The Stellenbosch UNiversity SATelliteorSUNSAT (COSPAR 1999-008C) was the first miniaturized satellite designed and manufactured in South Africa.[1] It was launched aboard a Delta II rocket from the Vandenberg Air Force Base on 23 February 1999 to become the first launched South African satellite. Sunsat was built by post-graduate engineering students at the University of Stellenbosch. Its AMSAT designation was SO-35 (Sunsat Oscar 35).[2]
Last contact by ground control with SUNSAT was on 19 January 2001 and on 1 February 2001 the end of SUNSAT's functional life in orbit was announced. The satellite operated in orbit for nearly 2 years.[3]
It is predicted to reenter the atmosphere after about 30 years from launch.[4]
SUNSAT satellite specifications:[5]
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Launches are separated by dots ( • ), payloads by commas ( , ), multiple names for the same satellite by slashes ( / ). | |
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