Macau Science Satellite 1
The Macau Science Satellite 1 mission was initiated by the Institute of Space Technology and Application at the Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST) and has been implemented with support from the China National Space Administration (CNSA) and the local government of Macau. It consists of two satellites (1A and 1B) which are placed in a near-equatorial orbit with an inclination of 41 degree to study the geomagnetic field, and specifically the South Atlantic Anomaly, from space. Macau Science 1 was successfully launched on 21 May 2023.
The South Atlantic Anomaly is an area with a significantly weakened geomagnetic field and associated increased radiation activity. Its center lies over Brazil and its eastern coast. The inner of the two Van Allen radiation belts extends to about 700 kilometers from the Earth at the equator. In the region of the South Atlantic Anomaly, it comes much closer to Earth. Currently, this magnetic anomaly is increasing its spatial extension and the field strength is further decreasing. Together with ESA's SWARM mission, launched in 2013, the South Atlantic Anomaly will be explored and measured in greater detail than ever before. Macau Science Satellite 1 is designed to provide the team on the ground with high-precision, high-resolution, long-term vector magnetic field data and information about the high-energy particles in the region.
The scientific payload aboard satellite 1A consists of a high-energy particle detector, a star tracker, a fluxgate magnetometer, and a scalar magnetometer. The sensor and sensor-related electronics of the scalar magnetometer were contributed by the IWF in cooperation with the Institute of Experimental Physics at Graz University of Technology. The flight instrument is a replica of the instrument for the CSES-2 satellite. The development of the processor and power supply electronics for the scalar magnetometer as well as its overall integration and testing were carried out by the Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, in cooperation with the National Space Science Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
More information about Macau Science Satellite 1 is found at MUST.