MIPT Develops Compact Satellites to Help Agriculture
The spacecraft will collect data to help farmers use irrigation water more efficiently.
Students at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT) are developing what are expected to be Russia’s smallest satellites for Earth observation. Each spacecraft has a volume of about 3.5 liters and weighs approximately 6 kilograms. Their primary purpose is to help farmers plan more precise irrigation based on weather conditions, soil characteristics, and crop health.
Experts estimate that using satellites could save trillions of liters of water annually. The manufacturing process also does not require rare materials. The hardware can be built using components commonly found in computers and smartphones. About 120 of these satellites would be needed to monitor farmland comprehensively and achieve substantial water savings.
