Here's How College Students From Pune Made A Satellite Launched By ISRO On The PSLV Rocket

Siddhant Ghatge
Siddhant Ghatge
Updated on Jun 24, 2016, 15:40 IST
College Of Engineering Pune(CoEP) Satellite Launch Story

One of the 20 satellites that ISRO launched on-board the PSLV-C34 two days ago, was from an engineering college in Pune. Here's how a group of undergrads built a satellite that's orbitting the Earth.

Swayam flight model

coep.org.in

Students from College of Engineering Pune (CoEP) made a Pico satellite named Swayam which was launched on Wednesday, 22nd June 2016. ISRO launched this satellite along with its satellite CartoSat-2C from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.

Swayam flight model

coep.org.in

What is a Pico satellite?

A Pico satellite AKA miniaturised satellite is an earth-orbiting device having lower mass and smaller physical dimensions than a conventional satellite, such as a geostationary satellite. Miniaturised satellites have become increasingly common in recent years. They are well-suited for use in proprietary wireless communications networks, as well as for scientific observation, data gathering and the Global Positioning System.

A Pico satellite

gizmag.com

How did they do it?

CoEP student’s satellite group was working on making a Pico Satellite - “Swayam” for the last eight years. The project was started in 2008. Since then, every year around 40-45 students from across the disciplines were working on making a nano satellite of size 10*10*11, weighing 990gm. Each passing batch has trained the newly inducted students with the help of their faculty members and ISRO. About 176 students have worked relentlessly for designing and developing this satellite.

Swayam qualification model

coep.org.in

Uses of Swayam

It has a payload capable of half duplex communication, which will enable the satellite to host point to point messaging services – so it can receive, store and transmit messages from one corner of the globe to the other. A ground station has been set up within the college premises from where communication with the satellite will be established. The satellite will be useful in improving telecommunication in rural areas.

CoEP ground station

coep.org.in

Swayam has a mission life of one year and its total cost until now has gone up to Rs 35 lakh. Hardware and software for digital communication has been distributed to many places in India as well as across the globe, including Spain, Germany and Russia - these ground stations or laboratories will be able to communicate through Swayam and track Swayam.

CoEP ground station

coep.org.in

The entire team of Swayam will be felicitated at the hands of Shri Vinodji Tawde, Hon’ble Minister for Higher & Technical Education, Maharashtra State. Here's hoping such out-of-the-box projects inspire students to break free from conventional learning and embrace creativity, invention and innovation.

Subsystem Of the satellite

Subsystem Of The Satellite

coep.org.in