Latest news with #CubeSats
Time Business News
10-07-2025
- Science
- Time Business News
KSF Space Cubesat Kit: Unrivaled Affordability and Accessibility
For years, the high cost of satellite development and launch has been the biggest hurdle for aspiring space innovators. KSF Space has shattered this barrier with their CubeSat kit, making space accessible to a much broader audience. Starting at an incredible US$5,000, the KSF Space Cubesat Kit Version 2.0 is an investment in practical education and groundbreaking research, democratizing space science and engineering like never before. This CubeSat kit is more than just components; it's a complete educational ecosystem. Universities can transform their aerospace and engineering programs by offering students invaluable, hands-on experience in: CubeSat Design: Understanding the modular structure and standardization of CubeSats. Understanding the modular structure and standardization of CubeSats. Power Systems: Implementing efficient energy generation and distribution for CubeSats. Implementing efficient energy generation and distribution for CubeSats. Communication Systems: Mastering the transmission and reception of data to and from a nanosatellite . Mastering the transmission and reception of data to and from a . Payload Integration: Developing and incorporating scientific or technological experiments into their CubeSat kit for real-world application. This practical exposure, facilitated by a truly affordable CubeSat kit, bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, nurturing a new generation of space engineers. The KSF Space Cubesat Kit Version 2.0 stands out for its exceptional versatility. It's designed to be ready to fly to suborbital altitudes straight out of the box. This means immediate opportunities for: Atmospheric Research: Deploying sensors to collect data on temperature, pressure, and humidity in the upper atmosphere. Deploying sensors to collect data on temperature, pressure, and humidity in the upper atmosphere. Technology Demonstration: Testing new components and systems in a near-space environment. Testing new components and systems in a near-space environment. Educational Launches: Providing students with the exhilarating experience of seeing their CubeSat kit ascend to the edge of space. Beyond suborbital missions, the KSF Space Cubesat Kit Version 2.0 offers an easy upgradability to orbital form from the shelf. This strategic design allows users to start with a cost-effective suborbital platform and gradually expand its capabilities for more ambitious orbital missions. Imagine evolving your initial CubeSat kit into a platform for: Earth Observation: Capturing imagery for environmental monitoring or urban planning. Capturing imagery for environmental monitoring or urban planning. IoT Connectivity: Testing novel communication solutions for global internet of things networks. Testing novel communication solutions for global internet of things networks. Scientific Experiments in LEO: Conducting long-duration experiments in the low Earth orbit environment. This upgradability ensures your initial investment in a CubeSat kit remains relevant and valuable as your space ambitions grow. KSF Space understands that embarking on a satellite project can seem daunting. That's why their CubeSat kit is meticulously designed for ease of assembly and integration. It arrives with all essential hardware and software components, including: Pre-configured PCBs: Streamlining the electronic setup. Streamlining the electronic setup. Antennas and Sensors: Ready for integration to collect vital data. Ready for integration to collect vital data. Comprehensive Communication Systems: Enabling seamless interaction with your nanosatellite. To ensure every user's success, KSF Space provides extensive online tutorials, dedicated training sessions, and continuous support. This commitment means that even beginners can confidently navigate the complexities of satellite engineering. By simplifying the build process, the KSF Space CubeSat kit allows users to focus on the core principles of mission planning, data analysis, and the thrilling application of space technology. The KSF Space Cubesat Kit Version 2.0 is a game-changer for R&D departments and private companies. It offers an unprecedented avenue to: Rapid Prototyping: Quickly iterate and test new space-borne technologies. Quickly iterate and test new space-borne technologies. Cost-Effective Research: Conduct vital experiments without the exorbitant costs traditionally associated with space projects. Conduct vital experiments without the exorbitant costs traditionally associated with space projects. Fostering Innovation: Encourage creative solutions and new applications by lowering financial barriers. This accessible and upgradable CubeSat kit empowers a wider range of organizations to contribute to the rapidly expanding space economy, accelerating breakthroughs in various fields from remote sensing to advanced communications. The KSF Space Cubesat Kit Version 2.0 is not just a product; it's an invitation to join the space revolution. By providing the world's most affordable and user-friendly CubeSat kit, KSF Space is empowering a new generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators to reach for the stars and unlock the vast potential of space. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Straits Times
22-06-2025
- Science
- Straits Times
Robotic, cyber-security challenges at tech festival to inspire future defence scientists
