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
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The Faculty of Informatics and Design’s Prof Izak van Zyl has been upgraded from a Y2 to a C2-rated researcher by the National Research Foundation (NRF).

Van Zyl works across disciplines, mainly in communication science and educational technology.

“I feel extremely proud and excited! I was nervous I would not get upgraded, but I am very relieved at the outcome,” he said.

According to the NRF, the ratings are allocated based on a researcher’s recent research outputs and impact, as international peer reviewers perceive. The rating system encourages researchers to publish high-quality outputs in high-impact journals/outlets.

The ratings that are awarded fall within the following categories:

A – Leading international researchers

B – Internationally acclaimed researchers

C – Established researchers

P – Prestigious Awards

Y – Promising young researchers

Van Zyl’s most recent work concerned using WhatsApp as a teaching and learning tool for postgraduate students during the height of the pandemic in 2020. He worked with Prof Johannes Cronje on this initiative with students across the university.

His most outstanding achievements have included being rated for the first time, being appointed an associate professor at a young age, being a finalist at the 2019 Science Oscars, and being upgraded to an Established Researcher.

 “I am just honoured to be recognised for what I do and to be able to contribute to the university's work.”

Written by Ilse Fredericks

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CPUT will launch the first South African constellation of three satellites for Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) this summer.

The mission, named MDASat-1 will be CPUT’s third satellite mission, following on ZACube-1’s (TshepisoSat) and ZACube-2’s successful development, launch and operation.  The head of the Africa Space Innovation Centre, as well as the local node of F’SATI, Prof Robert van Zyl says the MDASat-1 will use Automatic Identification System (AIS) data to monitor ship movements within South Africa’s 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 in the ocean beneath is downloaded daily from the satellite when it passes over the ground station at CPUT.

Recently, the three flight models (FMs) of the MDASat-1 constellation reached the flight acceptance review (FAR) milestone. “The primary objective of the FAR is to confirm that the verification processes used during this mission demonstrated that the satellites are free of workmanship errors and are subsequently ready for operational use in space,” Van Zyl remarks. The FAR was attended by various stakeholders in the local space industry.

To achieve this milestone, the MDASat-1 constellation had to go through various assembly, integration, and testing phases. Firstly, the satellites had to be assembled in CPUT’s cleanroom facility by the mission engineers. A cleanroom is a room that has a controlled level of pollutants, such as dust and it is used to integrate the satellite’s sensitive subsystems.

After all the satellite subsystems were integrated, functional tests were performed to verify that the satellites are working as designed.  “The satellites also went through an environmental testing campaign to prove to the launch providers that the satellites will survive the mechanical shocks during the launch campaign,” Van Zyl continues.

“For example, the MDASat-1 constellation underwent mechanical vibration testing to demonstrate that the satellites can withstand the vibration environment encountered during launch.”

Thermal cycling of the MDASat-1 constellation was performed in the thermal chamber at CPUT. Thermal cycling tests are performed to verify that the satellites can operate within its designed temperature range.

Furthermore, Van Zyl states that the MDASat-1 constellation underwent a bakeout test. “The purpose of bakeout is to reduce to an acceptable level the outgassing rates of flight equipment associated with instrumentation that is sensitive to molecular contamination and the verification that this level has been achieved.”

With the conclusion of the flight acceptance review, the satellites are now ready for launch. In addition, CPUT recognises the continued financial support from the Department of Science and Innovation, which recently visited the institution, and its agencies, the South African National Space Agency, the Technology Innovation Agency and the National Research Foundation for contributing to the locally produced state-of-the-art satellite missions.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo, with his Executive Management recently held an exclusive strategic engagement session to discuss key issues that affect postgraduate students (master’s and PhD), researchers, and postdoctoral fellows.

The session was aimed at bolstering a culture of academic excellence, producing highly renowned graduates who excel in their fields of study. In his welcome address, Dr David Phaho, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Technology Innovation, and Partnerships, said these stakeholder engagements are of critical importance to “us as an engaged institution”. “Our acclaimed Strategy, V2030 puts a particular emphasis on engagement, focusing on amongst others, Smart student engagement and learning experiences.

Phaho added that Focus Area 3 of the strategy clearly articulates “our strategic intent for Smart Research Technology Innovation and Partnerships Agenda that is relevant and excellent in its knowledge production”. “Without an enabling environment for postgraduate students to succeed and strive, this and other elements of the Strategy will not be achieved.”

He said they have indicated to all the stakeholders to double the number of postgraduate students at Master’s and Doctoral levels by 2030 from “our 2022 baseline”. “Unfortunately, if you look at our current postgraduate enrolment, we are currently not on track to achieve that without specific interventions. Rather than admiring the problem, The Centre for Postgraduate Studies under the leadership of Prof [Izak] Van Zyl and the Research Development Directorate under Prof Dina Burger have set in motion initiatives to address this burning platform,” Phaho remarked.

In his keynote address, Nhlapo said: “Postgraduate students I salute you all on this auspicious occasion of the annual Vice-Chancellor's Postgraduate Engagement. What a special community you are. You’re special in the sense that you are a community that you wanted to build as Dr Phaho said we are struggling to ramp up the numbers, so you are special.”

He said it was important for the office of the Vice-Chancellor to make an open opportunity to engage about the future of the Institution and the future of the postgraduate education at CPUT. “I must also say that postgraduate engagement can positively impact the students learning communities. It can promote a sense of belonging and it can also increase positive peer communities.” Nhlapo also shared significant insights into current challenges and available support for postgraduate education, as well as highlighting the Institution’s commitment to research excellence.

Nhlapo also availed himself for the engagement session with postgraduate students which involved comments, questions and answers that were facilitated by Prof Izak van Zyl.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce

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