Nanosatellite Development to be Studied Under Fellowship Opportunity

The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the Government of Japan in cooperation with the Kyushu Institute of Technology (Kyutech) are looking for students from developing countries to study nanosatellite development. Another round of the post-graduate study on Nanosatellite Technologies (PNST) Program, part of the Access to Space for All initiative, is now open for applications. The partners offer three slots in the Master Program and three in the Doctoral Program, covering the tuition fee as well as a stipend to cover living expenses. Students are invited to submit their applications by January 9, 2023 and follow in the footsteps of more than 50 graduates over the years.

"We are honored to work with the Government of Japan for more than ten years to bring new experiences to young students from developing nations by opening access to the unique infrastructure provided by Kyutech."

UNOOSA Acting Director Niklas Hedman.

The PNST program contributes to expanding access to space education and research in satellite development, particularly by building capacity for students from developing countries who may otherwise not have access to such facilities. Through the use of the unique facilities at Kyutech, students learn about the entire cycle of satellite development and take part in practical activities.

Students often decide to use the skills acquired to kick-start national space activities as nanosatellites represent an affordable entry point for non-spacefaring nations. Since satellite applications and services contribute significantly to sustainable development, the impact of the PNST program is much greater than just the individual beneficiaries.

"We are honored to work with the Government of Japan for more than ten years to bring new experiences to young students from developing nations by opening access to the unique infrastructure provided by Kyutech," said UNOOSA Acting Director Niklas Hedman. "Past graduates of the program are now making a difference in their national and regional space activities supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. We look forward to nurturing some more future young leaders in space."

"We are pleased to open the new round of PNST with our long-standing partner UNOOSA," said Mengu Cho, Professor of Laboratory of Lean Satellite Enterprises and In-Orbit Experiments (LaSEINE) at Kyutech. "PNST seeks post-graduate students from a wider range of developing and non-space faring countries. The nanosatellite development program that we provide is an ideal first step to establishing the basic capacity for space technology. Under PNST, students will gain this capacity through on-the-job training, going through the complete cycle of designing, building, and testing a satellite under the supervision of the Kyutech faculty. We thank UNOOSA for their continued support and we look forward to receiving many applications."

(Source: UNOOSA news release)