It’s official! TshepisoSAT, Africa’s first nanosatellite, has survived one year in space.

The nanosatellite was launched on 21 November 2013, and TshepisoSAT has proved its worth in space.

Developed by postgraduate students following the Satellite Systems Engineering Programme at the French South African Technology Institute (F’SATI), TshepisoSAT has survived the harsh radiation from the sun, extreme temperature fluctuations, a strong solar storm and two close encounters with defunct Russian satellites.

This remarkable achievement was celebrated at the Bellville Campus, with CPUT staff members, government officials, members of industry and the French diplomatic core joining in the festivities.

Humbulani Mdau, Chief Director: Space Science and Technology at the Department of Science and Technology, says the nanosatellite is a testament to the skills in South Africa and its development has been instrumental in creating opportunities for science advancement as well as human capacity development.

Mdau says through the development of TshepisoSAT, CPUT has made a huge contribution towards meeting the country’s goals in the science, technology and engineering spheres.

“TshepisoSAT truly embodies the hope and promise of the next generation of space engineers,” says Mdau.

Dr Peter Martinez, the Chairperson of the South African Council for Space Affairs, commended F’SATI for this remarkable achievement.

“The odds are against you when you launch a nanosatellite, but CPUT got it right, and this is a major achievement,” says Martinez.

Prof Louis Fourie, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Knowledge and Information Services at CPUT, says the university is extremely proud of this achievement.

“This is an example of the capability of our students and staff,” says Fourie.

TshepisoSAT Facts:

• Weighs 1.2 kg and measures 10x10x10 cm
• Is about 100 times smaller than the first satellite launched to space
• Took 18 months to build and 30 000 hours of manpower
• 40 postgraduate students were involved in its development
• It runs on the same amount of power of a 3-watt bulb
• It orbits Earth 15 times a day at an altitude of 600km
• Contains 4 000 electronic components and 1 computer
• The nanosatellite is used to study the propagation of radio waves through the ionosphere and will provide valuable space weather data to the South African National Space Agency Space Science Directorate.

Written by Candes Keating
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Provides coverage for the Engineering and Applied Sciences Faculties; the Bellville and Wellington Campuses, and research and innovation news.

TshepisoSAT, Africa’s first nanosatellite, will celebrate one year in space on Friday, 21 November 2014.

Developed by postgraduate students following the Satellite Systems Engineering Programme at the French South African Technology Institute (F’SATI), TshepisoSAT is proving its worth in space.

It has survived the harsh radiation from the sun, extreme temperature fluctuations, a strong solar storm and two close encounters with defunct Russian satellites.

The nanosatellite has been orbiting Earth up to 15 times a day at an altitude of 600km and during the past few months has transmitted a series of images of South Africa.

HISTORY: The launch of the nanosatellite was viewed by hundreds of delegates who attended the launch event in 2013

Its progress was recently lauded at the 2nd International African Cubesat Workshop 2014, which was hosted by F’SATI.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic at CPUT, Prof Anthony Staak, says the University is extremely proud of this achievement.

“It’s certainly a tribute to Rob (Director of F’SATI) and his team, the students, the staff and many others who contributed to our satellite engineering programme,” says Staak.

Humbulani Mdau, Chief Director: Space Science and Technology at the Department of Science and Technology, says TshepisoSAT has put the country and the continent on the global map.

The team at F’SATI is also happy with the progress made.

Engineer Leon Steenkamp, who is monitoring the nanosatellite’s daily movements from the ground station at the Bellville Campus, says they are currently concentrating all their effort on deploying the nanosatellite’s main antenna that is connected to the high-frequency radio beacon.

This high-frequency radio beacon will be used to study the propagation of radio waves through the ionosphere, providing valuable space weather data to the South African National Space Agency Space Science Directorate.

SPACE: One of the images taken by TshepisoSAT

For up to date information on TshepisoSAT’s activities, visit F'SATI's website.

*The nanosatellite was developed in collaboration with South African National Space Agency and with funding from the Department of Science and Technology, the National Research Foundation and CPUT.

Written by Candes Keating
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Provides coverage for the Engineering and Applied Sciences Faculties; the Bellville and Wellington Campuses, and research and innovation news.

F’SATI made history with the launch of TshepisoSAT, Africa’s first nanosatellite and is now set to intensify its research and innovation with the introduction of postdoctoral fellowships in the area of Satellite Systems Engineering.

Those who take up this opportunity will be part of this winning team who has established itself as South Africa’s leading nanosatellite systems engineering group and has gained international recognition.  

With F’SATI housed at the University’s Bellville Campus, postdoctoral fellows will have access to cutting-edge equipment and state-of-the-art facilities and will also have the opportunity to work alongside Aerospace Engineer, Prof Norman Fitz-Coy, who is renowned for his work at the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Florida.

Fitz-Coy will lead the activities of the Research Chair in Innovative Small Satellite Technology and Applications for Africa at F’SATI and will play a key role in developing local space engineering skills in a bid to help South Africa’s space industry in its quest to reach its full potential.

Director of F’SATI, Prof Robert van Zyl, says postdoctoral fellows will also benefit from a vibrant link between industry and research.  

“The environment is therefore very conducive to cutting edge research that is relevant to Africa.  We bring together elements of research, innovation and industry and a wide network of international collaborators,” says van Zyl.

Research areas that will be explored by the postdoctoral fellows include the following:

• Satellite communications
• Applied Electromagnetics, including Antennas and EMC
• Attitude Determination and Control
• Computing for space systems
• Data security
• Remote sensing
• Space weather and radiation
• Industrial Engineering and Quality Management

To apply, send your CV and a cover letter to Ian van Zyl at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For more information contact Ian van Zyl at 021 959 6925

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Written by Candes Keating
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Provides coverage for the Engineering and Applied Sciences Faculties; the Bellville and Wellington Campuses, and research and innovation news.