ZACube-1 (TshepisoSat),[3] is a South African CubeSat that carries a high frequency beacon transmitter to be used for space weather research. It was launched 21 November 2013 on a Dnepr launch vehicle from Yasny, Russia. Tshepiso is the seSotho word for promise.
| Mission type | Space weather |
|---|---|
| Operator | Cape Peninsula University of Technology |
| COSPAR ID | 2013-066B  |
| SATCAT no. | 39417 |
| Website | www |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft type | 1U CubeSat |
| Manufacturer | Cape Peninsula University of Technology |
| Launch mass | 1.2 kilograms (2.6 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 21 November 2013, 07:10:17 (2013-11-21UTC07:10:17Z) UTC[1] |
| Rocket | Dnepr |
| Launch site | Dombarovsky 370/13 |
| Contractor | Kosmotras |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Low Earth |
| Perigee altitude | 596 kilometres (370 mi)[2] |
| Apogee altitude | 681 kilometres (423 mi)[2] |
| Inclination | 97.75 degrees[2] |
| Period | 97.36 minutes[2] |
| Epoch | 24 January 2015, 03:15:51 UTC[2] |
ZACube-1 carried a high frequency beacon transmitter and a low-resolution CMOS camera in order to perform space weather research, support education and training, enable technology demonstration, and serve as a catalyst for the national nano-satellite programme.[4] The satellite was launched in a Dnepr from the Dombarovsky, which can be found at the following coordinates: 50°48′0″N 059°31′0″E / 50.80000°N 59.51667°E / 50.80000; 59.51667 (Dombarovsky (air base))[5]
