Mauritius through the Minister of Technology, Communication and Innovation has proudly announced that a 100% Mauritian satellite will be launched in 2019 from the International Space Station (ISS).
This has been made possible through the selection process of the UNOOSA-JAXA KiboCUBE programme. The team from the Mauritius Research Council was selected by this United Nations capacity building initiative. Through this scheme the team will be able to develop the first Mauritian CubeSat satellite MIR-SAT1 for deployment from the International Space Station (ISS).
This CubeSat will carry a longwave infrared camera for the collection of images of Mauritius island and ocean. Research priorities being, (a) ocean surveillance and optimal use of ocean resources, (b) road traffic assessment and control, (c) mitigation of the effects of natural disasters.
The team will also aim to test onboard communications capabilities through testing the CubeSat data transfer over satellite radio wave frequency. There will also be an Amateur Radio communications part to this which will possibly include a transponder.
Exciting times for the research team and hopefully will also stimulate student interest in the science and technology fields. An opportunity for this small island to show value in its ambition to become an inclusive high revenue country.
Thanks for that web-link about the robotic-arm deployment, which clearly answers the subject.
As my previous comment said about the “damaging vibrations” of rocket-launches from Earth, which has been a major problem in the past, that web-link enphasis that problem and the difference when finally launching these small satellites via the I.S.S.
At least I’ve learnt something – thanks.
Mr.Terry
That’s good news Mike.
I wasn’t aware that launching satellites could be undertaken from the International Space Station and although this type are quite small, would likely prove challenging up there in orbit, but as so many challenges have been overcome in the last few decades, I guess that these launches will or should be succesful.
The inclusion of an amateur radio repeater etc., could certainly open-up a wide area coverage between Hams.
I suppose that manufacturing and launching from the ISS itself, does negate the massive problem of launching from Earth as well as the damaging vibrations – using rocket-launching of completed satellites.
It would be interesting to see the manufacturing facility on-board the ISS itself, so I will trawl through the web to try and see that.
Mr.Terry
Seems it can be done on ISS using robotic arm, link: Deploying Small Satellites From ISS