UK Space Agency kicks off CubeSat pilot programme

On Wednesday, November 10, the UK Space Agency opened the payload competition for its United Kingdom Universal Bus Experiment (UKube1) - a one year pilot mission in which the UK will launch a miniature satellite that will carry up to 3 different payloads into space.

UKube1 is an exciting and novel collaboration between the UK Space Agency, industry and academia, and is envisaged as the pilot for a full national CubeSat programme. The low cost, largely off-the-shelf nature and rapid turnaround of CubeSat missions means that they can be used to drive the development of innovative technologies and to promote economic growth.

Dr David Williams, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, said, “UKube1 will allow us to test the suitability of a CubeSat programme for fast-tracking some of the UK’s new and cutting-edge space technology and performing unique science at a relatively low cost.

We’re looking forward to receiving the innovative payload proposals that our skilled UK scientists and engineers will suggest.”

Further details can be found at
http://www.ukspaceagency.bis.gov.uk/20084.aspx

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