The miniature CubeSat was developed by the University of Adelaide in South Australia and will be sent to the International Space Station tomorrow on board NASA’s Atlas V rocket.
It is one of 50 different CubeSats from around the world that will be dispersed from the International Space Station next month to explore the upper reaches of the atmosphere.
The satellite is about the size of a “loaf of bread” and includes a number of sensors to help study the particles of in the thermosphere, a layer of atmosphere stretching between 95km to 500km from the earth’s surface.
This research will be used to better understand earth’s climate and how the thermosphere affects re-entry of large spacecraft, such as the Space Station.
Project lead Matthew Tetlow said there had not been significant research done on the thermosphere and the University of Adelaide nano-satellite would play a key role in unlocking some of its mysteries.
“With large space stations, they have to bring them down through the atmosphere eventually and when you have something that big it’s important to know exactly where they will land. This hasn’t been studied historically very well,” he said.
“When you talk about nano-satellites you’re talking about Space 2.0 … it’s another opportunity for Australia to develop its space agency and get back into the space race.
“Normal satellites can be the size of a bus but CubeSats are the size of a loaf of bread – Along with its standardised interface, it will reduce costs from tens of millions of dollars to tens of thousands.”
The CubeSat sensors will study the density of particles in the upper atmosphere as well as measure for water vapour and oxygen.
The project was funded by South Australia Government’s Premier Research and Industry Fund, The Sir Ross and Sir Keith Smith Fund, Inovor Technologies, the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia, with in-kind support from BAE Systems Australia, Vitech and ITP Engines UK.
The launch will be aired live on NASA TV with a launch window of 12.41am to 1.11am Adelaide time, Wednesday 19 April.
South Australian Minister for Defence Martin Hamilton-Smith said the creation of an Australian Space Agency with an operational centre in Adelaide would be highly beneficial to the national economy.
“South Australian universities and their students will benefit from increased international R&D partnerships and research opportunities with flow through to STEM activities in our secondary schools. The space industry will provide high value jobs for young South Australians,” he said.
“Similar to the defence industry, the space sector will deliver opportunities for manufacturers to transition to a high technology, high growth sector.
“Increasing the focus on the space sector with the establishment of a national agency will be a fantastic way to increase Australia’s share and grow our economy.”