WEBERSAT Operations and Experiment Results

WEBERSAT, a 27 pound LEO satellite launched by the Ariane 40 on January 21, 1990 into an 800 Km polar orbit, carries several inexpensive payload experiments that were developed as a learning experience for engineering students at Weber State College. The experiments include a color CCD camera, a CCD light spectrometer, video flash digitizer, 1.26 GHz NTSC video uplink, micro-impact sensor, and optical horizon sensors. Operational command and control of the spacecraft and its payloads is performed by students in the School of Technology, from a ground station located on the WSC campus. Here, the students and their advisors monitor on-board systems, plan and execute experiments, and observe test results. This paper describes the satellite experiments, ground station requirements, and experiment results as of this date.