What is ZACube-2?

Cubesats are extremely small satellites, in the form of 10 cm cubes and with a mass of up to 1 kg (although there are some made up of two or three such cubes). Developed originally in the US, they are becoming increasingly popular with universities and technological institutes around the world, because of their considerable educational benefits. These tiny satellites have come a long way since Sputnik, the first satellite that was launched in 1957, weighing 83 kg. The success of the CubeSat programme has revolutionised space technology.

Cubesats provide both hands-on experience for engineers and technologists in their design and construction, and, once in orbit, the data needed to support scientific experiments and projects.

ZACube-2 will monitor the movement of ships along the South African coastline with its automatic identification system (AIS) payload. The AIS navigational data will be provided to the South African Government in support of its broader Operation Phakisa initiative to grow our maritime economy. The satellite also carries a camera that will detect veld fires from space.

ZACube-2 was designed and built mainly by postgraduate students at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) in conjunction with SANSA as part of the CubeSat programme.

Competition rules
Terms and conditions
Mail address
Competition rules

  • Send in one name per entry form only.
  • You may make photocopies of the entry form, or download copies from the website.
  • The competition  closed on the 12th November 2018.
  • The organisers will appoint independent judges and their decision will be final.
  • The name becomes the property of the Department of Science & Technology and NRF|SAASTA.
  • For enquiries, contact Jacky Tshokwe, Telephone (012) 391-9326.

Terms and conditions

Mail address

Mail it to:                       NAME THE SATELLITE COMPETITION,
                                       c/o SAASTA, PO BOX 1758, PRETORIA 0001
Hand deliver to:           SAASTA, DIDACTA BUILDING,
                                       211 SKINNER STREET, PRETORIA
Email to:                       zacube@saasta.ac.za
Fax to:                           086 460 9860      

Thank you for participating in our satellite naming competition!

The competition has now ended and we will announce the winners during December on our website.

Stay tuned and be sure to check back with us in December to find out who won the competition.