STSat-2C

STSat-2C

An artist rendering of the STSat-2C satellite.
Names	Science and Technology Satellite-2C Naro Science Satellite
Mission type	Technology, Science
Operator	Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI)
COSPAR ID	2013-003A
SATCAT no.	39068
Mission duration	Planned: 1 year Final: 6 years, 9 months and 13 days
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft type	STSat
Bus	STSat-2A
Manufacturer	Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI)
Launch mass	100 kg (220 lb)
Dimensions	62 cm x 70 cm x 90 cm
Power	160 watts
Start of mission
Launch date	30 January 2013, 07:00:00 UTC
Rocket	Naro-1 # 3
Launch site	Naro Space Center
Contractor	Khrunichev / KARI
End of mission
Disposal	Deorbited
Decay date	13 November 2019
Orbital parameters
Reference system	Geocentric orbit
Regime	Low Earth orbit
Perigee altitude	301 km (187 mi)
Apogee altitude	1,433 km (890 mi)
Inclination	80.26°
Period	102.14 minutes
Instruments
Langmuir probe Laser Retroreflector Array (LRA) Space Radiation Effects Monitor (SREM) Reaction Wheel Assembly (RWA) IR Sensor (IRS) Femto second Laser Oscillator (FSO)
STSat program

STSat-2C, or Science and Technology Satellite-2C, or Naro Science Satellite (ko:나로과학위성) was a South Korean satellite which was launched in 2013. It was operated by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), and was intended to demonstrate technology for future spacecraft. The satellite had a mass of 100 kg (220 lb), and was expected to operate for less than a year.

Instruments

STSAT-2C carries six payloads: the Laser Retroreflector Array (LRA) allows the spacecraft to be tracked with centimeter accuracy by satellite laser ranging (SLR) stations which make up the International Laser Ranging Service (ILRS). A Langmuir probe will be used to determine the electron temperature, electron density, and electric potential of plasma. The Space Radiation Effects Monitor (SREM) will be used for measurements and monitoring of the near-earth space environment. In addition, the Reaction Wheel Assembly (RWA), IR Sensor (IRS), and Femto second Laser Oscillator (FSO) are carried for the verification of new space technologies.

Launch

STSat-2C was launched at 07:00:00 UTC on 30 January 2013, on the third flight of the Naro-1 launch vehicle, with a Russian first stage derived from the Angara and a South Korean second stage. Liftoff occurred from the Naro Space Center, and the launch vehicle successfully deployed the satellite into at 301 by 1,433 km (187 by 890 mi) low Earth orbit, with an orbital inclination of 80.26° and orbital period of 102.14 minutes. The launch marked the first successful flight of the Naro-1, which had previously failed to launch STSat-2A in 2009 and STSat-2B in 2010.