ESTCube 1 [University of Tartu]
Official name ESTCUBE 1
Alternative name ESTCube-1
Cospar ID 2013-021C
Norad ID 39161
Launch date 2013-05-07
Launch site FRGUI
Launch vehicle Vega
Country/Organization Estonia
Type application Technology, Earth observation
Operator University of Tartu
RCS size SMALL
Decay date ON ORBIT
Period (min) 97.56
Inclination (deg) 97.83
Perigee (km) 635
Apogee (km) 648
Eccentricity 0.0101325019485581
Mean motion (revs. per day) 14.760147601476
Semi-Major axis (km) 7019.635
Raan (deg) 191.0529
Arg of perigee (deg) 27.982
Shape Box
Mass (kg) 1
Height (m) 0.1
Width (m) 0.1
Depth (m) 0.1
Span (m^2) 0.1
Contractors University of Tartu
Propulsion None
Configuration CubeSat (1U)
Power Solar cells, batteries

ESTCube 1 is a Estonian Student Satellite of the 1U-CubeSat form factor. The Estonian Student Satellite project started in the summer of 2008 at Tartu University with the objectives for promoting space, being an invaluable educational tool for science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) subjects and giving students hands-on experience on developing space technologies. In addition, a further goal is to foster the development of Estonian space and high-tech industry by training experts and disseminating knowledge about space technologies. In addition the satellite project is expected to have a significant role in educating and inspiring the general public and improve their awareness of space research.

The objectives of the nanosatellite are:

  • To test the deployment of a 10 meter Hoytether as a part of the development work of the Electric solar wind sail.
  • measure the electric sail force, interacting with the tether.
  • To take a picture of the deployed tether.
  • To take a picture of the Earth as a secondary mission objective.

ESTCube 1 was launched piggy back into low Earth by a Vega rocket.

Satellite COSPAR Date LS Launch Vehicle Remarks
ESTCUBE 1 2013-021C 2013-05-07 FRGUI Vega with PROBA V, VNREDSat 1a