MISSION KOSTKA

Další

  • 1U

    Size of the satellite

  • 1st

    Student satellite in the Czech Republic

  • 2023

    Year of the mission establishment

  • 2026

    Year of the planned launch

What is KOSTKA?

KOSTKA is the first project developed by our YSpace team at Brno University of Technology. The aim of this mission is to be the first Czech satellite designed exclusively by students and launched into orbit. It will carry components developed directly by team members, complemented by proven hardware from leading Czech space companies. Throughout the development process, we aim to build a network between academia and the rapidly developing space industry in the Czech Republic that will provide valuable opportunities and experience to all parties involved.

What are the main objectives of the mission?

The KOSTKA has several objectives. One of them is to test an antenna design developed in-house by YSpace members, which, together with an onboard radio receiver, will enable measurements of interference in the amateur UHF band in low earth orbit. The satellite will also serve the amateur radio community, which will be able to use a digipeater and receive telemetry, beacon signals, and other special transmissions from the satellite; the community will be informed about these activities in advance. In addition, KOSTKA will support hands-on education for students in the field of radio communications and in-orbit satellite operations, while also helping to promote space activities among students and the general public.

Technical information

  • Orbit Altitude: 500 - 600 km

  • Inclination: 97,4° (Sun Synchronous Orbit)

  • Orbit Period: 95,8 minutes

  • Uplink / Downlink: 435 - 438 MHz

  • Modulation: GFSK 9600 bps

  • Callsign: TBD

  • Beacon Mode: Telemetry AX25

  • Compatible SDR: HackRF, RTL - SDR, etc.

Research station KAPLIČKA

Under the patronage of the university rector, a meteorological station project is being prepared under the working title KAPLIČKA, which will be located on Nelson Island in Antarctica. The station will monitor local climatic conditions while measuring the concentration of droplets in the atmosphere, which will allow for the indirect determination of air pollution levels. Currently, retrieving measured data from polar stations usually requires a physical visit to the site - a process that is significantly complicated and expensive. Mission KOSTKA has the potential to accelerate data transfer, reduce costs, and simplify data accessibility for further processing.

The purpose of the mission?

The KOSTKA mission represents the first step for YSpace on the path to space exploration and the popularisation of this field. The development of the mission will provide hands-on experience across a variety of fields, from the design of the electronics and mechanical construction of the satellite itself to partner recruitment and marketing of the project. It helps lay a solid foundation for future, more complex missions by establishing partnerships, securing funding and gaining valuable experience. The mission also serves as a stepping stone to the more ambitious CIMER mission, with which the KOSTKA mission deliberately shares much of the components under development. 

Mission KOSTKA in media

Do you want to join us?

We would love to welcome you to the team!

get in touch with us

Do you want to be part of the mission?

we are looking for supporters!

Opportunity for collaboration

Responsibility: Bc. Jiřina Kapcárová