SUMBANDILA

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SUMBANDILA is classified as:

NORAD ID: 35870

Int'l Code: 2009-049F

Perigee: 371.4 km

Apogee: 374.9 km

Inclination: 97.0 °

Period: 91.9 minutes

Semi major axis: 6744 km

RCS: 0.3225 m² (medium)

Launch date: September 17, 2009
Source: South Africa (SAFR)
Launch site: TYURATAM MISSILE AND SPACE COMPLEX (TTMTR)

Uplink (MHz): 145.875
Downlink (MHz): 435.345
Beacon (MHz): 435.300
Mode: FM_tone 233.6Hz
Call sign:
Status: Inactive

Sumbandila is a South African micro earth observation satellite. The first part of the name, Sumbandila, is from the Venda language and means "lead the way". The University of Stellenbosch, SunSpace and the CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) were key players in constructing SumbandilaSat. The CSIR's Satellite Application Centre (CSIR-SAC) will be responsible for operations, telemetry, tracking, control as well as data capturing. SumbandilaSat is part of a closely integrated South African space programme and will serve as a research tool to investigate the viability of affordable space technology. Furthermore, the data will be used to, amongst others, monitor and manage disasters such as flooding, oil spills and fires within Southern Africa.