On January 15, EnduroSat, a leading Bulgarian nanosatellite manufacturer, successfully launched its Balkan-1 nanosatellite into low-Earth orbit. The launch took place aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket as part of the Balkan-1 mission. EnduroSat is known for designing and operating satellites to make space accessible to all.
The Balkan-1 mission aims to provide high-resolution multispectral imaging for Earth observations. The images will support the European Commission's Copernicus program, aiding in agriculture, forestry, climate impact monitoring, and more. The nanosatellite weighs 32 kg and orbits 500 kilometers above Earth, with a planned operational lifespan of five years.
The launch was celebrated at Varna's Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy, where cadets and students watched the event. EnduroSat's CEO, Raycho Raychev, shared the company's journey from a small attic in Sofia to becoming a global leader in the space sector.
EnduroSat plans to create a constellation of 120 Balkan satellites for broader Earth observation capabilities. The satellite's multispectral sensor can monitor maritime areas, assist in disaster management, and analyze pollution levels, contributing to security and environmental monitoring.
EnduroSat is a company from Bulgaria that makes small satellites called nanosatellites. These satellites are used for different space missions, like observing Earth.
Balkan-1 is a small satellite made by EnduroSat. It is called a nanosatellite because it is much smaller than regular satellites, weighing only 32 kg.
Low-Earth Orbit is a path around Earth that is not very far from the surface, usually between 200 to 2,000 kilometers high. Satellites in this orbit can take pictures of Earth and help with communication.
SpaceX is a company that makes rockets, and Falcon 9 is one of their rockets. It is used to carry satellites and other things into space.
Multispectral imaging is a way to take pictures using different colors of light. This helps scientists see things on Earth that are not visible to the naked eye, like plant health or water quality.
The Copernicus program is a project by the European Union to observe and monitor the Earth. It uses satellites to collect data about the environment and climate.
This is a school in Varna, Bulgaria, where people learn about naval and maritime studies. The launch of the Balkan-1 satellite was celebrated there.
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