According to the Russian Interfax news agency, the press office of the Russian University of Technology in Tomsk announced that the university plans to launch the world’s first CubeSat with 3D printing on March 31, 2016.

According to reports, the satellite is a three-unit cubic star, and the satellite structure design and main manufacturing work is undertaken by the modern manufacturing technology research center of the Tomsk University of Technology. The shell size of the satellite is 30×10×10 cm, all manufactured using 3D printing technology. It uses the new aerospace materials developed by experts from Tomsk University of Technology and the Institute of Reliability Physics and Material Manufacturing of the Far East Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

After the shell part was completed, the satellite was handed over to the Russian Korolev Energy Rocket Aerospace Group for follow-up processing and launch preparations. It plans to take the Progress MC-2 at the Baikonur launch site on March 31st. The cargo spacecraft travels to the International Space Station and is then launched by the International Space Station astronauts to scheduled orbits during routine outbound activities. The orbital altitude of the satellite design is about 400 km, and the service period is six months.

Tomsk University of Technology hopes to use this satellite launch to observe the actual use of new aerospace materials, including examining the role of ceramic materials in protecting solar panels against the dramatic changes in the ambient temperature of the universe. In addition, the satellite will help the university and cooperating unit researchers complete a series of space experiments.

Scientists at the university believe that Cube Nano satellites are a rapidly developing field in recent years. The use of 3D printing technology to make shells will make such satellites more affordable and popular, further reducing the threshold for satellite development. It is worth mentioning that this launch project is an important part of the celebration of the 120th anniversary of the establishment of the Tomsk Polytechnic University. When the satellites are in orbit, they will send a congratulatory message to the earth. General radio enthusiasts can receive satellite signals through simple equipment. .