French–South African i nstitute of Technology (F’SAT i ) and Africa Space i nnovation Centre (AS i C)

Prof Robert van Zyl

F’SATI hosts the CPUT postgraduate programme in Satellite Systems Engineering which specialises in space science and technology research and innovation based on the nanosatellite platform. F’SATI offers postgraduate degrees, including an international MSc in Electronic Systems Engineering, through a partnering institution in France.

The centre’s vision is to become a uniquely indigenous, world-class hub with an endto-end nanosatellite capability in the design, manufacture, operations and appropriation of data for the provision of cost-effective space-based solutions to the pressing socioeconomic challenges facing Africa. It has a multidisciplinary training programme that encompasses theory, research, professional development and innovation.

The professional development and innovation phases are conducted in the ASIC. Advanced communications subsystems are being developed for the international nanosatellite market and distributed globally through a strategic commercial partnership with Clyde Space, Scotland. Hosted in state-ofthe-art facilities, the programme develops nanosatellite platforms for applications such as space weather research, resource management, and communications and technology validation. ZACUBE-2, a very advanced nanosatellite that is currently being developed, will provide data for maritime domain awareness. Future missions will also see constellations of nanosatellites being deployed.

F’SATI has appointed a dedicated Community Engagement Officer, who coordinates a comprehensive social engagement, outreach and science and technology advancement programme. During 2014, numerous events were held at CPUT, various schools, the Cape Town Science Centre and elsewhere.

Highlights for 2014

A programme review conducted by an independent panel in 2013 was officially approved by the NRF in 2014. This paved the way for the renewal of DST/NRF funding amounting to R16 593 600 over three years.

Prof Norman Fitz-Coy’s appointment to the Chair for Innovative Small Satellite Technology and Application for Africa was announced at a ceremony of the SARChI Research Chairs, attended among others by (then) Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe and Deputy Minister Derek Hanekom.

Prof Robert van Zyl was invited as plenary speaker at the 11th Annual CubeSat Developers’ Workshop, held in April at California Polytechnic State University. This is a premier event on the international CubeSat workshop calendar.

Active participation in events such as National Science Week, Scifest Africa, National Space Week and collaboration with SANSA and the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA) contributed to a fruitful community engagement calendar in 2014.

The 4th Design, Development & Research (DDR) Conference was hosted in September by the Faculty of Informatics & Design. F’SATI was responsible for the specialist track called Nanosatellite applications towards sustainable socio-economic development.

In November, F’SATI hosted the 2nd International African CubeSat Workshop, which incorporated French Day, supported by the Embassy of France. The event also featured an exhibition. High profile speakers from South Africa and across the globe participated.

Celebrating TshepisoSAT – One year in space

TshepisoSaT, africa’s first nanosatellite, celebrated one year in space on 21 November 2014. Developed by postgraduate students of the Satellite Systems engineering Programme at f’SaTI, TshepisoSaT is doing well. It has survived the harsh radiation from the sun, extreme temperature fluctuations, a strong solar storm and two close encounters with defunct russian satellites. The nanosatellite has been orbiting earth up to 15 times a day at an altitude of 600km, and has transmitted a series of images of South africa which have appeared in local newspapers.

Its progress was recently lauded at the 2nd International african CubeSat Workshop 2014, hosted by f’SaTI. DVC: academic, Prof anthony Staak, said the university is extremely proud of this achievement. “It’s certainly a tribute to Prof robert van Zyl and his team, the students, the staff and many others who have contributed to our satellite engineering programme.”

Mr Humbulani Mdau, Chief Director: Space Science and Technology at the DST, said TshepisoSaT has put the country and the continent on the global map. He said the concept of CubeSats has gained significance and the introduction of this technology is transforming the way we explore space.

The team at f’SaTI is also satisfied with the progress made. Mr Leon Steenkamp, the engineer who monitors the nanosatellite’s daily movements from a ground station at the Bellville campus, said the team is currently focusing all its efforts on deploying the nanosatellite’s main antenna connected to a high-frequency radio beacon. This beacon will be used to study the propagation of radio waves through the ionosphere, providing valuable space weather data to the Space Science Directorate of SaNSa f’SaTI is funded by the DST and is supported by the Nrf and SaNSa.

Current f’SaTI postgraduate students are busy developing ZaCUBe-2, a 3-unit CubeSat measuring 10x10x30 cm and weighing about 4 kg. ZaCUBe-2 will be a continuation of the space weather experiment of the current ZaCUBe-1 (Tshepiso) mission.

