1KUNS-PF

Last updated

1KUNS-PF
1KUNS-PF 1-U Cubesat.jpg
1KUNS-PF 1-U Cubesat
Mission typeTechnology demonstration
Earth observation
Operator University of Nairobi
COSPAR ID 1998-067NP
SATCAT no. 43466 [1]
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft type1U CubeSat
Launch mass1 kg (2.2 lb)
Dimensions10 cm (4 in) cubed
Start of mission
Launch date2 April 2018  UTC
Launch site Kennedy LC-39A
Contractor SpaceX
Entered service11 May 2018, 10:51 UTC
End of mission
Decay date11 June 2020
Orbital parameters
Reference system Geocentric
Regime Low Earth
Semi-major axis 6,778.8 km (4,212.2 mi)
Eccentricity 0.0004315
Inclination 51.619 [2]
Period 93
 

1KUNS-PF (1st Kenyan University NanoSatellite-Precursor Flight) was the first Kenyan-owned satellite. [3] [4] The cubesat was developed and assembled by the University of Nairobi for the Kenya Space Agency, with technical support provided by Japan's Aerospace Exploration Agency. The spacecraft was deployed from the International Space Station [4] are being launched by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

Contents

Background

The idea to launch a Kenyan-built satellite began in September 2015 with the planning and design of the space module. Financial support was obtained for the project when the University of Nairobi won a competitive grant from the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) in 2016. [5] The University of Nairobi was the first institution to benefit from a joint project between the United Nations and JAXA. [5] The satellite was given the acronym 1KUNS-PF, which stands for which First Kenya University Nano Satellite-Precursor Flight. External technical support was provided by Sapienza University along with two Italian companies. [6] The cost of the programme was roughly one million dollars. [6] The satellite orbited 400 kilometres (250 mi) above the Earth. [7]

Launch and purpose

On 2 April 2018, the satellite was carried to the International Space Station on board the SpaceX CRS-14 mission which launched on a Falcon 9 rocket with help from the National Aeronautic and Space Administration. [8] It was deployed from the space station into orbit from the Kibō module on 11 May 2018. [5] Its signal was successfully received from a ground station in Rome by the students of Sapienza University. Its launch was the third for an African country after GhanaSat-1 and Nigeria EduSat-1, which went into service in 2017. [9] [10] In addition to 1KUNS-PF two other nano satellites, Ubakusat and Proyecto Irazú were also on board the Falcon-9 rocket to the ISS. All three satellites were deployed into space from the ISS by Japanese astronaut Norishige Kanai. [5]

The 1KUNS-PF was a 1 unit cubesat. It was an experimental cubesat, with the main mission being to create awareness to the locals on the benefits of space uses. On board the cubesat, there were camera payloads, which were used to take mapping images of Kenya and other East Africa countries within the vicinity of its orbit. The cubesat was designed to have a lifespan of one year and its operations were within the UN space use mitigation measures. 1KUNS-PF deorbited in June 2020. [11]

Related Research Articles

<i>Kibō</i> (ISS module) Japanese ISS module, used on ISS press conferences

The Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), nicknamed Kibō, is a Japanese science module for the International Space Station (ISS) developed by JAXA. It is the largest single ISS module, and is attached to the Harmony module. The first two pieces of the module were launched on Space Shuttle missions STS-123 and STS-124. The third and final components were launched on STS-127.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CubeSat</span> Miniature satellite in 10 cm cube modules

A CubeSat is a class of miniaturized satellite with a form factor of 10 cm (3.9 in) cubes. CubeSats have a mass of no more than 2 kg (4.4 lb) per unit, and often use commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components for their electronics and structure. CubeSats are put into orbit by deployers on the International Space Station, or launched as secondary payloads on a launch vehicle. As of August 2021, more than 1,600 CubeSats have been launched.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">JAXA</span> Japans national air and space agency

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is the Japanese national air and space agency. Through the merger of three previously independent organizations, JAXA was formed on 1 October 2003. JAXA is responsible for research, technology development and launch of satellites into orbit, and is involved in many more advanced missions such as asteroid exploration and possible human exploration of the Moon. Its motto is One JAXA and its corporate slogan is Explore to Realize.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 in spaceflight</span> Spaceflight-related events during the year of 2016

Several new rockets and spaceports began operations in 2016.

Technology Education Satellite (TechEdSat) is a successful nano-sat flight series conducted from the NASA Ames Research Center in collaboration with numerous universities. While one of the principal aims has been to introduce young professionals and university students to the practical realm of developing space flight hardware, considerable innovations have been introduced. In addition, this evolving flight platform has tested concepts for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) sample return, as well as planetary nano-sat class mission concepts.

The space programme of Kenya has been largely shaped by Kenya's equatorial latitude, and has basis of existed foreign infrastructure and experience. The development of the programme started in May 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nanoracks</span> Private space hardware and services company

Nanoracks LLC is a private in-space services company which builds space hardware and in-space repurposing tools. The company also facilitates experiments and launches of CubeSats to Low Earth Orbit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nanoracks CubeSat Deployer</span> Device to deploy CubeSats into orbit from the International Space Station

The Nanoracks CubeSat Deployer (NRCSD) is a device to deploy CubeSats into orbit from the International Space Station (ISS).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AESP-14</span>

AESP-14 is a Brazilian 1U Cubesat developed by multiple Brazilian institutions. It was launched on 10 January 2015 aboard the SpaceX CRS-5 mission on a Falcon 9 v1.1 rocket. It was the first Brazilian Cubesat ever launched into space.

