UiTMSAT-1

UiTMSAT-1 is a Malaysian nanosatellite, built primarily by Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) as part of the multi-nation Birds-2 project. The 1U CubeSat was launched into space in June 2018 and deployed from the ISS in August.

UiTMSAT-1
Mission typeTechnology demonstration
OperatorUniversiti Teknologi MARA
COSPAR ID1998-067PD
SATCAT no.43589
Websitebirds2.birds-project.com
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft type1U CubeSat
BOL mass1 kg (2.2 lb)
Dimensions10 × 10 × 10 cm
Start of mission
Launch date09:42, June 29, 2018 (UTC) (2018-06-29T09:42Z)
RocketFalcon 9 Full Thrust
Launch siteCape Canaveral SLC-40
ContractorSpaceX
Deployed fromISS
Deployment date10 August 2018
Orbital parameters
RegimeLow Earth
Semi-major axis6773 km[1]
Perigee altitude398.6 km
Apogee altitude407.2 km
Inclination51.6°
Period92.5 minutes
2nd Joint Global Multination Birds Project
 

Background

Malaysia has had several satellites in orbit, beginning with the MEASAT constellation, first operational in 1996. Their first microsatellite, TiungSat-1, was launched in 2000.[2]

Development

Planning for the mission began in December 2016 at the Kyushu Institute of Technology. UiTM postgraduate students Syazana Basyirah Mohammad Zaki and Muhammad Hasif Azami developed the satellite over a 19-month period and collaborated with eight other students from the Philippines, Bhutan, and Japan. This collaboration also inspired the creation of a new Communication Satellite Centre at UiTM.[3]

Objectives

  • Demonstrate an Automatic Packet Reporting System Digipeater to communicate with amateur radio stations
  • Detect a specific type of solar radiation called "single event latch-up"
  • Measure magnetic fields through the use of an Anisotropic Magneto Resistance Magnetometer
  • Act as an Earth Imaging Camera[3]

Launch and mission

Birds-2 in space

UiTMSAT-1 was launched to space on 29 June 2018 via the Falcon 9 Full Thrust rocket at Cape Canaveral in Florida, United States as part of the SpaceX CRS-15 Commercial Resupply Service mission.[3] Maya-1 and BHUTAN-1, which were also developed under the Birds-2 project, were among the payload of the rocket.[4] All three nanosatellites were deployed from the ISS and achieved orbit on 10 August 2018.[5][6]

References

  1. "BIRD-MY (UiTMSAT-1)". N2YO.com.
  2. "Satellite Industry Developments" (PDF). Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission. 2008. pp. 28–29. ISSN 1985-0522.
  3. Mustafa, Zulita. "UiTMSAT-1 puts Malaysia at the final frontier". New Straits Times. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
  4. Panela, Shaira (29 June 2018). "Philippines launches 1st CubeSat into space". Rappler. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
  5. "PH CUBESAT MAYA-1 Successfully Deployed to Space". Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development. August 31, 2018. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
  6. Bernama (August 11, 2018). "UiTM creates history with launch of satellite into orbit". New Straits Times.
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