PION-BR1
PION Labs
Brazil's first startup-built satellite — a 1P PocketQube technology demonstrator launched in January 2022.
Technical specifications
- Form factor
- 1P PocketQube (5 x 5 x 5 cm)
- Power
- Solar cells + battery
- Propulsion
- None
- Payload
- Digital store-and-forward messaging (NGHam protocol), GFSK/LoRa modulation comparison
- Secondary experiments
- Attitude evaluation, magnetorquer testing, thermal monitoring
- Launch date
- January 13, 2022
- Launch vehicle
- Falcon 9 (Transporter-3 rideshare)
- COSPAR ID
- 2022-002CW
- Development partner
- Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar)
About
PION-BR1 is a 1P PocketQube-class nanosatellite developed by PION Labs in partnership with the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar). Launched January 13, 2022 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 (Transporter-3 rideshare mission) from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, it was the first satellite ever placed in orbit by a Brazilian startup. The mission combines a radio amateur payload with an education mission aimed at promoting access to space technologies among students. PION-BR1 carries a digital store-and-forward messaging payload using the NGHam protocol, and compares GFSK versus LoRa modulation performance. Secondary experiments evaluate attitude dynamics and magnetorquer-based attitude control, as well as onboard thermal behavior. The spacecraft is solar- and battery-powered with no onboard propulsion.
Documentation
No public datasheet yet — request the datasheet / ICD from the supplier.
