Sfera (satellite)

Sfera (TEKh-44) is a small passive satellite deployed during a spacewalk from the ISS in August 2012.[1]

Description

Also called the Vektor-T calibration sphere, the Sfera satellite is used to determine the density of the upper atmosphere by measuring how much drag occurs when the satellite passes through it.[2]

TEKh-44 is a shiny sphere 53 cm (20.8 inches) across weighing 14 kg (~31 pounds).[3]

Re-entry

It re-entered the atmosphere in late November 2012.[4]

See also

References
  1. Gunter - Sfera
  2. What a ball-shaped Sfera satellite looks like - ESA
  3. ISS Exp. 32 - Russian EVA-31 Updates Archived 2013-12-25 at the Wayback Machine
  4. SFERA


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