[JAXA:0554] The University of Nairobi Hands the First KiboCUBE CubeSat over to JAXA Under UNOOSA-JAXA KiboCUBE Programme

January 19, 2018 (JST)

The University of Nairobi Hands the First KiboCUBE CubeSat over to JAXA Under UNOOSA-JAXA KiboCUBE Programme


On January 16, 2018, at the JAXA Tsukuba Space Center, the team from the University of Nairobi handed over to JAXA their first KiboCUBE CubeSat, 1KUNS-PF (1st Kenyan University Nano Satellite-Precursor Flight) which was developed by the team. Under the KiboCUBE programme between the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and JAXA, 1KUNS-PF is the first CubeSat selected to be deployed from Kibo, the Japanese Experiment Module of the International Space Station (ISS). Preparation is underway to reach the deployment timeline, sometime this spring.

Through KiboCUBE, the capacity-building initiative that UNOOSA and JAXA launched in September 2015, both organizations cooperate to offer opportunities to deploy CubeSats from the Kibo module. This dedicated collaboration is designed to improve space technology of the developing countries of the United Nations member states. In August 2016, 1KUNS-PF was selected jointly by UNOOSA and JAXA for the first round of KiboCUBE programme, and is the first satellite to be developed and operated by Kenya.

Deployment Schedule, 1KUNS-PF
- January 16, 2018: 1KUNS-PF handed over to JAXA
- Around March 2018: launch to the ISS
- Spring timeframe 2018: deployment from Kibo with a robotic arm

[Reference 1] Related Press Releases

Sep. 8, 2015 (10:00) [release]
Collaboration between JAXA and UNOOSA to Offer Small Satellite Deployment Opportunity from Kibo to Contribute to Developing Countries to Improve Space Technology
http://global.jaxa.jp/press/2015/09/20150908_unoosa.html

[Reference 2] Application for the third round of KiboCUBE
Application Period: September 26, 2017 through March 31, 2018
For details, visit:
http://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/psa/hsti/kibocube/2018.html

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