International Collaboration Towards Cambodia’s First Small Satellite Education Program: Lessons Learnt

Presenter Information

Maximilien Berthet, The University of TokyoFollow
Morokot Sakal, The Institute of Technology of CambodiaFollow
Penghuy Srean, The Institute of Technology of Cambodia
Sotheara Oum, The Institute of Technology of Cambodia
Polimey Im, The Institute of Technology of Cambodia
Sokserey Srey, The Institute of Technology of Cambodia
Ryohei Takahashi, The University of TokyoFollow
Jorge Garcia, The University of Tokyo
Nobuhiro Funabiki, The University of Tokyo
Yoichi Suenaga, The University of Tokyo
Rattana Chhin, The Institute of Technology of CambodiaFollow

Session

Pre-Conference Workshop Session 1: Coordinating Successful Educational Programs

Location

Utah State University, Logan, UT

Abstract

Since 2019, students from the University of Tokyo (UTokyo) and the Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC) have collaborated to set up Cambodia’s first small satellite education program. Around 30 students from both institutions have organized and taken part in joint educational activities, articulated around the development of a 1U CubeSat, which is planned to become Cambodia’s first satellite. This paper presents lessons learnt so far during the cooperative education program. We first explain how students have led the collaboration between a mentor (UTokyo) and mentee (ITC) institution in different countries, mostly online due to the pandemic. We then provide transferable lessons on how to create a small satellite education program in a resource-scarce environment, based on the development of CubeSat training at the ITC. Finally, we present ongoing methods at the ITC to cultivate a supporting ecosystem for the new satellite education program. It is hoped that this paper will provide a useful reference point for other actors building a new and sustainable satellite education program with limited resources.