The Alaska Research CubeSat (ARC-1) will be the first satellite designed, built, tested, and operated by students from the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF).
This satellite is designed as both an educational tool and a platform to facilitate rapid development of scientific and technology demonstration missions at UAF. Successful implementation of this development platform will demonstrate the ability of UAF students to compete for future Low Earth Orbit (LEO) research opportunities.
DynaCube – Picture by Keith Campbell
The SARL report that three members of the DynaCube CubeSat team have now got their amateur radio licenses and more will be taking the exam in May.
The 2012 Interns from the Denel Dynamics Engineering Academy of Learning have made good progress with their DynaCube Satellite project. The Interns are all engineers who last year graduated from various universities in South Africa and spend a year working on a project before they are assigned to various departments in the company.
Artistic impression of FITSAT-1 signaling in Morse code
On December 12-13 FITSAT-1 will be using its optical LED beacon to flash a message in Morse Code over the USA and the British Isles/Europe which should be visible using binoculars.
A statement on the UK Space Agency (UKSA) site says:
Due to the range of views received during the Reform of the Outer Space Act 1986 consultation the Government response has been delayed.
We hope to be in a position to publish it during the first half of 2013.
Further details will be posted in due course.
The Outer Space Act covers all UK satellites irrespective of size, from tiny low cost educational CubeSats up to large commercial £500 million satellites.
The key aspects of the consultation are the proposals to waive the capped liability and insurance requirement for in-orbit operation of any satellite that meets the criteria of a CubeSat and to remove the requirement for unlimited indemnity from satellite operators.
The existing Outer Space Act imposes heavy additional costs (>£50,000 per annum) on those wishing to launch small educational CubeSats. The additional costs act as a major deterrent and to-date no such UK CubeSat has been launched.
Reform of the Outer Space Act 1986: Consultation http://www.uk.amsat.org/?p=8783
Private Spacefarer Sarah Brightman Undergoes Medical Tests
The Space Adventures agency has confirmed that Phantom of the Opera star Sarah Brightman has signed an agreement with the Russian Space Agency and secured herself a space trip in 2015.
Brightman will become the next private spacefarer to the ISS following Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte who traveled into space in 2009.
Private Spacefarer Sarah Brightman Undergoes Medical Tests
The Space Adventures agency has confirmed that Phantom of the Opera star Sarah Brightman has signed an agreement with the Russian Space Agency and secured herself a space trip in 2015.
Brightman will become the next private spacefarer to the ISS following Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte who traveled into space in 2009.
AMSAT-UK 
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