Another satellite will head into orbit and will receive commands from UWB

After several years of preparation, the most technologically advanced Czech satellite VZLUSAT-2 will fly into space on Thursday, 13 January. It will be communicated with again via the ground station at the University of West Bohemia.

The satellite was prepared by the Research and Testing Institute of Aeronautics in Prague and is the second generation of VZLUSAT nanosatellites. The satellite has been successfully integrated into the satellite separator at Spaceflight and was awaiting launch.

A commentary broadcast of the launch can be watched online from 15:50.

VZLUSAT-2 is the most technologically advanced Czech satellite, containing a pair of Earth observation cameras, X-ray optics and detectors, a Gamma-ray burst detector, and detectors for degassing water vapour from the satellite's materials. To support these experiments, it is equipped with a precision GPS receiver and a three-axis stabilization system with reaction wheels. The second satellite from the Letňany Institute will fly as part of the Transporter 3 mission on SpaceX's Falcon 9 launcher.

As with its predecessor, VZLUSAT-1, the satellite will again be commanded by the staff of the University of West Bohemia from its own ground station located on the roof of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering. The project was supported by the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic and the Ministry of Industry and Trade.