Satellite to be run by phone?

If all goes according to plan, a new UK developed satellite will be operated by an onboard smartphone, costing under £300.

Being developed by space researchers at the University of Surrey and Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) the STRaND-1 (Surrey Training, Research and Nanosatellite Demonstrator) satellite will be launched into orbit later this year. The concept behind STRaND-1 is to demonstrate the advanced capabilities of a satellite built quickly using advanced commercial off-the-shelf components.

The satellite will weigh just 4kg and the smartphone will initially be its payload. Once in orbit, the functionality and performance of the various phone components will automatically be tested by an onboard microcomputer, which will also control the satellite. If these tests are successfully completed then control of various satellite subsystems will gradually be handed over to the phone.

Lead researcher for the project, Dr Chris Bridges, explains, “Smartphones contain lots of components – such as sensors, video cameras, GPS systems and Wi-Fi radios – that are technologically advanced but a fraction of the size, weight and cost of components used in existing satellite systems. If a smartphone can be proved to work in space, it opens up lots of new opportunities for a multitude of people and companies who usually can’t afford to join the space race. Also, because many smartphones run on free operating systems that lend themselves to online software developers, the creators of applications for smartphones could potentially develop apps for satellites.”