Latin America

Judi Lynn

(160,530 posts) Sat Apr 27, 2013, 02:21 PM Apr 2013

Ecuador launches first homemade satellite [View all]

Ecuador launches first homemade satellite
Apr 26, 2013

Ecuador launched its first satellite into space from China Friday morning, in a moment broadcast live on radio and television back home.

The "Pegaso" (Pegasus) nanosatellite, designed and built in Ecuador, set off aboard an unmanned rocket at 0413 GMT from the Jiuquand station in northern China.

Measuring just 10 by 10 by 75 centimeters (four by four by 30 inches), and weighing 1.2 kilograms (2.6 pounds), Pegaso will beam live video images back to Earth from an onboard camera.

"Welcome to the heavens, Pegaso. Welcome to space Ecuador. The mission is a success," said Ronnie Nader, Ecuador's first and only astronaut, who runs Ecuador's civilian space agency.

The Ecuadoran Space Agency plans a second satellite launch in July.

http://phys.org/news/2013-04-ecuador-homemade-satellite_1.html#jCp

(Short article, no more at link.)

8 replies

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Ecuador launches first homemade satellite [View all] Judi Lynn Apr 2013 OP

That headline, which was not written by you, makes it sound like it was made in somebody's basement. drm604 Apr 2013 #1

It was an odd choice of words, reminiscent of projects like Frankenstein. Judi Lynn Apr 2013 #4

So good to know. ocpagu Apr 2013 #2

He is absolutely beaming, happy, and relieved, almost bubbling over. Judi Lynn Apr 2013 #5

Looks like a Brownie Box Camera mated with a slide projector. Como se dice, "compacto"? leveymg Apr 2013 #3

Uncanny Brownie camera resemblance! Very cute. Thanks for posting the image. n/t Judi Lynn Apr 2013 #6

If you think about it, drm604 Apr 2013 #7

It's a little overwhelming, imagining this tiny thing making its own way Judi Lynn Apr 2013 #8