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The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has launched world’s smallest satellite designed by 18-year old Indian Tamil Nadu student, Rifath Sharook.
Asian News International, (ANI) reported that the satellite, Kalamsat was flown into space in a NASA sounding rocket from a NASA facility in Wallops Island.
Chennai: Students who built the world's smallest satellite, rejoice after its launch. The satellite weighing 64 grams was launched by NASA. pic.twitter.com/ak7NP9KzUO
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— ANI (@ANI) June 22, 2017
The world’s smallest satellite project was reportedly sponsored by Dr. Srimathy Kesan, founder and chief executive officer of Space Kids India.
Kesan said Kalamsat separated from the NASA rocket 125 minutes after it took off, and fell into the sea.
“Kalamsat fell into the sea. It will be recovered and NASA will be sending it back to us for decoding the data,” Kesan told Times of India.
“It’s a 3D printed satellite. It is for the first time that 3D printing technology is being used in space. We have made history. The world’s smallest satellite has been launched in space. It was not possible without my team,” excited 18-year old Sharook said speaking with ANI.
Sponsor Kesan described the launch as a “divine intervention”.
TheNewsGuru reports the satellite, named after Indian former President APJ Abdul Kalam, weighs around 64 grams, fully 3-D printed, and can fit in anyone’s palm as it only a 3.8 cm cube.
Kalamsat is equipped with nano Geiger Muller counter for measuring radiation in space. It is built with reinforced carbon fiber polymer.
“Space is not unreachable… Space has got no boundaries and therefore, let’s all do research together and let’s conquer Mars soon,” ANI quotes Kesan as saying.