Aist (satellite)

Aist
First Soyuz-2 launch from Vostochny carrying Mikhail Lomonosov, Aist-2D and SamSat-218
Mission typeEarth observation
OperatorRoscosmos
Samara National Research University
Mission duration3 years
Spacecraft properties
ManufacturerTsSKB-Progress
Start of mission
Launch dateFirst: 19 April 2013 (Aist 1 №2)
Last (recent): 28 April 2016 (Aist-2D)
RocketSoyuz-2.1v
Soyuz-2.1a
Soyuz-2.1b
Launch siteBaikonur, Site 31/6
Plesetsk, Site 43/4
Vostochny, Site 1S
ContractorRoscosmos
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit
RegimeSun-synchronous orbit

The Aist (Russian: Аист, meaning "Stork") satellites are a series of Russian microsatellites developed primarily by students, postgraduates, and researchers at Samara National Research University (formerly Samara State Aerospace University, SGAU) in collaboration with TsSKB-Progress (now part of Roscosmos). The Aist program focuses on technology demonstration, Earth remote sensing, and scientific experiments in low Earth orbit (LEO). Initiated in the early 2010s as an educational and cost-effective initiative, the series includes Aist 2, Aist 1, and the more advanced Aist-2D, with follow-on models like Aist-2T planned for future launches.[1][2][3]

Launch history

Name SATCAT Launch date (UTC) Launch vehicle Orbital apsis Inclination Period (min) Status
Aist 1 №1[4][5][6] 28 December 2013 Soyuz-2.1v/Volga Operational
Aist 1 №2[7][8] 19 April 2013 Soyuz-2.1a Operational
Aist-2D[9][10][11][12] 28 April 2016 Soyuz-2.1a/Volga Operational
Aist-2T №1[13] 2026 Soyuz-2.1b/Fregat-M Planned
Aist-2T №2[14] Planned

See also

References

  1. ^ "Aist satellite". www.russianspaceweb.com. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
  2. ^ "РКЦ Прогресс МКА «АИСТ»". en.samspace.ru. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
  3. ^ "Aist". www.astronautix.com. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
  4. ^ "Soyuz-2-1v lifts off successfully". www.russianspaceweb.com. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
  5. ^ "Cosmos 2492 and 2493 & AIST-1 1 | Soyuz 2.1v/Volga | Next Spaceflight". nextspaceflight.com. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
  6. ^ "Aist-1 1, 2 (147KS)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
  7. ^ "Bion (12KSM) satellite". www.russianspaceweb.com. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
  8. ^ "Bion-M n°01 | Soyuz 2.1a | Next Spaceflight". nextspaceflight.com. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
  9. ^ "Mikhailo Lomonosov". www.russianspaceweb.com. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
  10. ^ "Mikhailo Lomonosov, Aist-2D, & SamSat 218 | Soyuz 2.1a/Volga | Next Spaceflight". nextspaceflight.com. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
  11. ^ "Aist 2D". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
  12. ^ "Aist-2D (198KS) satellite". www.russianspaceweb.com. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
  13. ^ "AIST-2T 01 & 02 | Soyuz 2.1b/Fregat-M | Next Spaceflight". nextspaceflight.com. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
  14. ^ "Aist-2T N2 Satellite Mission Summary | CEOS Database". database.eohandbook.com. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
Generic references:
Spaceflight portal