Latest CubeSat Stories

The CubeSat, with sides measuring just 10cm and weighing the same as a large bag of sugar, could also collect data from remote sites such as wind farms.The 1kg devices, which can be constructed with off-the-shelf electronic components, have traditionally been a cheap way for universities to research outer space. They are launched by piggy-backing onto larger satellites when they take off. Once in space they use solar panels as power sources.But University of Strathclyde scientists have teamed...

Scientists today announced plans to commercially produce a tiny, cheap satellite that could collect readings from electricity and gas meters. The CubeSat, with sides measuring just 10cm and weighing the same as a large bag of sugar, could also collect data from remote locations such as wind farms. They are launched by piggy-backing onto larger satellites when they take off. Once in space they use solar panels as power sources. But University of Strathclyde scientists have teamed up with...

By MARK SMITH DEPUTY BUSINESS EDITOR CLYDE Space, Scotland's only space industry business, has struck a GBP150,000 deal to supply two flight model power systems to Turkey's fledgling satellite programme. The deal with the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (Tubitak) will see Glasgow-based Clyde provide two flight model battery charge regulator systems for the launch of Rasat, the first Earth-observation satellite to be built and developed in Turkey. The 120kg...

By William Hageman, Chicago Tribune Jul. 6--The Adler Planetarium's recent launch of a Marshmallow Peep into space is a twist on experiments that the 10-person Adler crew has been conducting for a while. The payload on this launch, Mission 12 of the Far Horizons program, was an experiment by two students at Aurora's Illinois Math & Science Academy who wanted to measure how much brighter it is in space. Astro Peep just hitched a ride. "On any mission we like to use a video camera to...

ESA -- Since Friday morning, the ground control station in Aalborg has not had any contact with SSETI Express. Thorough analysis over the weekend indicates that a failure in the electrical power system on board the spacecraft is preventing the batteries from charging, resulting in a shutdown of the satellite. There is a small but significant possibility of recovery, the likelihood of which is being ascertained by ongoing testing. "Naturally, the SSETI teams are disappointed that we...

ESA -- Radio amateurs worldwide are being asked to help collect data from the student-built SSETI Express satellite, due to be placed in orbit on 27 September. To encourage them, ESA's Education department has organised two competitions and is supplying free downloadable software."We will be happy to receive all the help we can, particularly during the early operations phase," says SSETI Express Project Manager, Neil Melville. "If a radio amateur receives a signal from SSETI Express before...

ESA -- Building a satellite takes years and costs millions. Well, not always. Nearly one hundred students from all over Europe have been working hard on SSETI Express. From the drawing board to launch in less than one year, all the while keeping costs to a minimum. Last week a handful of students gathered at ESTEC, in Noordwijk, the Netherlands, to put the finishing touches to the flight model. The nerve-wracking 'final exams' in the space simulators will follow in January "“ the last...