Meet the PocketQube team: SunewnewSat
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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