The global news channel, CNN is set to feature the developments in technology, research and work in space science and engineering at CPUT.

Nyameko Royi, a senior engineer at Africa Space Innovation Centre (ASIC) and at French South African Institute of Technology Institute (F’SATI) said this follows recent CNN interviews with some of the engineers who are involved with the development of nanosatellites at CPUT.

“We briefly discussed our nanosatellite missions, past and future, which are ZaCUBE-1, ZACUBE-2 and MDASat-1,” Royi continued.

“We introduced CNN to our labs, where most of our staff spend their day performing simulations, discussing concepts and latest trends in satellite development. We also showed them our production lab where we test and do an inspection of our products. We also went through the Flight Model area where flight-ready equipment is packaged and cleaned before it’s assembled into a Flight Model in the cleanroom.”

He said ZACUBE-1’s mission is to characterise antenna array on Antarctica. The ZACUBE-2 has two payloads, Software Defined Radio (SDR) with an Automatic Identification System (AIS) used in the marine domain to observe ships’ movement in our Exclusive Economic Zone.  The hosted payload in collaboration with the CSIR – K-Line Camera detects potassium in veld fires which could be used as a supplementary to veld firefighting and detection.

MDASat-1 Constellation is a collection of three satellites with an upgraded AIS - SDR which will be used to track and trace vessels on the South African coastal shore. AIS onboard the MDASat 1 can track the ship speed, direction and position of the ship. It also provides the name of the ship, the destination and the origin. It can be used for rescue purposes and in cases of oil spillage on our coastal shores.   

Royi was not sure about the date and programme on which the interviews will be televised. “There is a programme called African Voices Changemakers on CNN, it will be part of that… In the end, this would be part of a 30 minutes’ documentary, an assembly of stories about technology and embracing the 4IR in Africa.”

Among the engineers who were interviewed was Lilie Leopold, who discussed the mission labs - the assembling of flat satellites on the test bench where all the subsystems of the satellite are connected and tested. This is the first stage on the development of the satellite.  Morne Roman shared some insights on the Altitude Determination and Control System (ADCS) operation, together with Royi.

 “We showed the 3D models of the past missions and current missions. We also discussed the success stories of ZACUBE-1 launched in 2013 November and ZACUBE-2 launched in December 2018. We discussed the objectives of both missions and the current mission,” Royi remarked.

Stephan Cupido discussed ZACUBE-2 AIS main payload and the MDASat -1 which is the current mission with AIS payload. He also shared the Ground Station(GS) operations information data acquisition from satellite to the GS to the end-user.

Royi also shared the background of the F’SATI academic programme/ASIC engineering development and training programme as to, how and when it started in 2009 and what were the objectives of the programmes.

“This will be an international advertisement for CPUT where it pertains to the University research and development. With the ASIC programme, this will showcase our beautiful inventions in space engineering and the capability to develop lasting solutions for the world and humanity at large.”   

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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CPUT is expected to launch the first South African mini-constellation of three satellites for Maritime Domain Awareness (MDASat-1) towards the end of 2021.

This mission, named MDASat-1, will use Automatic Identification System (AIS) data to monitor the waters off South Africa’s coast for shipping movements within our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).  AIS is a radio system used for the tracking of maritime traffic, primarily for collision avoidance.  The location messages received by the satellites from ships on the ocean beneath it is downloaded from the satellite when it passes over the ground station at CPUT. 

The data gathered by the mission will typically be used by the South African (SA) government to contribute to the effective management of the SA territorial waters. An important development is that SA will now possess the home-grown capability and know-how to acquire this vital information and will not be solely dependent on foreign companies for this data.

The development of the MDASat-1 mission is well underway, with a team of 12 engineering graduates from the French South African Institute of Technology (F’SATI) at the CPUT programme making excellent progress. Qualification testing of the Engineering Qualification  Model has been completed and the team is currently busy with the assembly of the three flight models. Each satellite carries an improved version of the AIS receiver.

CPUT has already produced two satellites that were launched successfully in 2013 and 2018, respectively named ZACube-1 and ZACube-2. The data from MDASat-1 will augment that already received by ZACube-2.  The university identified Space Science and Technology as one of its strategic Research Focus Areas. Prof Robert van Zyl is the head of the Africa Space Innovation Centre, as well as the local node of F’SATI. The Centre is hosted by F’SATI and its emphasis is on postgraduate research and innovation that relates specifically to nanosatellite technology, and innovation that produces commercially viable nanosatellite communications subsystems that are marketed to the international CubeSat community.

CPUT’s next mission and the most advanced to date will see three nanosatellites placed in orbit for the purpose of Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), in line with the endeavours of the South African Government’s Operation Phakisa.

Van Zyl says: “MDASat-1 (which will be the country’s first mini-constellation) is a major achievement and milestone for CPUT, South Africa and the continent as a whole, not only providing strategically significant vessel tracking data to the government but also developing skills and advanced technologies.

“I am very proud of the CPUT students and staff who work hard to grow the South African space industry for the good of its people.  We express our appreciation to the Department of Science and Innovation which has funded this wonderful programme since its inception in 2008.”

CPUT, with the continued financial support from the Department of Science and Innovation and its agencies, the South African National Space Agency and the Technology Innovation Agency, has been successful in producing state-of-the-art satellite missions. “With the additional support from the National Research Foundation, we have also produced more than 65 Master’s and Doctoral graduates over the course of a decade,” Van Zyl remarks.

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