Space X and Mohammed V University launch two Moroccan nanosatellites
- What are nanosatellites?
- Advantages of nanosatellites
- What missions will the UM5-EOSat and UM5-Ribat fulfil?
In collaboration with the National Centre for Scientific and Technical Research (CNRST) and the Royal Centre for Space Studies and Research, Mohammed V University, with the help of the Vandenberg base in California, USA, owned by Space X, the first two nanosatellites developed by a university in the history of Africa were launched.
Both satellites were launched into orbit on 16 August at 19:56 (GMT+1). The achievement marks a turning point in Moroccan aeronautics.
According to the official press release issued by Mohammed V University, the launch aims to involve all the country's technological institutions in the training and development of young people, forming a new generation of Moroccan researchers and engineers specialised in space technologies.
What are nanosatellites?
Unlike conventional satellites, the new nanosatellites are the future of space technology. The main feature that differentiates nanosatellites from satellites is weight. If the device weighs less than 10 kilograms, it is considered a nanosatellite.
In the case of UM5-EOSat and UM5-Ribat, the weight is 4 kilograms with dimensions of 30x10x10 centimetres. In the words of Charo and Ricky, from Brigada Tech, ‘nanosatellites are a device the size of a shoebox or a microwave that serves to provide connectivity services in space.’
Among the features of each, the UM5-EOSat has a camera specialised in observation missions, and the UM5-Ribat has a software defined radio (SDR), which will enable it to carry out telecommunications missions, including tracking aircraft (ADS-B) and ships (AIS), as well as collecting data from terrestrial terminals (IoT).
Advantages of nanosatellites
In terms of size and weight, and therefore power, the range of a nanosatellite cannot be compared to that of a conventional satellite, so the functions for which these devices are developed are far apart. In terms of planning, the biggest advantage is the construction time, as the average development time for a nanosatellite is 4 years compared to 7 years for a satellite.
In terms of data collection, it is true that they do not differ from satellites, but they do differ in the type of data. While nanosatellites focus on data from Earth, conventional satellites can travel thousands of kilometres to collect data from other space bodies such as other satellites or planets.
Although the main effective uses of nanosatellites are to maintain connectivity between loT devices, which is crucial for 5G networks, they also have a transcendental influence on maritime communication, by allowing better and faster transmission of location and route data to optimise the work of Moroccan ports, such as Tanger Med. The same applies to the aeronautical sector and can even help to provide connectivity in the most remote areas of the country.
What missions will the UM5-EOSat and UM5-Ribat fulfil?
From the day of launch and for the next two months, researchers will verify their performance by conducting tests during the LEOP (Launch and Early Orbit Phase) period.
Once both are stabilised in orbit, they will perform extremely specific tasks such as Earth observation, telecommunications, or meteorology. Nanosatellites, which orbit between 400 and 1000 kilometres high, are rarely used for interplanetary missions. As data is collected, it will be sent back to Mohammed V University for analysis by specialists and new students to draw the most important conclusions.
These are the first launches of those to come in the coming years. As the statement concludes, the feat is a symbol of Mohammed V University's commitment to the development of the space sector.