Wikipedia
Organization
QuakeFinder LLC
Contractor
Stanford University
Mission Type
earth observation
Satellite of
Earth
Launch
June 30, 2003 on Rockot
Launch site
Plesetsk Cosmodrome
Mission duration
24 months
Mass
5 kg
Webpage
Official website
Orbital elements
Semi-major axis
7203.59 km
Eccentricity
.00084
Inclination
98.72 degrees
Orbital Period
101.41 minutes
Right ascension of the ascending node
359.8 degrees
Argument of perigee
233.0 degrees
Instruments
Magnetometer
Single axis search coil, small E-field dipole 1
Quakesat is an earth observation nanosatellite based on 3 CubeSats. It was designed to be a proof-of-concept for space-based detection of ELF signals, thought by some to be earthquake precursor signals. The science behind the concept is disputed.
The students working on the project are hoping that the detection of magnetic signals may have value in showing the onset of an earthquake. The company, QuakeFinder, that put the satellites together is from Palo Alto, California. They're gathering data on the extremely low magnetic field fluctuations that are associated with earthquakes to help better understand this area of study. The primary instrument is a magnetometer housed in a 2 foot (0.6 m) telescoping boom.
The 30 June 2003 deployment of Quakesat was alongside other university CubeSats and one commercial CubeSat. The launch occurred on a Rockot rocket from Russia’s Plesetsk launch site.