DISCO-1
Overview
DISCO-1 was the inaugural satellite of The Danish Student CubeSat Program (DISCO). Designed and operated by student teams from Danish universities, it served as a hands-on learning platform in aerospace engineering, radio communications and mission operations. From launch in April 2023 to atmospheric reentry in January 2025, DISCO-1 played a key role in demonstrating the feasibility of student-led space missions in Denmark.
CUBESAT-1
Mission Timeline
- Launch: April 2023
- Operations: Provided real-world experience in satellite control, subsystem integration and mission planning
- Reentry: Burned up in Earth’s atmosphere on January 25, 2025
Image from the launch of DISCO-1
Payload and Communications
- Main Payload: DISCO-1 carried a Coral Dev Board Mini intended for onboard processing experiments. Unfortunately, because nominal contact with DISCO-1 was never established, the board was never tested in orbit.
- Final Radio Configuration: The satellite flew a UHF radio at 437.075 MHz, as authorized by the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU).
- First Contact Attempt: Although ground stations attempted communication after deployment, only partial signals were received. A fully nominal link was never achieved, preventing in-depth mission operations.
Blog posts
DISCO-1: Første Kontakt
Mads MikkelsenTirsdag den 23. maj kl. 11:27, blev der for første gang oprettet kontakt til DISCO-1…
DISCO-1 Opsendelse
Mads MikkelsenLørdag den 15. april blev DISCO-1 sendt op i rummet. Det skete kl 8:48 dansk…
Legacy
Although DISCO-1’s primary payload remained untested, the mission still provided valuable lessons in CubeSat design, logistics and collaboration across multiple universities. The knowledge gained in systems integration, regulatory compliance and communications will continue to shape future DISCO missions and expand Denmark’s leadership in student-led space initiatives.