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Satellite A


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NASA's Echo Satellites
Satellite A

Satellite A is a "Satelloon", ie an inflatible satellite filled with a low-pressure, low mollecular weight gas.

We're not the first to consider this satellite type. In the 1960s NASA launched the ECHO satellites that were designed to reflect back microwave transmissions beamed to it from Earth (see links)


Our prototype satellite (see photo right) is made from 0.008mm PVC film with a bright white coating. It is 0.7m in diameter and is made from 7 individual sections.

In flight with minimal atmospheric pressure, it is fully inflated by less than a gramme of helium taking the combined weight of the satelloon, gas and sealing hardware to 18.5g.

Our satellite differs from ECHO in a couple of important respects: 1 - it is a lot (lot!) smaller, and 2 - it has a bright white coating rather than metallic silver. The reason for the white is to give the satellite the highest albedo possible (0.8), while allowing it to be seen with the naked eye from any point on the Earth providing its not elicpsed (see 'How bright will it be').

The photo on the right had to be altered slightly to tone down the brightness of the satellite. Even though the photo was taken on an overcast day, the reflectivity was such that the satellite bloomed out all of its visible features.


Mission Patch

Mission Recovery Specialist Angela modelling a team t-shirt and holding the prototype satelloon at full inflation.
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