The first Croatian satellite will be launched by Elon Musk’s SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Thus, by the end of the year, after two delays, CroCube should finally begin its journey into low Earth orbit. It will be launched from the SLC-4E launch complex located at the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
Safe and affordable
– The main reason for choosing the Falcon 9 was safety, because the Falcon 9 has so far proven to be a very safe bus for space. Another thing is related to ecology. The Falcon 9 differs from conventional rockets in that it can be landed and reused, reducing waste. The price was also very reasonable. We chose Musk’s company through an intermediary, which is our Berlin partner – said Daniela Jović, head of the CroCube project. He adds that although sending nano satellites from Croatia is not even remotely comparable to what the space superpowers are doing, which send programmed sophisticated spacecraft to the moon, to the nearest planets such as Mars, on which rovers also land, the spacecraft sent in the so-called deep space, the event is historic for Croatia. Namely, Croatia is among the last countries in the European Union that do not have their own satellite in space, but that will soon change.
– The global space industry is worth more than 500 billion euros, with growth forecasts of around 40 percent in the next five years, so this project comes at the perfect time. In addition to the economic goal, the focus is also on education and the popularization of science. This is achieved through various materials that CroCube publishes on its website, podcasts, lectures, cooperation with schools and popularizers, such as Ante Radoni, but also through events such as World Space Week, Yuri’s Night Zagreb powered by CroCube, HAKOM family day, and similar – says Jovi.
A real Croatian product
It is important to emphasize that this is a truly Croatian satellite, for which most of the parts were manufactured in Croatia, and Jovi he pointed out that it is equally important that for the first time we will have our own pictures of the Earth and that will be available to absolutely everyone.
The project manager also explained why there have been two delays so far.
– Those delays were ordered by Spacex due to technical problems, and they had nothing to do with us. Likewise, we now hope that the launch will be this year as promised by Spacex, but that does not depend on us. I can’t talk about the exact date, but it should be by the end of December – said Jovi.