Singapore university plans to launch two more satellites

Singapore's Nanyang Technological University plans to send two more satellites into outer space by the fourth quarter of 2015, it said on Tuesday.

One of the satellites, known as VELOX-CI, is slated for launch next year. It weighs 130 kg and is about the size of a mini fridge. Funded by the Economic Development Board, it will be used to study tropical climates.

The other, known as VELOX-II, will be an experimental communications satellite.

The researchers are hoping to use some of the technologies tested in two previous launches.

"The success of the satellites ... (gives) us the confidence to integrate our new knowledge into building more advanced satellites, which will help Singapore in its quest to establish a space industry," said Associate Professor Low Kay Soon, director of NTU' s Satellite Research Center.

The university launched the pico-dized VELOX-PII satellite a year ago, followed by the bigger VELOX-I in June this year.