MMSAT-1

MMSAT-1 (also known as Lawkanat-1) is a Burmese microsatellite launched to the International Space Station (ISS) on 20 February 2021 and was deployed into orbit from the ISS on 22 March 2021. It is Myanmar's first microsatellite and jointly built by Japan's Hokkaido University and Myanmar Aerospace Engineering University.[4] It was delivered to the ISS by the American cargo spacecraft Cygnus NG-15. MMSAT-1 was temporarily held on ISS and its deployment was delayed due to the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état.[4] It was deployed into orbit on 22 March 2021.[3]

MMSAT-1 (Lawkanat-1)
Mission typeEarth Observation
OperatorMyanmar MAEU / Japan Hokkaido University
COSPAR ID1998-067SJ
SATCAT no.47976
Spacecraft properties
BusCygnus NG-15
ManufacturerJapan Hokkaido University / Myanmar MAEU
BOL mass50 kilograms (110 lb)
Dimensions50 × 50 × 50 cm
Start of mission
Launch date20 February 2021 17:36:50[1][2]
Rocket Antares 230+
Launch site MARS LP-0A
Deployed fromISS
Deployment dateMarch 22, 2021 (2021-03-22)[3]
Orbital parameters
RegimeLow Earth
Altitude425 km
Inclination51.6°
 

The satellite is intended to be used not only for environmental observation and mineral exploration, but also for natural disaster control, but human rights activists worried that the satellite could be used for military purposes.[5][4] According to Hokkaido University, as Myanmar does not yet have the necessary equipment, it will initially be operated from Japan.[6]

References
  1. Gebhardt, Chris; Neal, Mihir (20 February 2021). "Northrop Grumman's S.S. Katherine Johnson arrives at the ISS". NASASpaceFlight. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  2. Clark, Stephen (22 February 2021). "Northrop Grumman supply carrier delivers to International Space Station". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  3. これまでに放出された超小型衛星 [Microsatellites released thus far] (in Japanese). JAXA. 23 March 2021. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  4. Kelly, Tim (12 March 2021). "Exclusive: Myanmar's first satellite held by Japan on space station after coup". Reuters. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  5. "Myanmars erster Satellit bleibt zunächst in der ISS". Deutsche Welle. 19 March 2021. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  6. "»Lawkanat-1«: Japan setzt umstrittenen Satelliten für Myanmar im All aus". Der Spiegel (in German). 23 March 2021. Retrieved 21 July 2022.


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