University of Wrenhaven's first satellite reaches orbit to watch coastal erosion

The University of Wrenhaven's first satellite has reached orbit and made contact with its ground station, the university confirmed this afternoon. The small satellite, about the size of a shoebox, was one of several research payloads carried on a commercial launch earlier today and was released from the rocket's upper stage around 90 minutes after lift-off.

Its first signal was picked up by the dish antenna on the roof of the engineering building at 15:42 local time, to applause from around 60 students and staff who had gathered to listen. Engineers said early data showed the batteries charging normally and the solar panels deployed, though full checks of the camera and instruments would take several days.

The satellite, named Tern-1, carries a small camera and a sensor designed to measure changes in the shape of the coastline, including the cliffs between Fenwick Point and Shingle Cove, which have lost several metres in recent winters. It will pass over Wrenhaven several times a day, allowing scientists to compare images taken weeks or months apart.

Four years of work came down to a few seconds of static and then a tone. I do not think anyone in that room will forget it.

Project lead Dr Lena Vasquez, a lecturer in space systems, said around 120 students had worked on the satellite since the project began, many as part of their degree. "Most of the people who built this had never touched flight hardware before," she said. "Now they have something they designed going round the planet."

The university says the images will be shared with the city council and the Wrenhaven Marine Institute to help plan coastal defences. Tern-1 is expected to operate for around two years before its orbit gradually decays and it burns up in the atmosphere. The team said further updates would be posted once the camera had been tested.