The YES2 project is undertaken by more than 400 students from Europe and around the world. The satellite is scheduled to be launched by a Soyuz rocket in September 2007.
This mission will piggyback on ESA’s Foton-M3 microgravity mission. The most important aspect of this student project is the deployment of a 30KM long structure into space.
The structure is the longest structure that has ever been deployed into space. The structure to be launched is a 30KM long tether to deploy the Fotino mini-satellite and the re-entry capsule. This will also be the first time that a tether will be used to return a payload from space.
The mission will also demonstrate the use of a tether to change a satellite’s orbit without making use of altitude control systems and rocket engines.
Via: nasawatch
