MAYAK - A Star That Will Free the Earth from Space Debris
iCrowdNewswire -
Apr 18, 2016 6:18 PM ET
Satellite will become the brightest star in the night sky. It’s being made by ordinary enthusiasts and will help combat space debris.
About this project
What is Mayak? The satellite that will remind the world that it’s possible for not just governments and corporations to contribute to space exploration. Because a small group of enthusiasts is perfectly capable of developing and launching such a high-tech apparatus now. Because with the help of the satellite we’ll be able to test the aerodynamic braking system that will play the main role in solving an ecological disaster occurring on the orbit – the problem of space debris!
At this moment, you could found yourself in a stack of different questions, like: “what is this satellite?”, “won’t it become another debris, flying around the planet?”, “why is it called “the brightest star”?”, etc. Well here you can check out the video we made for closing up any questions came in sight!
Currently, we’re raising funds to finish all the tests, to produce the satellite, and launch it. Join our team, and very soon you’ll be able to proudly say: “That was me who lit this star up!”
Space exploration hasn’t been on for long, but humanity has already managed to turn near-Earth space into a miniature junk yard for satellites. These days, scientists of all nations are looking for ways to take space debris off the orbit. We chose a different path and through of ways to prevent debris from even appearing on the orbit. And Mayak’s mission is to help us solve this problem!
Amazing times are coming. Times, when humanity is able to unite to solve shared problems. Times, when virtually everyone can contribute to the future of the whole mankind, and it won’t take much. So why wouldn’t we light up a new star that will become a symbol of these times and will help our planet to rid itself of space debris!
Roskosmos (the Federal Space Agency) confirmed capacity for including Mayak as a secondary payload on the Soyuz-2 launch vehicle scheduled for a takeoff in summer 2016. The satellite will be orbited as a part of the Kanopus-V-IK project.
The project commenced back in March of 2014, and we have already performed laboratory and stratospheric tests of all modules. The main goal of the project – the launch – is right around the corner.
In the previous funding round we raised money for the design and stratospheric tests of Mayak. Now, with all the collected experience, we’re aiming to build the actual working satellite. This process includes manufacturing of the satellite from space-friendly materials, component-by-component tests and checks, assembly, and certification for compatibility with the launch vehicle and other “passangers”. This is what our test plan looks like now:
When the satellite reaches the orbit, it will extend the solar reflector shaped like a pyramid. The faces of the pyramid are made of air-thin film that is 20 times thinner than human hair. And that’s what will make Mayak the brightest star in the night sky.
Our star isn’t just a symbol. Data, collected during the launch and orbiting will have scientific importance.