Cabinet has commended all those involved in the realisation of ZACUBE-2, which is Africa’s largest and most advanced cube satellite.
The 4kg ZACUBE-2 satellite, which was developed by the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) and the French South African Institute of Technology managed by the South African National Space Agency, was funded by the Department of Science and Technology.
Addressing a post Cabinet media briefing held in Cape Town on Thursday, Communications Minister Nomvula Mokonyane said the ZACUBE-2 is the second nanosatellite to be developed at the CPUT.
“The cube satellite has been sent to India for launching into space. It will help gather data to unlock economic growth in the Oceans Economy.
“The nanosatellite will assist in addressing the needs of Operation Phakisa Oceans Economy programme and also help track marine activity along South Africa’s coast and proactively detect forest fires,” Minister Mokonyane said.
South Africa is schedule to launch ZACUBE-2, its second nanosatellite into space in July at a cost of R3 million. The launch site is Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) on the east coast of India.
ZACUBE-2 is South Africa’s most advanced CubeSat yet.
ZACube-2 is three times the size of its predecessor TshepisoSat, and features an automatic identification system receiver as its main payload through which navigational data would be received.
The satellite makes use of the CubeSat form factor and contains a mix of in-house developed and commercial-of-the-self components. Components are sourced from Clyde Space and Innovative Solutions in Space. - SAnews.gov.za
