The satellite built by the Technical University of Moldova has been launched into space. NASA: “When we go into space, we don’t go alone”
The satellite “TUMnanoSAT”, built by the Technical University of Moldova (UTM), was launched into space on Friday, July 15, announces the educational institution. The metal body was transported by SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket to the International Space Station (ISS). The launch of “TUMnanoSAT” is the first space experience for Moldova in an international cooperation of the Japan Aerospace Agency (JAXA) with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA).
“When we go into space, we don’t go alone. We are dedicated to bringing the benefits of space to all. Our international partners – JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) – will launch the satellite into its final orbit to help strengthen Moldova’s research in space exploration,” NASA said.
This is the 25th commercial servicing mission to the ISS operated by SpaceX. Cargo Dragon-2, which is the mission’s payload, brings supplies and various equipment, including critical materials to directly support scientific and research investigations by astronauts aboard the ISS, UTM notes.
The Dragon freighter also carried the Japan Aerospace Agency’s JSSOD launch capsule, which also carries the “TUMnanoSAT” nanosatellite, to the ISS, from where astronauts are to transfer it to the Japanese Kibo module.
“According to a standard procedure, the astronauts will place it into orbit in space using the robotic arm. It is preliminarily planned by JAXA for the first half of August,” according to UTM.
From June to August 2021, according to the university, the satellite in Moldova passed all functional tests at the Institute of Space Science in Romania, according to the Japan Aerospace Agency’s requirements. Then, in March, it was transported to JAXA in Japan, where it was included in the JSSOD launch capsule, and in April it was transported to NASA and included in Cargo Dragon-2.
The Technical University of Moldova was selected by JAXA and UNOOSA for the KiboCUBE Programme, for the free launch into space of the nanosatellite “TUMnanoSAT” from the International Space Station.
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