientists assembled it from off-the-shelf components, including a lithium battery similar to those in phones. The payload includes five research instruments. The target project duration is 12 months. After that, air molecule friction will melt it.
The Drama Surrounding the INSPIRE-2 Battery
Batteries have a habit of self-discharging when we leave them connected. In the case of INSPIRE-2, the lithium battery had slept for four months before the launch.
Thus there was insufficient power to fully deploy the satellite antenna. “The problem was with the antenna stowed, the satellite was deaf,” a team member explains.
“When you run out of juice on your mobile phone you plug it in and you’re okay, but once you have something in space … even when the satellite is directly over us it is still 400km away … “ Urgent circumstances called for urgent measures. They needed to charge the battery, but the partly-open antenna could not receive their signal.
Come in Ground Control, We Need You
Engineers at ground control found another way to order the INSPIRE-2 battery to go to sleep. And then recharge itself and fully deploy the antenna.
But they needed a shorter transmission range and a stronger signal. Benefactors in the Netherlands volunteered to bounce their message off of the moon.
All is good now. The battery had a good sip of solar, awoke after a good nap, raised the antenna, and the INSPIRE-2 project is back on track. This is a remarkable achievement, even for the times we live in.
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Preview Image: Artist’s impression of AU03 INSPIRE-2 deployed in orbit with INSPIRE-2 logo