The Israeli Microsatellite TECHSAT for Scientific and Technological Research: Development and in-orbit testing

A description of the TECHSAT microsatellite, as well as its on-board housek eeping systems and scientific equipment is presented. The satellite is a un iversal three-axis platform carrying devices for space research and technol ogical experiments. Preliminary results of testing the microsatellite itsel f and the different on-board systems during the first 6 months of its in-or bit operation are set out. In-flight parameters of satellite equipment are compared with those at the stage of development; this comparison confirmed the effectiveness of adopted scientific approaches and technical solutions. Some results obtained from the on-board measurements processing relevant t o space radiation and to Earth's images are presented. (C) 2000 Elsevier Sc ience Ltd. All rights reserved.