SNIPE (Small scale magNetospheric and Ionospheric Plasma Experiments, ) is a

CubeSat A CubeSat is a class of small satellite with a form factor of cubes. CubeSats have a mass of no more than per unit,, url=https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5418c831e4b0fa4ecac1bacd/t/5f24997b6deea10cc52bb016/1596234122437/CDS+REV14+2020-07-3 ...

of South Korea. SNIPE 1, 2, 3, and 4 were launched with the third launch of

Nuri Nuri is a place in modern Sudan on the west side of the Nile River, Nile, near the Fourth Cataract. Nuri is situated about 15 km north of Sanam, Sudan, Sanam, and 10 km from Jebel Barkal. History Nuri is the second of three Napatan bur ...

on May 25, 2023. There is a plan to conduct joint research with

NASA The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA ) is an independent agencies of the United States government, independent agency of the federal government of the United States, US federal government responsible for the United States ...

using data observed by SNIPE.

Design

SNIPE (Small scale magNetospheric and Ionospheric Plasma Experiment) is a

developed by the

Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute The Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI; ) is the national research institute in astronomy and space science of South Korea funded by the South Korean Government. Its headquarters are located in Daejeon, in the Daedeok Science T ...

(KASI) for five years to observe space weather. It is the world's first CubeSat to be equipped with a

formation flight Formation may refer to: Linguistics * Back-formation, the process of creating a new lexeme by removing or affixes * Word formation, the creation of a new word by adding affixes Mathematics and science * Cave formation or speleothem, a secondar ...

function that can change the distance between satellites and flight pattern, allowing for precise observation of the space environment. Four 10kg cube satellites are designed to fly in a horizontal, vertical, and formation configuration to observe space weather, including space storms, and their microstructures.

Mission

It has the mission of observing the temporal and spatial changes of plasma by utilizing multiple satellites to overcome the limitations of observing the fine structure of space weather using a single satellite. The satellite group flies in a north-south direction in a single orbital plane to observe the temporal changes of space weather. There are also plans to conduct joint research with

using data observed by SNIPE. After being launched on board

(KSLV-II) on May 25, 2023, it achieved the target altitude of 550km and the target launch speed of 7.58km/s without error. However, the SNIPE 3 (also known as Dasol) failed to eject. Subsequent analysis concluded that the ejection tube door on the third stage of the Nuri rocket did not open. There was no problem with the electrical system from the launch vehicle to the ejection tube. Unit 4 (also known as Raon) sent a beacon signal to

Earth Earth is the third planet from the Sun and the only astronomical object known to Planetary habitability, harbor life. This is enabled by Earth being an ocean world, the only one in the Solar System sustaining liquid surface water. Almost all ...

. At approximately 6:24 PM on May 26, 2023, the

Daejeon Daejeon (; ) is South Korea's list of cities in South Korea, fifth-largest metropolis, with a population of nearly 1.5 million. Located in a central lowland valley between the Sobaek Mountains and the Geum River, the city is known both as a ...

ground station successfully received Unit 4's beacon signal.

References

{{South Korean space program May 2023 2023 in South Korea Spacecraft launched in 2023 Satellites of South Korea CubeSats

Design

Mission

See also

References