About the Space Research Department and Samara University

The Inter-university Space Research Department was founded in 2010 by Professor Igor Vitalievich Belokonov. The primary objective was to advance the promising sector of small spacecrafts by nurturing students to become young professionals, researchers and leaders in the field, exploring the new possibilities that nanosatellites had brought to space science.

Fifteen years later, the Department has successfully launched three nanosatellites with innovative designs into space: SamSat-218D in 2016, SamSat-ION in 2023, and SamSat-IONOSPHERE in 2024. Additionally, another nanosatellite, SamSat-Orion, is currently undergoing final tests and is scheduled for launch later this year.

At the moment the department houses the following laboratories:

- Laboratory for Testing Nanosatellite Motion Control Systems.

- Laboratory for Assembly and Testing of Nanosatellites.

- Laboratory for Studying the Influence of Outer Space Factors.

- Laboratory for Testing Measuring Instruments and Navigation Technologies.

Both students and researchers/employees of the Department enjoy full access to the premises for conducting scientific research. Students are especially encouraged to present their ideas, and under the guidance of the Department's supervisors, they have the opportunity to test and study new technologies.