On November 29th, an extraordinary space mission will come to a spectacular conclusion as Planetum-1, the world’s first satellite launched by a planetarium, burns up in Earth’s atmosphere. Launched on May 25, 2022, aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Planetum-1 has completed a remarkable journey, circling the Earth for 30 months and traveling over 600 million kilometers.
Planetum-1 was a CubeSat, a small but powerful satellite designed to bring the wonders of space closer to audiences, especially the youngest ones. Created by Prague's planetarium, this groundbreaking mission made it the only planetarium worldwide to operate its own satellite. The mission, titled "Hurvínek in Space," was a collaboration with the Spejbl and Hurvínek Theatre, featuring a two-centimeter glass figurine of the beloved Czech puppet Hurvínek aboard the satellite.
Through this mission, over 100 workshops were conducted for school groups, using Planetum-1 to teach the science, physics, and principles of spaceflight. Hurvínek joined the ranks of cosmic celebrities like the famous Czech Little Mole, inspiring countless young minds to look toward the stars.
Spacemanic is honored to have played a key role in building Planetum-1, contributing to its success and educational impact. This project embodies Spacemanic's mission to make space more accessible and innovative for a broad audience.
Initially, models predicted that Planetum-1 might orbit Earth for up to 10 years. However, increased solar activity in recent months, which many have experienced firsthand in the form of auroras visible even from lower latitudes, caused Earth’s atmosphere to expand. This atmospheric "bloating" significantly increased drag on the satellite, accelerating its descent and shortening its orbital lifespan to just a third of the original estimate.
On Friday, as the satellite re-enters Earth’s denser atmosphere, it will encounter extreme temperatures ranging from 1,500°C to 3,000°C due to friction. This intense heat will destroy the satellite and its glass Hurvínek figurine, marking the end of its historic mission.
Although Planetum-1 ceased communication after several months in orbit, its mission sparked lasting achievements. Educational programs continued to thrive, culminating in the success of LASAR, a Czech high school team. Their innovative concept for reviving non-communicating satellites earned international recognition in Houston, USA. This success laid the groundwork for LASARsat, a satellite built on the Planetum-1 platform, which is set to launch before the end of the year.
Meanwhile, the infrastructure established for Planetum-1, including an advanced ground station and operational center at the Prague planetarium, continues to support other Czech satellite projects. This infrastructure will soon return to full operational capacity for future missions, with Planetum-2 already in development.
If you happen to gaze at the night sky this Friday and spot a bright meteor streaking across the heavens, you might be witnessing the unofficial end of Planetum-1. As it burns up in a fiery blaze, Hurvínek and this pioneering mission will leave a mark on the history of space exploration and education. Planetum-1 may soon be gone, but its legacy of inspiring curiosity, education, and innovation will continue to shine brightly for years to come.
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