UKube-1 CubeSat Technology Demonstrator
University of Edinburgh
UK's first national CubeSat mission, a 3U technology demonstrator launched in 2014 with University of Edinburgh participation under UKSA funding.
Technical specifications
- Type
- 3U CubeSat
- Form Factor
- 10 x 10 x 34 cm
- Mass
- 3 kg
- Launch
- June 2014
- Launch Vehicle
- Soyuz-2.1b
- Orbit
- Sun-synchronous LEO, ~650 km
- Operator
- UK Space Agency / Clyde Space
- Mission Duration
- 1+ years
About
UKube-1 is the UK Space Agency’s first national CubeSat mission, a 3U satellite launched in June 2014 aboard a Soyuz-2.1b rocket to a sun-synchronous orbit. The University of Edinburgh participated in this national collaboration alongside Clyde Space Ltd, RAL Space, AAC Microtec, and other UK institutions. The mission carried multiple technology demonstration payloads including a functional GPS receiver, radiation detector, camera, and a student-designed software-defined radio. Edinburgh contributed scientific and systems engineering expertise, advancing the UK’s capability in low-cost satellite development and inspiring the next generation of space engineers.
Documentation
No public datasheet yet — request the datasheet / ICD from the supplier.