Dundee science was instrumental in the workings of the first ever Scottish satellite, which rocketed for the heavens earlier this week.
Although the high-tech satellite was assembled by experts in Glasgow, and commissioned in Swindon, it would not be working today without Dundee ingenuity courtesy of local firm Bright Ascension.
UKube-1 was launched on Tuesday from Kazakhstan.
Dr Peter Mendham, director of Bright Ascension, said: “Our company was responsible for all the software used. We created the software aboard the satellite that allows it to complete its mission.
“We also created the software that allows it to interface with computers on the ground, and the software at mission control in Hampshire.
“We are a very small company, there’s only three of us, and this was our first large project.
“We’ve already been involved in several other projects, and are starting to supply around the world.
“Hopefully this successful mission will be the start of many more.”
The satellite is about the size of a shoebox.
Dr Mendham said: “There are six different experiments being conducted on board.
“There is a camera, which is being tested in space, there is a complicated experiment to monitor high-altitude weather involving global positioning, and a schools engagement project, where you can get outside with a laptop and an aerial and connect to the satellite as it passes overhead.
“That is the most exciting, it helps kids to understand the satellite and helps them get excited and put what they learn into practice.
“Designing software for space is remarkably similar to designing it on Earth.
“The main challenge is that if we get something wrong, we can’t just nip up and sort it out.
“We do a lot of defensive programming, we have to be thoroughly tested and able to combat these problems.
“It took us two years to design the on-board software, and six months to work on the mission control software, it’s a long process, and really difficult for sure.
“We’re really pleased with the performance, and we’ve got all the data we expect.”
The rocket carrying the satellite took off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, the same site where Yuri Gagarin made the historic first manned space flight.
The satellite will operate for about one year in order to complete its mission.