MUMBAI: On January 25, SpaceX broke a world record by launching 143 satellites in one go. Now, India is set to break another record. On February 7, 100 tiny satellites, called Femto satellites, designed and developed by 1,000 students across India, will be launched at the birthplace of APJ Abdul Kalam, Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu.
Femto satellites are tiny ones with a low mass and are used for scientific and training purposes. Dedicated to Kalam, it is a joint project by APJ Abdul Kalam International Foundation, Chennai-based Space Zone India and another organisation called Martin.
Speaking to TOI on Sunday, general secretary of the Kalam International Foundation, Milind Chaudhari, said that of the 1,000 students, 380 are from Maharashtra, making it the second-highest after Tamil Nadu. Of the 100 satellites, 38 are from Maharashtra which includes one of Children’s Academy in Mumbai.
Chaudhari said that initially the students were given online training by Space Zone India and on January 19, were provided hands-on experience at Jaywant Rao College of Engineering and Polytechnic at Pune. He said all the districts of Maharashtra were represented.
The Femto satellites measure 4X4X4cm and are made of composite material. According to Chaudhari, the launch of the 100 satellites in the high altitude scientific balloon at Rameshwaram will be around 10.30am on February 7, and it will attain an altitude of 35,000-38,000m.
He said the total mission span is for five to eight hours and the Femto satellite are equipped with sensors to study areas like ozone, cosmic ray, carbon dioxide and humidity.