A sampling of recent articles, press releases, etc. related to student and amateur CubeSat / SmallSat projects and programs (find previous smallsat roundups here):
… in the making. In June 2019, Melbourne-based volunteer students from various Australian universities across multi-disciplinaries designed, built from scratch and successfully launched a working CubeSat satellite called “ACRUX-1” into lower earth orbit on Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket mission called Make It Rain. This was part of a ridesharing mission through Spaceflight, a launch service provider.
ACRUX-1 cubesat. Credits Melbourne Space Program
Here’s part of the integration process at @SpaceflightInc! They’re integrating #ACRUX1 in the CubeSat dispenser. It’s then closed & placed in the rocket. When the rocket reaches the right orbit, it’s deployed, the dispenser’s front door opens & the satellite pops out!#MakeItRAINpic.twitter.com/2AAtU1LsKy
— Melbourne Space Program (@MelbSpace) June 14, 2019
The next project is ACRUX-2
ACRUX-2 is the MSP’s next exciting nano-satellite mission that will be focused on the concept of responsible use of space.
Given the success of ACRUX-1, the MSP team have been given permission to think big! The plan is to build and launch a 3U Cubesat. Currently, the project is in the mission planning stage and the finer details of the mission are still to be finalised – so stay tuned for more info!
Check out the MSP news page for info on the ACRUX-1 and updates on ACRUX-2:
A video about the project: Insights into successfully designing, building and launching a CubeSat
Video of a live stream presentation by Hydrix electronics engineer, Blake Fuller, sharing his journey in helping to design and launch the ACRUX-1 CubeSat. The event was hosted by the Space Association of Australia
