{"id":2673,"date":"2018-05-03T13:14:47","date_gmt":"2018-05-03T17:14:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/alcowepcom22.necoram.com\/tyui5\/unicorn-2a-pocketqube-satellite\/2673\/"},"modified":"2018-05-03T13:14:47","modified_gmt":"2018-05-03T17:14:47","slug":"unicorn-2a-pocketqube-satellite","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zobi.alcowep.com\/bourtagshdrevxnls658739\/unicorn-2a-pocketqube-satellite\/","title":{"rendered":"Unicorn-2a PocketQube Satellite"},"content":{"rendered":"

Unicorn-2a PocketQube Satellite<\/h2>\n

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Unicorn-2a in Space
\n\u00bb data-medium-file=\u00bbhttps:\/\/ukamsat.files.wordpress.com\/2018\/05\/unicorn-2a-in-space.png?w=300″ data-large-file=\u00bbhttps:\/\/ukamsat.files.wordpress.com\/2018\/05\/unicorn-2a-in-space.png?w=640&h=360″ class=\u00bbwp-image-32130″ src=\u00bbhttps:\/\/ukamsat.files.wordpress.com\/2018\/05\/unicorn-2a-in-space.png?w=640&h=360″ alt=\u00bbUnicorn-2a in Space – image credit Alba Orbital\u00bb width=\u00bb640″ height=\u00bb360″ srcset=\u00bbhttps:\/\/ukamsat.files.wordpress.com\/2018\/05\/unicorn-2a-in-space.png?w=640&h=360 640w, https:\/\/ukamsat.files.wordpress.com\/2018\/05\/unicorn-2a-in-space.png?w=150&h=84 150w, https:\/\/ukamsat.files.wordpress.com\/2018\/05\/unicorn-2a-in-space.png?w=300&h=169 300w, https:\/\/ukamsat.files.wordpress.com\/2018\/05\/unicorn-2a-in-space.png?w=768&h=432 768w, https:\/\/ukamsat.files.wordpress.com\/2018\/05\/unicorn-2a-in-space.png 1000w\u00bb sizes=\u00bb(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\u00bb><\/a><\/p>\n

Unicorn-2a in Space \u2013 image credit Alba Orbital<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Glasgow-based Alba Orbital<\/a><\/strong> plan to launch a 3p PocketQube Unicorn-2a<\/strong><\/a> built by several radio amateurs including Constantin Constantinides MM6XOM<\/strong>, Sajimon Chacko 2M0DSY<\/strong> and\u00a0Alejandro Gonz\u00e1lez Garrido EA7KDU<\/strong>. A 3rd quarter 2018 launch is planned on a Vector Launch Inc.<\/a><\/strong> rocket from Kodiak, Alaska into a 350 x 350 km 98 degree orbit. The mission will last about 45 days and Delfi-PQ<\/strong><\/a> is expected to be a fellow passenger on the launch.<\/p>\n

Unicorn-2a PocketQube Structure
\n\u00bb data-medium-file=\u00bbhttps:\/\/ukamsat.files.wordpress.com\/2018\/05\/unicorn-2a-structure.png?w=300&h=170″ data-large-file=\u00bbhttps:\/\/ukamsat.files.wordpress.com\/2018\/05\/unicorn-2a-structure.png?w=500″ class=\u00bbsize-medium wp-image-32129″ src=\u00bbhttps:\/\/ukamsat.files.wordpress.com\/2018\/05\/unicorn-2a-structure.png?w=300&h=170″ alt=\u00bbUnicorn-2a PocketQube Structure\u00bb width=\u00bb300″ height=\u00bb170″ srcset=\u00bbhttps:\/\/ukamsat.files.wordpress.com\/2018\/05\/unicorn-2a-structure.png?w=300&h=170 300w, https:\/\/ukamsat.files.wordpress.com\/2018\/05\/unicorn-2a-structure.png?w=150&h=85 150w, https:\/\/ukamsat.files.wordpress.com\/2018\/05\/unicorn-2a-structure.png 500w\u00bb sizes=\u00bb(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\u00bb><\/a><\/p>\n

Unicorn-2a PocketQube structure<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The mission of Unicorn-2a is primarily a technological demonstration of an Optical payload with a 16m GSD (Ground Sample Distance).<\/p>\n

When the satellite is in orbit it is planned to run challenges with the amateur radio community such as:
\n\u2013 1st download of an image from the satellite
\n\u2013 1st reception of text based\/extended beacon
\n\u2013 1st reception of the satellite in the southern hemisphere<\/p>\n

An open source GUI for the satellite will be available to all from Alba Orbital\u2019s web site. This GUI allows for monitoring the health status of the satellite once the beacon has been received.<\/p>\n

Alba Orbital are collaborating with the University of Aachen and their amateur radio group DL0FHA<\/strong> to trial Unicorn-2a operations and act as a backup. This helps students learn about communicating with a real mission.<\/p>\n

The team are proposing a UHF downlink using 9k6 bps GFSK and at 2.4 GHz using 200 kbps GMSK and LoRa<\/strong> at 38 kbps.<\/p>\n

Watch the talk on the Unicorn-2a structure by Andrew Dunn given at PocketQube Workshop in Delft