All systems go for ACRUX-1 Launch !

ACRUX-1, the Melbourne Space Program’s inaugural cube satellite, is ready to go into orbit. The launch window opening this Thursday on the 27th June, 16:30 NZT (04:30 UTC).

It will take off from New Zealand on Rocket Lab’s next Electron rocket mission, launching into a 450 x 450 km 45° inclination orbit.

This satellite is the culmination of three years of development by the Melbourne Space Program, an education organisation run entirely by student volunteers. Our mission is to mission is to educate, engage and inspire through space activities in Australia. We aim to launch the next generation of technology pioneers, using space technology as a catalyst for discovering passion and building experience. This is the first Australian satellite designed and built by students, to be launched, since 1970.

ACRUX-1 is a 1U satellite, primarily an in-orbit engineering demonstrator model. Four of its five systems have been designed and built by students from scratch: the chassis, power systems, command & data handling, and orientation control. The telecommunications system is comprised of the Astrodev Lithium 2 radio and Endurosat UHF antenna. With this mission, we hope to inspire a new wave of education and innovation in Australia. Future missions which will reach even more students across Melbourne and Australia, as we aim to work with more industry and academic partners to provide useful services. Some of those missions are already in the early planning stages.

In addition to building the satellite, we have built and are operating our own high gain ground station using a LimeMini SDR. However, this is our first time running a satellite mission and we would greatly appreciate support in tracking the satellite!

The radio communications details are:
Downlink: 437.2 MHz GMSK 9600 bps AX.25 1W beacon
Uplink: TBA
More information for decoding the beacon can be found at https://melbournespace.com.au/acrux-1-beacon-telemetry-information/

We will be sharing our TLE estimations based on the state vectors (satellite position and velocity at ejection from the rocket) on our social media platforms. Post-launch, NORAD will begin tracking the objects released from the launch. Once we’ve figured out which object is ACRUX-1, it will be easy to look up the TLE throughout the mission lifetime.

For the latest ACRUX-1 news, you can follow MSP on

LinkedIn - Link

Twitter - Link

Facebook - Link

What makes ACRUX-1 one of a kind? What does mission success means for ACRUX-1? We publish articles regularly here via this Link

For launch information, follow Rocket Lab on Twitter here: Link

On a personal note, I’d like to extend a massive thank you to Tim VK3TJC for his many hours of mentoring us in the art of radio communications and amateur radio. I’m also very grateful to Dale VK1DSH for providing us with assistance in filing with the IARU, Fred VK3DAC for supporting us at the WIA, and the many other HAMs who have shared their knowledge, equipment and enthusiasm with me and my team along the way.

Gabi Abrahams VK3EXO
Telecommunications and Mission Operations Lead, Melbourne Space Program

Image credit: Rowan Skewes - Click the image for a larger view

Page Last Updated: Tuesday 25 June 2019 at 11:1 hours by Robert Broomhead

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