Lexington, KY - Kentucky Space LLC, a private nonprofit enterprise focused on entrepreneurial, educational and commercial space solutions, has successfully seen its KentuckySat-2 satellite get into orbit after launching from the NASA Launch Facility at Wallops Island, Va Tuesday night.
Ground operation stations in Kentucky and Japan have reported receiving data packets from the satellite indicating that systems are functioning normally, Kentucky Space announced in a release.
KentuckySat-2 is a three-pound “CubeSat” class satellite with a primary mission involving a technical demonstration of a stellar gyroscope, which will be used to help determine spacecraft dynamics.
The KentuckySat-2 spacecraft was designed and built exclusively in the commonwealth by Kentucky Space along with its partners at Morehead State University and the University of Kentucky. Students at these universities made up the core of the spacecraft design/build team.
“This launch represents another major milestone in the growth, impact and reach of Kentucky Space,” said Mission Director Twyman Clements.
The mission team from Kentucky Space, including students and faculty from the universities were on-site for the launch.