Contestants and spectators at the final match of the AI competition at the Defence Science and Technology Agency's BrainHack tech showcase on June 12. ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI SINGAPORE – Brightly coloured robots the size of tissue boxes wheel around a maze arena, racing to complete missions while avoiding capture by adversaries represented by other robots . The missions involve classifying vehicular objects in an image, extracting text from fictitious military reports, and decoding military voice communications from noisy audio recordings – tasks that these artificial intelligence (AI) robots are primed to do. Created by 185 students from 32 teams, the robots played 'scout' and 'guard' positions, while completing the maze. The teams were graded on the speed and accuracy at which their AI-controlled robots were able to complete the tasks. Points were deducted if a scout robot was captured by a guard. The challenge was part of the annual BrainHack festival organised by the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA). The tech festival exposes post-secondary school youth to emerging technologies shaping the future of national defence. The 2025 iteration of the event was held at Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre on June 11 and 12. Ms Rachel Tan Min Zhi, 22, from the winning team in the university category, said the AI challenge required thinking out of the box. 'I am currently studying artificial intelligence. The things I learnt will be applicable in my future career,' said the second-year data science student at Nanyang Technological University (NTU). Four other students in her team, which won prize money of an undisclosed sum, are also from NTU. BrainHack 2025 also featured cyber-security, space data exploitation and coding challenges. A total of 4,300 students from 100 schools participated in the event. This was the highest-ever turnout for the event, which was started in 2019 with more than 1,500 participants. The festival has since grown to include four competitions, three workshops and a tech showcase. The cyber-security challenge featured a Capture-the-Flag competition, which pitted 334 students from 102 finalist teams against one another. In this exercise, participants found and exploited vulnerabilities in websites or programs to receive 'flags'. Students also hacked into the systems of miniature models of a smart city, a construction crane and a ship ballast. In the space data exploitation challenge, students assembled their own miniature satellite, known as CubeSats, measuring 10cm by 10cm. Teams tested out their satellites by completing a simulated remote earth imaging operation in which they had to capture a satellite picture of a target area. Senior Minister of State for Defence Zaqy Mohamad, who was the guest of honour at the BrainHack event, spoke about the critical role that technology plays on the battlefield. Senior Minister of State for Defence Zaqy Mohamad (centre) observing a Cyber Defenders Discovery Camp challenge at the BrainHack tech showcase on June 12. ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI Raising the example of commercial drones deployed in the war in Ukraine , he highlighted the need for Singapore to remain vigilant, agile and forward-thinking. 'We need bold thinkers and skilled engineers who can harness emerging technologies for national defence,' he said. Mr Zachary Lee, 23, a sophomore computer science and design student at the Singapore University of Technology and Design, whose team won the coding challenge, developed an app called Truthy Go to raise awareness of scams and misinformation. Winners of the coding challenge (from left) Brandon Kim, 23, Vernice Kah, 21, Marilyn Seet Ru Suan, 21, Javier Chan, 23, and Zachary Lee, 23. ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI Inspired by Monopoly Go, the app allows users to play on a monopoly-like board. When their avatar lands on a spot, it triggers a mini-game which tests the users' ability to spot falsehoods. For example, the user may be given two news headlines about an MRT breakdown and be prompted to select a headline from a genuine report. The app came out top among the audience votes. BrainHack also provides a platform for honing industry-relevant skills through repeat engagement. Mr Ravin Nagpal , 18, a third-time participant at BrainHack, has competed in over 90 Capture-the-Flag events since 2021. Even though the Ngee Ann Polytechnic cyber-security student has not won any of the challenges in BrainHack, he said the Capture-the-Flag exercises provide real-world value and have helped him identify vulnerabilities in present-day systems. Ngee Ann Polytechnic student Ravin Nagpal, 18, who was a finalist in the Cyber Defenders Discovery Camp challenge. ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI Capping off BrainHack 2025 was a showcase that offered an exclusive look at DSTA's defence innovations. It featured a humanoid robot equipped with light detection and ranging sensors which participants could test by trying to evade its sensors while navigating a maze. The immersive exhibits and activities at BrainHack are aimed at sowing the seeds of defence innovation, said DSTA. Mr Zaqy pointed out that many of DSTA's defence engineers started out just like the youth in the audience – joining competitions, attending workshops, and discovering their passion along the way. 'Through BrainHack and other efforts, we hope to inspire more of you to take up the challenge of becoming a defence engineer,' he said. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cold War-era fighter jets F-4 Phantoms could launch satellites for US firm
