Turkey's First PocketQube Satellite Set for Launch

Turkey's First Pocket Satellite Launches Grizu-263A, Turkey's first pocket satellite produced by Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University Space Team Grizu-263 and supported by Turkey's steel producer Erdemir, is counting down to its space journey. With Erdemir's support, Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University Space Team designed Turkey's first pocket satellite Grizu-263A. The satellite will be launched into space on 13 January 2022. ZBÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Çufalı congratulated those who contributed to the satellite's construction in his remarks.

Turkey's First Pocket Satellite to Launch into Space on 13 January

Turkey's first pocket satellite Grizu-263A will be launched into space on 13 January 2022 via SpaceX Falcon9 rocket. The satellite was designed by Zonguldak University Space Team with support from steel producer Erdemir. ZÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Çurfalı congratulated everyone who contributed to satellite production and said "Our Grizu-263 team is the pride of our university, Zonguldak and Turkey." Since 2018, work on the Grizu-263A pocket satellite has been supported by Erdemir. The pocket satellite's construction was completed in October 2020 and delivered to the launch provider. However, due to the pandemic, the launch was postponed to 13 January. On 13 January, Turkey's first pocket satellite Grizu-263A will be launched from Cape Canaveral (SLC-40) launch facility via SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Grizu-263A will remain in orbit for 4 years and will be sent to 525 km in low Earth orbit. Grizu-263A satellite consists of five fundamental subsystems: Electrical Power Subsystem (EPS), On-board Computer Subsystem (OCS), Communication Subsystem (CS), Attitude Determination Subsystem (ADS) and Payload Subsystem (PLS), and a body to which these systems are mounted and protected. The satellite weighs 237 grams and has a cubic shape measuring 5x5x5 cm. The data packet the Grizu-263A will send to Earth contains power consumption information from the subsystems and power obtained from solar panels, inertial data for analyzing the satellite's movements in orbit, UTC time information and satellite internal temperature data.

They Have Achieved Significant Success Nationally and Internationally

ZBEÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Çufalı made remarks about Grizu-263A. Çufalı noted that in addition to achieving national and international successes, the Grizu-263 team expanded their goals by sending a satellite into space. Çufalı stated: "Our university is positioned as the hub of the region making significant breakthroughs in many areas. In this context, our Engineering Faculty students, our Faculty of Arts and Sciences students and our other students are demonstrating significant achievements nationally and internationally. In this regard, our Grizu 263 team began nationally and achieved success internationally in many competitions. Our team has placed second in the world twice in the NASA-sponsored CanSAT competition. They expanded their goals even further." Çufalı noted that the launch was delayed due to circumstances beyond their control and they have been working on this for several years, saying: "Finally, it will be launched into space with SpaceX Falcon-9 rocket on 13 January. God willing, we are organizing a special program that day. We hope there will be no further postponement and we will watch this launch live together. Grizu-263 team is the pride of Zonguldak, our university and our country. Our other teams are also achieving significant success. But our Grizu-263 team will accomplish a first. I wish their success continues to grow. Together with our Grizu-263 team, our other teams will also succeed."

"We Set Out to Realize a Dream"

Grizu-263 team captain Çağla Aytaç Dursun also made remarks. Dursun said, "Five years ago, together with Muzaffer Duysal, we set out to realize a dream. Following various national and international successes, to realize our biggest dream of sending a satellite into space, we activated our Grizu-263A pocketqube satellite. We had approximately two years of work process. We completed tests and integration. On 13 January, this dream will have become reality." Another team captain, Muzaffer Duysal, said "Actually this is a prototype for us. A very innovative satellite. We want to develop this satellite and conduct experiments. We want to take sensor data from the ground and use it in many different fields. We aim to test lots of data on our Grizu-263A satellite, including in agriculture and forest fire detection. If this project is successful, we believe we can produce very excellent products with high added value for our country. We also thank our sponsor Erdemir for the support they have given us."

"Our Students Demonstrated What They Can Accomplish When They Work and Commit Themselves"

ZBEÜ Engineering Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer noted that the team has worked diligently for years and increased their success. Özölçer said "Our colleagues have put in effort for years. They work. They have success. These things happen through enthusiasm, goals and hard work. They worked with this awareness. Furthermore, they got to the point of launching a pocket satellite into space. How many teams in the world can do this. Our Grizu-263 team is one of them. God willing, they will expand their goals even further. Our students demonstrated what they can accomplish when they work and commit themselves. I congratulate all of them. I hope it will be beneficial to our country." Grizu-263 team's academic advisor Prof. Dr. Bülent Ekmekçi also made remarks. Ekmekçi said; "Five years ago, we began a Zonguldak story that extends from the dark depths of mine pits to the infinite depths of space. Our story continues to develop. On 13 January, we will reach a true milestone with the Falcon-9 rocket. This launch will actually be a new beginning. It will present us with brand new ideas for future technologies and new horizons. In those goals, I wish we will all be together again with great success. I feel obliged to thank OYAK General Manager and Erdemir Board Chairman Süleyman Savaş Erdem, who made significant contributions through the financial support they provided for all these activities to materialize. We dreamed and with them we succeeded in our dream."