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NTU satellites now used in training of engineering undergrads

SINGAPORE - Nanyang Technological University (NTU) has made available three locally-built satellites for some of it engineering NTU undergraduates to use for training.

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SINGAPORE - Nanyang Technological University (NTU) has made available three locally-built satellites for some of it engineering NTU undergraduates to use for training.

The university said today (April 20) that it has done so for final-year students on its Undergraduate Satellite Programme, so that they can take part in the hands-on ground operation training at NTU’s Satellite Research Centre. Previously, training was done on simulators.

Speaking about the move, Satellite Research Centre director Low Kay Soon said: “While the simulations are robust and have scenarios based on real challenges, nothing beats the actual experience of controlling a real satellite in space, which encounters situational challenges in real time.”

The three satellites are the X-SAT, the first satellite built in Singapore, VELOX-I, a nano satellite built by NTU students, and the pico-sized 1.3kg VELOX PII. 

Students work in teams and wait for the "groundpass" – when the satellite to comes into range of the NTU ground station – which lasts 10 minutes. Within the 10 minutes, they need to request for the satellite to send its present health status and previous status information for the past 12 hours. The data collected will be saved and students will discuss how to proceed in the next ground pass.

The training helps students to better understand how satellites can be operated and how real-life problems such as bad weather or interfering signals can affect the operations.   

NTU undergraduate student A Saravanan, 24, who will be joining the programme for his final-year project, said: “Having the opportunity to learn how NTU satellites are being controlled in real time is an awesome experience. It really brings my learning beyond the classroom and into outer space.”

Meanwhile, NTU is set to launch two new satellites – VELOX-CI and VELOX-II – later this year. Both are being assembled and undergoing various tests, such as the vibration test to see if it can withstand the rocket launch, and the thermal vacuum cycling test to see if it can survive the temperature in space. 

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