Bangalore: Imagine a satellite the size of a pizza box built, launched and controlled by students from a college room. Sounds crazy, but this is what a team of engineering students will do this December. Around 40 under-graduates studying in top engineering colleges of Bangalore and Hyderabad have teamed up to put together India's smallest (10 cm x 10 cm x 13.5 cm) and lightest satellite. Christened STUDSAT (Student Satellite), this 'artificial moon' will send high resolution pictures to undertake vegetation studies. December launch Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) reviewed the satellite's critical design a couple of days ago and the students are currently tuning it for the launch phase. The team has already signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ISRO for its take-off in the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), most likely in December. Best resolution Project co-ordinator Prof Jharna Majumdar said, "This is the lightest satellite ever manufactured and will be piggybacking on PSLV. It consists of communications, power system, altitude control system, on-board computer and camera (payload)." The satellite will orbit the earth at an altitude of 700 km and take images of our planet. With a resolution of 90 metres, it is the best achieved by any PICO category satellite in the world. Indigenous ground station Besides developing sub-systems, students have also structured the master control facility for satellite tracking along with up-commanding facility at Nitte Meenakshi Institute of Technology, near the Bengaluru International Airport. Former ISRO chairman Prof U R Rao, who reviewed the satellite recently, said, "I am really happy to see students are looking beyond space as their inspiration." Genesis According to team members, the idea was conceptualised in December 2007 when they met astronaut Sunita Williams and space scientist U R Rao. Since then, it has been untiring work. Team leader Chetan Angadi said, "We wanted to conquer space and the satellite was our vehicle. The idea was soon put to paper work. It was followed by finding team members. We discussed with ISRO officials and the project was finally kicked off in January 2008. The fully operational satellite will be ready by November and is likely to launched in December." PICO category Compared to the usual satellites weighing 100 kg, STUDSAT will be a new 'feather satellite'. Former Bangalore University vice-chancellor and NMIT director N R Shetty said, "Making a satellite is not a joke. Even I was surprised when the students said they wanted to do a lightweight satellite. Till now, no one has attempted such a venture in India. The students have used advanced technology of VLSI and Complimentary Metal Oxide Semi Conductor (CMOS). This was possible because of the constant support of ISRO officials." How the satellite works After the launch, the students will take over the ground station at NMIT. STUDSAT will send 30 minutes of data everyday and its images will be used for vegetation study and remote sensing applications. It has a life span of six months to two years. The total cost of the satellite and ground station has worked up to Rs 50 lakh. The team has won the Hans Von Muldau best team award, in Glasgow, UK, for the project presentation. STUDSAT colleges: 1. MS Ramaiah Institute of Technology, Bangalore. 2. RV College of Engineering, Bangalore. 3. BMS Institute of Technology, Bangalore. 4. Nitte Meenakshi Institute of Technology, Bangalore. 5. Institute of Aeronautical Engineering, Hyderabad. 6. Vignan Institute of Technology and Science, Hyderabad. 7. Chaitanya Bharati Institute of Technology, Hyderabad. Other student satellites: Anusat This is a 50-kg micro satellite made by Anna University, Chennai, and launched by ISRO in April this year. Jugnu A group of students at Indian Institute of Technology-Kanpur have developed a nanosatellite that provides real-time data on drought, flood, vegetation and forestation. The satellite named Jugnu will provide specific function of sending imagery on ground conditions. This nano satellite cost Rs 2.5 crore to develop and will be handed over to ISRO, which is expected to launch it by the end of the year. Feather-lite Satellite: Weight - 850 grams. Orbit - 700 km above earth. Resolution - 90 metres. Cost - Rs 50 lakh. Category - Pico. (Source: Bangalore Mirror)