KiwiSAT - A New Zealand Satellite

KiwiSAT (Click for large image)

Welcome to KiwiSAT
- A Satellite Project by AMSAT-ZL

(Site maintenance - 22 December 2011 - Telemetry page update.)

KiwiSAT - taking New Zealand into space!

Project Leader Fred Kennedy (ZL1BYP) says (2011); "We're now well into the final stage of development with all of the sub-systems completed and ready for flight. Currently we are testing the software and command systems in preparation for launch."

Dr Johan Potgieter has launched the ADAC Science Experiment project with five students from the School of Engineering and Advanced Technology on the Albany Campus of Massey University. More ...

New Videos

KiwiSAT Engineering - Fred Kennedy introduces his purpose built Vacuum Chamber
KiwiSAT Engineering - Inside the Clean Room at Massey's Albany Campus[pending]

KiwiSAT System Operational

KiwiSAT Flight Loom.KiwiSAT Flight Loom.

KiwiSAT operates in test mode in the Clean Room at Massey University in Albany, Auckland, New Zealand using a solar cell simulator acting as the primary power source. No longer a 24/7 operation, the core system is having the final flight wiring loom installed and adapted.

PCB Assembly and Translator Test - Video

STATUS REPORT more...


BCR - Battery Charge Regulator - Video

An explanation of the design philosophy by Hans Holtz, ZL1HB.

Main Framing Construction

Main frame base. Underside of Base Frame

Mike Jack of Stanier Engineering, a small specialist precision engineering company based in Auckland, milled the main frame from solid blocks of Aluminium. Each tray has had its electronics installed and forms part of the integrated bench test system.

Video: Mike and his CNC milling machine in action

We are most grateful to Mike for the use of his costly machinery and for donating his very valuable time to this project.

KiwiSAT to carry environmental experiment! More ..

TRANSPONDER ON TEST!

The KiwiSAT (FlatSAT) is now "on air" from the AMSAT-ZL Clean Room. More ...

Project Overview & Current Status (7 June 2011)

We're not just building a satellite, we're helping Massey University in Auckland develop a satellite command station and space capable laboratory facilities.

Organization

NZART badgeAMSAT-ZL - New Zealand's Amateur Satellite Organization, active in the Amateur (Radio) Satellite Service under the Radio Regulations (ITU-R) of the ITU, is affiliated to The New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters (Inc), commonly known as NZART.

General

KiwiSAT will carry both amateur radio communications, and a scientific experiment in small satellite attitude control (ADCS).

KiwiSAT construction is in the final phase of preparation for launch into a LEO orbit. Target launch date - mid 2012.

CONTRIBUTE

This project is financed entirely by voluntary donation. If you would like to play a part in his project, you can make a secure contribution using this PayPal Donations button.

(Our sincere gratitude for the excellent support to date, this has enabled us to reach the final construction phase prior to preparing the flight satellite package.)

AMSAT-ZL is indebted to the various NZART Branches who have contributed magnanimously, the many individual ZL amateurs, and the tremendous support from the amateur radio community around the world, to finance this pioneering project. More ...

 

Clarification

KiwiSAT is an orbiting satellite project by radio amateurs under a strict "not-for-profit" regime and should not be confused with KiwiSat, a commercial ground based animal tracking transmitter. As prime owners of the name KiwiSAT, AMSAT-ZL permit its use in the lower case format (KiwiSat 101) by SIRTRACK for their earth based animal tracking transmitter unit.

 

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