 | |
| Mission type | Communications |
|---|---|
| Operator | NASA |
| COSPAR ID | 2001-043A[1] |
| SATCAT no. | 26929 |
| Mission duration | 1 year and 3 months |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Manufacturer | Naval Research Laboratory |
| Launch mass | 91 kg (201 lb) |
| Dimensions | 0.9 metres (2 ft 11 in) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 30 September 2001, 02:40 UTC |
| Rocket | Athena 1 LM-001 |
| Launch site | Kodiak LP-1 |
| End of mission | |
| Decay date | 21 January 2003 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Low Earth |
| Eccentricity | 0.0 |
| Altitude | 472 km (293 mi) |
| Inclination | 67° |
| Period | 94 minutes |
| Epoch | 30 September 2001 |
| Transponders | |
| Frequency | 145.825 MHz[2] |
Starshine 3 (also called SO-43 and OSCAR 43) is one of five satellites in the Starshine project (Student Tracked Atmospheric Research Satellite for Heuristic International Equipment).
Starshine 3's main task was to study the density of the Earth's upper atmosphere. In addition, the 94 centimetres (37 in) and 91 kilograms (201 lb) heavy spherical satellite body was covered with 1,500 mirrors, which were manufactured by machine technology students in Utah and polished by almost 40,000 students in 1,000 different schools. In addition, 31 laser reflectors and a radio beacon in the amateur radio frequency range (145.825 MHz) were attached. The transmitter was powered by solar cells and batteries. Starshine 3 had neither drive nor position control.
- ^ NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. "Starshine 3". Retrieved February 15, 2020.
- ^ "STARSHINE 3". n2yo.com. Retrieved February 15, 2020.