Archives: News
Completion of Pod Fit Check!
The MIR-SAT1 has successfully completed a pod fit-check using the J-SSOD (JEM Small Satellite Orbital Deployer) Launcher Case provided by JAXA. This was done at AAC-ClydeSpace (Glasgow) in attendance of the MRIC and JAXA teams.
This is necessary to visually inspect any clash between the structure of the satellite and the launcher and that all structural envelope requirements have been met. This important to avoid damage to equipment during satellite deployment on orbit.
Launching of a Training Programme on Antenna Building and Mini Ground Station
The Mauritius Research and Innovation Council (MRIC) in view to initiating the Republic of Mauritius into Space Technology and ensuring sustainability of the satellite project initiative, a series of outreach and capacity building workshops are being organised for the young generation of the country. The first of this series of workshops focuses on the building of an Antenna for Satellite Communication and the setting up of a mini-ground station for reception of satellite telemetry and other satellite data. A first pilot training with 6 students and 1 teacher of Prof. Hassan Raffa SSS on the antenna was initiated in April 2019. These students were also taught how to set up a mini-ground station to receive images and telemetry from low earth orbiting satellites. This station is currently in operation at the school.
In this context, a launching ceremony of this training programme was organised on the 26th of September 2019 at 9:30 at the Prof. Hassan Raffa SSS whereby representatives from other schools around Mauritius, including students were present. The Hon Yogida Sawmynaden, Minister of Technology, Communication and Innovation, in the presence of Hon. Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun, officially launched the MRIC training workshop during the event.
A similar pilot training has been conducted at the Forest Side SSS (Girls) which now has an operating mini ground station for receiving satellite telemetry and images.
The training workshop aims to cover all secondary schools in Mauritius and Rodrigues. Each school will be provided with their won low earth orbit satellite receiving antenna and associated equipment to operate a mini ground station. The first workshop will be organised in November 2019.
Space Applications, Small Satellites-Significance to Mauritius
Rendez-vous on Friday 20 September 2019 at 12:30 Swami Vivekananda International Convention Centre, First Floor Conference Room.
Workshop Objective: To provide an overview of the Significance of Satellite and Space Applications to Mauritius. The invited speakers will provide their views on the subject matter which, together with discussions held with the attendees, help the MRIC to reflect on the future of Space Initiative for the Republic of Mauritius.
Speakers will be from the
- Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
- Space Applications Catapult, UK
- Center of Spatial Information Science, University of Tokyo
They will be available to meet with you at the Mauritius Research and Innovation Council (MRIC) Stand during the InnovTech 2019.
Looking forward to your presence.
Download the event programme here.
“Old Space vs New Space”
The Mauritius Research Council is pleased to invite you to attend a seminar on Friday 21 June 2019, at the MRC at 10:30 hrs, 6th floor, Ebene Heights Building, Ebene.
Background:
In June 2018, the MRC’s proposal for building its first CubeSatellite (MIR-SAT1) was selected as the best submission by a developing country under the UNOOSA/JAXA KiboCube program. Thanks to this program, Mauritius will send a satellite in space for the first time in its history. This project has inspired the MRC to look into other space related activities which can be developed in Mauritius.
In this connection, the MRC has invited Prof George Maeda, Assistant Professor from Kyutech University and active project coordinator for the BIRDS program. The BIRDS project is a Joint Global Multi-Nation Satellite project destined for non-space faring countries supported by Japan (participating countries are; Ghana, Mongolia, Nigeria, Bangladesh, amongst others). The BIRDS project provides training for international students to design, build and send their 1 Unit CubeSatellite in space via the Kyutech University. The Collaboration between the different member countries of the BIRDS program and the MRC could provide a positive boost for the first Mauritian Satellite initiative.
Prof Maeda will give a seminar entitled ‘ Old Space Vs New Space’ which will take place at the MRC on the aforementioned date and time. During his talk, he will explore the various possibilities Space technology could offer for our Country and will also provide insights for collaboration with the BIRDS project.
Registration for the Event:
Please do not forget to register for the event by click on the Register button below. The programme for the event is available for download.
Please note that seats are limited and will be allocated on a “first come, first served” basis. You may also follow our seminar Live the MRC YouTube channel at the aforementioned date and time.
More details will be communicated on the MRC Facebook and Twitter pages, as well as on the SpaceMauritius website for the live streaming link as from next week. (Key words : #MIRSAT1 ; #SpaceMauritius)
Looking forward to your presence. For any queries, please email or phone us on 465 1235.
