Jordanian Students Develop First Cubesat To Track Wildlife

(MENAFN- Jordan News Agency)

Amman, July 14 (Petra) -- In a milestone for Jordan's technology and scientific research, a team of Jordanian university students, led by Al Hussein Technical University (HTU), has developed the Kingdom's first student-designed miniature satellite, named "ReemSat," with direct backing from the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA).
According to Firas Jarrar, project supervisor and Head of the Mechanical Engineering Department at HTU, the idea for "ReemSat" dates back to 2023, when Diana Jbour, an aerospace engineering student at Jordan University of Science and Technology and the project's coordinator, proposed a CubeSat design for a competition organized by UNOOSA.
The idea quickly gained traction, drawing students from various Jordanian universities, and a series of technical lectures and training sessions on satellite design were held, resulting in the selection of a core team of 17 highly qualified students.
HTU has supported the project from its inception, providing full financial and logistical backing, enabling the team to prepare a comprehensive technical report with detailed designs and calculations. The project was later selected by UNOOSA to be launched via Germany's EXOpod launch platform operated by Exolaunch.
"ReemSat" is named after the Reem gazelle, an endangered species native to Jordan, highlighting the project's symbolic and environmental focus. Its mission is to harness space technology to monitor endangered wildlife in remote areas of Jordan using low-power, long-range wireless communication technologies.
The satellite will be a single-unit CubeSat (1U) measuring 10 cm per side and weighing under 2 kg. It will feature communication systems, a solar power system, an onboard computer, a control and orientation unit, and field sensors. It will track wildlife using LoRa technology to generate precise research data for ecology and biology specialists. Additionally, the satellite will support research projects at HTU in areas like communications and space systems analysis.
The planned launch is set for late 2026 or early 2027 from the United States as part of a UNOOSA program, with deployment via Exolaunch's German platform. Jarrar noted that the timeline could change for technical or logistical reasons.
Communication with the satellite will be handled through the Royal Jordanian Radio Amateurs Society's ground station, which will provide the required frequencies since HTU does not yet have its own ground station. Jarrar emphasized that the project has offered students invaluable practical experience in system design, engineering calculations, software development, and interdisciplinary teamwork.
The initiative has also inspired students to pursue other projects, including "Project One Sat," which won first place in the security and defense category at the National Technology Festival with support from the Jordan Design and Development Bureau. HTU is now planning to establish a national lab specializing in space technology to train and prepare future talent for Jordan's growing space industry.
Jarrar described "ReemSat" as a message of hope and pride for Jordanian and Arab youth, proving that student ideas can become real-world projects when supported by an enabling environment and serious commitment, even in fields as advanced as outer space.
UNOOSA has officially announced the selection of "ReemSat" as the first project of its kind to receive its support in Jordan. HTU confirmed that the project was chosen from among 17 proposals submitted by educational institutions in 15 countries, marking a significant milestone in Jordan's journey to expand its presence in the space technology sector.
The team includes outstanding academic and student talent, with Jarrar leading alongside co-supervisor Nada Khatib from the Electrical Engineering Department, project coordinator Diana Jbour, and 12 students from HTU and other Jordanian universities.
The achievement reflects the ongoing efforts of Jordanian universities, particularly HTU, to advance applied education and empower youth to contribute to emerging industries, including the space sector.

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