Tubsat-A
Technical University of Berlin Satellite A

The first satellite built at Germany's Technical University of Berlin was intended primarily to test attitude control subsystems and give students practice in the design, construction and operation of a satellite. Tubsat-A was launched piggyback with the first ERS mission, and because of it's near polar orbit, the spacecraft became an important communications tool for arctic and antarctic expeditions. The spacecraft also acted as a testbed for some industry technology including GaAs cells and a transputer.

Payload
Star Sensor, Sun Sensor, 3-Axis Magnetic Field Sensor, Magnetorquer, Store & Forward Communication.

Country of Origin	Germany
Manufacturer(s)	TU-Berlin, ILR
Size	38cm cube
Orbit	sunsynchronous: 780km, 98 deg. inclination
Related Sites	Tubsat Home Page

Launch Facts

Name	Int'l Desig.	Date	Site	Vehicle	Orbit	Mass(kg)
Notes
Tubsat-A	1991-050D	7/17/91	Kourou	Ariane 4	LEO	35
Store and forward communication, Test of spacecraft attitude control system