Progress of Cyprus' first domestically-built satellite to be presented

The development progress of Cyprus' first domestically-built satellite, which is expected to be launched into space in 2026, will be presented at the Cyprus Space Research and Innovation Center (C-SpaRC), in Nicosia.

The presentation is scheduled to take place on 11 October.

President of the Cyprus Space Exploration Organisation, George Danos, told CNA that when launched, the satellite will conduct experiments on space weather in collaboration with NASA, using NASA sensors, to better understand the influence of solar storms on our planet's atmosphere and our biology.

In addition, the satellite will monitor our environment and forests from above for early detection of fires.

"But most importantly, we are gaining our own domestic know-how and ability to build micro-satellites, a particularly important field internationally. In a few years the lack of such a possibility will be like a country in today's era without digitization in governance" he pointed out.

And this satellite, he told CNA, "is only the beginning".

The satellite will be made of metal and will be about 30 centimeters long.

With state-of-the-art technology satellites can be very small with capabilities that much larger satellites had 20 years ago, Danos said.

The satellite, with 3D printed parts, is being developed in collaboration with NASA and COSPAR, the leading international space research organization.

In addition, the state-of-the-art equipment recently acquired for C-SpaRC will be presented. This includes the unique in Cyprus, and one of the few European Selective Laser Melting (SLM) metal 3D printing systems, capable of printing metals (aluminium, steel, platinum, etc.) with extremely high resolution, quality and large dimensions, the press release says.

It is noted that the SLM will soon be available for use by the Cypriot companies that are members of the Cyprus Space Cluster, significantly enhancing their capabilities in the space sector.

"This development paves the way for Cyprus to dynamically enter the global space market, which has revenues of 570 billion euros per year (2023)," the Cyprus Space Exploration Organisation said in a press release.

Important research results from research in all areas will also be presented, "highlighting C-SpaRC as the first center in the world to bridge international collaboration and establish Cyprus as a leader in the dynamic field of space research and innovation".

The project partners, from the Cyprus Space Exploration Organization (CSEO), the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics (CING), the CYENS Center of Excellence, the University of Cyprus, Aretaieio Hospital, as well as representatives from NASA and the Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory, will present important research results of C-SpaRC in areas such as the impact of Space Weather on human biology and predictive modeling of Space Weather and Space Situational Awareness (SSA).

C-SpaRC, a project of Strategic Infrastructure (Strategic Infrastructure 1222) of Cyprus, is implemented with funding from the Research and Innovation Foundation and with assistance and cooperation from NASA.

(Source: CNA)