The achievement of Mumbai’s K J Somaiya Institute of Technology (KJSIT) took center stage on Monday as their student satellite, ‘BeliefSat-0,’ was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota as part of ISRO’s PSLV-C58 mission.
According to information provided by the college, Somaiya BeliefSat-0 plays a crucial role in commemorating 100 years of HAM radio in India and aims to succeed the decommissioned HAMSAT, which was retired in 2016.
Positioned in a 350 km orbit with a 9.6-degree inclination, the satellite will begin operations once it reaches its designated orbit. The activation of services by HAM operators worldwide is eagerly anticipated upon turning on the PSLV Orbital Experiment Module payload. This moment is poised to make a significant impact on global amateur radio enthusiasts, who eagerly await the valuable contributions of Somaiya BeliefSat-0 to their community.
Developed over a span of six years by the New Leap Labs team at K J Somaiya Institute of Technology, Sion, Mumbai, Somaiya BeliefSat-0 marks the beginning of a series of satellites dedicated to advancing space technology education. The New Leap Labs team envisions launching more satellites with increasing complexity and societal applications in the future.
Dr. Suresh Ukrande, former Principal of KJSIT and current Principal of K J Somaiya College of Engineering (KJSCE), a key figure in driving this project, shared, “Our journey began in 2017 when our student team emerged victorious in ISRO’s ‘Touch the Jovian Moon’ competition. Inspired by this success, we ventured into space technology, establishing the New Leap Lab and forming a student-led team. Despite facing a two-year delay due to the challenges posed by Covid, today’s successful satellite launch is just the beginning. We are committed to continuing our work in the field of space technology.”