Two cubesats developed by Taiwanese researchers were scheduled to be launched by Space Exploration Technologies Corp’s (SpaceX) Falcon 9 rocket from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida between 22:24pm and 23:24pm last night.
However, SpaceX at 10:37pm tweeted that due to unfavorable weather, it was delaying the launch until tonight.
The Transporter-1 mission is the first to be part of the company’s SmallSat Rideshare Program, according to the SpaceX Web site.
“On board this launch are 133 commercial and government spacecraft (including cubesats, microsats, and orbital transfer vehicles) and 10 Starlink satellites — the most spacecraft ever deployed on a single mission,” the Web site said.
The Ionospheric Dynamics Explorer and Attitude Subsystem Satellite, weighing 4.2kg, was developed by National Central University’s (NCU) Department of Space Science and Engineering for ionospheric observation.
It is the first cubesat developed by NCU, and about 30 teachers and students were involved, department professor Liu Jann-yenq (劉正彥) said, adding that they plan to launch two more cubesats next year.
Hopefully, each year in the department would “adopt” a cubesat, as it would be a good opportunity to train talent, Liu added.
The YuSat, weighing 1.6kg, was developed by MoGaMe Mobile Entertainment Co (騰暉電信), Letscom International Ltd (雷斯康) and KYLink Communications Corp (冠宇國際電訊), along with National Taiwan Ocean University, to monitor maritime traffic.
They are to settle into orbit 525km above the Earth after they leave the rocket 65 minutes after launch, said the Ministry of Science and Technology in a news release.
They are two of three cubesats selected by the National Space Organization (NSPO) for a microsatellite program that began in 2017 with a total budget of NT$37 million (US$1.3 million), including commission fees for three space services agents, it added.
Due to COVID-19, local developers did not travel to the US for the mission, and kept in contact with SpaceX through space services agents, which help coordinate information, NSPO Deputy Director-General Yu Shiann-jeng (余憲政) said.
It is the first time that Taiwan has launched two cubesats at a time, after the Phoenix cubesat developed by National Cheng Kung University was launched in 2017.
Research and development on cubesats are an important part to foster talent for space technology and industrial development, the ministry said.
The other, NutSat, developed by National Formosa University’s Department of Aeronautical Engineering to monitor aviation safety, is scheduled to be launched in June.
ANTI-SHIP CONFIGURATION: The Tuo Chiang-class vessels are to be built for NT$9.7 billion by Lung Teh, a shipyard that previously built four similar corvettes for the navy The Ministry of National Defense on Wednesday awarded Lung Teh Shipbuilding (龍德造船) a NT$9.7 billion Co (US$317.57 million) contract to build five Tuo Chiang-class corvettes with anti-ship capabilities, a defense official familiar with the matter said yesterday. The corvettes would carry vertical launchers for four Hsiung Feng II (HF-2) missiles, as well as eight Hsiung Feng III (HF-3) anti-ship missiles, in contrast to ships configured for anti-air warfare, which carry eight HF-2 and four HF-3 missiles, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The anti-ship corvettes would be armed for improved standoff range against surface combatants and carry the latest
‘COINCIDENCE’: The former president should keep in mind local and global response to his actions and abide by the law to safeguard national interests, the MAC said The Presidential Office yesterday confirmed that it has received an application from former president Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) to visit China next week and would be discussing his security detail. “As the travel restrictions on former president Ma have expired, we respect his plan to pay respect to his ancestors in China,” Presidential Office spokeswoman Lin Yu-chan (林聿禪) said. “We will review his travel plan and consult concerned agencies to assist him in arranging his security detail.” “We also hope that Ma, as a former commander in chief of Taiwan, acts in a manner that aligns with national interests and does not hurt
‘NOTHING NEW’: China should not use Tsai Ing-wen’s transits through the US as a pretext to step up aggressive activity in the Taiwan Strait, a Washington official said President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) is to stop over in the US on her way to and from Central America next week, but her administration would not confirm a meeting with US House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Tsai’s delegation is to leave Taipei on Wednesday next week and stop over in New York City, Presidential Office spokeswoman Lin Yu-chan (林聿禪) told a news conference yesterday. Tsai is then to head to Guatemala on Saturday next week for talks with Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei and to meet with Taiwanese expatriates, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. On April 3, Tsai is scheduled to travel
Taiwan is to obtain maintenance parts for its AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, after the Republic of China Defense Mission to the US and the American Institute in Taiwan signed a NT$1.44 billion (US$47.1 million) deal that is to be in effect until Sept. 15, 2028. Taiwan operates 29 Apaches. The US is concerned that if China were to blockade Taiwan, it would be impossible to supply the nation with military equipment, natural gas, coal and other items, a military source said on condition of anonymity. The deal seeks to ensure stable supply of maintenance parts for the Apaches to keep them operational
RSS