{"id":21437,"date":"2020-03-18T13:18:23","date_gmt":"2020-03-18T17:18:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=21437"},"modified":"2020-03-18T13:18:23","modified_gmt":"2020-03-18T17:18:23","slug":"student-and-amateur-cubesat-news-roundup-mar-18-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=21437","title":{"rendered":"Student and amateur CubeSat news roundup – Mar.18.2020"},"content":{"rendered":"

A sampling of recent articles, press releases, etc. related to student and amateur CubeSat<\/a> \/ SmallSat projects and programs (find previous smallsat roundups here<\/a>):<\/p>\n

** The student-led GU Orbit<\/a> program at the University of Glasgow<\/strong> aims to<\/p>\n

bring students into the world of space systems. It will primarily focus on developing micro-satellites with a specific mission in mind and getting them launched into orbit. Students from various disciplines are welcome to become members as we hope to create an interdisciplinary environment and ultimately provide members with an industrial-like setting so that they can get a feel of what it is like to work in the space technology sector.<\/em><\/p>\n

The program recently arranged for getting their first satellite, Astraeus-01, to orbit via the Responsive Access<\/a> launch broker: University of Glasgow GU Orbit Team Signs Smallsat Mission Agreement with Responsive Access – Satnews<\/a><\/p>\n

Responsive Access Ltd. aims to simplify access to space through the use of innovative software and key partner relationships that provide a one-stop-shop for the launch of CubeSats and other small payloads into orbit.<\/em><\/p>\n

While the search for a suitable rocket gets underway, GU Orbit are focusing on the technical development of their satellite, which is set to become the first ever to be fully built by a Scottish university. The University of Glasgow\u2019s satellite could be set for launch by as early as next year, creating the possibility for it to be one of the first payloads to reach space from a developing UK spaceport.<\/em><\/p>\n

GU Orbit\u2019s President, Philip Voudouris, explained that thanks to the tremendous effort from the team members, significant progress on the cubesat, Astraeus-01, has been made, finally bringing ideas and ambitions to life as prototypes are manufactured and tested. The University of Glasgow has a strong reputation regarding its involvement in space technology and having opened its first space lab just last year, it has shown that it is prepared to push the boundaries of human presence in space. With Responsive Access helping to plan the mission ahead and selecting a suitable launch vehicle for Astraeus-01, the company is now one large step closer to seeing this satellite reach orbit and subsequently opening an exciting new frontier for students and researchers with a passion in space.<\/em><\/p>\n

Astraeus-01 is intended “to demonstrate two innovative technologies: a deployable drag sail and a graphics processing unit (GPU)” (ref<\/a>).\u00a0 More at GU Orbit on Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\n

** Environmental monitoring MeznSat<\/a> cubesat, built by UAE based university teams, will launch on a Soyuz rocket<\/strong> this summer:<\/p>\n

MeznSat is a nanosatellite for climate observation, manufactured by Khalifa University of Science and Technology (KUST) in partnership with the American University of Ras Al-Khaimah (AURAK) and funded by the UAE Space Agency. The satellite\u2019s primary payload will be a shortwave infrared (SWIR) spectrometer that makes observations in the 1000-1650 nm wavelength range to derive atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations.<\/em><\/p>\n

The secondary payload on MeznSat will consist of a VGA camera for post-processing that brings increased precision and accuracy to the SWIR spectrometer data. The combination of visible and SWIR bands will make MeznSat a unique CubeSat mission, specifically designed to generate a rich dataset for exploring atmospheric correction algorithms.<\/em><\/p>\n