The UK Space Agency has announced a one year pilot programme to design and launch a CubeSat – a miniature, cube-shaped satellite that will allow the UK to test new space technologies and carry out new space research ‘cheaply’ and quickly. The pilot programme, named UKube-1, will use the Clyde Space CubeSat platform and will involve a competition amongst companies and academic groups to come up with the most innovative ideas for payloads. UKube-1 will be launched on the satellite in mid 2011.
Speaking at the Farnborough International Airshow, the Minister for Universities and Science David Willetts, said:
“Britain’s first CubeSat will bring major benefits to the UK space industry. Firms will now have a cheap and quick way to test their latest prototypes. Running a competition to see which experiments will go up with UKube1 is an inventive way to ensure it is fitted with the most creative and innovative payload ideas.”
Dr David Williams, Chief executive (Acting) of the UK Space Agency, added:
“A CubeSat programme will allow us to fast-track and test some of the UK’s new and cutting-edge space technology and perform unique science at a relatively low cost. These satellites may be smaller than your home computer, but, with the payloads that our skilled scientists will add to them, they are sure to make up in innovation what they lack in size.”
Craig Clark, CEO of Clyde Space, said:
“The launch of the Cubesat Challenge programme is a tremendous opportunity for us. As with all space related business, the best way to market space products is through their successful demonstration in orbit. By providing the Cubesat platform, we will benefit immensely from the opportunity and so it is vital to the growth of Clyde Space as a leading CubeSat company. I feel also that this programme is vital for the UK’s commercial exploitation and export of CubeSat technology in this rapidly growing market.”
For more information, see attachment below.
 Clyde Space PR.pdf
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