STRaND-1 Smartphone CubeSat
Northumbria University
World's first smartphone-powered satellite, a 3U CubeSat co-developed with Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd, launched in 2013.
Technical specifications
- Type
- 3U CubeSat
- Form Factor
- 10 x 10 x 34 cm
- Mass
- 3.2 kg
- Launch
- February 2013
- Launch Vehicle
- PSLV-C20
- Orbit
- Sun-synchronous LEO, ~785 km
- Notable Feature
- First smartphone-powered satellite
- Partner
- Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL)
About
STRaND-1 (Surrey Training, Research and Nanosatellite Demonstrator) is a 3U CubeSat co-developed by Northumbria University’s Space Technology Research Group and Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL). Launched in February 2013 aboard a PSLV rocket, STRaND-1 became the world’s first smartphone-powered satellite, using a Google Nexus One as its on-board computer. The mission demonstrated that commercial off-the-shelf smartphone technology could be adapted for space applications, validating miniaturised hardware in the harsh space environment. Northumbria contributed solar physics instruments and participated in mission design and testing.
Documentation
No public datasheet yet — request the datasheet / ICD from the supplier.