SUNSAT
Stellenbosch University
SUNSAT (Stellenbosch University Satellite) was South Africa’s first satellite, developed by the Electronic Systems Laboratory (ESL) at Stellenbosch University. Launched in February 1999, SUNSAT demonstrated Earth observation, amateur radio communications, and store-and-forward messaging.
Technical specifications
- Mass
- ~64 kg
- Orbit
- Sun-synchronous LEO, ~850 km
- Launch Date
- February 23, 1999
- Launch Vehicle
- Delta II
- Launch Site
- Vandenberg AFB, California
- Camera Resolution
- 15 m ground resolution
- Status
- Operations ended 2001
- Developer
- Electronic Systems Laboratory, Stellenbosch University
About
SUNSAT (Stellenbosch University Satellite) was South Africa’s first satellite, developed by the Electronic Systems Laboratory (ESL) at Stellenbosch University. Launched in February 1999, SUNSAT demonstrated Earth observation, amateur radio communications, and store-and-forward messaging.
Documentation
No public datasheet yet — request the datasheet / ICD from the supplier.
