S3C payloads on Falcon 9 launch
CPUT’s MDASat constellation with S3C’s second generation AIS Software Defined Radios
South Africa’s new Maritime Domain Awareness Satellite (MDASat) constellation is designed to detect, identify, and monitor vessels in near real-time, in support of South African maritime domain awareness and were developed by Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). The three MDASat-1 satellites travelled to space on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 Rocket on 13 January 2022.
These satellites are the first three of the MDA constellation which will carry an upgraded AIS (Automatic Identification System) receiver payload from ZACube-2, which was launched on 27 December 2018. The AIS receivers were developed by S3C using its advanced Software Defined Radio (SDR) framework and customised hardware. The new satellites enable several new functions:
Over the air upgrades, allowing operators to develop and upload new software.
Raw data capabilities that enhance diagnostic testing on signal interference and decoding messages.
Long Range AIS on two upload-specific channels for AIS messages relayed by satellite.
“The MDASat-1 launch will be a significant milestone for South Africa, marking the first launch of a satellite constellation developed entirely on the African continent. This will further cement South Africa’s position as an African leader in small satellite development. Furthermore, it will help the country capture a valuable share of a niche market in the fast-growing global satellite value chain.”
- Blade Nzimande, South Africa’s minister of Science and Technology
Falcon 9 Launch with the MDASat constellation payload
