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