3B8MRC – The MRC ground station receives its CallSign!
In February 2019, the MRC has filed an application to the ICTA for the registration of its Ground Station to obtain a RA23 Radio Amateur License. This Ground Station will serve as the Main Station to operate and control the first Mauritian Satellite.
The CallSign “3B8MRC” has now been allocated to the Main Station of the MRC by the ICT Authority.
Pilot Training on Satellite Receiving Station at Prof. Hassan Rafa SSS
The MRC held a pilot training on how to completely build a LEO Satellite Receiving Antenna. The training was conducted by Mr Jean Marc Momple, a team member of the MIR-SAT1 project. Mr Momple briefly ran across the theory of a simple receiving antenna and also explained the different software (all available freely) involved in live tracking and decoding satellite. The participating students obtained hands-on experience on building their own antenna from scratch using their school workshop during the first term school holidays. The antenna has been mounted on the roof at the school and is successfully decoding satellites in the UHF and VHF bands.
License Application for MIR-SAT1 and Ground Station
In February 2019, the MRC has filed an application to the ICTA for the registration of the MIR-SAT1 satellite and the Ground Station to obtain a RA23 Radio Amateur License.
Mauritius Soon to be a Space Faring Nation!
The MIR-SAT1 (Mauritius InfraRed SATellite 1) is a 1U CubeSat, conceptualised by Mauritian Engineers and is currently in the design phase. Through the KiboCUBE Programme, the MIR-SAT1 has been offered a free launch to the ISS whereby it will be deployed in Space.
Useful links:
UNOOSA official Announcement: http://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/informationfor/media/2018-unis-os-497.html
Mauritius: Satellite Technology to Provide Mauritius a Way to Mitigate Challenges, Says Minister Sawmynaden: https://allafrica.com/stories/201812060694.html
Full Day Workshop – Introducing MIR-SAT1
Venue: Atul Bihari Vajpayee Tower, Cybercity Ebene 72201
Date: Friday 1st March 2019
Time: 09:00 hrs
Satellite technology has come a long way since the launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957. Since then, advances in technology have made satellites much more accessible, leading to thousands of artificial satellites orbiting the earth today. Satellites have become an important part of our everyday life, facilitating telecommunications, weather forecasting, oceanographic explorations, among others. Furthermore, Satellite/space Technology has led to major advancements in a number of fields including astronomy and surveillance amongst others. Mauritius, as a SIDS, currently benefits from numerous services provided by satellites.
The Mauritius Research Council (MRC), operating under the aegis of the Ministry of Technology Communication and Innovation and mandated by the Government of Mauritius to promote Science Research, Technology and Innovation in the Republic of Mauritius, envisages embarking into a new initiative geared towards exploring the potential of space/satellite technology for the socio-economic benefit of the Country. As a first attempt towards this aim, a team led by the MRC submitted a proposal entitled the MIR-SAT 1 under the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) KiboCUBE Programme 2018. The UNOOSA/JAXA KiboCube Program provides developing countries opportunities to embark into space activities with an ultimate objective to build national capacity in space technology.
The Mauritian proposal MIR-SAT1 was retained by the JAXA/UNOOSA as the best submission from a developing country in 2018 and consequently Mauritius will be offered the opportunity, for the first time in its history, to build and deploy a Mauritian Nano Satellite from the International Space Station (ISS) Japanese Experiment Module (Kibo) “KiboCUBE”. The MRC also benefited from the collaboration of AAC-Clyde Space (UK), expert in nanosatellite technologies. The MIR-SAT1 will collect images of Mauritius and surrounding regions using longwave infrared (LWIR) thermal camera, demonstrate technology of S-band high speed data transmission. The data from the satellite will be collected by a main ground station to be built in Mauritius. Secondary ground stations are planned to be built by university students at later stages. Data collected from the satellite will be used for capacity building, advanced research and innovation in areas pertinent to national problems. The expected deployment in space for the first Mauritian Cube Sat is around October 2019. This will be done by JAXA via the KIBO arm of the International Space Station.
The MRC is organizing a full day workshop on the 1st of March 2019 at the Conference Hall Level 1 of the Atul Bihari Vajpayee Tower (CyberTower 1) as from 09:30 am to disseminate the MIR-SAT 1 initiative to the public, in particular, how it will be built and deployed in space and how data will be captured from the satellite.
