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Eyesat 1 (AMRAD-OSCAR, AO 27, OSCAR 27)

Eyesat 1 (AO 27, OSCAR 27) [Interferometrics]

Eyesat 1 is an experimental communications microsatellite with an store-dump payload built by Interferometrics Inc. of Chantilly, Virginia. The mission of Eyesat 1 was experimental monitoring of mobile industrial equipment. Eyesat 1 has provided the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) with communication services to the South Pole.

Additionally, the satellite carried an FM Repeater for AMRAD, a technically oriented, non-profit organization of radio amateurs based in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C., to meet the needs of amateurs for a platform to conduct digital satellite communications experiments. The amateur payload was called AMRAD OSCAR or OSCAR 27.

The satellite was based on the AMSAT-NA Microsat platform. Power was supplied by body mounted solar cells, charging the spacecraft's batteries. Because of the satellite's limited power budget and a desire to maintain sufficient battery capacity for as many years as possible, the amateur transmitter on AO-27 is on for only part of the daylight portion of each orbit.

A constellation of six Eyesat satellites was originally planned, but only the prototype was launched.

An engineering model of the Eyesat 1 is currently on display at the Smithsonian Institution’s Air and Space Museum.

Nation: USA
Type / Application: Communication
Operator: Interferometrics Inc., AMRAD
Contractors: Interferometrics Inc.
Equipment:
Configuration: AMSAT-NA Microsat
Propulsion: None
Power: Solar cells, batteries
Lifetime:
Mass: 12 kg
Orbit: 794 km × 823 km, 98.5°
Satellite COSPAR Date LS Launch Vehicle Remarks
Eyesat 1 (AMRAD-OSCAR 27, AO 27) 1993-061C 26.09.1993 Ko ELA-2 Ariane-40 H10 with SPOT 3, Stella, Healthsat 2, Kitsat 2, Itamsat, PoSAT 1
Eyesat engineering model - not flown

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