Japanese FITSAT-1 satellites can write Morse code messages in the sky

While the whole world is too occupied and busy with their own lives, the Japanese unmanned H-2 Transfer Vehicle-3 that was launched last week, is poised to arrive at the International Space Station today, Friday – just in time for the London Olympics. Apart from the usual cargo that it brings, the vehicle is also bringing on board a set of tiny amateur radio satellites that can write Morse code messages in the sky. If you think that’s way too unrealistic, Japan’s Fukuoka Institute of Technology (FIT) has a name for the cubesats – FITSAT-1.

The Japanese researchers said that its FITSAT-1 will be used to write messages in the night sky using Morse code, helping researchers test optical communication techniques for satellites. FITSAT-1 is just under 3 pounds and it is outfitted with high power LEDs capable of producing extremely bright flashes. The signals from FITSAT-1 will be received by a ground station at the Fukuoka Institute of Technology. For now, FITSAT-1 will remain on the ISS until September. FIT professor and project leader Takushi Tanaka says that the cubesat will likely be deployed on the 6th of September by Japanese astronaut Akihiko Hoshide using a robotic arm.

Gene Ryan Briones
Categories: General
Tags: satellite, Space