Poland’s smallest satellite, HYPE, developed by students of the AGH University of Science and Technology, working as part of the SatLab AGH Scientific Club in cooperation with the AGH Space Technology Center, has flown into orbit.
As part of the Falcon 9 Transporter-12 mission, HYPE was launched into orbit on January 14 at an altitude of 525 km, where it began its pioneering mission, during which it will study, among other things, light pollution, forest degradation and the impact of volcanic ash on the environment. The satellite is equipped with a miniature camera on a boom that will enable the transmission of graphics from the satellite’s display.

Initially, HYPE will be mounted on the larger D-Orbit satellite. Within 5 to 10 days, it will be separated from it and ejected from the capsule into space. Then it will be possible to establish communications with the satellite and obtain the first images taken by HYPE.
Data from the satellite can be used for research projects, as well as learning methods of spatial data analysis and spectroscopy. Through this research, students will gain invaluable experience in the design and implementation of space missions.
HYPE is a PocketQube standard satellite with dimensions of 5 × 5 × 5 cm. It is the first satellite fully created by students, as well as the smallest satellite built to date.