ABOUT CUBESATS
CubeSats are miniature satellites intended for low Earth orbit – as small, lightweight objects with relatively simple, open-sourced design instructions, they are versatile, and ideal for cost-effective research. They are classed as nanosatellites and a standard 1U CubeSat is 10cm X 10cm X 10cm in size, and usually weighs under 1.5kgs. These features are why we chose CubeSats for the APSS – they give our students a chance to build a spaceship, provide plenty of possibilities for interdisciplinary research, exploration and learning, and are small enough to have the benefit of being able to hitch rides as secondary payloads on launch vehicles, making our programme cycle an efficient one.
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APSS-1
APSS-1, launched in 2020, was New Zealand’s first student-built satellite. It carried a Langmuir probe to measure electron density in the ionosphere, where seismic activity is believed to cause magnetic disturbances. Correlating magnetic signatures from APSS-1 with seismic data could help predict earthquakes.
APSS-2
The space industry is rapidly growing; an unfortunate side effect is the accumulation of abandoned rocket bodies and derelict satellites. APSS-2 focuses on the miniaturization of electrodynamic tether technology–a mechanism for rapidly de-orbiting spacecraft. Through the development of a specialised compartment and deployment mechanism, APSS-2 stores a record breaking 50m of tether within a 10x10x2.6cm space. Due to this achievement, the design can be incorporated into future spacecraft as an efficient de-orbit mechanism with minimal impact on mass and volume. APSS-2 is projected to launch in 2025.
APSS-3
APSS-3 focuses on the future of the space industry, students, and education. The spacecraft will provide New Zealand focused data to NZ students for use in lessons, assignments, and research. This will be done through three payloads providing additional thermal and radiative data as well as the capability to photograph our beautiful island home. We hope that APSS-3 inspires students to study STEM subjects or enter the aerospace industry. Launch is currently planned for 2026!