FramSat 1

FramSat 1 [Andøya Space]

FramSat-1 is a Norwegian 1U CubeSat built by members of the student organization Orbit NTNU at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). The mission is intended to test an experimental sun sensor for use on satellites and sounding rockets.

The primary objective of FramSat-1 is to validate an experimental sun sensor that determines the position of the Sun relative to the spacecraft, allowing accurate determination of the satellite's attitude in space. Such sensors are a fundamental component of spacecraft attitude determination and control systems and are also applicable to sounding rocket missions.

The sun sensor flown on FramSat-1 was supplied by the Norwegian space company Eidsvoll Electronics (EIDEL). The project represents a collaborative effort involving Orbit NTNU together with Andøya Space Sub-Orbital, Andøya Space Education, the Institute for Electronic Systems at NTNU, the Norwegian Space Agency, Kongsberg Group, and Inission.

FramSat-1 is a 1U CubeSat designed as an in-orbit technology demonstration platform. Technical details released for the mission emphasize the experimental attitude-sensing payload rather than the spacecraft bus itself. The mission also provides practical spacecraft development and operations experience for participating students and partner organizations.

The satellite is scheduled to launch on the second flight of the Spectrum rocket.