CPUT has made its mark on the global space arena with the unveiling of South Africa’s first CubeSat.
The CubeSat, ZACUBE-01, which measures 30x10x10 cm and weighs approximately three kilograms was unveiled on Friday at the French South African Institute of Technology (F’SATI), a specialised unit at CPUT’s Bellville campus.
Dr Sandile Malinga, CEO of the newly established South African Space Agency (SANSA), said the unveiling of the CubeSat is a significant milestone for South Africa, which is aiming to become a key player in the global space science and technology industry.
The CubeSat was developed by 50 students following F’SATI’s Satellite Engineering Programme and staff members. This postgraduate programme, which is backed by the Department of Science and Technology and the National Research Foundation, aims at developing the human potential and intellectual capacity needed to grow South Africa’s space industry.
Malinga commended CPUT for the rollout of the programme and for being on the forefront of developing space and satellite skills in the country.
“Our country is challenged in terms of skills and our government has set an ambitious goal of creating more jobs. I believe that space science has an important role in contributing to this goal,” he said.
F’SATI Deputy-Director, Professor Robert van Zyl, who is driving CPUT’s space activities, said students are currently involved in the development of a second CubeSat – ZACUBE-02, which will be unveiled in 2013.
If all goes as planned, ZACUBE-01 will be launched early next year and used for space science experiments. Its activities will be monitored by the ground station, which has been set up at FSATI’s premises on the Bellville campus.
ZACUBE-01 will be exhibited at the International Astronomical Federation Conference, which will take place this week at the Cape Town International Convention Centre,
By: Candes Keating
Written by CPUT News
Email:
