Send-off for Africa’s nanosatellite
JOURNEY: F’SATI staff members, Leon Steenkamp and Francois Visser package the nanosatellite, ZACUBE-1
Wednesday, 21 August 2013
ZACUBE-1 is on the first leg of its journey from South Africa to the Netherlands.
Developed by staff and students at French South African Institute of Technology (F’SATI), ZACUBE-1 is Africa’s first nanosatellite and will be launched into space this November from a launch base in Russia.
The satellite carries a scientific experiment from the South African National Space Agency’s Directorate in Hermanus, which will allow it to collect information that will be used by scientists to gain an understanding of space weather and its impact on communication technology.
Earlier this week, the nanosatellite was packaged by F’SATI staff, under the watchful eye of a customs official and courier agent.
Measuring 10x10x10 and weighing just over one kilogram, ZACUBE-1 was sealed in a specialised container and packaged in a custom-built case. The case was carefully placed into a wooden crate that was sealed with metal bands.
On Thursday the package will be flown to the Netherlands, where it will be delivered to Innovative Solutions In Space (ISIS), a launching agent located in Delft.
Here, ZACUBE-1 will undergo a “satellite checkout” by F’SATI staff members Charles Jooste and Leon Steenkamp.
Jooste says this process, which will take place on 2 September, is one of the final critical processes that ZACUBE-1 will undergo.
“A satellite checkout involves taking the satellite out of the packaging and placing it in a pod (specialised box) with other satellites,” says Jooste.
The cluster of satellites will then make their way to Russia, where they will be attached to the launch vehicle.
Written by Candes Keating
Email: keatingc@cput.ac.za
Provides coverage for the Engineering and Applied Sciences Faculties; the Bellville and Wellington Campuses, and research and innovation news.
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