STAR VIBE
first images

Test campaigns

We present the first batch of test images taken by STAR telescope over frosty Russia and sun-bathed Australia. These are the results of our second test campaign, which is being carried out immediately after the satellite’s primary systems are operational. When viewing them, it’s worth remembering that these are test images that have been heavily compressed and downsized due to the still limited number and bandwidth of communication sessions with the satellite. It won’t be long before we can download the full-resolution images, but after what has been downloaded, we can already announce the achievement of half of the STAR VIBE mission’s key objectives.

As we look at the images, let’s keep in mind some basic compression characteristics:
◼️ test photos have a resolution of 3 megapixels. The original photos are as high as 12 megapixels,
◼️ the test photos are compressed from a size of 19 megabytes to just 80–120 kilobytes. That’s compression as much as 200 times,
◼️ the test images may be over/under-exposed in places. One of the goals of the mission is to learn how to operate the instrument in orbit. With each imaging campaign, we will take better and better pictures.

Western Europe – March 1

Test image from STAR telescope | STAR VIBE mission | Scanway Space | Russia

Test image from STAR telescope | STAR VIBE mission | Scanway Space | Russia | with keypoints

We’ve recorded a short video in which explain how the commissioning of the satellite’s systems has progressed so far, what tests have been conducted, and how much is still needed to make our instruments fully functional. In addition, we discuss one of the dozens of test images, specifically the image taken over eastern Europe – we discuss its quality, what we see, and what the target parameters of the images taken by both instruments will be!