We have got the chance last week to make test measurements on the stage of the Budapest Operett and Musical Theatre. A model of the solar panel was illuminated with high power dazzle lamps to check if we can reproduce light density expected in space. The test was totally successful, because the solar cells produced the nominal short-cut current, without warming up too much. After the flight model is ready we are planning to take the hardware to the stage to perform functional tests in this extraordinary „sun simulator”.

We would like thank the Budapest Operetta and Musical Theatre for the unique opportunity.

Theatre

The development team had previously decided to have the solar panel units serving as the prime energy source prepared by a professional specialist. EADS Astrium GmbH offered the assistance of the company’s solar panel assembling division. After the alignment talks and production that followed, the fully completed solar panels arrived in the recent days.

Our team also hereby expresses its thanks for the precise and outstading work.

Solar panels

The building of the 1:20 ratio scale-model of ground station’s new antenna system has completed. The new satellite tracking antenna, located at the top of building “E” will be designed based on this model. The implementation has to withstand the wind-load that comes up on such a high building.

Antenna model

Former RF TX power measurements of Masat-1 were re-checked within the National Communication Authority’s (NHH) shielded and reflexion-proof measurement laboratory. A preliminary simulation of the radiation pattern is plotted on this graph. According to the results, the Masat-1 antenna produces the same parameters in realistic measurements as in theory. 99 percent of incoming RF power is emitted (antenna input reflexion below -20dB).

RF TX power measurements of Masat-1

We have some photographs on the measurement process. Please note that the Masat-1 model shown in these pictures is only used for testing purposes, and has a different arrangement than the final version. More information can be found on HA7WEN’s website.

We would like to render thanks to the staff of NHH for their valuable cooperation.

The Exhibition of The 100 Wonders shows Hungary’s most important developments, contrivances and innovations made int the XXI. century.

The Masat-1 development team was invited as an exhibitor. We advice everyone to watch the exhibition untill the end of February. You can find pictures of our stand here.

The 100 Wonders