Doha: Qatar University (QU) launched its first microsatellite, named QUbeSat1, recording significant scientific and educational achievements that reflect its commitment to promoting applied education and building national capacity in the field of space science and technology.
QU’s statement on Wednesday said the launch marks the culmination of years of work on student education projects and research infrastructure that QU has self-funded since 2012 and has since been further supported by research projects funded by the Qatar Research, Development and Innovation Council (QRDI) from 2020 to 2025.
The project will receive additional support through a funding agreement with Es’hailSat and will cover the production, testing and launch phases of the QUbeSat1 microsatellite from 2025 to 2026, the statement said.
He emphasized that the QUbeSat1 project aims to support QU’s educational process by directly involving students, faculty and researchers in the design, development and operation of the satellite. This initiative is consistent with QU’s strategic plan, which focuses on hands-on experiential learning, student-centered education, and building national capacity in advanced scientific fields.
The statement further asserted that this launch does not mean the end of the project. Rather, it constitutes the first step in a sustainable, long-term pathway that includes the development, design and launch of multiple future microsatellites, led by university researchers, academics and students, and funded in collaboration with various national bodies, with the aim of continually building capacity and developing skills at the level of QU, the State of Qatar and the wider region.
Technical Project Leader Dr Tamer Khattab said successful implementation of major interdisciplinary initiatives such as microsatellite projects requires rigorous program planning, effective coordination and close collaboration between students, researchers as well as members of QU’s academic corps and administrative leaders.
He pointed out that these projects also rely on strong partnerships between universities and key stakeholders across Qatar.
Dr. Khattab outlined that the combination of these elements represents an important foundation for QU, which aims to become a strategic platform for capacity development and knowledge enhancement, especially given the important role that space technology has played throughout history as a driver of innovation and technological progress.
Mr. Khattab elaborated that the primary scientific mission of the microsatellite is Earth observation using an imaging payload camera supported by an Attitude Decision Control System (ADCS) with passive orientation capabilities.
He pointed out that the satellite serves as an educational and research platform aimed at providing students and faculty with practical experience in spacecraft engineering and operational practices.
In essence, this milestone demonstrates QU’s role as a pioneering think tank that contributes to the preparation of talented human resources who are able to utilize cutting-edge practical and knowledge skills, actively innovate and advance the path of scientific and technological development of the State of Qatar.
Overall, QUbeSat1 is a 1U CubeSat microsatellite, designed and developed by a multidisciplinary team of QU researchers, students, and academics.
The satellite is equipped to downlink satellite communications and low-resolution images of the Earth to microsatellite ground stations and is developed and operated by the university. The station is managed by a dedicated team of students and researchers and represents the only academic ground station of its kind in Qatar.
Launch and mission operations will occur through several stages, starting with the injection of the launch vehicle, stabilization of the container in orbit, and deployment of QUbeSat1.
Subsequent stages will include orbital stabilization and technical verification before starting full communication with ground stations and operational activities over several weeks.
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