space science technology and applications at cput by prof robert van zyl

F’SATI 1

F’SATI Postgraduate Programme in Satellite Systems Engineering

Space Science Technology and Applications at CPUT

EOSA-RTC Symposium 2013Towards a Vision for Space Science in Namibia

www.clyde-space.com

Robert van Zyl24 July 2013

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Sustainable, relevant, and quality HCD

IN SUPPORT OF YOUR VISION

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To look out for:Solid academic and research foundation Government

supportPartnerships

Technology immersed environmentCommunity/school engagement

Innovation and commercialisationMulti-disciplinary

Relevance to society

Rationale

Rationale

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 20100

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BrazilKorea, Rep.South Africa

Tech

nica

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orkf

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iSTEM Challenge

DST response

DST 10-year Innovation Plan

Our response

ZACUBE-1South Africa’s first nano-satellite

Launch 2013

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Time line• F’SATI at CPUT – 2008

• Satellite Programme – 2009

• Africa Space Innovation Centre– 2013

• Launch of satellite ZACUBE-1– 2013

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Multi-National Institute

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Multi-National Institute

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F’SATI at CPUT – Africa Space Innovation

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• Institutional structure

Faculty of Engineering

F’SATI / ASIC Elec Eng PLMCC AMTL Mech EngSARChI

Faculty of Applied Sciences Faculty of Informatics and Design

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DVC

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Serving the complete value chain

Phase 1: PGD /Honours in Satellite Engineering and ApplicationsPhase 2: Dual Master’s

Dual DoctoratePhase 3: Innovation, Professional Development (Internship)Phase 4: Commercialisation (spin out company)

Phase 1 | Academic

MTech/MSc

• The dual Master’s degree consists of two discrete degrees: one South African and one French. – South Africa: MTech in Electrical Engineering

from CPUT (100% research based)– France: MSc in Electronics from ESIEE,

Paris• Consists of 90 ECTS (European Credit Transfer and

Accumulation System) credits– 60 ECTS for academic course work– 30 ECTS credit recognition for the MTech dissertation

MSc course modules

• Core modules• Technical writing, Ethics and Research Methodology • Satellite Systems and Operations• Mathematics (Optimisation) • Electromagnetic Field Theory, including Space Weather • Signal Theory • Embedded and Real-Time Systems• System Simulation and Control Dynamics, including

Orbital Mechanics• French

MSc course modules

• Electives• Satellite Power Systems – Power Electronics– Satellite Power Systems

• Satellite Communication Systems – Antennas– Satellite Communication Systems

MSc course modules

• Electives• Satellite Computers Systems – Software Systems for Satellites– Intelligence and Security Systems

• Remote sensing applications (Polytechnic of Namibia)– Satellite Image Processing and Interpretation (core)– Environmental Remote Sensing (elective)

Phase 2 | Research

MTech research focus areas

• Nano-satellite technology platform – CubeSats• Research domains:

– Communications– Computer and Embedded– Power– Space science– EMC– Sensors– Earth observation

Postgraduate output

Postgraduate output

South African Research Chair Initiative

Phase 3 | Innovation

Technology, applications innovation

ZACUBE-1Exhibited at IAC ’11To launched 2013

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• ZACUBE-2 • QB50– ZA-Aerosat

ZACUBE-2

Technology, applications innovation

Technology, applications innovation

Professional Development and Job Creation– 6 Engineers-in-training– 4 Development engineers– 1 Senior engineer– 41 alumni throughout Africa

Technology, applications innovation

… (r)evolutionise space technology to (r)evolutionise STEM education to (r)evolutionise space technology to (r)evolutionise STEM education to …

Community|schools engagement

South Africa, 2013

Community|schools engagement

Namibian Science Week, 2012, 2013

Community|schools engagement

Dubai, June 2013

Community|schools engagement

International engagement

CubeSats – history21st century (r)evolution in space industry

CubeSats – real space craft

Sputnik84 kg58 cm diameter825 kg/m3

ZACUBE-11.3 kg10 cm side1300 kg/m3

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Sputnik 1 ZACUBE-01

Determine the density of the upper atmosphere through the rate of decay of its orbitCharacterise the propagation and distribution of radio waves in the ionosphere

Characterise the propagation and distribution of radio waves in the ionosphere

Validate the theoretical model and technical solutions associated with launching a satellite into orbit.

Determine the density of the upper atmosphere through the rate of decay of its orbit

Low resolution camera

Deployable mechanisms

ADCS

Deorbiting mechanism

Expensive, limited HCD Cost effective HCD vehicle

CubeSats – real space craft

CubeSats – useful applications

• Education and training (100%)

• Technology demonstrators (33%)

• Earth observation and remote sensing (18%)

• Space weather research (25%)

The percentage gives the proportion of missions launched by 2008 (from www.clyde-space.com).

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“ZACUBE-1”

• South Africa’s first nano-satellite• Developed by students and staff at

F’SATI• Collaboration with SANSA Space

Science• Launch Q1 of 2013

on Dnepr from Yasni

Support of DST is acknowledged with appreciation

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ZACUBE-1 mission objectives• Space weather mission

– SuperDARN characterisation– Ionospheric propagation studies

• Human capacity development– Postgraduate– Professional development

• Technology demonstrator– Deployable HF antenna– UHF/VHF antenna

• Camera– Waau factor!

• Research output– Conferences, journals, patents

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ZACUBE-1 layout

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ZACUBE-1 HF beacon

ZACUBE-1 environmental testing

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ZACUBE-1 time line

• ZACUBE-1 – 2011/12– 30 000 man/hrs

ZACUBE-1 Space Weather Experiment

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ZACUBE-1 Space Weather Experiment

HF Antenna at SANAE-4Part of the SuperDARN radar network

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ZACUBE-1 Space Weather Experiment

SANAE-4 base in Antarctica

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“ZACUBE-2”

• S-Band Transmitter• ADCS System• L-Band Receiver• VHF/UHF Communication

System• HF Beacon Payload• Space Weather experiment

tbd• 5 MP Camera Payload• Engineering model 2013

Future nano-sat missions

• Nano-satellite constellations provides a paradigm shift from existing platforms:– High temporal resolution / medium ground

sampling resolution• 30 min / 20 m vs. 8 hours / 10 m

– Shift in applications– Technology threshold low– Can be done by Africa, for Africa, in collaboration

with our international partners

• Services• Disaster monitoring

• Quasi-real-time monitoring of flooding, veld fires, mud slides, etc.• Resource Management

• Water Management• Deforestation• Evaporation of lakes• Tracking animals (Big 5)• Crop yield and quality• Ocean temperature• Town planning and land management• Smart grid management for power utilities

Future nano-sat missions

• Services• Security/tracking

• Low-cost tracking of vehicles, assets, etc• Tracking boats - especially in view of piracy off the east coast

of Africa• Tracking trains

• Amateur payloads• Low bit rate services to isolated villages, communities• Awareness• Education and training

• Telemedicine• Low bit rate services

Future nano-sat missions

In-situ monitoringCase study: Smart Grid Management

Smart sensors, generic communications link

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Clusters of Excellence in Space Science,

Engineering and Technology

throughout Africa, for Africa, by Africa

and our partners

A vision

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• Working Group in African Space Strategy and Policy

• African Union Commission is committed to promote elements of human

intellectual development, encourage technological and scientific leadership

and inspire young generations in Africa.

• ARMC agreement between South Africa, Kenya, Algeria and Nigeria, has put

Africa firmly on the path of developing home-grown satellite technology and

applications resources.

A vision

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Current Namibian students in the F’SATI Programme