UK Space Agency to launch CubeSat

The UK Space Agency has announced a one-year pilot programme to design and launch a CubeSat and is running a competition for ideas for payloads.

This miniature, cube-shaped satellite 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 a spacecraft platform that is currently under development by the company Clyde Space Ltd and will involve a competition amongst companies and academic groups to come up with the most innovative ideas for payloads. The winning payloads will be launched on the satellite in mid 2011.

Companies and academics who are interested in designing a payload can contact the UK Space Agency for more information.

There is another CubeSat under construction in the UK called FUNcube.

It is being built by AMSAT-UK and the hardware will be shown at the AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium in Guildford July 31 - Aug 1.

This event is being streamed live to the web at http://www.batc.tv/ (click on Live Events)

UK Space Agency Announcement
http://www.ukspaceagency.bis.gov.uk/19128.aspx

AMSAT-UK FUNcube
http://www.funcube.org.uk/