RADSAT-SK: A Scholastic Victory for the Canadian Prairies

By Obii Udemgba

Photo of Saskatchewan landscape
Courtesy of Matthew Sichkaruk via Unsplash

On June 3rd, 2023, the University of Saskatchewan’s cube satellite – the RADSAT-SK— made history by becoming the first-ever made-in-Saskatchewan satellite to be sent into space via the International Space Station (ISS). This event marked a great achievement for both the team at the University of Saskatchewan, as well as the Canadian Prairies as a whole. This advancement solidified the province of Saskatchewan’s presence in the domain of space exploration and research as a whole, duly making way for new generations of talent to explore their interests in these subjects, an outstanding feat for space researchers, explorers, and enthusiasts alike.

What is the RADSAT-SK?

 

The RADSAT-SK is a cube satellite (also known as a CubeSat), being a 2U type, meaning that it measures 20 x 10 x 10 cm. The size of the CubeSat is integral to the creation of the apparatus, as its small size reduces the economic cost associated with both the construction and launch of the device. The main goals of the RADSAT-SK include the testing of a new radiation dosimeter (dosimeter: an instrument used to measure ionizing radiation exposure), to evaluate high concentrations of melanin which is to be used as a radiation shield in outer space. This progressive use of melanin has the potential to protect future astronauts from ionizing radiation, and the biological stress that it causes on living organisms.

Additionally, the RADSAT-SK will be used to study how materials change in space through analysis of development in the physical properties of the matter – such as changes in color, texture brittleness, and electrical conductivity present in such substances, which will be used for further research at institutions of higher education. The team at the University of Saskatchewan hopes to use this opportunity to capture images of the province of Saskatchewan, through a camera integrated onto the CubeSat.

Impact

 

This development in Canadian space technology and awareness is huge for the residents of Saskatchewan, as the creation and subsequent launch of the RADSAT-SK has put the University of Saskatchewan on the map in both the national and international space sectors. The success of the University of Saskatchewan’s RADSAT-SK team has garnered widespread attention from outlets such as Radio-Canada and Global News. Such awareness, through the efforts of the extraordinary team at the University of Saskatchewan, has made way for the new generation of young researchers to excel.

Thanks to the hard work and dedication of the University of Saskatchewan’s Space Design team, the launch of the RADSAT-SK acts as an incredible foot in the door for the province in the Canadian space sector. It is thanks to the passion and determination of the students and faculty at the University of Saskatchewan that the seeds of the RADSAT-SK project have come to fruition and made history for the Canadian Prairies.

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