NanoAvionics Corp is a small satellite bus manufacturer and mission integrator founded as a spin-off from Vilnius University, Lithuania in 2014.

<i>Mazaalai</i> (satellite) First Mongolian spacecraft

Mazaalai was a Mongolian nanosatellite CubeSat that was launched into space on 3 June 2017 as part of the SpaceX CRS-11 mission.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BRAC Onnesha</span> First Bangladeshi nanosatellite

BRAC Onnesha was the first nanosatellite built in Bangladesh to be launched into space. The satellite was designed and built in conjunction with Kyushu Institute of Technology Birds-1 program, which has the goal of helping countries build their first satellite. It was designed and built over a two-year period.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Birds-1</span> First iteration of a multinational program to help countries build their first satellite

Birds-1 was the first iteration of a multinational program called the Joint Global Multi-Nations Birds Satellite project, or Birds project, to help countries build their first satellite. The Japanese Kyushu Institute of Technology (KIT) supported the design and fabrication of the satellites. The constellation was launched by a Falcon 9 rocket to the International Space Station on 3 June 2017, as part of CRS-11, where it was released from the Kibō module into space. Japan, Ghana, Mongolia, Nigeria, and Bangladesh participated in the Birds-1 program, all building identical satellites for the constellation.

Irazú was the first Costa Rican satellite to be launched into space. The nanosatellite was launched into space on 2 April 2018, on board a Falcon 9 rocket headed for the International Space Station. It was expected to orbit the Earth for six months with the function of monitoring carbon, humidity, and temperature levels in Costa Rican forests. Funds for the launch of satellite were provided, in a significant part, through a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign.

UBAKUSAT was a Turkish nanosatellite that was developed by Istanbul Technical University. It was launched into space on board a Falcon-9 rocket in April 2018 and was deployed into its orbit from the International Space Station in May 2018. It was built as a technology demonstration and Earth observation satellite to provide voice communications for amateur radio stations around the world. It carried an experimental card, TAMSAT Simplesat, which allowed scientists to test its accuracy of measuring radiation from space. It was the fifth satellite to be built by students of Istanbul Technical University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maya-1</span> First nanosatellite filipino spacecraft

Maya-1 was a Filipino nanosatellite. It was developed under the Philippine Scientific Earth Observation Microsatellite program (PHL-Microsat) and was jointly implemented by the University of the Philippines and the Department of Science and Technology as part of the Kyushu Institute of Technology-led multinational second Joint Global Multi-nations Birds Satellite (Birds-2). Maya-1 was the first nanosatellite of the Philippines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BHUTAN-1</span> First Bhutanese nanosatellite

BHUTAN-1 was the first Bhutanese nanosatellite to be launched into space. The satellite was built during Kyushu Institute of Technology's Birds-2 program. The Birds program helps countries fly their first satellite. BHUTAN-1 was launched into orbit aboard the SpaceX CRS-15 mission on 29 June 2018. It was deployed from the Kibō module of the International Space Station (ISS) on 10 August 2018. The satellite had cameras to image the Earth.

Birds-2 is the second iteration of a multinational program called the Joint Global Multi-Nations Birds Satellite project, or Birds project, to help countries build their first satellite. The Japanese Kyushu Institute of Technology (KIT) supported the design and fabrication of the satellites. The satellites were launched by the Falcon 9 Full Thrust rocket as a part of the SpaceX CRS-15 mission on 29 June 2018. The satellites were released from the Kibō module of the International Space Station (ISS) in August 2018.

EnduroSat AD is a Bulgarian aerospace manufacturer headquartered in Sofia. It was founded in 2015 by Raycho Raychev. The company designs, builds, and operates CubeSats and Nanosatellites for commercial and scientific missions and is developing inter-satellite linking and data applications. EnduroSat was nominated as one of the top 5 small satellite start-ups.

References

  1. "Track 1KUNS-PF". University of Nairobi 1KUNS-PF Team. Archived from the original on 1 September 2020. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
  2. Peat, Chris. "1KUNS-PF - Orbit". Heavens Above. Archived from the original on 27 April 2021. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  3. "Kenya's first satellite is now in Earth orbit". MIT Technology Review. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  4. 1 2 "Africa Live this week". BBC News. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Kenya's first satellite released from Japan's Kibo module at ISS". The Japan Times Online. 12 May 2018. ISSN   0447-5763. Archived from the original on 17 May 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
  6. 1 2 Schearf, Daniel. "Kenya Steps Into Space with First Satellite Launch". VOA. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
  7. "1KUNS-PF" (PDF). University of Nairobi College of Architecture and Engineering. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 November 2020. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  8. "Kenya's first locally made nanosatellite will be launched from ISS in May". N2YO.com – Real Time Satellite Tracking and Predictions. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  9. Ngasike, Lucas; Kipruto, Kenneth. "Cheers as Kenya's first satellite sent to space". The Standard . Retrieved 17 May 2018.
  10. Taiwo, Shakirudeen (7 March 2018). "4 African countries with satellites in the orbit". Pulse.ng. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
  11. Adetola, Ayooluwa (13 December 2021). "The Kenyan Space Programmme". Space in Africa. Retrieved 28 November 2022.