SEPSAT – A Nanosatellite to Observe Parameters of Space Weather

Abstract

SEPSAT (Spherical EUV- and Plasma Spectrometer-Satellite) is a nanosatellite that will observe several parameters of space weather, especially solar Extreme Ultraviolet Radiation (EUV), the higher atmosphere and effects of solar fluctuation on parameters of the ionosphere. This helps to improve our knowledge of integrity and accuracy of GNSS signals, the origin and variation of EUV radiation and finally the composition of the solar and upper atmosphere. To detect and observe these parameters a concept for a nanosatellite was designed. SEPSAT is a boom stabilized, 35 × 35 × 35 cm³ satellite, weighing just 15 kg. Most of the subsystems are based on developments of Technical University of Berlin (TU Berlin), where the focus lies on the design of small satellites and their miniaturized components. The SEPSAT payload is a low-cost spherical EUV- and plasma spectrometer.