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Indonesia deploys first student
satellite through KiboCUBE programme
Indonesia has successfully deployed
its first student satellite from the International Space
Station (ISS) today. Students from Surya University
constructed the SS-1 satellite as the awardee of the 3rd
round of the KiboCUBE programme.
The KiboCUBE programme is a joint
initiative by the United Nations Office for Outer Space
Affairs (UNOOSA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration
Agency (JAXA) under the Access to Space for All
initiative. The Satellite Development Track is part of
the initiative and under this track, KiboCUBE enables
teams from developing nations and economies in
transition to develop and deploy 1U cube satellites
(CubeSat) from the ISS.
This SS-1 CubeSat mission is a
technology demonstration that will test communication
between an Automatic Package Reporting System (APRS)
payload and the ground using amateur radio frequency.
Through the development and operation of SS-1, Surya
University and the supporting organizations aim to
disseminate nanosatellite technology in Indonesia,
especially to students and universities. Given the full
involvement of academia in this capacity-building
process, the country hopes that the gained knowledge and
experience will benefit future generations.
Surya Satellite-1 is the fifth
CubeSat deployed into space under KiboCUBE in six years
following satellites from Kenya, Guatemala, Mauritius,
and Moldova. With this deployment, KiboCUBE has
benefitted countries in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Eastern
Europe, and Latin American and Caribbean States. Three
more awardees of the programme are currently developing
their CubeSats to follow this success. UNOOSA and JAXA
are preparing to extend the Memorandum of Agreement
allowing more countries to apply for the KiboCUBE
opportunity in the future.
Acting Director of UNOOSA Niklas
Hedman said: "Congratulations to Surya University and
the supporting team for this tremendous accomplishment.
It is impressive how the team prevailed despite the
challenges posed by COVID-19. We look forward to SS-1
realizing its mission and pushing forward the momentum.
We are proud to work with JAXA on KiboCUBE as it
continues bridging the space divide and shedding light
on many countries that are working so hard to develop
space capacities. We look forward to deepening our
cooperation and providing more opportunities in the
coming years."
Director General of Human
Spaceflight Technology Directorate at JAXA Hiroshi
Sasaki said: "It is our pleasure that JAXA has
successfully deployed Surya Satellite-1 from the Kibo
module of the ISS. We would like to extend our respect
to UNOOSA and Surya University for their efforts. Surya
Satellite-1 has significant missions ahead including
communication technology demonstration, to which I wish
great success. We also wish the experience gained
through the development and operation of Surya
Satellite-1 will lead to the next steps of space
activity in Indonesia, and we truly hope that we could
collaborate with Indonesia again in the near future.
Congratulations."
Rector of Surya University Ms.
Lindawati said: "We are pleased with the successful
deployment of Surya Satellite 1 (SS-1) from the
International Space Station. We hope for a smooth
operation of SS-1 during its mission, so that it can be
beneficial for many people, especially in Indonesia.
Surya University also expresses our sincere gratitude to
UNOOSA, JAXA, and other stakeholders and sponsors for
this collaboration since we got awarded the KiboCUBE
deployment opportunity in 2018. This is an important
milestone for Surya University, as well as for Indonesia
since this is the first nanosatellite program, which is
technically designed and manufactured by undergraduate
students from Surya University- Indonesia. We hope that
this achievement can further trigger the development of
a similar program by students, to benefit our
communication and informatics field.
13 & 14 June 2023
Fullerton Hotel
Sydney
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