August 15 2014
We have been talking to the some of the teams on the front line of the PocketQube revolution. This blog features Montaser Sallam of the SunewnewSat team, a 1p PocketQube project from Jordan in Middle East. SunewnewSat is currently in the design phase and will hopefully get a launch in the not too distant future. The satellite will carry an array of small sensors.
How did you hear about PocketQube?
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After seeing Planetary Resources’ ARKYD kickstarter campaign, I got really excited and started looking for other space related projects, that’s when I found out about the awesome Wren PocketQube and eventually the PocketQube standard.
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Tell us a bit about your PocketQube Project
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SunewnewSat is the first Jordanian satellite project, it serves as an educational platform for me as a student and other university or high school students in the future. I am planning to keep things as simple as possible. Naturally, my primary focus will be on the radio and the EPS. A number of sensor readings will be downlinked to earth through different protocols. A simple satellite identification system will also be explored.
Why choose a PocketQube form factor?
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A satellite that fits in your pocket!? Where do I sign up?
I think that is the coolest fact about PocketQubes.
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Where did the idea come from, what is the objective?
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I have an interest in spacecraft avionics and I wanted some advice on that subject so I sent a message to one of Planetary Resources’ engineers asking for advice, his advice to me was to start a Cubesat program in my university. Unfortunately, due to some issues, that was not possible. I didn’t give up, so I tried my luck with the local amateur radio society and they were supportive, needless to say, SunewnewSat was born.
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What do you do outside building your PocketQube?
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I am an electronics engineering undergraduate at Yarmouk University, IEEE Vice Chairman of YU student branch, a guitarist and a black belt holder in Shotokan Karate. I am also working towards getting an amateur radio operator license.
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What does the future hold?
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The learning curve is very steep, so whatever the future holds, an amazing experience is ahead of us.
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What are your top tips for budding PocketQube builder?
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Don’t unplug the soldering iron and you will be fine.
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What is your definition of success?
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A functional engineering model that have passed all the required tests. SunewnewSat in orbit, not as space debris though.
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Got PocketQube ideas? Start your project today. If you found this interview interesting please consider sharing it :) Building a PocketQube, want to be featured on this blog? Get in touch. You can keep up to date with the SunewnewSat project via their website, https://www.facebook.com/pages/SunewnewSat/679922652088229?fref=ts
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