LAPANTUBSAT

LAPANTUBSAT is a microsatellite developed by the Laboratory of Planetary Atmospheres (LAPA) at the University of Western Ontario, Canada. The primary objective of LAPANTUBSAT is to study the Earth's upper atmosphere and ionosphere, focusing on the dynamics of the thermosphere and the behavior of the ionosphere during geomagnetic storms. The satellite is equipped with a suite of scientific instruments, including a GPS receiver, an ionospheric plasma analyzer, and a magnetometer, which enable it to measure various parameters such as electron density, ion temperature, and magnetic field variations.

LAPANTUBSAT was launched into a low Earth orbit on October 1, 2021, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket as part of the Transporter-2 mission. The satellite has a mass of approximately 15 kilograms and dimensions of 30x30x10 centimeters. It operates in a sun-synchronous orbit with an altitude of around 550 kilometers and an inclination of 98 degrees.

The mission aims to contribute to our understanding of space weather and its impact on satellite communications, navigation, and power systems. By providing real-time data on the ionosphere and thermosphere, LAPANTUBSAT helps scientists monitor and predict space weather events, which can disrupt satellite operations and pose risks to astronauts and spacecraft. The data collected by LAPANTUBSAT is also used to validate and improve space weather models, enhancing our ability to forecast and mitigate the effects of space weather.

LAPANTUBSAT is a collaborative effort involving the University of Western Ontario, the Canadian Space Agency, and several international partners. The mission demonstrates the capabilities of microsatellites in conducting scientific research and contributes to the growing field of small satellite missions. The satellite's success paves the way for future missions focused on space weather and atmospheric research.