[In Search of LAB] Three Yonsei CubeSats Ride Nuri Rocket, Successfully Establish Communication

Fine Dust Observation, Space Pharmaceutical Experiments and More
Developed at Startups' Request... Tested in Space

Three CubeSats developed by a Yonsei University research team headed to space aboard the fifth launch of the Nuri rocket. Just two hours after liftoff, the team successfully established two-way communication with all three satellites and began initial operations.

Researchers from the team led by Professor Park Sangyoung of Yonsei University's Department of Satellite Systems and Department of Aerospace Engineering pose for a commemorative photo. Yonsei University

Yonsei University said on October 23 that three CubeSats developed by a team led by Professor Park Sangyoung of its Department of Satellite Systems and Department of Aerospace Engineering were launched aboard the fifth Nuri rocket on October 7. The satellites, named Ulysses, B-1012 and SDOneSat, will respectively conduct fine dust observations and verify components for a lunar exploration rover (an unmanned mobile robot); carry out an artificial intelligence (AI)-based crystallization experiment for space pharmaceuticals; and observe space radiation and verify materials.

The three satellites were developed at the request of space startups Muin Tamsa Yeonguso, Space LiinTech and Space&Bean. Each company developed the payload needed to carry out its mission, while Yonsei University was responsible for building the satellite buses, integrating the payloads and conducting environmental tests. Yonsei will also operate the satellites after launch.

Ulysses, carrying a payload developed by Muin Tamsa Yeonguso, is a 6U-class satellite with a mass of 9.5 kilograms and is expected to carry out its mission for more than 90 days. U is a unit used to indicate the size of a CubeSat; 1U is a cube measuring 10 centimeters on each side. The satellite will collect observational data needed to analyze fine dust trends and causes, and verify that key components of a lunar exploration rover function properly in the space environment.

B-1012, carrying a payload developed by Space LiinTech, is a 12U-class satellite with a mass of 21.9 kilograms. It will conduct experiments on the crystal growth of synthetic pharmaceuticals in a microgravity environment for six months. The team will verify technology that enables onboard AI to assess crystal formation and growth stages and adjust experimental conditions. The satellite will also test its ability to detect malfunctions or signs of danger, respond to them, and select only key data to transmit to Earth.

SDOneSat, carrying a payload developed by Space&Bean, is a 3U-class satellite with a mass of 4.1 kilograms and will carry out its mission for six months. Using a low-power radiation sensor, it will measure space radiation in the South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA) in low Earth orbit. The SAA is a region where Earth's magnetic field is relatively weak, making it more susceptible to space radiation. The satellite will also verify the operation of commercial equipment, including Internet of Things (IoT) communications devices and cameras, as well as new materials developed for space use.

The three satellites will orbit Earth at an altitude of about 570 kilometers in a sun-synchronous orbit. This type of orbit is designed so that a satellite passes over the same areas of Earth at approximately the same local solar time. It is advantageous for maintaining consistent sunlight conditions during observations. The research team plans to send commands to the satellites from a ground station, receive status information and experimental data, and carry out each payload's mission in stages. A Yonsei University official said, "The observational data we collect going forward are expected to support each company's follow-up technology development and commercialization," adding, "We will use the experience gained from this development project as a foundation for industry-academia collaboration that supports future space engineering research and technology demonstrations by companies."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.