The United States' National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will place the first of two satellites – the 'LitSat-1' created by a joint team from Kaunas Technology University (KTU) and the Space Sciences and Technology Institute in Vilnius.
The goal of these satellites is to create a platform to develop domestically-designed satellites that would be able to conduct experiments. After ensuring all components operate smoothly after the first flights, the scientists will test a Lithuanian-developed piezoelectric guidance system.
This technology is said to be a novel concept, and if successful, it will facilitate the control of small satellites in space and significantly reduce production costs. This idea created NASA's interest in Lithuanian satellites.
Following the launch of LitSat-1, NASA's Space X rocket will carry the Lituanica Sat-1 satellite developed by a team of more than 30 different specialists, supported by dozens of Lithuanian organisations and companies.
The satellite will fly in earth's orbit for more than six months, 400 kilometres above the earth's surface at 8/km per second.
