SoylentNews

Phoenix666 [soylentnews.org] writes:

Too bad there is no frequent flier program for microsatellites. If there was, University at Buffalo students would accrue serious points.

For the third time in the past four years, they have been selected by federal agencies to design and build a microsatellite destined for outer space [phys.org].

The latest satellite, called Spectrometry Observation for Reflectivity Analysis (SORA), will help identify what the thousands of pieces of debris orbiting Earth are made of. Researchers aim to use that information to ensure that debris, also known as space junk, does not crash into other spacecraft.

"To be selected to build another satellite really shows just how dedicated and talented our students are," said John Crassidis, PhD, CUBRC Professor in Space Situational Awareness in UB's School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, who oversees the satellite projects. "They are gaining valuable hands-on experience and helping solve a very serious problem that threatens existing and future space missions."

NASA estimates more than 20,000 pieces of debris larger than a softball are orbiting Earth at speeds up to 17,500 mph. It is unlikely those objects will enter Earth's atmosphere, but the odds that one will strike and damage functioning satellites and other spacecraft are increasing, according to the National Research Council.

Original Submission