From the Rad-lab SINP MSU to Space: Our Instruments are Ready for Operation on Board the "Scorpion" Cubesat!
From the Vostochny Cosmodrome, the "Scorpion" Cubesat is Set for Its First Flight.
The launch is scheduled for December 28 from the Vostochny Cosmodrome. At 20:00 Moscow time, the launch vehicle will deliver the "Scorpion" spacecraft, one of Russia's largest 16U-format cubesats, into orbit.
The satellite was developed by specialists from the SINP MSU, including our colleagues from the Radiation Monitoring Laboratory. Its uniqueness lies in the world's first simultaneous experiment: the satellite concurrently monitors the radiation environment using SINP detectors and studies the impact of cosmic radiation on living organisms in a biological module.
The onboard system includes a suite of instruments for monitoring gamma radiation, charged particles, and cosmic rays. In parallel, the "Biol" biolaboratory (created with the participation of medical universities) is studying cell response to radiation and testing new protective agents.
Data obtained over a year of operation will help assess risks for future long-term space missions and develop methods for ensuring biosafety.
This launch is a special one for the scientists and engineers of the SINP MSU. The "Scorpion" small spacecraft is the result of the institute's developments, continuing the tradition of fundamental space experiments like those conducted on the "Lomonosov" satellite.
Scientific Significance of the Mission:
A New Tool: "Scorpion" will provide unique data on charged particle fluxes in Earth's radiation belts.
Continuity: Measurement technologies and techniques created at SINP MSU are being advanced on a modern platform.
Practical Value: The obtained information is critically important for assessing radiation risks to space technology and planning long-term crewed missions.
The spacecraft has already been integrated into the upper stage and is ready for launch. We invite colleagues and everyone interested in space science to follow this significant event with us.