The skies above the Kennedy Space Center have long echoed with the roar of privately flown F-104 Starfighters. Now, a new chapter is unfolding, one that promises to reshape access to space. Starfighters International, a company with a long history in research and test flights, is working on the acquisition of retired F-4 Phantoms from South Korea. The War Zone reported that these iconic Cold War fighters could play a crucial role in ambitious space launch operations. The company aims to give small satellite operators quick access to low Earth orbit (LEO) and also provide suborbital opportunities. Due to persistent tensions with North Korea, South Korea's Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) began operating F-4 Phantoms in the late 1960s. After 55 years of distinguished service, the ROKAF formally retired its last operational F-4s on June 7, 2024. Reportedly, the sleek F-104 Starfighter excels at high-speed stratospheric climbs, but it has limitations. For larger payloads requiring significant thrust to reach Low Earth Orbit, the F-4 Phantom may present an effective answer. The market for getting to space is booming, with small satellites leading the charge. Take CubeSats, for example – these shoebox-sized satellites are simpler and cheaper to create and get into space. CubeSats are designed for a wide array of users, enabling them to pursue scientific research, test novel technologies, and build commercial services. Currently, these smaller payloads are often beholden to the schedules of larger launches, tying customers to timelines that can span years. Simply put, these smaller satellites usually catch a ride on rockets already carrying larger payloads. This new approach offers a revolutionary alternative. The use of F-4 Phantoms could potentially offer smaller customers quick, on-demand launches from optimal locations. This capability aligns perfectly with two major strategic goals: NASA's ongoing efforts to commercialize Low Earth Orbit (shifting towards purchasing services from private companies rather than solely operating its own infrastructure). A second factor is the escalating U.S. military requirement for agile and responsive space access. Currently, satellite technology is becoming smaller and evolving at a faster pace. This trend is also making space a more contested domain. While many launched space concepts have failed, Starfighters International stands out due to its long history. The company's extensive operational experience with high-performance military fighter aircraft and 'deep roots in the spaceflight community' give them a unique and credible position. Starfighters International currently employs its F-104 Starfighters for suborbital payload launches. These missions are specifically designed for customers requiring access to a microgravity environment for experimentation, providing valuable minutes of weightlessness. The F-104s serve as the first stage for their Starlaunch 1 rocket, carrying it to altitude before release. Looking ahead, the company plans to utilize the acquired F-4 Phantoms to carry the Starlaunch 2 rocket. This larger rocket is intended to provide access to Low Earth Orbit (LEO), and specifically to handle heavier payloads than what the F-104-based system can currently manage. 'A single rocket can carry one payload or over a dozen smaller ones,' the report stated. Of course, acquiring capable military hardware is no simple feat. But Starfighters International has a plan. Should sourcing become an issue, other nations like Greece and Turkey, which are winding down their Phantom operations, could provide avenues for acquisition.
Boston Globe
14-05-2025
- Science
- Boston Globe
UMass Lowell takes space weather research to new heights with camera on NASA balloon
The mission, led by UMass Lowell's The research center, directed by physics Professor Chakrabarti, covers a wide range of space science topics from observing exoplanets to designing and building space-flight missions. Advertisement This month's mission involved a partnership with NASA's Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility to attach a camera on a long-duration balloon flight, up to 100,000 feet above Earth's surface. The UMass Lowell team has previously worked with NASA to launch cameras on several short-duration balloon flights from Fort Sumner, N.M., but this month's launch was the team's first long-duration balloon mission, and only 'Balloon experiments are a vital part of our work,' Chakrabarti said. 'They let us collect data without interference from clouds or pollution.' Advertisement The camera is designed to study airglow which occurs when solar radiation interacts with Earth's ionosphere. By placing instruments high up in Earth's atmosphere researchers aim to gather clearer, more accurate data. 'With better models and more data, we can prepare for the kinds of technological disruptions we've seen in the past,' Chakrabarti said. The balloon launched from New Zealand, called a super-pressure balloon, offers better research capabilities than those launched from New Mexico, called zero-pressure balloons. 'Our current mission, SN12, is part of a broader campaign. It's NASA's second test flight from New Zealand in this series,' Chakrabarti said. 'They control the balloon's descent remotely, which ensures safety and helps us collect as much data as possible.' Zero-pressure balloons are designed to keep internal pressure equal to ambient pressure to prevent bursting, meaning they change altitude with temperature. As the air temperature cools at night, the balloon descends, typically ending the flight in less than 24-hours. Super-pressure balloons are designed to maintain a constant volume and pressure, allowing them to stay at a steady altitude regardless of temperature changes, meaning flights can last for over a month at nearly the same altitude. The camera used in this month's mission is part of a broader technology development effort, much of it spearheaded by LoCSST researcher Sunip Mukherjee. Mukherjee designed the team's first camera in 2017. In the near future, the team hopes to broaden their research by launching cameras on small satellites known as CubeSats. 'We designed a camera that is about four inches by four inches by three inches roughly,' Mukherjee said. 