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Successful Deployment of First Kenyan Satellite, selected as First KiboCUBE programme of UNOOSA and JAXA
JAXA, UNOOSA – On May 11, 2018, the first CubeSat developed under the KiboCUBE programme has been successfully deployed from the Japanese Experiment Module “Kibo” of the International Space Station. This CubeSat, named “1KUNS-PF” was developed by a team from the University of Nairobi. On the day of the deployment, H.E. Dr. Amina C. Mohamed (the Cabinet Secretary for Ministry of Education in Kenya), H.E. Mr. Solomon K. Maina (the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary for Embassy of the Republic of Kenya), Dr. Vijoo Rattansi (Chancellor for the University of Nairobi), representatives from the University of Nairobi and the Japanese government watched the deployment of the CubeSat from the “Kibo” Mission Control Room in Tsukuba Space Center.
Photo of deployment of 1KUNS-PF(Kenya) and Irazu (Costa Rica) (deployed at the same time)
1KUNS-PF was developed as Kenya’s first satellite, and the University of Nairobi will operate the CubeSat after its deployment from “Kibo”. The experience and technology acquired from the development of this CubeSat will be applied in future earth observation satellite of Kenya.
KiboCUBE is a cooperative programme between United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to offer opportunity to deploy CubeSats from “Kibo”. This programme aims to improve space technology of the developing and emerging space nations of the United Nations member states. The third round of application was closed this March, and UNOOSA and JAXA are under the selection process. The result of the third round of application will be announced this summer timeframe.
