Latest news with #BinarX
West Australian
5 days ago
- Science
- West Australian
Curtin University's BinarX program to launch five satellites into orbit with the help of High School students
Starry-eyed high school students are waiting eagerly for their science projects to be launched 2000km out of this world as part of Curtin University's BinarX spacecraft launch. For most people, space exploration conjures thoughts of rocket ships, giant satellites and Apollo missions but the BinarX CubeSats, which hold the student-made payloads, are only 10cm cubed in size. More than 60 students from across Perth handed their payload, which they have been working on for the past 18 months, to Curtin University Space Science and Technology Centre researcher Robert Howie inside the BankWest Lecture Theatre on Friday. 'I was really impressed with what the students put together,' Dr Howie told The West Australian. 'Then they go up in a rocket to the International Space Station... into low Earth orbit, they'll be in that orbit for a few months until they burn up from the natural orbital decay.' Students from John Curtin College of the Arts, Churchlands Senior High School, Methodist Ladies College and Dianella Senior College were among the participants. Established in 2017, the Binar Space Program has already deployed four satellites including WA's first-ever homegrown Binar-1 in 2020. The program also sent spacecraft into orbit in 2024 and is set to launch the five student-assisted spacecraft in the next 18 months. Each group of students chose their spacecraft 'mission,' this year the choices were inclusive of coral bleaching, deforestation and radiation. Dr Howie was chuffed seeing the students grow during the payload construction process and hopes he has opened their eyes to the possibilities of a career in STEM. 'I've definitely seen some students sort of grow in their technical skills,' he said. 'I think it really exposes them to different aspects of possible careers so that they can make the right decision about where they go. The BinarX program has done exactly that as Balcatta Senior High School student Isha Singh who was set on becoming a lawyer has recently had a change of heart. 'I wanted to be a lawyer, and I saw the poster on the wall about Binar, I looked into it, and I think it definitely has created an interest in space... and it's helped tie in what I want my career path to be,' the year 11 student said. Balcatta Senior High School student John Luxford also found his passion through BinarX. 'I definitely want to become an engineer or something,' he said. 'The BinarX program has helped me open my eyes to the world of engineering.' Binar Principal Investigator and former WA Scientist of the Year Professor Phil Bland said the BinarX program is unlike anything else in Australia. 'This is more than a classroom exercise; these students are contributing to real space missions,' Professor Bland said. 'The BinarX program is one of the only initiatives in the country where high school students are given the tools and mentorship to build real, flight-ready hardware destined for orbit. 'We're immensely proud of what these students have achieved, and we're excited to see their experiments launched into space alongside our next-generation Binar spacecraft.' Originally piloted in 2021 with just two schools, the BinarX program expanded significantly in 2024, and Dr Howie hopes it can reach a wider range of students in the future. 'We'd like to take that program basically out to the regions, so that people outside of Perth are able to access this type of outreach program as well,' he said. 'And we'd also like to target a younger age indicates people make critical career decisions at young ages so we're actually looking to target up primary schools.'
Korea Herald
23-04-2025
- Science
- Korea Herald
Bhutanese teen helps build satellite in Australia
THIMPHU, Bhutan (Kuensel/ANN) — Pema Tsho Sakhu, a 13-year-old Bhutanese student living in Perth, Australia, is already reaching for the stars, literally. She is part of the BinarX program at Curtin University, where she is helping develop a scientific payload that will soon be launched into Earth's orbit aboard a CubeSat, a miniature satellite, typically shaped like a cube, measuring 10cm on all sides. A student at Balcatta Senior High School, she is one of the youngest participants in the program. She works alongside university researchers, engineers, and educators to design and build the payload, which is slated for launch by the end of this year. The satellite is expected to orbit the Earth while transmitting valuable data for analysis. "Once it is launched into the earth's orbit, we will be tracking and downloading the data captured by the CubeSat," Pema Tsho Sakhu said. Through the satellite, they plan on studying the Earth and space environment, and test samples for micro-gravity. "The moment the satellite launches will be absolutely fascinating," she said. "To see our year-long work orbiting Earth, it feels just like a dream." Her fascination with space began early. Last year, she witnessed the launches of Binar-2, Binar-3, and Binar-4 satellites, a moment she described as "breathtaking." The BinarX program is led by planetary scientist professor Phil Bland and coordinated by Meg Berry. Bland said that Pema has worked closely with her BinarX payload development team at her school, successfully reaching key milestones, including Mission Concept Review and Preliminary Design Review. "Her passion extends beyond her team's project work," he said. "She and her family joined us at midnight to witness our Binar-2, 3, and 4 satellites' launch attempt on a SpaceX rocket last August, which due to last minute was postponed to next day." She later returned to help issue the command to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to deploy the satellites from the International Space Station. The young prodigy also received a full scholarship from the Fogarty Foundation in partnership with Curtin University to develop and launch her own model rocket. The project involved electronic design, software programming, and physical construction before the successful launch. Fogarty Foundation is a social venture, advancing change through education by providing opportunities for individuals to reach their potential. "She is an enthusiast for spacecraft research and development. It is simply a joy to see and share our excitement, and real-life ups and downs of spacecraft science, engineering and operations, and to feel that we have made some contribution in enabling her to explore this area," Bland said. The program coordinator, Meg Berry, said that Pema tackles complex technical challenges with a can-do attitude, demonstrating remarkable aptitude despite her young age. "During her team's critical design review milestone meeting, she answered questions about the functions of components they selected for their payload, including an infrared thermopile and operational amplifier," Meg Berry said. Pema moved to Perth with her family on June 6, 2022, while her mother pursued a master's degree. Adjusting to a new life in a foreign country came with challenges, but she said her learning journey has been guided by blessings from kencho-sum, King Jigme Khesar's vision for youth empowerment, and her parents' sacrifices. "Despite all the hardships, my learning journey has been progressing well," she said. Her father, Suraj Pradhan, said watching his daughter work alongside distinguished scientists, engineers, and even ex-NASA professionals has been a dream come true. "She is not just reading about satellites and rockets in textbooks, but actually designing one," he said. "Watching her model rocket launch into the sky, with a roar and a trail of smoke, was a moment we will never forget. For a few seconds, time stood still." "When people ask what Pema is doing. We say she is reaching for the stars."
