Subscribe with SteadySCION-X (INSPIREsat 6)
SCION-X [National Central University]
SCION-X (Scintillation and Ionosphere extended) is a 12U CubeSat being developed by the Upper Air Dynamics Laboratory at National Central University (NCU), Taiwan. It is the second CubeSat project funded and developed by NCU and marks the universitys largest self-built spacecraft to date. The mission focuses on ionospheric science, atmospheric pollution monitoring, and space weather, while also supporting amateur radio communications.
SCION-X has following mission obbjectives:
- Study ionospheric irregularities and plasma variations
- Monitor thermospheric photochemistry and solar EUV flux
- Observe aerosol and PM2.5 distribution via remote sensing
- Act as an APRS digipeater for amateur radio and IoT communications
- Promote university-level cooperation in space technology development
It carries following payloads:
- CIP (Compact Ionosphere Probe) In-situ plasma instrument derived from the Advanced Ionospheric Probe (FormoSat-5); includes RPA, Ion Trap, IDM, and Langmuir Probe; max data rate: 2 kB/s.
- SEUV Probe Measures thermospheric EUV using tin and gold electrodes; relies on the photoelectric effect for voltage acquisition.
- Hyper-SCAN Hyperspectral imager for PM2.5 and aerosol monitoring; supports AERONET calibration.
- APRS AX.25 digipeater transponder on 145.825 MHz, compatible with ISS APRS and IoT sensor protocols.
| Nation: | Taiwan (Republic of China) |
|---|---|
| Type / Application: | Research, ionosphere |
| Operator: | National Central University |
| Contractors: | National Central University |
| Equipment: | |
| Configuration: | CubeSat (12U) |
| Propulsion: | None |
| Power: | Solar cells, batteries |
| Lifetime: | |
| Mass: | |
| Orbit: |
| Satellite | COSPAR | Date | LS | Launch Vehicle | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCION-X (INSPIREsat 6) | 2026-156 | 05.07.2026 | Va SLC-4E | Falcon-9 v1.2 (Block 5) | with CAS500 4, Pelican 11, EarthDaily 8, ICEYE X77, X79, X80, X81, GRUS 3A, ..., 3G, MISR-D 1, 2, Hyperion GR1, Argonaut Demo, FireSat 1, 2, 3, Pirx 1, Kita 36, 53, Anduril-216, ION-SCV 023, Lusíada 5, 6, 7, Balkan 3, GHGSat C16, C17, Centauri 9, GRITSS, LEONAV 1, SCION-X, BRO 31, CuBy 1, ..., 5, Replicator 2, Deloitte 4, 5, 6, GENIEedge P-Body, RAFS Cubesat, CloudCT Precursor, CyberCUBE, FossaSat 2E26, IPOS-TDSM, KOYO, MAVERIC, MARMOTSat, Sentinel 1, SUCHAI 4, TOM 1, 2, 3, BOHR, Kostka, Marina, ET 001A, ..., 001D, SPEAR 1A, 1B, 1C, Lemur-2 259, ..., 263, Nova 1, Oasis Alpha, Posidōnia, R5 S9 |
Launch Sites:
- Va = Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, USA
References:
- NSPO: CubeSat Program
Further INSPIREsat missions:
