WEBERSAT: a low-cost imaging satellite

On January 21, 1990, Weber State University had its second small satellite called WEBERSAT launched into an 800 Km polar orbit on the Arianespace Ariane V35 flight from Kourou, French Guiana. This launch culminated nearly two years work by undergraduate engineering technology students and faculty at Weber State University, and local volunteer engineers. The successful development of this satellite was the result of joint efforts with education and industry. This project is demonstrating that a low cost spacecraft can use inexpensive sensors to provide useful space data. This paper is an overall view of the satellite and other papers in the proceedings will provide more details on operational performance.