OHB Sweden’s satellite MATS has been successfully launched in Space. Yesterday evening at 18.27 CET, the Rocket Lab Electron launch vehicle took off from Mahia, New Zealand bringing MATS in its 585km circular orbit. Approximately 50min after launch, Electron released the MATS satellite successfully in space. You can see a short version of the launch and separation here.
Following separation of MATS, the OHB Sweden Mission Control Center in Kista was ready to receive the first signals from MATS. At approximately 22.00 (CET), the first signals from MATS came to OHB Sweden through the Swedish Space Cooperation (SSC) ground station in Punta Arenas and the Mission Control Center confirmed to receive telemetry and send telecommands to MATS. This milestone confirms that MATS is in good health and initial communication has been established.
The OHB Sweden operations team will continue the coming days with several routine checks and tests on the MATS satellite before bringing the satellite into its scientific operational mode.
MATS (Mesospheric Airglow/Aerosol Tomography and Spectroscopy) is a Swedish science mission to investigate waves in the atmosphere and their impact on the climate. It is financed by the Swedish state through the National Space Agency. The scientific mission is led by the Department of Meteorology (MISU) at Stockholm University with involvement also from KTH and Chalmers. The MATS satellite is owned and operated by OHB Sweden.
About OHB Sweden
OHB Sweden is a provider of complete space missions, satellites as well as spacecraft subsystems. With more than 30 years of proven success from a wide range of space missions in low and geostationary orbit as well as spacecraft for interplanetary missions, OHB Sweden has acquired a first-class reputation offering reliable and innovative solutions to its customers. The key expertise from OHB Sweden lies in small satellites, AOCS and propulsion subsystems.
For more information visit:
https://www.rymdstyrelsen.se/upptack-rymden/sverige-i-rymden/satelliten-mats/
https://www.ohb-sweden.se/products-and-services/mission-and-satellites/innosat-sml
www.rocketlabusa.com/updates/rocket-lab-successfully-deploys-152nd-satellite/
For press and/or further information, contact:
Fredrik Sjöberg
Head of business development and sales OHB Sweden
