Gemini-Pollux

Gemini-Pollux [NCKU]

Gemini-Pollux is a 3U Cubesat of the National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) in Tainan is a science, technology demonstration, and educational mission. The satellite supports environmental monitoring, disaster research, space weather studies, and student training while demonstrating domestically developed spacecraft technologies.

Its primary mission includes observing ionospheric variations, investigating the upper atmosphere, acquiring Earth imagery, and providing amateur radio communications. The mission also serves as a hands-on educational platform, allowing students to participate in the complete lifecycle of a satellite mission, from design and systems integration to on-orbit operations.

The CubeSat's structure, electrical power system, communications subsystem, attitude determination and control system, and flight software were designed and integrated by NCKU students and faculty. As part of the project, the university established a dedicated satellite ground station based on Software-Defined Radio (SDR) technology, enabling telemetry reception, command uplink, and satellite operations while strengthening Taiwan's expertise in end-to-end space mission capabilities.