Satellite & Space Projects News - October 2015

Japan and UN announce CubeSat opportunity

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs have agreed an initiative to offer developing countries the opportunity to deploy CubeSats from the International Space Station. Under the initiative, small satellites of educational or research institutes from developing countries that are members of the UN will be launched from the Japanese experimental module at the ISS. The first satellite launch is expected to be carried out in 2017 at the earliest. Satellites to be launched under the initiative will be selected by both parties, whilst the Japanese agency will carry out safety checks and provide technical assistance.  The deadline for applications is 31 March 2016.