Dubai engineering students to develop Rubik Cube size satellite for space exploration

Dubai engineering students to develop Rubik Cube size satellite for space exploration

The miniature device will be used to conduct science experiments and educational projects

Published: Sat 18 Mar 2023, 6:17 PM

A group of engineering students in Dubai is in the process of building a working CubeSat named Mahasat that will be launched in the next two years. This came following the recent signing of Memorandum of Understanding between BITS Pilani Dubai Campus (BPDC) and UAE-based Edutech4Space.

A CubeSat is a square-shaped miniature satellite – roughly the size of a Rubik Cube (10cm × 10cm ×10 cm) — weighing about 1kg that is used for science experiments and educational projects.

A CubeSat like Mahasat can be deployed as a single unit or in groups of multiple units (maximum of 24 units).

In a statement sent to Khaleej Times, BPDC said “Mahasat will include multiple advanced sensors and scientific instruments that will provide hands-on learning.

“The satellite will enable our students to develop an interdisciplinary approach geared towards a promising career for them in the engineering industries . Also , space industries are seeing a massive growth in recent years , and hence they have huge opportunities to become space engineers and future space entrepreneurs,” BPDC added.

According to BPDC, the creation of Mahasat will be overseen by Padma