The satellite took off on the Space X Falcon 9 rocket. The launch took place at 8:56 p.m. from the United States Space Force base in Vandenberg, California.
The company Alava AVS (Value Added Solutions) Last Friday, it launched LUR-1 into orbit, the first satellite designed and developed entirely in Euskal Herria, specifically at the company’s facilities in the United States. Álava Technology Park. Finally the start took place at 20:56.
AVS Space Director, Christina Ortegaexplained in an interview on Radio Euskadi this morning that they hope to receive the first signal from the rocket approximately one hour and twenty minutes after launch.
From Vitoria-Gasteiz they will monitor the entire operation thanks to a series of antennas that collect satellite data on a specific frequency.
This rocket, according to Ortega, has greater precision than others, such as Copernicus, and will allow for more precise measurements and research that “have not been possible so far.”
This milestone required three years of intensive scientific and technological activity, in addition to an investment of € 8 million of euros. “It is an extraordinary qualitative leap for AVS,” the company emphasizes in a note.
The satellite has left on the rocket Falcon 9 of the company SpaceXfounded by entrepreneur Elon Musk. The launch took place at the US Space Force base in Vandenberg (California).
Minutes after launch, the rocket and satellite separated. Once this phase is complete, it will orbit at a distance of approximately 515 kilometers above the Earth’s surface.
LUR-1 is conceived as a microsatellite 57 kilo which incorporates antennas of different bands (UHF, S and X), a deployable arm and solar panels. More than a thousand days of work and 8 million euros were invested in the design and production, of which the 40% comes from public funds.
The satellite, which is orbiting at a speed of 7 kilometers per secondis designed for a lifespan of five years. Once this period has elapsed, it will be captured from its orbit and then re-entered into the atmosphere, where it will disintegrate.
High-definition images and durability
All these technological developments are intended to capture high-definition images of the Earth, although the focus of the mission is in principle on the geography of the Basque Country, to contemplate the evolution of the coastline, analyze pests and rivers or to study the distribution of crops, among other things.
The device is built into the LUR-1 satellite MICEalso developed by the company Alava for the ESA (European Space Agency).
MICE is the device that will be installed on all Copernicus programme satellites in preparation for their deorbitation when they are no longer operational or for use at the end of their life. The aim is to demonstrate the possibility of getting rid of space debris and thus achieving a more sustainable space.
The space sector generates around 800 million euros annually in the Basque Autonomous Community, employs around 5,000 professionals and accounts for 5.7% of GDP.
Source: EITB
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
