Small Satellites, Big Science: Two Years of Breakthroughs from SINP MSU Space Projects
June 27, 2025, marks exactly two years since the launch of satellites developed with the participation of the Skobeltsyn Institute of Nuclear Physics (SINP MSU) under the projects Constellation-270, Space-Pi, and the Space School.
During this time, the satellites have collected invaluable scientific data: ✔ Over 10 gamma-ray bursts, including significant events GRB 250116A and GRB 250119B. ✔ 27 solar flares, among them powerful X- and M-class events. ✔ Participation in observing the gravitational-wave event of February 6, 2025, in collaboration with LIGO/Virgo/KAGRA. ✔ Detection of multiple intense solar cosmic ray fluxes.
Active satellites in orbit: ✔ Avion (equipped with DeCoR-1, 2, 3 detectors) – the primary satellite for hard X-ray observations. ✔ Altair and ArktikSat – new satellites launched in November 2024. ✔ Monitor-3 and Monitor-4 – key satellites for radiation environment monitoring.
Research using CubeSats confirms: ✔ The advanced capabilities of small satellites in fundamental research. ✔ The importance of space weather monitoring for practical applications. ✔ The effectiveness of scientific collaboration —both among Russian teams and internationally.
Anniversary Event
To celebrate the mission’s second anniversary, SINP MSU organized a special SSTV image transmission from the Monitor-3 satellite. The images were successfully received by amateur radio operators across the country.
We congratulate our colleagues at SINP MSU involved in these cutting-edge space projects and wish them new discoveries and continued success!