1. F’SATI 1
F’SATI Postgraduate Programme in Satellite Systems Engineering
Space Science Technology and
Applications at CPUT
EOSA-RTC Symposium 2013
Towards a Vision for Space Science in Namibia
www.clyde-space.com
Robert van Zyl
24 July 2013

2. 2
Sustainable, relevant, and quality HCD
IN SUPPORT OF YOUR VISION

3. 3

4. 4
To look out for:
Solid academic and research foundation
Government support
Partnerships
Technology immersed environment
Community/school engagement
Innovation and commercialisation
Multi-disciplinary
Relevance to society

5. Rationale

6. Rationale

7. 0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
TechnicalR&Dworkforcepermillion
Brazil
Korea, Rep.
South Africa
iSTEM Challenge

8. DST response
DST 10-year Innovation Plan

9. Our response
ZACUBE-1
South Africa’s first nano-satellite
Launch 2013

10. 10
Time line
• F’SATI at CPUT
– 2008
• Satellite Programme
– 2009
• Africa Space Innovation Centre
– 2013
• Launch of satellite ZACUBE-1
– 2013

11. 11
Multi-National Institute

12. 12
Multi-National Institute

13. 13
F’SATI at CPUT – Africa Space Innovation
13
• Institutional structure
Faculty of Engineering
F’SATI /
ASIC
Elec Eng PLMCC AMTL Mech EngSARChI
Faculty of Applied Sciences Faculty of Informatics and Design
…..
DVC

14. 14
Serving the complete value chain
Phase 1: PGD /Honours in Satellite Engineering and Applications
Phase 2: Dual Master’s
Dual Doctorate
Phase 3: Innovation, Professional Development (Internship)
Phase 4: Commercialisation (spin out company)

15. Phase 1 | Academic

16. 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

17. 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

18. MSc course modules
• Electives
• Satellite Power Systems
– Power Electronics
– Satellite Power Systems
• Satellite Communication Systems
– Antennas
– Satellite Communication Systems

19. 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)

20. Phase 2 | Research

21. MTech research focus areas
• Nano-satellite technology platform – CubeSats
• Research domains:
– Communications
– Computer and Embedded
– Power
– Space science
– EMC
– Sensors
– Earth observation

22. Postgraduate output

23. Postgraduate output

24. South African Research Chair Initiative

25. Phase 3 | Innovation

26. Technology, applications innovation
ZACUBE-1
Exhibited at IAC ’11
To launched 2013

27. 27
• ZACUBE-2
• QB50
– ZA-Aerosat
ZACUBE-2
Technology, applications innovation

28. Technology, applications innovation

29. Professional Development and Job Creation
– 6 Engineers-in-training
– 4 Development engineers
– 1 Senior engineer
– 41 alumni throughout Africa
Technology, applications innovation

30. … (r)evolutionise space technology to (r)evolutionise STEM education to
(r)evolutionise space technology to (r)evolutionise STEM education to …
Community|schools engagement

31. South Africa, 2013
Community|schools engagement

32. Namibian Science Week, 2012, 2013
Community|schools engagement

33. Dubai, June 2013
Community|schools engagement

34. International engagement

35. CubeSats – history
21st century (r)evolution in space industry

36. CubeSats – real space craft
Sputnik
84 kg
58 cm diameter
825 kg/m3
ZACUBE-1
1.3 kg
10 cm side
1300 kg/m3

37. 37
Sputnik 1 ZACUBE-01
Determine the density of the upper atmosphere
through the rate of decay of its orbit
Characterise 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

38. 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).

39. 39
“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

40. 40
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

41. 41
ZACUBE-1 layout

42. 42
ZACUBE-1 HF beacon

43. ZACUBE-1 environmental testing

44. 44
ZACUBE-1 time line
• ZACUBE-1
– 2011/12
– 30 000 man/hrs

45. ZACUBE-1 Space Weather Experiment

46. 46
ZACUBE-1 Space Weather Experiment
HF Antenna at SANAE-4
Part of the SuperDARN radar network

47. 47
ZACUBE-1 Space Weather Experiment
SANAE-4 base in Antarctica

48. 48
“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

49. 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

50. • 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

51. • 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

53. In-situ monitoring
Case study: Smart Grid Management
Smart sensors, generic communications link

54. 54
Clusters of Excellence in Space
Science, Engineering and Technology
throughout Africa, for Africa, by Africa
and our partners
A vision

55. 55
• 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

56. 56
Current Namibian
students in the F’SATI
Programme