UKube-1 completes mission.
M2 PRESSWIRE-October 27, 2015-: UKube-1 completes mission
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RDATE:27102015
Launched in July 2014, UKube-1 is a technology demonstration mission with a broad set of objectives aimed at attracting and training future generations of engineers, encouraging collaboration across sectors and institutions, fast tracking space technology development and engaging with students.
As a 3 unit CubeSat (30x30x10cm), flying 4 main payloads, with all the key subsystems of much larger satellites, UKube-1 remains one of the most advanced CubeSats ever built. Despite some technical challenges in orbit, the mission has achieved a range of milestones including:
- delivery into the correct planned orbit (around 650km, sun-synchronous)
- successful deployment of solar panels and antenna
- good battery health
- slow spin rate measured
- uplink and downlink capabilities checked, including Large Data Transfer, downlink at 3 speeds, and redundant communications mode
- all core payloads commissioned and data collected for each
- on-board camera technology successfully tested
- data downlinked from multiple ground stations across the globe
UKube-1 has also helped maintain the UK's leading position in the CubeSat sector. Participation in the mission placed Clyde Space in an excellent position to capitalise on the fast growing global nanosatellite market. The company has experienced 100% year on year growth, both in turnover and employees, as a direct result from involvement in UKube-1, and is firmly established as a global leader.
Mark McCrum, Bright Ascension Ltd, said:
UKube-1 provided us with an invaluable opportunity to gain flight heritage for our software technology and to get deeply involved in the operation of a complex CubeSat mission. It gave a huge boost to our credibility as a space software provider and has been instrumental in winning further work.
Craig Clark, CEO Clyde Space Ltd, said:
UKube-1 represents a pivotal achievement in the development and growth of Clyde Space. The project moved the company from being a spacecraft subsystems supplier to providing full missions for our customers. To give some context to the extent that Ukube-1 has had to our business, Clyde Space has more than quadrupled in size in the last 3 years and there are currently over 60 CubeSats planned through production here in Glasgow over the next 18 months. The return on investment for Ukube-1 in terms of jobs and export sales for the UK has been...
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