PHI-1 Spacecraft

PHI-1
PHI-1
Spacecraft name PHI-1 (Payload Hosting Initiative, Danfe, AMAN)
Type CubeSat
Units or mass 12U
Mass in kg 13.9 kg
Status Operational (Lots of packets with data on SatNOGS, last checked 2025-12-24)
Launched 2025-11-28
NORAD ID ?
Deployer EXOpod Nova 12U/16U [Exolaunch]
Launcher Falcon 9 (Transporter-15)
Organisation Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC)
Institution Institute
Entity Government (Civil / Military)
Nation United Arab Emirates
Oneliner

A 12U modular satellite platform with Nepal DANFE and Bahrein AMAN hosted payload.

Description

Building upon the experience gained with PHI-demo, planned to be launched end of 2022 (depending on launcher availability), PHI-1 is now offered through the Access to Space for All initiative of OOSA.

Through the PHI programme, UNOOSA and MBRSC provide the possibility to host payloads on a satellite platform developed by the Bin Rashid Space Centre. The programme supports capacity-building and promotes space science and technology in developing countries and is an important opportunity for innovation and new technology demonstration.

The "AMAN" payload conceptualized by a team from Bahrain will test an optimized Advanced Encryption Standard, which aims to secure communication between the satellite and the ground station/Internet of Things (IoT) terminals.

The "Danfe Space Mission" of Nepal will study the operation of PX4 Autopilot, a middleware for drones in space, with a focus on the system's behaviour and operation. The payloads will provide practical experience, knowledge and skills in space technology to the teams of both countries.

The PHI-1 spacecraft is a continuation of the satellite development program initiated by the Mohammed bin Rashid space center (MBRSC) to inspire scientific innovation, technology advancements in the space development and scientific research within the UAE. The mission provides an open door to space for the countries that don’t have space solutions, that is with collaboration by UNOOSA in providing Payloads from verities of country that go through selection competition held by UNOOSA to give opportunities for testing their product in Space.

Notes
Sources [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]
Photo sources [1] [2]
On the same launch

Last modified: 2026-01-04

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Created by Erik Kulu

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