Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hong Kong Horizon College said today that a small artificial satellite (CubeSat) designed and manufactured by 10 students of the school has been successfully tested in Siberia, marking the first time that Hong Kong secondary school students have participated in the construction and completion of the launch test of an artificial satellite.
As part of the international education program of the Sakha Academy of Sciences in Siberia, the selected students went to Yakutsk, the capital of Siberia, in March this year to complete the construction of a small artificial satellite under the guidance of professors from the Sakha Academy of Sciences, and to test the launch of a small artificial satellite 31 kilometers above the earth's surface. In November this year, the Faculty will launch an artificial satellite 100 kilometres above the Earth's surface to collect data and conduct experiments to understand the impact of climate change on the Earth's environment and natural ecology.
Students experience the polar regions in Siberia.
Dr. Lam Hak-chung, Chief Principal of Wing Shun College of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hong Kong, said that the event was of great significance, as it proved that Hong Kong secondary school students have the ability and ambition to explore aerospace technology in depth, and the relevant fields of knowledge are not far away. The school uses innovative thinking to take students out of the classroom, inspire them to pursue scientific knowledge, and combine theory and practice to turn ideas into reality through hands-on satellite building. It was encouraging for the students to put in their time and efforts, and to have the opportunity to witness the successful launch of the satellite. Starting from the next school year, both the primary and secondary schools will add systematic aerospace technology courses in different subjects, including the design and manufacture of miniature artificial satellites, and will also participate in a rocket launch competition in Lenghu Mars Town in Qinghai Province in July this year to broaden students' horizons and experiences.
Dr. Lam Hok-chung, President of Horizon College, Evangelical Church of Hong Kong.
Tang Shun-cheung, a Secondary 4 student at Horizon College, said that there were many difficulties in the process of manufacturing satellites, and it was necessary to constantly revise the programming, and also adjust the launch trajectory and data in response to weather changes to ensure the success of the satellite test. One of the fun aspects of the activity is to solve problems with students from different countries, break through language barriers and learn teamwork.
Another Form 5 student, Li Gaoxi, said that since he was a child, he wanted to participate in the design and creation of things, and this time he had the opportunity to build an artificial satellite, which felt very amazing and the experience was very valuable, and the opportunity to experience the life in the ice and snow of Siberia and understand the local culture was very unforgettable.
Lee Gallium, a Secondary 5 student at Horizon College, said that it was a wonderful experience to have the opportunity to build an artificial satellite by himself.
Tang Shun-cheong, a Secondary 4 student at Horizon College, said that there were many difficulties in the process of manufacturing satellites, and it was necessary to constantly revise the programming, and also adjust the trajectory and data of the launch in response to weather changes to ensure the success of the satellite test.
The year-long program will take part in an online course at the Sakha Academy of Sciences, where experts from Moscow State University and Siberian State Aerospace University will teach the principles and operation of the atmosphere, rocket lift-offs and artificial satellites, and conduct design and experiments under the guidance of school teachers.
In March this year, the students went to Yakutsk, the capital of Siberia, to complete the manufacturing of artificial satellites, and successfully launched the satellites to an altitude of 31 kilometers above the earth's surface for testing. In November this year, the alumni reunion went to the local space station to witness the launch of satellites into outer space more than 100 kilometers above the earth's surface. According to the university, the data collected by satellites can help understand the impact of climate change on the earth's environment and natural ecology, and encourage students to think about the responsibility and solutions to protect the earth.
Top image: Moments before the satellite lifts off, teachers and students can't hide their excitement.
Students work with local professors and experts to build artificial satellites.