TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Han-Ming Hsia Space Science and Technology Center at National Cheng Kung University in Tainan said its Gemini-Pollux CubeSat was launched at 2:59 p.m. on Sunday from Vandenberg Space Force Base in the US.
According to the university, the satellite’s structural design, power system, communications system, and software integration were developed by its team. The CubeSat was launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and has entered orbit about 590 kilometers above Earth, per CNA.
Lin Jia-ting (林佳廷), an assistant professor in the university’s Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, said the team spent more than four years developing the satellite. He added that the team also handled component assembly, system testing, and construction of a ground station.
Lin said satellite development is highly challenging and has provided students with hands-on experience in the space sector.
Once a satellite enters space, it cannot be disassembled or repaired, so all potential issues must be simulated on the ground in advance, Lin said. He added that the team conducted more than 100 tests before launch to make sure the satellite could withstand rocket launch vibrations and work properly in the vacuum and extreme temperatures of space.
According to the university, the CubeSat will support environmental monitoring and weather observation missions. The satellite will communicate with the ground station via radio equipment.
The ground station has also integrated radio technology to enable satellite communications and remote control capabilities, the university said.
Liu Chuan-pu (劉全璞), a professor in the university’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering, said the center is a key facility for the university’s space development. The center plans to expand development of the space station and conduct experiments in a microgravity environment.
The center added that it has collaborated with the Taiwan Space Agency seven times on space research. It also called for stronger development of Taiwan’s space sector, noting that more talent is needed in satellite design, manufacturing, testing, and operations.
