KCST to make, launch nano satellite
British KSF expertise acquired
In February, the Kuwait College of Science and Technology (KCST) announced the start of a project to launch the first miniature satellite (nano satellite) manufactured by its distinguished students, with the cooperation of the British KSF Space Foundation and under the supervision of their specialists and university professors, reports Al-Rai daily.
KSF is a non-profit organization that works to encourage universities in developing research and development missions using small satellites and micro-satellites. The foundation is run by officers and members of space agencies and major industries, such as NASA, ESA, JAXA, SpaceX.
The initiative, in which the KCST students participated, aims to transfer the basic and necessary skills on how to manufacture miniature satellites, inspire enthusiasm, enhance international understanding and cooperation, strengthen an interactive global network of students, teachers and alumni, and encourage the innovative scientific development of space for peaceful purposes, to improve life on Earth.
The manufacture and launch of the first satellite this year constitutes the first phase of a long-term program. A satellite will be launched annually to collect data and readings and transfer them to a database at the university. It will be compared annually, which will allow the study of climate changes and the resulting indicators of change in the atmosphere.
Information
The availability of information will be a fertile field for university professors and students to carry out a lot of research in several fields.
Head of the college Professor Khaled Al-Baqaain said, “The aim of the project is to localize this modern technology in Kuwait. The mini-satellite will be manufactured by our students in the university’s laboratories under the international supervision of KSF and university professors.
The number of outstanding participants in the project is 16 students who were theoretically trained and had passed the first phase of this joint cooperation between KCST and KSF.
They are currently guided and practically trained. The appropriate equipment needed to build the 3D space capsule is recommended. Research will be conducted to focus on stratospheric studies of the ozone layer, and beyond, as well as scientific experiments to assess the risks of global warming and climate change.
Students’ training will continue during the manufacture of the satellite. The satellite will have many properties such as being able to measure climate factors, testing the air and ozone layer, and transmitting information about air quality and the ozone layer after it is launched into space.
It also aims to enhance Kuwait’s position in this field and create a productive environment for students to acquire research skills that can be used in many fields. The aim of the project is to better understand the responses to climate change and measure UV rays in space, as the expected results can prove valuable information for humans and science”.
One of the participating students Naji Al-Qallaf said he considers the experience as unique, in terms of gaining experience by participating in a project to manufacture nano-satellites and creating new horizons in research and development.
Sheikha Al-Bahwa, a student of Computer Engineering, said, “We are proud and lucky to have been chosen to participate in this wonderful experience. We thank our college for allowing us to participate in an important achievement, which is first of its kind in Kuwait.”
Ahoud Al-Enezi, a student majoring in Electronics and Communications Engineering, said, “It was a dream for me to participate in a space-related project from an early age. The time has come to achieve it through the Kuwait College of Science and Technology, which provided me with the opportunity to participate in the manufacture of nano-satellites. I thank my college for providing me with the opportunity to achieve my dream.”
Yasmine Bourek, a student majoring in Electronics and Communications Engineering, indicated that she participated in a project to manufacture a nano satellite with the aim of realizing achievement at the global level and not only at the local level.
She said, “The most interesting thing about the experiment was that we got internal support from college doctors, and external support from lecturers in Britain. Finally, I am very excited to see the success of this project.”
Ahmad Al-Sha’abani, a student in Computer Engineering, said, “We believe that we in the college can participate, succeed and achieve the goals of any project, no matter how difficult it is to accomplish. This is because the college proposed for us to study specialized materials and general materials in order to gain many scientific and practical experiences that allow us to participate in any project or competition and be able to excel in them, because of our scientific and practical experience in the field of science and technology”.