About the Department of Space Research 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 spacecraft by nurturing students to become young professionals, researchers, and leaders in the field.

Fifteen years later, the Department has successfully launched three nanosatellites: SamSat-218D (2016), SamSat-ION (2023), and SamSat-IONOSPHERE (2024). Another nanosatellite, SamSat-Orion, is currently undergoing final tests.

At the moment the department houses:

– 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

Students and researchers have full access to the facilities for scientific research and experimentation under the supervision of the Department staff.