A satellite created by our students will be launched into orbit!

On January 14, 2025, the smallest Polish satellite, HYPE, developed at AGH University of Krakow by the SatLab AGH Student Research Group and the Space Technology Centre, will be launched into orbit.

HYPE is a PocketQube-standard satellite measuring 5 × 5 × 5 cm. It is the smallest satellite ever built in Poland. The entire process of designing and assembling HYPE was conducted by young scientists from AGH. This required tremendous commitment, overcoming numerous technical challenges, and allowed students to gain unique experience in astronautics and satellite engineering.

The launch is scheduled for January 14, 2025, from the Vandenberg Space Center in California, USA. The smallest Polish satellite will be part of the Falcon 9 Transporter-12 mission. HYPE will be placed into orbit at an altitude of 525 km, where it will begin its pioneering mission.

"Today [14.01.2025], the satellite will reach its target orbit. Within 5-10 days, HYPE will detach from the D-Orbit spacecraft and be ejected from the capsule into space. After distancing from other satellites, a deployment sequence will begin, involving the release of the securing mechanism for the antennas and selfie stick. Then, we will start the communication and subsystem activation procedure," says Jan Rosa, board member of SatLab AGH.

The young engineers have developed a device with numerous technological and educational capabilities. It features a miniature spectrometer for Earth observation, enabling the assessment of light pollution, volcanic dust, and forest degradation. Detecting gas and dust emissions will allow the modeling of volcanic activity's impact on the environment and human health. Monitoring forest degradation can help track deforestation and evaluate the effectiveness of protective measures. Data from HYPE can be used for research projects and for teaching spatial data analysis and spectroscopy methods. Through these studies, students will gain invaluable experience in designing and executing space missions.

As part of the mission, HYPE will also use a miniature camera mounted on a foldable arm. The camera will be aimed at the satellite's display screen, which will show graphics sent from the ground station. This aspect of the mission aims to promote Polish technological achievements and popularize space science and technology. The HYPE mission is intended to inspire the younger generation, encouraging students to take on challenges in STEM fields and explore their passion for space exploration.

"The goal was very ambitious. We relied on our knowledge, tests, numerous scientific materials, and consultations. Creating HYPE has been a wonderful adventure that demonstrated how, with determination, one can gain incredible amounts of knowledge and experience in a short time. Completing this project would not have been possible without the teamwork of many ambitious and dedicated young people," says Paweł Rapta, one of the satellite's creators.

The last few months have been a time of intense preparations, training, and knowledge exchange for the SatLab AGH team. They also worked on establishing the necessary infrastructure and technical facilities at the university. At the end of December, an antenna was installed on the roof of the AGH Space Technology Centre, capable of precisely tracking the trajectory of the HYPE nanosatellite and ensuring continuous communication with the object in orbit. This new university asset will facilitate contact with future satellites developed in upcoming projects.

"In the future, we plan to equip the laboratory with an X-ray machine for inspecting electronics and construction, as well as a clean room for component assembly and integration. Our next project involves a larger CubeSat-standard satellite designed to monitor the Earth's surface across multiple light frequencies and test an experimental laser communication module, the first of its kind developed in Poland. It will also contain a biological payload to study the effects of cosmic radiation. The project aims to provide Polish institutions with satellite data from a hyperspectral camera," explains Jan Rosa, SatLab AGH board member.

• We invite you to watch the rocket launch live today (14.01.2025) at 19:49 CET on the SpaceX YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SpaceX
• You can also learn more about HYPE and its creation process from the program "Kijek w Kosmosie," airing today (14.01.2025) on TVN24 BIS [in Polish].