'This flight's version is larger, … about the size of a Dunkin' Donuts cardboard coffee dispenser, … but the technology can be scaled down.' Advertisement Since Mukherjee began at the research center in the summer of 2017, the team has expanded from four color filters to eight. These filters are carefully selected to isolate specific wavelengths of light, helping the researchers analyze emissions from gases ionized by solar radiation. Unlike other experiments that use narrow-band filters, UMass Lowell has opted for commercial wide-band filters to capture a broader range of data and minimize the effects of background light. 'Our balloon-based observation offers a completely passive technique for monitoring the ionosphere,' Chakrabarti said. The technique differs from other methods, which often rely on active tools like radio waves or GPS signals. 'We want to understand what's happening in the upper atmosphere between 80 to 300 kilometers above Earth. Satellites can't fly that low, and balloons can't go that high — it's a tough region to study,' Chakrabarti said. 'But we're bridging that gap.' In addition to providing data to improve models for space weather prediction, Chakrabarti's personal mission also includes inspiring and training future space scientists. With funding from Massachusetts Technology Collaborative — a $5.5 million 'Our goal is to develop the next generation of space explorers,' Chakrabarti said. 'They're helping answer fundamental questions about our planet's atmosphere and beyond.' Advertisement This month's mission, the second test flight of NASA's 2025 New Zealand Super Pressure Balloon Campaign, was Image shows the path of NASA's second super pressure balloon test flight, which ended at 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 13 (U.S. Eastern Time) over Argentina. NASA Sarah Mesdjian can be reached at
Business Wire
28-04-2025
- Science
- Business Wire
Space Flight Laboratory (SFL) Announces Key Milestone in Development of Aspera Space Astronomy Microsatellite Mission
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Space Flight Laboratory (SFL) has completed assembly of the Aspera space astrophysics microsatellite bus. The spacecraft is ready for integration with the far-UV Aspera telescope being built by the University of Arizona. SFL will perform instrument-spacecraft integration and testing at its Toronto facility later this year with launch slated for early 2026. Aspera is a bold NASA astrophysics mission that seeks to understand the formation and evolution of galaxies through far-UV observations of the matter surrounding those galaxies, known as the 'circumgalactic medium'. The mission is managed by the University of Arizona's Department of Astronomy & Steward Observatory with funding from the NASA Astrophysics Pioneers Program. 'SFL is proud to play a role in such a challenging space astrophysics mission that will enhance our understanding of how the universe formed,' said SFL Director Dr. Robert E. Zee. 'We have developed Aspera on our 60-kg DEFIANT microsatellite platform.' The Aspera mission derives its name from the Latin word for 'difficulty' or 'hardship' because astronomers have never been able to successfully observe the hot gasses that compose the circumgalactic medium. Aspera could be the first to do so. 'We know there must be some amount of matter in the universe…we've looked for it and still can't find most of it. It's likely in this circumgalactic medium,' said Prof. Carlos J. Vargas, University of Arizona Astronomer and Aspera Principal Investigator. 'Why do we care about that? Because every star that has formed, every planet that's formed, and all life on those planets must come from matter somewhere.' A key aspect to the technical success of Aspera – and the reason SFL was selected for spacecraft development – is the importance of very precise pointing of the onboard telescope. SFL is the acknowledged leader in the development of extremely stable small satellite platforms due to the advanced attitude control systems it has developed and refined for pointing of sensors on low-mass spacecraft. SFL has successfully leveraged this technology in missions for space astrophysics, Earth observation, RF signal detection, and atmospheric monitoring. Vargas credits the small satellite revolution for making the Aspera mission possible. Just 10 years ago, he said, such a space astrophysics mission would not have been financially viable with traditional satellites. 'Big science can now be done on small platforms, and the University of Arizona and Steward Observatory are big players in the SmallSat revolution,' said Vargas. 'Our partnership with SFL makes that possible.' Established in 1998, SFL has developed 86 operationally successful smaller satellite missions totaling more than 370 cumulative years in orbit. Another 21 spacecraft are now under development by SFL, which offers a complete suite of nano-, micro- and small satellites – including high-performance, low-cost CubeSats – that satisfy the needs of a broad range of mission types from 3 to 500 kilograms. For a comprehensive list of SFL high-performance satellite platforms, please visit About Space Flight Laboratory (SFL) ( SFL generates bigger returns from smaller, lower cost satellites. Small satellites built by SFL consistently push the performance envelope and disrupt the traditional cost paradigm. We build quality small satellites at low cost that work the first time and enable NewSpace companies to mass produce through our Flex Production program. Satellites are built with advanced power systems, stringent attitude control and high-volume data capacity that are striking relative to the budget. SFL arranges launches globally and maintains a mission control center accessing ground stations worldwide. The pioneering and barrier-breaking work of SFL is a key enabler to tomorrow's cost-aggressive satellites and constellations. (