On 21 November F’SATI at CPUT celebrated the first anniversary of TshepisoSAT’s launch and its first 365 days in orbit. The event was attended by approximately 185 people, and was streamed live on the internet. This milestone put CPUT on par with top universities internationally in terms of mission success.

F’SATI continued to collaborate with partner institutions in Africa and beyond, examples of which include:

• The Polytechnic of Namibia (PoN), through which CPUT contributed technical expertise to the fledgling space technology programme of Namibia. In return, researchers from PoN gave lectures on Earth Observation Applications to our students.

• The Southern African Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management Programme Task 303 (SASSCAL 303), which brings together partnering institutions – including PoN,

CPUT, the University of Zambia and the University of Botswana – to establish a regional postgraduate programme in Earth Observation.

• The Southern Africa Region Chapter of the University Space Engineering Consortium (UNISEC-SAR), which was established in November with founding institutions CPUT, SU, UCT, VUT, PoN and the Angolan National Office for Space Affairs. UNISEC-SAR aims to create an environment that promotes innovation and the exchange of ideas relating to space engineering and its applications, especially for young people in the SADC region.

• Visiting professors included: Prof Roger Ceschi from ESME Sudria and Prof François Rocaries from ESIEE-Paris, who both offered master’s courses at CPUT; Prof Norman Fitz-Coy from the University of Florida, Gainesville, and SARChI Chair at CPUT; Dr Daniel Wyss from PoN; Dr Ingrid Stengel from Namib GeoVista; Prof Laurent Dusseau from Centre Spatial Universitaire de Montpellier-Nîmes; and Dr Noël Grand from Laboratoire Interuniversitaire des Systèmes Atmosphériques.

Postdoctoral fellowships in Satellite Systems Engineering

f ’S aTI made history with the launch of TshepisoS aT, a frica’s first nanosatellite, and is now planning to intensify its research and innovation with the introduction of postdoctoral fellowships in the area of Satellite Systems e ngineering. Those who take up this opportunity will be part of a team who has established itself as South a frica’s leading nanosatellite systems engineering group and has gained international recognition in the process.

With f’SaTI housed at CPUT’s Bellville campus, postdoctoral fellows will have access to cutting edge equipment and state-of-the-art facilities, and will have the opportunity to work alongside aerospace engineer, Prof Norman fitzCoy, who is renowned for his work at the School of Mechanical and aerospace engineering at the University of florida. Prof fitz-Coy will lead the activities of the research Chair in Innovative Small Satellite Technology and applications for africa, and will play a key role in developing local space engineering skills in a bid to help South africa’s space industry reach its full potential.

Director of f’SaTI, Prof robert van Zyl, said postdoctoral fellows will also benefit from a vibrant link between industry and research. “The work environment is very conducive to cutting edge research that is relevant to africa. We bring together elements of research, innovation and industry and a wide network of international collaborators.” research areas that will be explored by the postdoctoral fellows include:

• Satellite communications

• applied electromagnetics, including antennas and electromagnetic compatibility

• attitude determination and control

• Computing for space systems

• Data security

• remote sensing

• Space weather and radiation

• Industrial engineering and quality management

New invention

Fosters Sustainable Farming

Mechanical engineering lecturer Mr fareed Ismail has recently patented his Small Scale Modular Solar Powered aquaponics System, an invention aimed at assisting small scale farmers, especially those in areas with little or no infrastructure and low levels of expertise. Mr Ismail said his invention will allow subsocial as well as affluent environmentally-friendly communities to promote entrepreneurship, create awareness of green energy, and supply sustainable livelihoods throughout.

The system consists of an aquaculture unit to breed and grow fish and a hydroponics water filtration unit that facilitates the growth of vegetables and fruit. The invention relies on renewable energy such as solar thermal, wind and photovoltaic energy as a power source, together with a programmable control system.

aquaculture and fresh produce farming are normally practised on a large scale and require huge capital and infrastructure layouts. Mr Ismail said his invention allows for smaller scale and more intense farming by combining renewable energy, aquaculture, hydroponics and tunnel farming systems. The invention will help to ease the strain on natural resources in oceans, dams and rivers, and lower the carbon footprint by providing a sustainable energy efficient means to provide food. Where expansion is required, more than one modular aquaponics system can be linked together.