SINGAPORE — Orbiting in space, some 650km above Earth, is Singapore’s first nano-satellite.

The nano-satellite, the work of a group of engineering students and researchers from the Nanyang Technological University (NTU), was successfully launched into space on Monday.

Named VELOX-I, it is a unique 2-in-1 satellite that will deploy a pico-satellite (VELOX-PIII) — the size of an iPhone — in two to three months’ time.

The nano-satellite can take images, and will be used to test other technologies such as an inter-satellite communication system and a camera sensor.

NTU Provost Professor Freddy Boey said the students have done Singapore proud with the successful launch of VELOX-I and VELOX-PIII. They were launched on India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle and join two other NTU satellites in space.

“It is an excellent showcase of NTU’s leading position in electrical and electronic engineering, and aerospace. It highlights our strengths in applied research and engineering, reinforcing Singapore’s position as an aerospace hub, and is a boost to the development of a local space industry,” he said.

To control and monitor its growing fleet of satellites, NTU has built a new Mission Control Centre, which has advanced satellite communication and computer systems. Operated by NTU students and researchers, it will be the hub of operations for all four NTU satellites presently orbiting space, including future launches.